debadge vs stock
Every time I see someone's debadged car, all I can think of are those magazine advertisements where they don't have an agreement to identify the type of car so they have to use some ambiguous model of debadged car in the pictures.
"That's a MB CL-class! No, wait, there's no badges on it. It must be something really special that just looks like a CL..."
"That's a MB CL-class! No, wait, there's no badges on it. It must be something really special that just looks like a CL..."
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Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Los Angeles
Nobody challenged me on my statement that debadged cars are worth less when eventually sold, but I thought I’d throw in the below quote from another forum anyway from someone who knows:
I believe the last paragraph in particular is good advice.
For several years I did appraisals on used cars for a group of new car dealers. I always dropped the value on any mods on a late model car. Not only did it narrow the number of prospective buyers, but it suggested a car that had been driven aggressively, usually by a younger owner. In the case of removed badges, installing new badges is not free. The badges cost something, the shop cost is something, and the scheduling of the "unmod" ties the car up for a period no matter how short. When you add the inconvenience to the purchasing dealer, that added up to a reason to depreciate the value of the car. How much? It depends a lot but easily several hundred dollars. Dropped cars with oversize wheels would be several thousand dollars.
If you want to do the mod, plan on restoring it to stock before trade-in or sell it to a private party. Be very careful about modding a leased car. That could get really expensive.
If you want to do the mod, plan on restoring it to stock before trade-in or sell it to a private party. Be very careful about modding a leased car. That could get really expensive.
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,112
Likes: 4
From: Charlotte, NC
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 304
Likes: 1
From: Ontario, Canada
I currently have debadged the "G37S" but kept the Mt Fuji logo and "I N F I N I T I" lettering. I think having 3 fonts for 12 characters is absolutely ridiculous -- way too busy.
I think it's going to be a nice weekend (weather-wise) where I live, so I'm going to clay and Zaino the car. I might as well debadge the rest of the lettering and just keep the Mt Fuji logo.
Some have mentioned to me that after you debadge, it reminds people of a repainted car and the body shop forgot to put the lettering back on. I always keep the lettering before I trade-in the car since, as someone has already posted, the car may be worth less wholesale with missing pieces than as bone stock. Appearance is everything (to a prospective buyer).
If I want to go the JDM route, I won't buy the Nissan logo badges but just go with the "SKYLINE" and "370GT" lettering in the back (while taking off the Mt Fuji logo). I have the OEM Infiniti door sills and it would conflict too much to slap on the Nissan logo in the back (and to replace the front grill logo). And I definitely doesn't think it is right to have the Mt Fuji with "SKYLINE" lettering below. Mixing USDM / JDM is really wrong ...
That's my $0.02 ...
I think it's going to be a nice weekend (weather-wise) where I live, so I'm going to clay and Zaino the car. I might as well debadge the rest of the lettering and just keep the Mt Fuji logo.
Some have mentioned to me that after you debadge, it reminds people of a repainted car and the body shop forgot to put the lettering back on. I always keep the lettering before I trade-in the car since, as someone has already posted, the car may be worth less wholesale with missing pieces than as bone stock. Appearance is everything (to a prospective buyer).
If I want to go the JDM route, I won't buy the Nissan logo badges but just go with the "SKYLINE" and "370GT" lettering in the back (while taking off the Mt Fuji logo). I have the OEM Infiniti door sills and it would conflict too much to slap on the Nissan logo in the back (and to replace the front grill logo). And I definitely doesn't think it is right to have the Mt Fuji with "SKYLINE" lettering below. Mixing USDM / JDM is really wrong ...
That's my $0.02 ...
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Charlotte, NC
Maintaining the Infiniti and Fugi is a supported change per sub paragraph 1C of G37CAB0001: "Right to be different for most everyone else" however note it carries the penalty of more difficult maintenance.
Rebranding to 370GT Skyline is currently being reviewed by the G37CAB, current charges of "Wannabe inferences" since the car is not available outside Japan have held it up for acceptance.
^is meant to be humorous and not taken seriously...
Rebranding to 370GT Skyline is currently being reviewed by the G37CAB, current charges of "Wannabe inferences" since the car is not available outside Japan have held it up for acceptance.
^is meant to be humorous and not taken seriously...
Florida G35 Club, Premier Member
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Orlando, FL
^ whoa, nice. Debadged all the way looks 100x better IMO. I initially took off just the G37s and left the rest, but it looked awkward. The chrome stands out way to much.
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,112
Likes: 4
From: Charlotte, NC
The above change is supported via G37CAB0001 sub paragraph 1B "Right to nakedness" however note it is recommend that the license plate frame carry some branding so as to not be mistaken as a Hyundia.
Last edited by RedG37SNC; May 28, 2009 at 12:41 AM.
I'm torn on the whole "De badge or Not" idea. I think it looks really good on certain cars (Like Pfizzle's) and awkward and cheap on other cars. I'm either going to leave everything on, or take everything off other than the Mt Fuji. I'm up in the air about it.
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 115
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From: Walnut Creek, CA
I kept the Mount Fuji and I love it. I've had more compliments from my coworkers than ever before and it's all been positive. I kept my Mercedes for 14 years and then gave it to my nephew. In his words "He can't wait until I give him the G37" His wait is going to be short because I'll be giving him the letters this weekend. 
Ha ha ha and....as for diminished value no worries when you keep things like me. Enjoy your car, have fun, do what you want.
Ha ha ha and....as for diminished value no worries when you keep things like me. Enjoy your car, have fun, do what you want.