Paint color isn’t one of them, but car-buyers are increasingly learning that their carefully considered decision in this regard can have surprising fiscal ramifications. Trends change and consumer tastes change every minute. Therefore, the costs of certain colors can have a significant impact on the expected cost of a new vehicle. Classic colors such as black, white and silver remain the most popular, thanks to their enduring appeal. At the same time, these increasingly popular colour palettes and extra finishes uniquely available for an upcharge add thousands of pounds to the MSRP.
Black continues to be a popular consumer color, regarded for its beauty and retained value. Former editor of Automobile Magazine, Paul Barker, notes that black cars hold their value better. The more adventurous colored cars tend to lose their value much quicker. He explains, “We’re seeing huge discrepancies in paint pricing between manufacturers and they’re not always obvious at first glance.” This variability can make the car-buying process more confusing, making what should be a fun and exciting experience a much more daunting task.
For example, depending on what color you choose, the price can change drastically. Opting for this eye-catching bright yellow Renault 5 will add £800 to the vehicle’s price. Conversely, if you want a BMW X3, the only color that comes at zero premium is white. In comparison, choosing the “dune grey” shade increases the cost by £875, while “tanzanite blue” raises it by £1,725. Discrepancies like these give buyers pause and make them shift away from the color they love because they have to think about the cost.
Martijn Versteegen, founder of Imagin Studio, ascribes some common pitfalls to costly matte finishes, such as…”Even a small scratch can mean a full respray,” he states, emphasizing that these finishes are more susceptible to visible damage and cannot be polished out like standard paint. This creates additional risks for consumers. They often do not realize the long-term maintenance impact of the final finish they select.
James Harris, an automotive expert, echoes these sentiments by warning that darker colors such as black or deep blue may appear luxurious but are prone to swirl marks and water spots. “Darker colours… are beautiful when they’re polished, but they’re like a magnet for every swirl mark and water spot,” he warns. Buyers need to consider how the aesthetic benefits will balance with practicality and future maintenance costs when choosing their next vehicle color.
The market’s obsession with the latest “hot” color is an additional hurdle to overcome for car shoppers. Jonathan Such added that colorful models once they start selling tend to lose their value quicker than models in more neutral colors. “Cars that have come in the colour of the ‘moment’ or a trending colour tend to depreciate quicker,” he explains. This rapid deprecation can result in major lost value at resale time.
Specialty finishes, like metallic or pearlescent paints, are extremely expensive options. Jharris816 on Twitter warns that these finishes can be very expensive if any repair work is required. Restoring these unique palettes typically costs much more due to the need for specialized paint and labor. As a result, consumers need to be careful when choosing these appealing but costly alternatives.
Today, other manufacturers only offer a single one of these colors as free. Unfortunately, this change makes it even harder for consumers to make the right choice. This practice encourages buyers to consider whether the additional expense of a specific color aligns with their long-term ownership plans.
As housing and design trends shift, the importance of paint finish choice can’t be overstated. Vehicle color is a far more complicated decision-making process now. Consumers have to weigh the speculated costs against their individual tastes.
“It’s catching people out and can turn what should be a fun part of car buying into a bit of a nightmare.” – Paul Barker