How things can change:

[Mr 5 0]

Originally Posted by CupCake

Well, I have good news. I got a call from the Insurance people today and they told me my car was going to be totaled. That is not the good news, that is sad actually. What is good is that they are going to give me like $700 more than what I owe on it, so I will not have two car payments and all of that mess. I am very happy about that.

As you should be! Glad to learn that you will end up financially ahead on this situation. It's something to be happy about, anyway.

Something that made me upset is that I paid $350 for the dual exhaust that is on my car. I asked the guy if I could get it back and he told me that if I wanted it back, I would have to go and put the old one on and take the new one off. Then he told me that what I did is considered an after market modification and instead of helping the value of the car it will decrease it. And that he didn't think I should go get it. All of this time I was thinking that chaging things like that on a car will increase the value. Am I wrong?

Yes, as 'bjack' throughly explained. Mods don't help, they hurt resale unless you're selling privately to a like-minded muscle car affectionado who appreciates the modifications. Even then, some would-be buyers would rather do their own mods, their way, then buy a car already modified. In any case, now you know the downside of mods. You do them for your personal satisfaction and to enhance your driving experience - but not to add anything to the value of the car.

The bad thing is that I have the rental car until monday, so I don't have a lot of time to look for something else to drive. If you hear of some good deals, please let me know.

Try to find a local car trader newspaper or magazine and, of course, check the local papers classifieds throughly, daily. Good luck!