change color of car,worth less or same

i think any car that is about 15 years old or older, the color change wouldn't make much difference assuming it is redone in a factory color and redone correctly

 

If you change a blue car to red it will be worth more....maybe. There is a reason they call it "resale red".

My two cents is: who cares. Buy the car you want in the color you want and enjoy it!!

 

The only times a color change really affects value:

1) When you change from a popular color (Rossa Corsa) to a color like brown.
2) When the car becomes a top-tier collectable (about 30-35 years out) and the car goes through auction.


This being said, a well-done color change will not affect value terribly. Color changes are generally frowned upon, but mostly because they usually are done poorly. The key is to ensure that all those little places get covered.

And you can even buy Glasurit paint tags and print the new color on it. (Just make sure if you ever sell the car to disclose there was a color change.)

 

In my opinion, most people dont care a whole lot. But the closer any car gets to its top price range, regardless of WHO made it, the closer everyone starts looking at the details. No one is going to give a damn about the correct factory color of a $20K 308. They are going to expect perfection on a $35k or more one.

Remember also, that in many cases the owners and future sellers of cars that were color changed, will often times say its not a big deal. Wait until they are on the buying end of the stick and its YOUR car and thier money and many times thier opinion suddenly reverses.

Bottom line is its almost always better to keep any car its original color. But if you really intend to keep it 30 years, who cares?

 

This makes sense, and I agree. On older, approaching collectibles, a color change automatically makes the car "not original", and frowned upon by purists.

 

My '69 Firebird convertible is on it's 3rd color since factory original, and I plan on changing it yet again

 

IMO, If you change the color of a vehicle you are going to loose prospective buyers. You might find a buyer willing to pay your asking price out of a smaller pool of buyers. You never know....

 

I know when I looked for my Ferrari, I was hoping to find a car with original paint. The reason being, it's much harder to hide any accident damage that way. On a re-painted car , you don't know what the reason was for re-paint, accident fix, paint deterioration or color change. (as a buyer)

 

I asked a relative Ferrari expert if it's cost-effective to change the color on a FERRARI, and he said NO.

If it was, say, some whacko color like hot pink, then maybe yes...but I don't know.

But if YOU will greatly enjoy the new color while you own it, and the benefit is not limited to a resale buyer of the car liking the new color, then it is likely worth checking into.

 

It's interesting that you say thirty years. I had my Lusso for exactly that long. It was originally dark green but, rosso when I bought it in 1970. I had no way to know then and I repainted it rosso and kept it on, and on, and on. The buyer, in 2002 (from Sweden) didn't even blink. I only found out about the green thing this year. I suppose it just depends. Good point.

 

Wow, a green Lusso would be an incredible car!

Are there any pics of it in its original color?

 

Hey forget about changing colors...there's a 78(?) 308 GTB on ebay right now, dark blue, looks gorgeous....just buy it.

As you consider repainting bear in mind that a good paint job is going to run you $5-10K maybe more if you have to change colors. That ebay 308 is looking cheaper and cheaper huh?

 

Sorry, it's a '76 which is even better. Don't let the seller know "blue" is your color...it is a bit of an "off" color and so you should get a price discount for that. Good luck and go get her.

 

+1

To respray a Ferrari properly is stupidly cost-ineffective. Buy one in a color you like. A real perfectionist will always find traces of the original color unless you disassemble the whole car before painting.

As posted above, if it's low-end driver 308, it probably needs paint anyway. If it's one of the horde of mint red '89 328s, leave it factory.

I'm not keen on red cars in general, and it took me longer to find mine (metallic black). But the chase and the rarity more than make up for it, IMO.

Go see the car, or have someone you trust go see the car.

 

I would not do it unless the car needed a repaint already. Original paint is always a plus unless it's shot. A really good respay on a 308-328 is VERY expensive. The prep work is much greater than an average car.

Dave

 

Yes as a matter of fact I did. It was not exactly sight unseen. I had a friend have a look at it and take it to FDealer for PPI. You still have to do your homework which includes title verification and lien status, conversations with previous owners, some sort of mechanism for exchange of money and title and you or someone really needs to go see it to be sure it exists and actually belongs to the purported vender. Anyway it worked out for me but I really had all the issues settled in my mind before payment.

You know with the price of Southwest tickets....just go yourself to complete the deal.

Ps. IMHO if the vendor balks, even in the slightest, at a PPI, or contacting previous owners or state title agencies or faxing you a copy of the title then I would not pursue the purchase.

Good luck..but Dude if your dream car is a dark blue 308...this is not a common color so if this 76 is in good shape and you don't buy it you could be kicking yourself for decades before another in this color comes up. Come to think of it this is the first dark blue one I've ever seen.

 

You know it seems to me, if I recall correctly, that the 76 on ebay has had major work on it in the recent past. I would start by calling the seller and getting the shop's number and speaking with the mechanic there. He would likely give you a very good idea (perhaps the best) as to what kind of condition the car is in.

Just a hint; right up front offer, and be prepared (keep Visa handy), to pay for his time in discussing the car. Most of these guys are really good and generous but paying is only fair and offering indicates you appreciate the value of his time. If you have to pay it'll probably be the best $75 you ever spent.

 

I agree with most here... on a 20k 308 it won't make any difference of significance... depending on the condition of the car you may even increase it's value by giving it a top quality paint job.

Plus, always remember you are buying the car for you, not the next guy.

 

Do you get the feeling that fate is pushing you to this car?...now it still could be a dog (doesn't sound like it) but if it's not it sounds like the stars are aligning for you. I really don't believe in that stuff but sometimes you have to wonder. My lucky number is 13. When my car was delivered to me (the exact model, series and paint/interior scheme I wanted) I examined it thoroughly and guess what the engine number is? 01313!?! What the ???

Exciting! Good luck...take pictures and let us know.