Changing Color on a Vette-De-Value it??
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Black Hills & MN
Changing Color on a Vette-De-Value it??
..Hello all...
I'm looking at several C-4 convertables, and the really good deals Just happen to be a color I really don't like, or could get used to.."Polo green" is Great in bright sun light..But I want the red..lol
So if a vette was professionaly painted and changed color..could it devalue the resale years down the road?? The color change would included removing frt & rear bumpers, all trim, mldgs,.... the correct way..thanks and what a great forum !!!
I found a 96 Vette convertible..85,000 miles,auto, is $10,500.00 a steal or not..I see the C-5s are really coming down in price..any coments ??
I'm looking at several C-4 convertables, and the really good deals Just happen to be a color I really don't like, or could get used to.."Polo green" is Great in bright sun light..But I want the red..lol
So if a vette was professionaly painted and changed color..could it devalue the resale years down the road?? The color change would included removing frt & rear bumpers, all trim, mldgs,.... the correct way..thanks and what a great forum !!!
I found a 96 Vette convertible..85,000 miles,auto, is $10,500.00 a steal or not..I see the C-5s are really coming down in price..any coments ??
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,791
Likes: 3
From: Maine
I think if you change colors, it could decrease value long-term but you're talking about a C4, do what you want with it. I wouldn't call $10,500 a steal for that car, it is probably priced right around market value. Wait a few years and C5s will be had regularly in the $10,500 range.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 20,974
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If you like to have something different in a sense get the car and learn to love it or wait there are a ton of red corvettes for sale all the time. also in the over all spec there were not many polos made in comparisson to the reds and blacks. all up to your taste and wants but a god paint job is a couple of grand it's self so why not get a better red one or get a red c5 for 13-14k some times now!!
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
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From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
For those of us who own (or have owned) a Polo Green car, we may think that repainting the car to red would most certainly devalue it 
Red was too common with 4418 cars in that color in 96 although red was actually #2 in popularity to the #1 color silver. There were 2414 Polo Green cars in 96. IMHO, Polo Green is a very striking and elegant color especially with the tan interior.
Given what it would cost to repaint the car in the way you describe, it might be cheaper to simply find a red 'vert. My guess for a re-paint/color change would be in the 5K to 7K range for a good quality paint job; probably more if you want a show-quality job.
Red was too common with 4418 cars in that color in 96 although red was actually #2 in popularity to the #1 color silver. There were 2414 Polo Green cars in 96. IMHO, Polo Green is a very striking and elegant color especially with the tan interior.
Given what it would cost to repaint the car in the way you describe, it might be cheaper to simply find a red 'vert. My guess for a re-paint/color change would be in the 5K to 7K range for a good quality paint job; probably more if you want a show-quality job.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 24,460
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From: sw Ohio
Changing the color on any corvette will devalue it, that is if its in a valuable condition to begin with. Right now C4's arent worth much so you could repaint the car, drive it like that for 20 years, then change the color back
Corvette Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: So. Cal.
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c4
Were talkin C4's here. Paint it wtf color you like. In the car business, red is refered to as "Resale Red" because the majority of people like red vettes. Red will make it easier to sell...... Ak me how I know................
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,659
Likes: 3
From: Oxford CT
I think its a waste of time. Im not a fan of color changes because im way to picky. Do you know how much work it will be to cover EVERY spot of paint. I would always know that the green would be lurking some where. Then you have the door jams. Say good buy to your door sticker.
Now the price to do that job the right way!!!!! I would think it would be 8-10k.
Spend the time to find your color, dont waste the time, money, and energy on paint !
just my 2 cents
Now the price to do that job the right way!!!!! I would think it would be 8-10k.
Spend the time to find your color, dont waste the time, money, and energy on paint !
just my 2 cents
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Norco California
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2008
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From: West Chester PA
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '25
I think its a waste of time. Im not a fan of color changes because im way to picky. Do you know how much work it will be to cover EVERY spot of paint. I would always know that the green would be lurking some where. Then you have the door jams. Say good buy to your door sticker.
Now the price to do that job the right way!!!!! I would think it would be 8-10k.
Spend the time to find your color, dont waste the time, money, and energy on paint !
just my 2 cents
Now the price to do that job the right way!!!!! I would think it would be 8-10k.
Spend the time to find your color, dont waste the time, money, and energy on paint !
just my 2 cents
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,130
Likes: 2
From: seattle WA
I know it decreased the value on my 62 & 64. I kinda get tired of hearing the same ole "it's a C4, values will never increase". If you want a Red one....go find a Red one. There's alot to changing colors and doing it "the right way", and most guys with experience (especially vettes) will be able to tell no matter how good the job is.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 437
Likes: 2
From: Georgetown Maine
Probaly will devalue the car in the long term, but if you want to have your car your way then just do it! My car was originally dark red met and now is candy brandywine red met and you can not see the old paint anywhere!! I paid $4000.00 for the paint job and went from a car that barely got noticed to one that most say is the prettiest color the have seen on a Vette. 
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,493
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From: Westfield MA
Realistically, you will pay like $5k for a "decent" paint job, so now have $15.5k into a $10.5K car, so even if it is still worth $10,500, you would be better off just getting a red car.
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MYSCX
Candy Brandywine IMHO is the best color for a vette period.
All house of Kolor paints are cool. Have you seen Candy butterscotch? That color is cool too.
Candy Brandywine IMHO is the best color for a vette period.
All house of Kolor paints are cool. Have you seen Candy butterscotch? That color is cool too.
Race Director
Joined: May 2002
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Also, its hard enough to paint a car back to stock never mind a color change.
Buy the color you desire.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 437
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From: Georgetown Maine
Unless you are getting a C4 that is really rare (example Grand Sport), then do what you want. If you are going to drive the car you will replace parts and might even modify the car some (example exhaust) and you will not get your money back from all that either.
But I personally don't think that most C4 original colors are all that and a bag of donuts. Some are nice and some are nasty but you put my candy color up to them and it blows them away. As a matter of fact most people who do not know Corvettes very well think my car is a lot newer than a 90.So to some it up, if you are going to keep your C4 for the next 30 years, then don't drive keep it original and store it away. Otherwise enjoy your Vette and make it part of you and do what you want to it! After all you will probaly drive till you find a newer one you can't live with out.
And no I haven't seen the candy butterscotch but I will look it up. House of Color does have some wicked nice colors!!!
But I personally don't think that most C4 original colors are all that and a bag of donuts. Some are nice and some are nasty but you put my candy color up to them and it blows them away. As a matter of fact most people who do not know Corvettes very well think my car is a lot newer than a 90.So to some it up, if you are going to keep your C4 for the next 30 years, then don't drive keep it original and store it away. Otherwise enjoy your Vette and make it part of you and do what you want to it! After all you will probaly drive till you find a newer one you can't live with out.
And no I haven't seen the candy butterscotch but I will look it up. House of Color does have some wicked nice colors!!!
CF JASOC Member
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Downtown Annapolis, MD. The Future is where we all have to live. Let's not screw it up.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
I think if you change colors, it could decrease value long-term but you're talking about a C4, do what you want with it. I wouldn't call $10,500 a steal for that car, it is probably priced right around market value. Wait a few years and C5s will be had regularly in the $10,500 range.
Moderator Emeritus
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Maryville Tn
CI 5 thru 12 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '23
NCM Sinkhole Donor
I think its a waste of time. Im not a fan of color changes because im way to picky. Do you know how much work it will be to cover EVERY spot of paint. I would always know that the green would be lurking some where. Then you have the door jams. Say good buy to your door sticker.
Now the price to do that job the right way!!!!! I would think it would be 8-10k.
Spend the time to find your color, dont waste the time, money, and energy on paint !
just my 2 cents
Now the price to do that job the right way!!!!! I would think it would be 8-10k.
Spend the time to find your color, dont waste the time, money, and energy on paint !
just my 2 cents
I'm a stickler for originality. 
Race Director
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,306
Likes: 15
I think if you change colors, it could decrease value long-term but you're talking about a C4, do what you want with it. I wouldn't call $10,500 a steal for that car, it is probably priced right around market value. Wait a few years and C5s will be had regularly in the $10,500 range.
