Did you know that white has been the number one car color since the ’90s? Due to its sleek and modern design, it’s maintained its popularity. However, how does car color affect ownership?
With this guide, you can learn about car colors and how they differ in costs of sale and ownership. From resale value to insurance rates, color choices do matter, especially when you make the wrong selection.
Are you ready to get started? Now let’s take a look at different car colors their effect on the industry:
Which Colors Affect Resale Value The Most?
When selling a car, it’s important to factor in the color of your car. Color affects depreciation, time on the market, and more. Keep in mind how these color choices can affect a sale:
Yellow
If you’re selling, it’s best to have a yellow car. Due to the color, it’s known to depreciate the least after three years.
Also, since yellow cars are less common, the color alone can increase the demand and help maintain it’s value. The only negative is due to its color; you might have to wait a few weeks before you find the right buyer. Since yellow cars are more expensive, the average time on the market is about 41.5 days.
Most buyers select yellow convertibles or pickup trucks in particular. Thus, it’s best to do your research and price your car accordingly.
Black
Black cars are popular for a reason; not only are they elegant, but they have a good resale value.
Unlike other colors, black cars have less depreciation. That makes them more valuable and relatively more expensive than other colors.
Due to their commonality, black cars are a popular choice for the resale market. Since buyers have more freedom to shop around, you’re almost guaranteed to make a sale.
However, because black cars are so common, it does eliminate pricing power. A dealer may have to lower their price a few times to elicit a response and stand out among other locations.
Although don’t fret, black cars tend to stay on the market for a shorter period of time. That means you should receive money sooner and perhaps in larger quantities.
Beige
If you’re selling a beige car, you’re not going to get much bang for your buck. Beige depreciates quickly after three years, and its value cannot increase with a quick sale. In fact, the color also has one of the slowest-selling rates on the resale market.
When selling, it’s best to be patient and price it low. Buyers will appreciate the affordable price and be more likely to contact you.
Gold
Gold cars are not seen too often on the road, although, for owners who prioritize value, that’s a good thing. Since gold depreciates the most over a three year period, it becomes less valuable during resale.
Many buyers won’t bid on expensive gold cars. It’s simply not worth it. However, that doesn’t mean gold cars cannot be sold.
In fact, due to its unique color, gold cars sell quicker than most. That means you can receive your money sooner; however, it’s likely to be less than you would like.
The Truth about the Color Red
Selling a red car can be a hard sell. Red is often perceived as sexy, powerful, and sporty. However, it’s that sportiness that makes it seem dangerous and also fast. It’s been long assumed that red, a vivacious, and bright color not only attracts attention but has a long history of being ticketed by police.
Although red cars don’t get pulled over more or less often than any other color, yes, while it’s bright color makes them stand out, that’s all that it does. Police don’t notice a red car more than they notice an orange, a yellow, or a purple car.
However, what makes buyers noticeable is when they don’t follow the law. Police will take action to stop an offense that they see in violation of road safety. If buyers follow road guidelines and practice safe driving, they won’t be noticed by police.
In fact, by having a red car, buyers are less likely to have their car stolen. Due to it’s “flashy” image, thieves won’t want the burden of sticking out. They believe by stelling a red car; they will get caught easily due to the misconception that police pull over red cars more frequently. Thus, thieves steal white, black, and dark green cars since they blend into surrounding locations more easily.
When selling a red car, make sure to point that out to buyers by make it a selling point. Also, you can dictate that their car would be at less risk of vandalism. While the color red often gets a bad rap due to its brightness, it can save buyers money and insecure claims.
Flashy Colors Don’t Cost More To Insure
If your buyer is worried about your flashy car impacting their insecure rates, don’t fret anymore; here’s how you can persuade them.
Contrary to popular belief, color has nothing to do with car insurance rates. In fact, most companies won’t even know the color of your car. Most insurance companies only look at your driving history, your claims history, and the make and model of your car.
Insurance companies don’t care if you have a red Toyota Camry; all they want to know is if you’re a high-risk driver. To decide, they look at your driving record and calculate all your traffic tickets.
If you have any traffic violations, your insurance rates may increase dramatically. For example, a recent study found reckless driving can increase rates by at least 73 percent.
However, insurance companies are more concerned with claims that affect their overall income. For instance, if a car has a record of expensive claims, it’ll be more costly to insure. Thus, anyone who purchases that vehicle will experience higher rates due to the vehicle’s record.
To qualify for the best insurance rates, tell your buyer all they have to be is a responsible driver. That way, they will be better informed about how to get the best premiums.
Custom Paint Jobs Can Increase Insurance Rates
If your buyer would like to have customizations made to their vehicle, whether it be a custom paint job or speed enhancements, they’re likely to pay more than a standard policy. There are two common policies available for modified cars: agreed and stated value.
Agreed value allows the owner to insure a car for more than its current value. That way, drivers can make modifications throughout the years. Whereas stated value allows drivers to own a vehicle that is valued higher in comparison to what they want to insure it for.
Agreed and stated policies can add at least 10 dollars each year for every thousand over market value. That means these policies can cost you a pretty penny, especially over time. However, stated value policies are a little cheaper, although the policy doesn’t cover 100% of the car’s value.
In some circumstances, it’s better to choose an agreed policy rather than a stated policy. However, it’s essential to read the fine print to see what is and isn’t covered. There might be exclusions or exceptions to their policy.
To avoid any misunderstandings, make sure they check with their insurance agent about their policy. He or she can explain the requirements and answer any questions about modification coverage.
Different Car Colors Have Different Quirks
These car colors have unique quicks which that can be fixed if you invest some money into them. However, by doing so, you run that risk of not getting all your money back at the end of a sale. Here are three colors you’ll want to watch out for:
Black Cars
If you’re selling a black car, you’re going to want to put some money into the vehicle to boost your sales. The color black arbors heat faster than other colors, which can make your interior hotter. Especially if you have a black car with black leather seats, buyers will notice back sweat in no time.
To fix your heat problems, order tinted windows. Tinted windows can increase your temperature control, especially if you live in a hot or dry climate. However, tint can be costly, depending on the make and model of your car.
The best tint for black cars is ceramic film. It aids in reducing heat, UV radiation, and even reduces glare. However, unlike other types of tints, it does not fade.
Ceramic film will even keep your car at a constant temperature and won’t intervene with GPS singles. Although due to its inventive solutions, it’s become one of the more expensive options.
White Cars
Unlike black cars, white cars reflect heat, allowing them to stay cooler for longer periods of time. You don’t have to purchase tint since they remain at a comfortable temperature. However, white cars do have one downside; they make mud and dirt more visible.
Thus, you might have to make more trips to the car wash than you would like depending on how long your car stays on the market. Car washes can become expensive, especially when you visit one on a weekly basis.
Although, instead of investing your time and money into a relatively cheap wash, look into a more premium wax service. By choosing a more luxury option, it guarantees sustainability, and over time it may prove to be more affordable.
Besides, who wants to sit at a car wash once a week when you could be hanging out with friends or at the pool. Sometimes choosing the more expensive option allows you to have more freedom to do what you love.
Brightly Colored Cars
Depending on the color, for example, some red, green, and orange cars might experience visible dirt or heat problems. In some cases, you might experience both.
To get the best sale possible, order tinting or go to a car wash. By taking precautionary measures and adding unique features to the car, it makes it more valuable. Thus, more people will likely want to purchase it and will bid on it with larger amounts.
Also, one larger expense you can make to guarantee a good sale is getting a new paint job. No one likes a faded yellow Camry; instead, a paint job can breathe new life into a sale. By getting a new paint job, you can sell the car at a higher price too.
By including all these new features into your brightly color car, you’ll make serious cash for your used vehicle. While it’s a risk, you’re likely to make more money by adding features than selling it the way it is. Buyers will like the fact they won’t have to buy additional necessities until further down the line.
What Car Color Do You Like?
Car color determines resale value and ownership rates like never before. When selling your car, think about your car’s color and the perception it has. Does the buyer believe it will increase insecure costs or increase their chance of being ticketed?
Think about ways to decrease that stigma and use facts about its color as a selling point. Like, most families prefer silver sedans or a red charger is perfect for your first car. Allow the buyer to relate to the car; that way, the buyer can envision themselves driving it and having fun.
If you have a car you’re looking to sell, let us make you an instant offer.
