If you're interested in shopping for a new car, you might be too focused on trim levels, option packages, security features or financing to think about your next vehicle's color. In a world filled with color, most of the people favor black and white - at least on the subject of cars. Whether it's a little red Corvette or a pink Cadillac, picking just the right color can be as important to car buyers as price and options.
Resale value is the major reason to spend time thinking about car color when deciding on your next vehicle. Color can easily influence your vehicle's resale value by hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Well-known colors are more valuable on the used-car marketplace than unpopular colors.
What colors are safe? Those black, white and silver vehicles may seem boring, but they may stand a better chance of returning a bit more at resale time than an oddball or fad color, like today's brown, orange or, yes, pink cars, especially if the wild color gets dropped, experts say. While many drivers say they like to see brightly colored cars on the streets, a large number of drivers disclose they'd prefer not to own a brightly colored car.
Here's another interesting reason why car colors matter more than you might think: Color can affect safety and theft statistics. One study shows that white cars are less likely to be involved in accidents. Also, brightly colored cars are more frequently stolen than cars painted in a muted color.
There are other considerations, too. Lighter-colored cars are less inclined to show dirt and scratches. Car colors don't appear to affect insurance rates, but the question is open about whether a flaming-red sports car is more likely to catch the eye of a traffic cop.
As there are always exceptions, it's good to remember that certain colors look better on specific vehicles, for instance, a little yellow convertible is much more attractive than a bright yellow minivan. While we don't essentially believe a driver obsessed with yellow should choose a silver car to make a wise financial move, we do think it's important to spend some time considering the color choice for your next vehicle before signing the papers.
