You might think the exterior color of your car is just about the looks, but the truth is there’s a lot more to it than that. The color of your car can also have a big impact on how easy or difficult it is to maintain—and can even affect how it feels when you’re driving. Black is historically one of the most popular colors for car exteriors, and it does have a sleek elegance that’s hard to beat aesthetically. Before you pull the trigger on that new black beauty, though, check out these pros and cons of owning a black car to make sure it’s the right color for your lifestyle.
Pro: They look fantastic when they’re clean.
No other color shines quite like black when it’s freshly detailed and waxed. The way black paint absorbs light highlights every curve of the car’s body. There’s a reason many car commercials feature black versions of their vehicles, especially commercials for luxury vehicles: it’s the color that makes many cars look their best. If you want your ride to be a head-turner, black is often the way to go.
Con: You’ll need to clean it much more often (and detailing is a must).
You might expect that a white car would get dirtier than a black one, but the opposite is actually true. Dust, mud, and other stains are more visible on a black car. What’s more, flaws in the paint or damage to the car will look more pronounced, too. Especially if you also have a black interior, detailing a black car on a regular schedule is much more important to maintain those sharp looks than it is for most car colors. You can lengthen the amount of time between washes by using a soap specifically designed for black cars, but even using the best possible products you shouldn’t get a black car expecting it to be low-maintenance.
Pro: They have a great resale value.
Black is one of the most popular car colors in the world, largely because of the attractive looks mentioned above. Because of that, a car with a black exterior is likely to sell for more on the used market than another color of the car in the same condition.
Con: You’ll spend more to maintain them.
Whether you have your car professionally cleaned or do it yourself at home, more frequent cleaning means more spent in upkeep costs over the life of the car. Aside from regular maintenance and cleaning, remember that even small, superficial damage will stand out more, which may translate to more trips to the body shop. How this shakes out in comparison to their higher residual value depends on the driver and the car, of course, but it’s something to keep in mind.
Con: They get hotter than other cars.
Black absorbs more light and heat than any other paint color. If it’s a sunny day outside, a black car will get especially hot both inside and outside. If the car also has a black interior—especially if the seats are a material like vinyl or leather—this can create some very uncomfortable driving conditions. While this same effect might end up being kind of nice in the winter, it’s definitely something to consider if you live in a warmer area of the world.
What’s the bottom line?
You’ll notice there are more cons than pros on the list above. If you’re shopping with your head rather than your heart, black is not the best choice for a car. If you want that kind of style, though, there’s no substitute—and there are steps you can take to keep the maintenance from getting out of hand, like to park it in a garage when you can, and use a cover to keep it from attracting so much dust. Black cars are gorgeous—if you’re willing to put in the work to maintain them. When planning the ideal maintenance of your car, you should make sure that you find car body repair shops near you.
