Matte v. Shiney Wheels
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 25,455
Likes: 3
From: Damn Connecticut Yankee
Matte v. Shiney Wheels
I've been looking through the C6 pics posted by forum members and they are all great looking rides.
One can't help but notice that the vast majority of the cars sport polished or chromed wheels.
While I would be proud to own any of the fine vehicles posted on this forum, I'm missing the boat in the shiney wheels department.
When I see a C6 with standard matte wheels, I look at the vehicle as a package. When I see one with highly polished or chromed wheels that are as bright or brighter than the paint job, I see the wheels ....then I get around to looking at the car.
Now, chromed Cragars look great on an old restored muscle car, but do highly polished wheels conflict with the look of a modern, world class motorcar?
I'm certainly not lumping Vettes with highly polished or chromed wheels, where pide of ownership is clearly evident, into the same group as tricked out Escalades and Maxims, but I don't see many 6 figure exotics leaving the factory with anything but matte finished wheels.
One can't help but notice that the vast majority of the cars sport polished or chromed wheels.
While I would be proud to own any of the fine vehicles posted on this forum, I'm missing the boat in the shiney wheels department.
When I see a C6 with standard matte wheels, I look at the vehicle as a package. When I see one with highly polished or chromed wheels that are as bright or brighter than the paint job, I see the wheels ....then I get around to looking at the car.
Now, chromed Cragars look great on an old restored muscle car, but do highly polished wheels conflict with the look of a modern, world class motorcar?
I'm certainly not lumping Vettes with highly polished or chromed wheels, where pide of ownership is clearly evident, into the same group as tricked out Escalades and Maxims, but I don't see many 6 figure exotics leaving the factory with anything but matte finished wheels.
Last edited by ProfMoriarty; Jan 18, 2005 at 07:20 PM.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 417
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
I had the polished on the C5 and it looked great. I understand that a lot of European cars are going with a more subdued look. I still would have ordered the polished on my C6 except for all the scratches on the surface. Ordered the stock wheels. It's strictly what the person putting out the cash wants to pay for and what they like. There are as many opinions out here as there are members.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 9,162
Likes: 10
From: Chicago Illinois
There is some truth to what you are saying. The trick is to have a nice wheel that isn't too gaudy. The lines of the car speak for itself. You want wheels that compliment it, not steal the stage.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,454
Likes: 4
From: San Antonio Texas
Ouch....you just opened up a hornet's nest. Get ready to get slammed!!! Personally, I agree with what your trying to say. I like polished wheels on the Vette... they do look good, but I like painted/matte (depending on the color, of course) a little more. You're right.... not too many exotics with chromed/polished wheels. Case in point, the $400K McClaren Merc Benz....
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 53,490
Likes: 77
From: Arizona
I think we're seeing a general shift in styling away from from shiny and more towards matte in finishes. It may be a general automotive happening, or even larger than that. With Vettes, I see the changes starting to occur since the C5. The C5 appeared to work well with chrome, but C6's maybe not as nicely. I went with polished wheels on my DSOM, thinking that was a nice compromise on look. I don't think that I'm quite ready for matte black wheels yet. I saw one of the new Designo Mercedes, recently, and the paint finish had a satin look that was truly amazing.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 10,089
Likes: 13
Originally Posted by ProfMoriarty
I've been looking through the C6 pics posted by forum members and they are all great looking rides.
One can't help but notice that the vast majority of the cars sport polished or chromed wheels.
While I would be proud to own any of the fine vehicles posted on this forum, I'm missing the boat in the shiney wheels department.
When I see a C6 with standard matte wheels, I look at the vehicle as a package. When I see one with highly polished or chromed wheels that are as bright or brighter than the paint job, I see the wheels ....then I get around to looking at the car.
Now, chromed Cragars look great on an old restored muscle car, but do highly polished wheels conflict with the look of a modern, world class motorcar?
I'm certainly not lumping Vettes with highly polished or chromed wheels, where pide of ownership is clearly evident, into the same group as tricked out Escalades and Maxims, but I don't see many 6 figure exotics leaving the factory with anything but matte finished wheels.
One can't help but notice that the vast majority of the cars sport polished or chromed wheels.
While I would be proud to own any of the fine vehicles posted on this forum, I'm missing the boat in the shiney wheels department.
When I see a C6 with standard matte wheels, I look at the vehicle as a package. When I see one with highly polished or chromed wheels that are as bright or brighter than the paint job, I see the wheels ....then I get around to looking at the car.
Now, chromed Cragars look great on an old restored muscle car, but do highly polished wheels conflict with the look of a modern, world class motorcar?
I'm certainly not lumping Vettes with highly polished or chromed wheels, where pide of ownership is clearly evident, into the same group as tricked out Escalades and Maxims, but I don't see many 6 figure exotics leaving the factory with anything but matte finished wheels.
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Instructor
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
From: New York NY
Originally Posted by StanNH
A lot of us have the standard wheels. The wheels do change the look of the car somewhat, but they all look great. I never met a C6 I didn't like.
I saw a silver C6 with the standard wheels and I thought it looked great. A lot depends on the color of the car.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 858
Likes: 450
From: Linden VA
Originally Posted by ProfMoriarty
While I would be proud to own any of the fine vehicles posted on this forum, I'm missing the boat in the shiney wheels department.
When I see a C6 with standard matte wheels, I look at the vehicle as a package. When I see one with highly polished or chromed wheels that are as bright or brighter than the paint job, I see the wheels ....then I get around to looking at the car.
When I see a C6 with standard matte wheels, I look at the vehicle as a package. When I see one with highly polished or chromed wheels that are as bright or brighter than the paint job, I see the wheels ....then I get around to looking at the car.
The C6 will be my third vette since 99 and none have had any bling bling.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 703
Likes: 0
From: Chicago Suburbs IL
St. Jude Donor '06
Polished vs Painted Wheels
I just purchased a new C6 with the painted wheels. Of the five C'6s the dealer had on the lot, four had the polished wheels and no navigation and the fifth had painted ones with the navigation. I figured the one with the navigation was the one for me since the navigation option costs $1,400 and the polished wheels $1,295. The navigation is a much better deal and you can't really put it in later. You can always buy a set of polished wheels for $600 to $700 and a full set with almost new tires for $1,500 to $1,600. I was looking for some polished ones, but now I think I''ll just stick with the painted ones and save my money. The polished ones are also much harder to keep clean.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 53,490
Likes: 77
From: Arizona
Originally Posted by ltone72
I just purchased a new C6 with the painted wheels. Of the five C'6s the dealer had on the lot, four had the polished wheels and no navigation and the fifth had painted ones with the navigation. I figured the one with the navigation was the one for me since the navigation option costs $1,400 and the polished wheels $1,295. The navigation is a much better deal and you can't really put it in later. You can always buy a set of polished wheels for $600 to $700 and a full set with almost new tires for $1,500 to $1,600. I was looking for some polished ones, but now I think I''ll just stick with the painted ones and save my money. The polished ones are also much harder to keep clean.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 853
Likes: 1
From: Jacksonville North Carolina
I have the polished wheels and I think they look great. It's all a matter of taste. Some like them some don't. I've seen the painted on the silver car and I like the painted better than polished because it matches the silver paint better. Let's face it some of us have great taste and others don't. Just kidding!!!!!!! 
Safety Car
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 3,525
Likes: 0
From: Kenton TN
I am just waiting till Billet Specialties comes out with a polished billet wheel (which I prefer the look to over chrome on a sports car, again just my taste) for the C6 like they did with the C5....