When You Buy A FUN Ride, Do YOU Opt For The STANDOUT Color Or Play It Safe And Go CLASSIC?

I am pretty sure ever since AutoSpies was brought to life there's been a several key areas that truly matter to the Agents: 1) Spy shots; 2) The quality of our photos; and, 3) Colors/specifications. We just love to understand what people like, what trends are around the corner and what specs are piquing buyer's interest.

Given this focus, Agent 001 and I spend a lot of time chewing the fat about colors and specifications. We're the kinda guys that can talk about carbon fiber-backed seats for an hour and debate it back and forth. For the record, give me the carbon fiber-backed seats. Except Lamborghini's — they suck.

It was just today that 001 spotted this uniquely painted Porsche 911 in San Diego. While I'll leave it to YOU to guess the color, this started another one of our famous conversations. This resulted in tonight's story.

So, we're curious, Spies: When you buy a FUN ride, do YOU go for the STANDOUT color, or do you play it safe for resale value and go with a CLASSIC hue?

What's it going to be, Spies?

TomM - 7/1/2018 6:13:33 AM

0 Boost

I a unaware that the color of the car can affect the performance of a car.

I would need to see data supporting that.

When I opt for a performance car - I opt for a performance car - the color is likely not an issue for a color blind person

Foncool - 7/1/2018 6:22:49 AM

+1 Boost

“do YOU go for the STANDOUT color, or do you play it safe for resale value and go with a CLASSIC hue?‘

Depends on the car, in the case of Lamborghini, a STANDOUT color is a Classic hue and protects resale value.

pcar4evr - 7/1/2018 7:54:59 AM

+1 Boost

My current Porsche is a 2018 Agate Grey C2S. Nobody gives it a second look. I'm happy.

valhallakey - 7/1/2018 9:52:10 AM

+1 Boost

What if you decide to paint it? I know with US classics everything has to be original, also true with higher end European classics. What about cars like a Porsche 924 turbo, or a BMW 850i? I finally got my new hood for the 850 (Alpina hood) and I am very tempted to paint it an Alpina blue (http://germancarsforsaleblog.com/tuner-tuesday-1994-alpina-b12-5-7-coupe/). I really don’t like the diamond schwartz original color. I was also thinking carbon black as it is a black and the underhood of carbon black cars looks really similar to ds. Whereas if I paint it blue the engine compartment will stay ds black for a while until I decide to do some major engine upgrades. Kind of chees I suppose. Opinions?

MDarringer - 7/1/2018 10:27:42 AM

0 Boost

While the 850 is a tremendous car--I happen to like them a lot--it isn't one that collectors are clamoring for, so paint it blue and don't worry about a black engine compartment. You're better off painting it blue and driving it till the wheels fall off than worrying about its collectible value.

valhallakey - 7/1/2018 10:58:52 PM

+2 Boost

Thanx Matt, helps me validate my decision! Blue it is.

MDarringer - 7/1/2018 10:23:10 AM

0 Boost

If you're choosing the paint color for resale value at 3-5 years old because you trade cars that often, then leasing is probably better for you anyway. After 5 years old, the resale value is dubious at best and color will be the least of your worries.

If you're going to own a car you're going to hate the experience if it's in a color you don't like.

t_bone - 7/1/2018 12:25:53 PM

+2 Boost

Ironically, the "classic" colors were vibrant and diverse. Check out the hues available for Porsche in the past, for example. I did a more recent factory tour in Zuffenhausen and the tooling had better colors than the cars.

I wonder what people will think in the future of the 2000-2018+(?) era and the endless palette of silver/gray/black. Age of compliance?

MDarringer - 7/1/2018 1:05:14 PM

0 Boost

Indeed. Colors in general used to be much more adventurous. Chrysler's plum crazy is one of my favorites. But the 50s had turquoise and coral and so on. Our house was built in 1969 and when we bought it, it still had the avocado and competition orange colors. We did an extensive remodel to update the flow and add on 1000 sq ft, but had a hellish time keeping it authentic. Now we live in a world where we have that Camry color that is sort of a metallic beige that they do in 5 similar shades to show their exciting new color offerings.

Agent001 - 7/1/2018 2:34:43 PM

0 Boost

For the record it's Ipanema Blue.

001

skytop - 7/1/2018 11:39:44 PM

-1 Boost

Obviously, people opt for the standard "classic" colors which is why there are so few pink, orange, turquoise, lime, brown, yellow and lavender sports cars.

TheSteve - 7/2/2018 12:42:31 PM

+2 Boost

It really depends on the car and configuration. A 2006 Lamborghini Gallardo is quite a sight! A 2018 Porsche Turbo (sleeper edition) in an understated blue would be my preference.

I'm definitely not into the trendy colors, like Porsche's "Miami Blue."