Opinions on Black please

I recently owned and sold a 2002 Black Vette and now may get a Porsche. The vette was impossible to keep clean and I swore I would never get another black car again. But the 996 looks so nice in Black. Can you folks who have Black let me know what you think of the color and how difficult it is to maintain. Perhaps it was the quality (or lack of) of the paint job on the Vette that made it difficult to keep looking nice. Thanks <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" />

Black is always a pain to maintain nomatter what brand.

I was afraid of that but it looks so good. Maybe I should shoot for Silver or Seal Gray.

IMO, nothing looks better than a black car when it is CLEAN. In addition to my black 993 C4S, I have a black Nav and a new black Accord. Pains in the *** but worth it to me.

Never owned a black car, but my last Carrera was ocean blue (very dark metallic blue) and it was a nightmare to keep clean. Looked wonderful right after waxing, but 5 minutes later--dusty, showed every scratch, swirl mark and fingerprint. Current Carrera is seal grey, which is a beautiful color, has alot of depth, but is very low maintenance. And looks wonderful after a wash/wax.

But my 996 is about the easiest car to wash that I've ever owned, particularly w/ Carrera 18's... Hell, I spent more time washing the wheels on my M5 than I did washing the rest of the (now seemingly huge) car! Or take the metallic-paint money you saved over the silver or grey and get it handwashed once a week for a year. Or take the money and buy another cool option! Or take your wife away for the weekend with the savings, drink some wine, splat some bugs...I'm sure she'll offer to wash it when you get home. Or...

I've always been a big black fan but I really do enjoy many other colors. When choosing colors for my C4-S I considered almost all and eventually narrowed it down. I considered silver and meridian but silver/grey is just too popular right now. Guards Red looked pretty nice but was afraid of too much attention and sometimes red looks "dead" in some light. But when I walked into the showroom and saw the triple black C4-S I knew it was the one. Black/Black is a little cliche for vette's, Porsche's etc. but it looks so good. Yes it's the hardest to keep clean but IMHO it looks best. That's the price you pay I guess.

If you have to have a clean looking car, forget black. My last two 911s have been black and they are an absolute pain to keep clean. Plus you see every little scratch and nick. Do look great when they are clean, though! <img src="http://mysite.verizon.net/vze1ktsj/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/b59-rearside-web.jpg" alt=" - " />

I have had 5 black cars and always swear that I won't get another one. That is, until I see one on the showroom floor! As everyone said, and you know, they look great but are more work. Beyond looking great, another benefit of black is that it is easy to match the paint if anything should happen. Metallics, especially silver, are impossible. Good luck.

Plus, isn't it fun to wash our P-cars? Soaps, washmitts, mircofibre towels, zaino, klasse, blitz, P21S, etc!

Really depends on how much you enjoy washing the car, as it seems you personally really like black. Black, or any dark color is high maintenance and is a trade off. Right now, I have both midnite blue metallic and black. And looking back would buy same colors again. Next car probably would be Artic silver, or seal gray, probably more for a change, less maintenance, and does not show rock chips as bad. Great to have choices.

I used to torture myself over dust particles. Now that it's springtime, the pollen makes cleaning the car nearly impossible. Definitely my first and very last car in black.

Ran down the freeway in the sun this morning with a spotless black '99 C2, have to say he looked really, really great. At least black is easier than Ocean Blue, I have the same experience as Poursha. Really truly looks dirtier than black with absolutely minimal amount of dirt or dust, actually shows swirls better to boot. Like from 100 feet away. Car cover helps a lot, California Car Duster helps, 3M Swirl Mark Remover for Dark Colors.

my c2 is black. I like it when it's clean, all of 2 seconds. It looks good at night though. Too much maintenence. It's like I have been told, you not only have a car but you also have a hobby

I have an '02 996 black on black. My last car was a BMW 540i 6 speed (Black). IMO, nothing looks better then black when it's clean but you definatly have to work at keepiong it clean. I don't mind it a bit. The P-car is not my primary car. My primary car is a tahoe z71 (White). IF you go with a black 996 Get yourself a california duster, some spray wax to remove the water spots when you're done washing and if you want to go crazy, top it off with some pinnacle Souvern. That stuff is amazing on black cars. Don't know what I would do without it. I think teh little bit of TLC is worth it. Good luck with your decision.

My last 3 cars were black and all I can say is GOD what a pain to keep clean! Obviously I love the color but hated the upkeep. I went with a silver C4S and love the fact that I dont have to worry about scratching or chips. Plus, I think the lighter colors set off the black bumper inserts nicely you can't really see that distinction on an all black one. Just my .02.

I have a Black C2 Cab. I love black....I get my car detailed every 2 months at the Dubai Porsche shop...great wax job.. the guys at my local pub wash the car with fresh water to get the dust off...every 2-3 days... Looks great in the bright sun... All are a compromise..black means cleaning...all the other colors compromise on not looking as good. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[blabla]" title="" src="graemlins/a_smil17.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[hiha]" title="" src="graemlins/roflmao.gif" />

Seal grey is the way to go... But yeah! nothing beats a nice car in black when it is clean... this is a conspiracy from the dealers... the black car in inside where dust particles are clean every two hours when you are not looking. I also said at some point that I will never own a black car again... that was 5 black cars ago I want my next car to be Seal Grey...

Black is the only way to go!! Looks great at night and during the day.. I suggest a California Car Duster... I wipe it down each time before I drive it and it looks like it was just washed...they don't leave swirls or scratches.. Just be sure to have a good detail guy, a inexperienced one will leave swirls.. <img src="http://a7.cpimg.com/image/97/89/10003607-ea43-02000180-.jpg" alt=" - " />

I presently have the last 2 black cars I will ever buy....no regrets, I luv em, but life's too short Seriously, nothing looks better when they clean/waxed/no swirls......the rest of the time, well <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" /> <img src="http://www.drivingfanatic.com/images/Gregg%20Car/Greggs%202002%20pics/Cars%20only/strosekflagclose.jpg" alt=" - " />

My '28 is black and I LOVE the color. My C4 is guards red. It looks great when clean and orange when not.......If I had it to do over again I would get the C4 in metallic red or black..... Who cares about the work...it takes all of about 30 minutes for a quick wash........

You know I also think black looks good sometimes when it's filthy...I know I know, what am I talking about? Well I'm not sure myself, but a black car looks fantastic when it's clean. But for some reason when I see a black that's pretty dirty it has a different appeal for some reason. Maybe it's like flying in the face of always having the thing polished. Or maybe it's like a Bond girl in a black dress who isn't afraid to mix it up and get dirty. I don't know if this makes any sense but has anybody seen a real dirty black car and though it had a weird appeal to it?

Mine is black also and love it!. i think if you own a black car you have to accept that the cars 'll become quickly dirty. Is like that. My next GT2 <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> will be black ! enjoy : <img src="http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/gt2black.jpg" alt=" - " />

I think designers work pretty well on the many lines, curves and scoops in a car and those are made evident by the black trims, linings and grills.. (since chrome is considered oldies now) Well I think black color really reduces such an effect and leaves the car, as glorious as Andrea's GT2 might look, quite fade in proportions to a yellow, silver or red.. My opinion.. Waz

I don't find it too bad at all to maintain. A quick clean once a week keeps it 85% perfect. The only thing is, you really do make sure it's dry before you drive it. Pics of mine (Basalt Black metallic) below... <img src="http://www.funcarsonline.com/public_images/44768-ExteriorRear3_4.jpg" alt=" - " /> <img src="http://www.funcarsonline.com/public_images/44770-OutsideWideDoorOpen.jpg" alt=" - " />

<a href="http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/151_5119.jpg" target="_blank">http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/151_5119.jpg</a> Looks the best

<a href="http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/151_5119.jpg" target="_fullview"><img src="http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/151_5119.jpg" width="400" alt="Click for fullsize image" /></a> I like keeping it clean

I have a black C2 and Expedition. It is a real PITA but looks the best when clean IMHO. <img src="http://members.rennlist.com/jhaas/996%20012.jpg" alt=" - " /> BTW, Zaino is great and very easy to apply.

alright I take my opinion back sort of. Just washed and waxed my car it does look nice. The swirl marks do show more and require more work to get them out to have it look like glass. Man that black c4s above with white or cream interior looks flossy as hell.