Aftermarket Head Unit: Increase or Lower Resale Value?

I've got a 2008 Boxster with a PCM2.1/navigation unit. I'm sure in 2008 it was the balls, but right now it's just too clunky and inefficient. The navi DVD needs to be updated, doesn't have satellite radio, doesn't have iPod inputs, isn't touch screen, and isn't user friendly. So you're thinking to yourself: Dude, put in an aftermarket head unit. It will solve all your problems (aside: I don't want to install the Dension unit... not cost effective and still clunky). I have just one concern about installing an aftermarket headunit: resale value. Anytime I shop for used cars I'm always hesitant to buy a car that's had the dash apart to have a head unit installed. It's probably an irrational fear, but I just don't know if a quality/professional job has been done. And since I typically like a completely stock car, I look for someone who feels the same way. I've seen many photos of aftermarket head units installed in Porsches. And the all look great! So I'm seriously considering ripping out the PCM2.1 and installing an aftermarket unit. But when I go to sell the car do you think someone seeing the factory unit has been removed and an aftermarket radio has been installed in its place people will hesitate to buy? Or is the converse true? Up until recently, I would have walked if I'd seen an aftermarket radio. But maybe I'm alone feeling that way. Thoughts?

DECREASE But you should've know this by researching on here. Mods will distract from value because not everyone has your taste.

Simple: install whatever aftermarket head unit you want. It will be a huge improvement. It is easy & easily reversible. When it's time to sell, re-install the OEM piece of junk. Or, give the buyer the option. Hint: use the Euromotorspeed kit. It includes a factory compatible harness so no wires need to be cut. A few circuits will need to be tapped (with a crimp tee), but those can be removed without a trace. I did this the 1st week of ownership with my brand new 2010 987 and never even thought about reverting to that horrible CDR30.

If your looking to replace just the head unit (not a while sound system overhaul) then the work required falls well short of having the dash apart. There's no sense in not enjoying the the stereo just so that you can make a couple of bucks more a few years from now. Maybe. Wouldn't it be funny if potential buyers offered you less because the stereo and nav were useless? Or if the buyer took his new-to-him car straight to the stereo shop and had a modern system put in while you tortured yourself with the OE system? Well not funny, but you know what I'm saying. Head units can be undone more easily than they're done. Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

An aftermarket head unit would be a big negative for me in a used car. The closer a car is to 100 percent stock the better, but anything that modifies the car's original electrics or electronics would make me wince.

I traded my Cayman R with a high end after market Pioneer unit. It did not have any impact at all as I provided the orignal head unit with it.

I would only consider it if I knew who installed it and that it was done in a high quality way. At a minimum I would document the installation. Just my opinion.

+1 when I sold my mint condition s2k, the new buyer was happy with the top of the line head unit, hand happy to have the stock one as well. Just remember that whatever you add to the vehicle will never add value to the car.

Car manufacturers make cars, they universally suck at infotainment unless it's a very high priced option (think Burmeister). Conversely, electronics company make superb infotainment systems.. the question is why wouldn't you upgrade? People routinely upgrade their rides with plenums, ECU tunes, exhausts, etc.. but you as a buyer would shy way because there's an Alpine/Kenwood/Pioneer head unit professionally installed in the car? Really?

I would shy away from any car that has had performance modifications done to it, too.

If there has been no mods of any kind to a Porsche, then the owner is not an enthusiast. I would shy away from folks who don't have an emotional connection to their sports car.. just sayin' Furthermore, your car (like mine) is depreciating quickly and as such, I wouldn't worry too much about resale value. Enjoy it and make sure any mods you do are well done!

When buying used I look for a stock car, and make mods that suit ME. Frankly, I find most cosmetic mods tend toward being cheesy and a high percentage of "performance enhancements" are of questionable value in terms of actually increasing on-street performancce, and often have a negative impact on drivability. Owners are free to disagree, and do whatever they like to their cars. Just don't expect to sell them to me. The flip side to this position is that I drive my cars and don't worry about normal road rash or mileage. I don't expect to ever sell my car to folks who only want low-mileage, blemish-free garage queens. I have huge "enthusiasm" for using and enjoying my cars, both day-to-day and on the track.

That wasn't my intent, I was simply pointing out that enthusiasts mod their cars one way or another, but rarely leave them "stock". Maybe I'm of a different mindset but I've modded every car I've ever owned, it's fun and rewarding.. but it's clear that some folks would never consider buying a car from me because it's been altered. S'awright with me

NP. Just keep in mind that there are those enthusiast that would consider any kind of mod to be sacrilege; that only an OEM version is acceptable, that if it didn't have a Porsche part number on it and was designed/intended for that model car then it is devaluing the brand. Does that make those people any less of an enthusiast?

I understand the purist thoughts about mods, but I don't see how a quality HU upgrade would hurt the value of the car. Mine even has a backup camera which will be required in future cars.

That pic you uploaded doesn't show up. Something about requiring login. Plus your PM box is full.

I like mine, doesn't look out of place

I think it's a negative signal depending on the rest of the car. A poorly installed head-unit can be a pain to fix, and a lot of cars where the owner spent lots of money on a booming sound system aren't kept well. I also don't like them since they rarely truly match the interior right and many have tacky graphics and little chicklet buttons. Aesthetically a lot of these head units look like they're made for a souped-up Honda, not a Porsche . If you keep all the OEM parts and install it in a non-destructive way where the buyer has the ability to change back to stock easily probably not a big deal. You'd probably be better off switching it back to stock and selling the aftermarket unit on eBay though. I think most buyers want to see a stock car and you are unlikely to get paid a premium for mods in general. I'm in your same situation and will probably just get the Denison. The biggest issue for me is no aux-in or bluetooth audio for playing music from my iPhone . The nav is laughably dated but I don't use it often enough to care.

Follow-up question: Does removing the PCM 2.1 eliminate the use of certain adjustments, i.e. interior light dimming, or does the aftermarket unit maintain all the functions of the PCM2.1?

If I am the buyer, it usually lowers the value.