Need Opinions on Paint Colors and Which Look Clean Longer

[Meeshell]

So, I'm getting a 2010 Mazda3 S Sport in October and was originally thinking of getting the Celestial Blue color that Mazda has (picture below). After having my current black car I'm tired of being able to see every scuff, mark, and spec of dirt on the car. So I was wondering if you guys could give your opinions as to which paint colors look cleaner in between washes longer. Also, over time, which paint will hide more imperfections better than black my Cobalt does. With school, work and my boyfriend I don't have a chance to wash my car every week, but I do plan on keeping up with it the best I can.

Here's the part where you guys come in, the pics below (and the blue above) are the colors I'm really interested in. Any input you can give will be a huge help and greatly appreciated

Celestial Blue:


White (w/ or w/o pearl option):


Silver:

[SvicksTc]

im a sucker for white cars...

[TGilb2007]

White can NEVER remain looking clean for long. When my dad had his white explorer, it was ALWAYS dirty, even 15min after washing it again.

Something a little darker (not black), might be able to hide the dirt a little better though.

[SvicksTc]

Originally Posted by TGilb2007

White can NEVER remain looking clean for long. When my dad had his white explorer, it was ALWAYS dirty, even 15min after washing it again.

Something a little darker (not black), might be able to hide the dirt a little better though.

I beg to differ....

[itsSTock69]

Originally Posted by TGilb2007

White can NEVER remain looking clean for long. When my dad had his white explorer, it was ALWAYS dirty, even 15min after washing it again.

Something a little darker (not black), might be able to hide the dirt a little better though.

I disagree with that statement too. My TL is a pearl white and it hides dirt very well. I haven't washed mine in over two weeks, including a trip down the shore, and aside from a few bugs that are smashed onto the front bumper it looks clean. If you're a complete slob and don't wash it for over a month it'll be noticeable, but that goes for any car, any color.

[CleanNeon98]

Why not just wash and wax it more often.

Grays and Silvers to answer your question.

[Schepis]

Silver will stay clean the longest.. but why not wash it? Once a week isn't asking that much..

[Oakes]

A dark silver, forget them boring light silvers. Or white

Regardless, when you get the car, tell the dealer not to touch it and bring it to me. Seriously.

[CleanNeon98]

Originally Posted by Oakes

A dark silver, forget them boring light silvers. Or white

Regardless, when you get the car, tell the dealer not to touch it and bring it to me. Seriously.

Trying to get cars that customers don't even have yet? Bawlin!

[Oakes]

Originally Posted by CleanNeon98

Trying to get cars that customers don't even have yet? Bawlin!

hahaha, I have before, the Camaro SS I did wasn't anymore than a paper printout and a vin number when it was scheduled

If she wants the BEST treatment and protection to ease her maintenance/ownership, as she's already picking a color to help make it easier to maintain, I can only be of further help off the bat.

[OMGz Turbo]

My car is silver, it hasnt been washed in months and still looks good

[ndubz]

Blue FTW.

Or if u really dont want dirt to show ever, custom paint it **** brown

[Meeshell]

Originally Posted by CleanNeon98

Why not just wash and wax it more often.

Grays and Silvers to answer your question.

Originally Posted by Schepis

Silver will stay clean the longest.. but why not wash it? Once a week isn't asking that much..

I work 40+ hours a week 9-5:30, go to school from anywhere between 6 until 9 or 10. I don't have time at all during the week to wash my car. Over the weekends Dan said we could wash our cars together, but during the winter that won't happen as much because well... it's too damn cold to wash my car in the winter and I'm pretty sure all of the car wash's by my house are closed after November. I'm not trying to be lazy, it's just doesn't fit in my crazy schedule to clean it every week.

Originally Posted by Oakes

A dark silver, forget them boring light silvers. Or white

Regardless, when you get the car, tell the dealer not to touch it and bring it to me. Seriously.

The silver is my least favorite, but my first car was silver and I remember that hiding scratches pretty well since the light undercoat is so much closer to the actual paint color. What's your opinion on the blue Nick? Do you think it'll show scuffs and scratches a lot- people at my work are necessarily the nicest when it comes to opening car doors gently.

And to go with my other statement about not being able to wash it in the Winter, I'd probably get it to you for a good detail before all the snow and ice start. Seriously.

Originally Posted by ndubz

Blue FTW.

Or if u really dont want dirt to show ever, custom paint it **** brown

The blue is most definitely my fav. I just dont know how much scratches and scuffs will show up on it. The picture doesn't really do it much justice but I didn't want to post anything that was super edited.

[Oakes]

Originally Posted by Meeshell

The silver is my least favorite, but my first car was silver and I remember that hiding scratches pretty well since the light undercoat is so much closer to the actual paint color. What's your opinion on the blue Nick? Do you think it'll show scuffs and scratches a lot- people at my work are necessarily the nicest when it comes to opening car doors gently.

And to go with my other statement about not being able to wash it in the Winter, I'd probably get it to you for a good detail before all the snow and ice start. Seriously.

The Blue is a good color, it'll be easier to maintain, but it'll show dirt and mud just as well as the white will. However, it won't be near as bad as the black, your best bet is going with a metallic color that helps to hide a lot more. My car is a red metallic and I know when it's dirty but people always say the car looks great. I vote the blue because white and silver are boring run of the mill colors. Get it with the same wheels in the first picture too! They'll help hide brake dust more by have the painted pockets, same finish as my wheels.

[Meeshell]

Michelle- thanks for all the input! White is probably my second choice to the blue color. I realized over the winter last year that white cars don't look as dirty... Just kind of tan instead of white. The paint chipping is something I didn't think of at all! Totally something I'll have to think about. I test drove a white one the other weekend... It looks really nice in white! Not sure about all of the black plastic trim on the front of the 2010 though

Originally Posted by Oakes

The Blue is a good color, it'll be easier to maintain, but it'll show dirt and mud just as well as the white will. However, it won't be near as bad as the black, your best bet is going with a metallic color that helps to hide a lot more. My car is a red metallic and I know when it's dirty but people always say the car looks great. I vote the blue because white and silver are boring run of the mill colors. Get it with the same wheels in the first picture too! They'll help hide brake dust more by have the painted pockets, same finish as my wheels.

The blue is a really nice metalic color. It's got a lot of sparkle in it from what I remember. I'm pretty sure the car I'm getting is the same as the picture I posted for the celestial blue - so the wheels should be the same if not similar. It depends, I guess on what the dealership has though. They currently don't have any blue in stock in the S Sport so I can either hope they get more by October or I'll have to get it shipped from another dealership and pay the $750 extra.

[Fujito]

Have them ship it over for you and don't pay the $750. Even if it's a new model, you're the buyer and you have the majority of the power.

[CleanNeon98]

Winter wash...bucket of warm water. Not pleasant but not as unpleasant and wont freeze on your paint lol

[CANNIBALOFDOOM]

i have always liked white cars but keeping it clean does suck.

[wheresmycar]

Silver! But it's boring.
Flat white is the worst color from your list.

Just get the blue. You know you want it.

[Fujito]

Silver always looks clean.

The 2010 Mazda 3 is one happy happy car.