Red or White Mk6 GTI? Does Red still Fade?

[Pauly]

Hey guys.

I am looking at getting myself a Mk6 GTI later in 2010 (maybe the 2011 Build after July).

I was wondering what peoples thoughts were on the White or Red GTI's?

I LOVE both colours. White is more classic. Red is more modern. Red does match alot of the cars features (Brakes, Seats, Grill).

However does Red Paint on modern cars, and in particular the GTI, still suffer from fading in the harsh Australian sun?

Cheers.

P.S: If anyone could share their pics of their own White or Red GTI's it would be much appricated. I have seen every press photo there is, but somehow the cars look different when people take their own personal photos.

[team_v]

Hey guys.

I am looking at getting myself a Mk6 GTI later in 2010 (maybe the 2011 Build after July).

I was wondering what peoples thoughts were on the White or Red GTI's?

I LOVE both colours. White is more classic. Red is more modern. Red does match alot of the cars features (Brakes, Seats, Grill).

However does Red Paint on modern cars, and in particular the GTI, still suffer from fading in the harsh Australian sun?

Cheers.

P.S: If anyone could share their pics of their own White or Red GTI's it would be much appricated. I have seen every press photo there is, but somehow the cars look different when people take their own personal photos.

I prefer the white as it keeps the lines visible.
The red is so radiant that you lost the features of the car shell to the red haze.

Fading shouldn't be an issue as paint technology has increased dramitcally.
If all else fails though, you can get a ventureshield/3m wrap to protect the paint or get it professionally detailed for under $500 a year.

[elisiX]

I dont think fading of a red vehicle is anything like as bad as it once was 10 years back.

I'd love to see people pictures though all the same. :)

I think the main issue with red/white is that you can usually tell the difference from the metal to plastic.

Just looks different.

[prise]

The pigment in red paint is inherently more susceptible to fading because to appear red it has to absorb the light at the green and blue part of the spectrum. As the wavelength of the light gets smaller (moving from red to green to blue and into UV) the amount of energy and its ability to cause damage increases, hence red paint is absorbing more of the damaging light than blue paint for example and will always be at some disadvantage compared to other colors.

I've had a couple of red cars, but they were both garaged and polished twice a year so no problems with fading, but I've seen enough faded reds around that I wouldn't buy a red car if if was planning to keep it as a long termer and it was going to be parked in the sun all day.

I would expect that VW would have a clearcoat over the solid colour which should provide better UV protection so it should resist fading better than the solid reds of yesteryear - the question is how much better?

[Guy_H]

Red is faster, so fading doesn't worry me as much a having the fastest car :)

Anyway, we have had 4 red cars in a row (starting with 99' GTI), all looked after, washed & polished & never had any hint of fading. White is nice but a lot harder to keep clean than red!

[Corey_R]

Pfft to white and silver ;)
Seriously... why would you want to look like veryone else who's just picking a 'safe' colour for resale - or many 'corporate fleet' cars who don't get a choice?!

Be an individual! Pick a colour which represents your personality! I'm you're all more interesting than white! :D

[iBoost]

I had a red fire engine red 3 MPS, about the brightest red I've seen on the road short of a Ferrari. Only had it for 3 years, but as long as it's washed regularly and polished twice a year I think it will be fine. It is true that red fades easier, but as long as you take care of it I wouldn't worry too much. The point at which it fades is probably going to be 8 - 10 years down the track, which likely by then it will be on to it's second or third owner.

I resent those white comments Corey! :D

In all seriousness, it comes down to personal preference. I've had a black 200sx, bright blue 206 GTi 180 and bright red 3 MPS. I think white looks really good on certain cars like the GTI. I wouldnt order white on a Falcon or Corolla though as it'd look like a rental car.

[Corey_R]

lol - yeah iBoost, I'm just stirring the pot. Sometimes you don't have a great selection of colours and you just have to make do. I don't like black cars, yet I'm currently driving a Black Magic Pearl Effect coloured Polo GTI as when I asked my VW dealer to get me a low-K's near-new Polo GTI, that's what came up!

[Hail]

I got a red GTI and I love it... Looks exactly like the red 3 door with Detroit rims on the GTI brochure.

[seangti]

keep the polish on and the tree sap, bird crap, etc off and it'll be smiles for years to come.

PS - go silver :banana:

[Glennb]

Pfft to white and silver ;)
Seriously... why would you want to look like veryone else who's just picking a 'safe' colour for resale - or many 'corporate fleet' cars who don't get a choice?!

Be an individual! Pick a colour which represents your personality! I'm you're all more interesting than white! :D

Can i have mine in Beige?? :P

[trueman]

CW-------> CS
seen too many whites on here now

[Corey_R]

Can i have mine in Beige?? :P

lol mate :D

[MurphyTheElf]

Corey - you got to him! You paid him off! Didn't you! DIDN'T YOU!

[windmagnet]

Had a red Alfa GTV which was always parked outdoors and the paint cracked (enamel paint) and faded badly. Rust was worse though!

Have now seen a few Mk6 GTIs on the road and I think the key is to get the 18" wheels. The car in any colour just does not look as good with the 17s.

Generally I like silver cars but I don't think this colour does the GTI any favours. Both the dealer and I thought the brand new one in his lot looked lame next to my white one.

Never had a white car before and although it needs more cleaning than silver, it is easier than black.

For me, a white GTI is the signature colour for the car, like red for a Ferrari or Alfa and DBP for an R32. Sure they will be common as dog poo in a years time but so will most of the other colours.

Off for a fang in the hills later :banana:

[noone]

I've got the Polo GTI in red, 3 1/2 years old.

I de-badged the rear GTI logo recently, it is not possible to see where the logo was (from paint fade or any other blemish to the finish). My car unfortunately spends its days in open air.

There is no difference between metal and plastic that has been painted as someone pointed out. Only if you tried to colour code some extra trim and didn't prep it properly would this be an issue (or it was done my a mate).

[265coupe]

I'm new to VW but can speak with authority on red 2005 Honda Accord Euros.

At 3 years from new mine had developed a pink hue on all surfaces facing the sky. It was particularly noticable under fluros at a servo. No care instrustions were ever provided by Honda and they refused to honour warranty on the damage. Yet another chink in the Honda quality myth. Anyway that was then.

Go with what excites you. It sounds from previous posters that VW use a quality paint system that stands up well to UV exposure. And red sure looks good.

[AdamD]

I'm new to VW but can speak with authority on red 2005 Honda Accord Euros.

At 3 years from new mine had developed a pink hue on all surfaces facing the sky. It was particularly noticable under fluros at a servo. No care instrustions were ever provided by Honda and they refused to honour warranty on the damage. Yet another chink in the Honda quality myth. Anyway that was then.

Interesting. I also have a 2005 Honda Accord Euro in red, and the paint finish remains immaculate. My car has been garaged and well looked after, but then I'd be taking care of my car irrespective of the colour. Before the Euro I had a '97 Civic, also in Milano Red, and the paint on that was still great when I sold it after eight years of ownership.

So, needless to say, I've gone with Tornado Red for my GTI. ;)

[gregozedobe]

I think that if your car lives outside (ie in the sun) during the day it might be worth investigating a paint sealant and/or wax that has some UV protection, regardless of colour.

[Corey_R]

I think that if your car lives outside (ie in the sun) during the day it might be worth investigating a paint sealant and/or wax that has some UV protection, regardless of colour.

Agreed - this is key to the protection of any colour. Even more so than the colour, the clear coat. If you don't wax and protect the paint, then the clear coat will fail, and after that the 'colour' paint will be ruined very quickly (and then rust etc as said above) :D

[trueman]

Pfft to white and silver ;)
Seriously... why would you want to look like veryone else who's just picking a 'safe' colour for resale - or many 'corporate fleet' cars who don't get a choice?!

Be an individual! Pick a colour which represents your personality! I'm you're all more interesting than white! :D

Other then red there are no colours. Very lame selection. If they had included atleast a blue it dilutes the colours on road.:mad:

[Corey_R]

Yeah - It's truely lame of VW Australia to only have a single colour available for the GTI. I hope that all the dealers give this feedback to someone who will take notice. Given all the colours available to Germany, I really don't see how it would be difficult to through the Australian 'made to order' cars through the paint baths when they're filled with one of the many colours available. Even the UK gets more colours than here. And unlike all the discussions about 'options' which aren't available here, I really can't think of any valid reason why VW couldn't do this as I can't think of any reason that it'd cost more for VW Australia.

At least the regular MK6 Golf has 2 colours available, the 'Shark Blue Metallic' (although pretty light) and the 'Amaryllis Red Metallic' (burnt red colour) - though 2 colours is still lame.

Come on VW Australia! Do you really want to grow some market share? Give us some colours with PERSONALITY! :D

[GTI2708]

I think that the car will look great either way you go.

Here's some pics of mine from the recent Vic Dubfest.

http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2010/02/Image020-1.jpg

http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2010/02/Image019-2.jpg

http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2010/02/Image018-2.jpg

http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2010/02/07022010001-1.jpg

Oh and btw, the car was completey covered in dust thanks to people doing burnouts right past it while it was parked. :(:eek:

[gregozedobe]

Given all the colours available to Germany, I really don't see how it would be difficult to through the Australian 'made to order' cars through the paint baths when they're filled with one of the many colours available. Even the UK gets more colours than here. And unlike all the discussions about 'options' which aren't available here, I really can't think of any valid reason why VW couldn't do this as I can't think of any reason that it'd cost more for VW Australia.

I agree - it's not like VWA have a set of pre-painted panels sitting here in Oz waiting for us to buy. Even VW Transporter commercial vans have more colours available in Oz than Golfs !

The only reasons I can think of for restricting colours are:

- VW may not have tested some colours for longevity in a climate like ours.

- Wanting to restrict options so that they have most bases covered with stock vehicles (rather have people complaining they don't haven the colour they want in stock and available).


I guess if they though it was hurting profits they would do something about it. But lets face it, how many people would refuse to buy the car they wanted only because it wasn't available in the colour they preferred ?

[Corey_R]

I guess if they though it was hurting profits they would do something about it. But lets face it, how many people would refuse to buy the car they wanted only because it wasn't available in the colour they preferred ?

I guess this is true. Even I gave in and bought a red car, even though my favourite is blue. And now I have a black car, again, cause there is no blue. I should write a letter to the new boss at VW Australia :)

[Converted]

Going thru older posts and came across this, maybe a bit dated but I'll share my 2cents worth.

Was considering white, red or black, eventually went for white because...
1. After hours of staring at the computer screen and GTi models in the showroom, personally think, white looked da best.
2. Had 2 red hondas previously, a milano red and a burgundy red, both faded, turning pinkish. Maybe its the paint quality of the Hondas.
3. The GTi red looks darn good in the brochure but not as striking (the red shade/tone) in the flesh (or just me?). The brochure red looked around 10-15% deeper.
4. Black, too difficult to mantain and gets very HOT in summer.

Maybe VW should introduce a 'bone' colour like the minis?

At the end of the day, its what you like best!

[MariusGT]

as mentioned (and i agree) the likely reason for limited choice is climate/conditions (colours fading is not a good look).

the choice presented?

i would choose White all day over red. but that's my preference.

my united grey (mk6 GTI closest equiv is the carbon steel?) is the best colour car i have ever owned. even when it is crazy dirty it still looks pretty clean. it doesn't heat up toooooo much in summer. and in winter tends to warm up a little in the sun. nice balance.

[rs73]

I went with black simply because over the past 10 years I had a silver lancer, a light baby blue galant hatch that looks very much like silver, a silver cressida, wife had a silver corolla, and a silver V35 Skyline...

a bit sick of silver... when I was shopping I can't wait for 6 months as as I needed straightaway and thus can't get any white since they're all sold out, so only red but it was too bright for my liking and the wife's liking, so black it is for me.

last I looked I haven't had any black car since 15 years ago, so probably about time to re-embrace the black colour :-)

yeah and except of those - no other colour for GTI, there's no blue, no yellow, no green, no gold, no orange etc...
a bit limited hey