4 Ways Your Car's Color Can Save You Money

When picking the shade of a car to buy, you might be thinking mostly about making a personal statement. But you may also want to think about how the hue will affect your bank statement, too. Here are some factors to consider when making a color choice.

1. Safety

One of the keys to avoiding costly accidents is to be seen by others on the road as clearly as possible. If you do a lot of driving at night, a dark car might not be a good buy since it will be harder for drivers around you to make you out from the surroundings. White is a good choice both for driving at night and in general. Gray cars, on the other hand, can be very difficult to see under certain conditions. Some manufacturers have even stopped making gray cars because of this.

2. Resale Value

Unless you are buying a vehicle on its last legs, you will want to give some thought to your ability to see the car after you are done with it. That lime green ride may fit your zany personality, but it could cost you hundreds of dollars when it comes time to sell the vehicle. Silver and white tend to be popular choices for those buying a used car.

3. Cooling

If you live in an area that experiences high temperatures, having a dark car could mean more of the sun’s energy absorbed into the vehicle and more money spent on gas because of the need to run the air conditioning longer.

4. Cleaning

Unlike with clothes, the color black doesn’t hide stains very well on cars. In fact, black might be the worst color for dirt and grime — they tend to really stand out against the dark background. If you buy a darkly colored car, you may end up paying for more trips to the car wash to keep your vehicle looking sharp. Silver cars are known for keeping a clean appearance longer.

Since we’re on the topic of car colors, now is a good time to dispel a couple of car color myths. There is no evidence that red cars get more speeding tickets. Also, no insurance company has ever said it charges more or less for certain car colors.

What color car do you drive? What color do you recommend for car buyers? Tell us in the comments below!

Now that you've picked out a color for your new car, it's time to think about how you're going to finance your purchase. We're here to help! Download our free eGuide before you make an offer. You'll get the information you need to make the best purchasing decisions whatever car color you choose. Get your eGuide here!