Color options

My miata is red. It came that way from the guy I bought it from. Red is a popular color, but some folks are fanatical about it. I plan on getting it painted Black. Why? I don't care for red and my fraternity colors are Black & Gold. Is it sacreligious to paint a red car black? The little red sports car thing ain't me. But I like the idea of a jet black pocket racer or Rally car, trimmed in tasteful chrome with a Chrome Roll bar, some Chrome rims and MAYBE the Chrome dash accessories ( vent balls, knobs & buttons). What do you guys think? I'm also thinking about a engine dress-out kit with some chrome accents.

Please send me your idea's.

Don't worry too much about what others think. It's *your* car, *you* have to drive it.

Personally, I don't think Miatae look good in red, while I absolutely love them in black. But not with the tan leather. ) Or any colour leather for that matter. I love the chrome and polished stuff. It's all personal.

I'm sure there's quite a few black ones running around, try to find one and have a good look at it. If you like better than your red and if you can afford the respray, I'd say go for it.

I think a black Miata with red upholstery and a lotta chrome looks really smart.

Go for it! For chrome ya could substitute something in a shiny gold-colour, to match yer frat colours.

Cool.

Nora and the Rollerskate '99 silver, undergoing Band-Aid removal

Why paint a red car black? The inside of the trunk, engine compartment, doors and, well, the BODY will still be (you guessed it) red. And those little pieces of red will glare at you like the Devil's child every time you see it.

If it is a black car you want, buy a black car and sell the red. If you sell the red on your own, then you might be able to effectively switch ($6000 sell, $6000 buy). Or, trade in your red on a 2001 black. You will be much happier with a true factory black car than a repainted.

Not to mention, a true 'change of color' which involves stripping down the car as much as possible before painting is very expensive. You'll spend several thousand if you get it done at a decent shop. And in the end, regardless of how good the paintjob is, your VIN will always return that it was supposed to be a red car...and a red car it will always be.

This is not an argument for the sanctity of color. You'll just be happier if you buy a black car.

Amy and Seeger '91 Silverstone 'A'

'The horizon is nothing save the limit of our sight.'

and : have a good look at it. If you like better than your red and if you can : afford the respray, I'd say go for it.

Better to find one of the black ones in good condition and TRADE. Or buy it and sell the red.

Otherwise, he'll end up with a black Miata with red everywhere it wasn't easy to paint, and it will considerably cheapen the value of the car. Or it will be a fabulously expensive 'paint job.'

Jerry & Serrano Supercharged '96 Red

Chrome : rims and MAYBE the Chrome dash accessories ( vent balls, knobs & buttons). : What do you guys think? I'm also thinking about a engine dress-out kit with : some chrome accents.

You need a Fiat 128. They made 'em in black.

Jerry & Serrano Supercharged '96 Red

Because it is still a red car. Take up the carpet - red. Look in the engine compartment - red. Remove a body panel - red. The most expensive paint job cannot get everywhere because those bodies are painted when nothing is on them. So unless a person wants to strip a car down to bare metal, unweld where necessary, strip paint and respray, it is a red car.

A potenial future buyer who wants a black Miata wouldn't be getting one... they would get a red Miata painted black. I checked the VINs of both Miata our family bought to make sure everything (including color) checked out. Some people won't care, most probably would.

It is just cheaper and smarter to sell the red to someone who likes red and buy an actual black car. That's like buying a lemon and pouring a bunch of sugar on it to get it to resemble an orange by taste. It is still a lemon, just sweeter. If you want an orange, go buy an orange, that's all.

Cheers.

Amy and Seeger '91 Silverstone 'A'

'The horizon is nothing save the limit of our sight.'

paint a couple black racing strips on first!... it should look good a red miata with black strips.

: My miata is red. It came that way from the guy I bought it from. Red is a : popular color, but some folks are fanatical about it. I plan on getting it : painted Black. Why? I don't care for red and my fraternity colors are : Black & Gold. Is it sacreligious to paint a red car black? The little red : sports car thing ain't me. But I like the idea of a jet black pocket racer : or Rally car, trimmed in tasteful chrome with a Chrome Roll bar, some Chrome : rims and MAYBE the Chrome dash accessories ( vent balls, knobs & buttons). : What do you guys think? I'm also thinking about a engine dress-out kit with : some chrome accents.

: Please send me your idea's.

Hey Booboo go silver it's nicer easyer to keep clean too I have a silver one and all the chick's love it....

OK, so everyone else has chimed in on your respray plans and I happen to agree with those who said to BUY a black Miata if that's what you want.

But I have another suggestion when you DO get your black Miata...however you do it. Go for some gold trim instead of the chrome. After all ....'my fraternity colors are Black & Gold'. This could look very cool. And there's not so much trim on the car that it would be too expensive.

There's one big glaring thing no one else has mentioned here. No matter how good a paint job, unlike a factory painted car, if you get a stone chip it will stick out. A factory paint job with it's meticulous layers of paint, when a pebble hits it, one layer chips, one layer shows through.

Personally, I'd trade or sell and buy. Are the miles on this car ridiculously low? If it's an average mileage, swap. I suggest this because a good paint job will cost you much more than a comparable swap. There are black Miatas out there. You just have to look. I don't know where you're located, but try http://www.automotivewizard.com If there's a car your looking for color included, they'll search for it. And I suggest a CARFAX report or similar. They just sound like a way to catch big problems. Used cars only.

It is your car. If you do paint it, make sure you get several coats and a good clear coat. In other words: NOT MAACO! Good Luck.