Pros and Cons of Buying a Black Car (2024)

The color Black is one of the best choices for your car and 20% of all car buyers cannot be wrong. Let’s find out the pros and cons of buying a black car.

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Black has always been a popular choice in car colors throughout history. The first-ever mass-produced car, the Ford Model T came exclusively in color.

Henry Ford, infamously announced that you could get the Model T in any color you want, as long as it was Black.

The color choice, according to recent surveys, has been neck and neck with Silver/Grey for the 2nd spot of most preferred car colors, and why not?

Black represents elegance and luxury as well as stealth and speed. If maintained the right way, your car will instantly have an imposing presence no matter what model you have. The color black gives your car an air of luxury and presence.

Pros and Cons of Buying a Black Car (1)

There are advantages and some disadvantages to owning the color. Therefore, let’s find out if the color Black for cars is the right shade for you.

Should I Buy a Black Car?

As earlier stipulated, Black is currently neck and neck with the color, Silver/Gray just behind the top spot held by White.This is according to surveys released by car paint manufacturers.

This means that about 20 percent of all cars being sold in the world are Black.

Advantages of Black Cars

Black colors enhance a car’s curves and lines more than any other color. It creates a visual aura of the car being larger and sleeker than it is.

The color black leads your eyesight beyond the actual color of the car and into the lines that build it.

You can have the most simple and boxiest design for your econo-car but with the color Black or a fancy black sports car, it just makes it feel more expensive than it is.

Pros and Cons of Buying a Black Car (2)

Resale value is also a top consideration. According to Philkotse.com, a leading classified automotive website in the Philippines, there are currently more than 2,100 old black cars for sale on their platform and they hold a higher premium compared to some other colors out there.

Many people browsing through the used car market are on the lookout for a car that they can personally use every day. This goes back to the earlier statistic of Black being in the running for the top 2 most popular car colors.

Logic dictates that the used car market would also reflect the same statistic as people gravitate more towards bold and striking colors, and go purchase dark ones.

From a practicality standpoint, if you are in the market for a used car, it would be a great selling point for a shiny black car as it may be a testament to the previous owner’s meticulous care for their car.

It is easier to find scratches and chips on a black car than one with a lighter color. That much is true and that is a major consideration when buying a used car.

Pros and Cons of Buying a Black Car (3)

Read more:

  • Which Is The Best Car Color To Hide Dirt?
  • Everything You Wanted To Know About Car Color

Disadvantages of Black Cars

This leads us to the major drawbacks of buying a black car. As I’ve said earlier I am a proud owner of a black car, and I have to say, the color black breaks my heart every time I run it through a car wash.

It is very satisfying to watch the water run through the car and see all the grime and dirt wash out and give way to shiny black paint.Then there goes to rub.

The moment you drive out of the car wash it starts to accumulate dust and mud like nobody’s business.

The color Black is an amazing car color to have but the maintenance required to keep it spotless is to be quite frank, herculean.You also have to keep in mind to use the proper detailing tools as black tends to easily punish you for not doing so.

Swirl marks or tiny hairline scratches from improper use of cleaning materials can easily manifest themselves from the paint. I’m sure no one else from the outside can see it but you know for a fact that they are there.

Unlike other car colors, it takes a lot of time and patience to make sure your black paint is perfect, spotless, and shiny.

It requires special kinds of clothes to make sure you don’t damage that immaculate paint and proper waxes and solutions to protect it from the elements.

Pros and Cons of Buying a Black Car (4)

Another main point of consideration is the color of black’s thermal properties as well.

Black does not reflect the sun’s rays and in fact, absorbs light. If you leave your black car under the hot summer sun, you will struggle and have your air conditioning working overtime just to make it cool enough to sit inside it.

Just as well as anything good in life, the best things are the ones you have to work hard to achieve.

If the drawbacks are enough for you to walk away from the color black, does it mean that going for the polar opposite is the way to go? Will White be any better than the alternative?

Pros and Cons of Buying a Black Car (5)

Black or White Car: Which One Is Suitable For You?

Going for the opposite of the color spectrum, buying a white car instead of a black one has major drawbacks.

For one the color white is a bit more common than black and if you damage white paint, your body shop will have a more difficult time matching the same color on your car as there are many shades of white in the car manufacturer’s palette.

There’s Arctic White, Pearl White, Championship White, Off White, and the list goes on and on. Whereas to Black you only have that particular color to worry about.

Much of the same logic goes to white. If you plan to drive your car daily for so many miles you will grab a hold of all the dirt and muck along the way.

If you are thinking about resale value, White also holds it quite well, much like the color Black. You would not find odd and special colors selling as quickly as Black and White.

Pros and Cons of Buying a Black Car (6)

Black – Should Be Your Color!

If you fancy yourself and your car to be one of a kind, White might not be the choice for you. If you park your car in one of those huge parking lots, stories of those people misplacing theirs are the real thing.

White is THE most common car color and if you wish to have your car stand out from the rest, you might be better off picking a different color.

If it boils down to things, white vs black cars are not that different from each other. They both hold their values quite well, compared to the rest and they can easily break your heart maintaining the finish and keeping it clean.

Pros and Cons of Buying a Black Car (7)

At the end of the day, as long as you care for your car the right way, it all comes down to your preference.

Buying a black car, personally, is the way to go if you want to go for that sleek, stealthy look. Just make sure you have the right tools and the commitment.

Pros and Cons of Buying a Black Car (2024)

FAQs

Is it worth buying a black car? ›

Black cars are popular among luxury and performance car buyers. Many people believe that black cars are more stylish and sophisticated than lighter-colored cars. Despite the popularity of black cars, there are some drawbacks to owning one. Black cars show dirt and scratches more easily than lighter-colored cars.

Is a black car hard to maintain? ›

In reality, the color of the car doesn't affect the difficulty of cleaning; it's the cleanliness of the surroundings and the cleaning materials used that matter. Proper washing techniques and quality car care products can make maintaining a black car as easy as any other color.

Is it safe to have a black car? ›

Multiple studies have concluded that black is the most dangerous color car you can drive. Black vehicles are involved in significantly more crashes than other color cars. Most researchers believe that this is likely due to the fact that black cars can be really tough to see.

Do black cars scratch easily? ›

If you own a black car, you know that every little scratch and smudge shows up. While it may seem like black cars scratch easier, they don't. They just look like they do. The colored paint used for cars is more delicate than it may seem.

Is car insurance higher for black cars? ›

The color of your car doesn't affect your insurance rate. Instead, your insurance company uses other information, like your car's age, location, usage, and your driving record, to help determine insurance rates. Learn more about the factors that impact auto insurance pricing.

Do black cars overheat more? ›

Despite their sleek appearance, however, they don't always feel cool, and we mean this in the literal sense. Black cars tend to get a lot hotter than white cars when exposed to sunlight for too long.

What are the disadvantages of a black car? ›

Shows up loads of dust and dirt and they get hot quick. Another downside is that they don't show up the contours / angles that well compared to lighter coloured cars (e.g. cars that have nice wide arches don't show up as well in black.)

What is the safest car color? ›

We've referenced the safest color car on the road. That color is white. White cars are 12 percent less likely to be involved in an accident than black cars at any time of the day under any conditions. This is because there is often a lot of contrast between white cars and its surroundings.

Do black cars age well? ›

Gray (22.5% value lost over three years) Silver (23.2% value lost over three years) Black (23.9% value lost over three years)

Should you take a black car through a carwash? ›

Should you take a black car through a carwash? You can take a black car through a carwash, but it's not the best option. The high-pressure water can damage the paint, and the brushes can leave behind scratches. If you do choose to use a carwash, be sure to select one that has soft brushes and low pressure.

What is the most forgiving car color? ›

Gray and silver colors don't show dirt, swirl marks, or scratches. These colors also tend to be non-premium, meaning you won't have to pay extra for the paint job, unlike you might for pearl coats or bold colors like red or yellow.

How to avoid swirls on a black car? ›

Use High-Quality Wash and Dry Products

“For a black car, you really want to use the softest materials you can find. You want to use something high-quality and gentle to the paint. A high-quality microfiber towel will absorb seven times its weight in water without scratching the paint,” Phillips said.

Do black cars hold their value? ›

Blue (22.0% value lost over three years) Gray (22.5% value lost over three years) Silver (23.2% value lost over three years) Black (23.9% value lost over three years)

Is black a good choice for car? ›

Easy to Maintain: Black cars hide dirt, dust, and minor scratches better than lighter-coloured cars, making them easier to maintain. Resale Value: Black cars often have a higher resale value due to their universal appeal and timeless nature.

Why do people prefer black cars? ›

Black is a color that symbolizes authority with its distinctive heaviness. It also creates a strong and sophisticated mood, as well as a luxurious sensation. People driving black cars value order and rules, and tend to be conservative.

What color makes a car look expensive? ›

But with a metallic color like silver, the vehicle looks more luxurious due to its shine. Silver has a timeless appearance that ensures the greatness of your car doesn't end. The elegance of a silver paint job reminds people of rare metals, such as silver and platinum.

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