Why de-badge? Theft and damage involved, advice please!

**Hollywould09WRX** · 08-15-2011 01:59 PM

Hi everyone, new member here. I have a red 2009 WRX wagon. Purchased brand new. I have done everything possible to keep it as clean and stock as I can because I personally find value in a nice car that is not modified... that being said, I do appreciate certain mods. Anyway, some punk kids stole the WRX badge off the trunk a couple nights ago. It appears they used a screw driver and chipped the paint pretty bad.

Insurance company came out and made an estimate of $730 to relace a couple panels and repaint. I'm worried that if I replace the badge, it will get stolen again! So my question is, why do you de-badge on purpose (besides avoiding theft) and does it devalue the car at all? I'm concerned with maintaining the highest possible value of the car.

If I keep the badge off and clean up the left over adhesive, I would just need to touch-up paint the chips they made and I think it would look okay. Thoughts, advice? Thanks!

**rage-wrx** · 08-15-2011 02:21 PM

Must have been pretty desperate thieves.Are you talking about the Subaru badge or the "WRX" badge?So the insurance wants you to replace the trunk?

I'd just get touch up paint & clean everything up if the damage is no too bad.I debadged the car except for the "WRX".I don't think your badge has anything to do with the value of the car.

Can you post a pic of the damage?

**Hollywould09WRX** · 08-15-2011 02:35 PM

I'll try to get a pic posted today. Yeah they just took the WRX badge. I suspect a local kid who has an Impreza sport, but drives it like he wishes it was a WRX. I have a general idea of where he lives and I plan on seeing if his car suddenly became a "WRX."

**jd92677** · 08-15-2011 02:40 PM

The only reason I took the badges off my car is that I don't like the idea of big chrome badges on a car that is all dark gray. I can't imagine it changing the value of the car, it's still the same car, and you can always put them back on.

**BigDaddyRex** · 08-15-2011 02:43 PM

Originally Posted by Hollywould09WRX

So my question is, why do you de-badge on purpose (besides avoiding theft) and does it devalue the car at all? I'm concerned with maintaining the highest possible value of the car.

Debadging is really just a matter of personal preference. Some owners like the clean look of a debadged back end, some like the added mystery (other drivers not sure what they are up against), etc. I have a 2011 and left everything on the back except for the IMPREZA lettering - left the right side with just the WRX lettering. I've never heard of anyone removing them to avoid theft. As far as value ... a dealer would never care at trade-in, so the only time it could matter would be if you sold it privately later. There may be some buyers who would miss it - of course there would be others who might like it that way.

I agree with rage-wrx - clean off the adhesive and fix the chips ... unless you like the badging, then fix it.

**hachetman13** · 08-15-2011 03:32 PM

I'd have you company replace the badge and just keep it off the car then the next owner can put it on if they chose I've also found that a shotgun in the rear windows a great theft deterent

**Hollywould09WRX** · 08-15-2011 05:16 PM

Here's a pic. I know I know, needs a wash

**rage-wrx** · 08-15-2011 05:31 PM

Doesn't look too bad IMO.Just clean up the glue with some warm water or if it is too stubborn use goo-gone. And touch up.

**BigDaddyRex** · 08-15-2011 09:32 PM

Just remember - if you do choose to leave it off, take off the Impreza lettering on the back as well unless you just want to confuse the heck out of people.

**metaldahlberg** · 08-15-2011 09:38 PM

Originally Posted by rage-wrx

Doesn't look too bad IMO.Just clean up the glue with some warm water or if it is too stubborn use goo-gone. And touch up.

I concur.

**Rexosaurus** · 08-15-2011 10:02 PM

Maybe it is hard to see, but it only looks like some minor scratching. I don't see any dents, however, it is a small picture so you tell me. I would just get some get goo be gone and remove the remaining double sided tape from where the logo was and touch up the paint. I'd also remove all badging (personal pref). Also I dunno what your deductible is but if it is even $250 I think it would cost less to fix yourself and skip insurance claim. Definitely doesn't look like $750 damage though, not even close.

**kcwrxfan** · 08-16-2011 06:20 AM

I removed the badges because of it being the only chrome on the car really and it cleans it up nice. $750 seems high, touch up paint would be 20 bucks and no claim on the INS, good luck

**AmateurX** · 08-16-2011 08:45 AM

Like Tony, I debadged for a cleaner look. If I were to buy a WRX, I might knock the $ down $50 for the missing WRX. But really, it doesn't matter. I concur with the masses. Clean it up, touch it up, and remove the Impreza badge at a minimum.