Over a hundred years ago, Henry Ford offered customers a choice: buy a black Model T or don't buy one.

I received an email from Honda promoting the hybrid Prelude. If you want it in blue, it will cost $455 more, while white will cost you an extra $655. I know that some ingredients in paint cost more than others, but there no way that the amount of white spray on a car costs $655 more. This is just another example of getting more money from the customer.

For over a hundred years, car manufacturers have been able to paint cars different colors. Now, different is going to cost you a lot more.

 

Over decades, manufacturers have charged more for certain colors or finishes. Before metallic paint became kind of standard, it cost extra. Now it's the matte colors (like that putty gray) that cost more. Years ago Chrysler charged extra for muscle car colors like Go ManGo and Plum Crazy. For a few years Ford had a pink/red/mauve paint option that shifted colors in the light; that cost extra. Mazda charges several hundred dollars for its Soul Red color. So Honda is jumping on the bandwagon. *shrug*

Given Honda's recent history with white paint, though, I wonder who'd pay extra for it and how it will hold up.

 

I can see some justification for charging a bit for a "Special" color, but blue and white? The only reason is greed. I bet repairing bodywork on a blue or white car would cost a lot more.

 

The Prelude is over-priced period. It's a Civic / Accord (which is mostly a styling difference these days) hybrid coupe, with brake upgrades (maybe a grand's worth?) from the Type-R and a wider/longer wheel base (suspension moved closer to the corners). Yet the Prelude starts at over $7k more than a top-of-the-line hybrid Civic hatchback (which is a remarkably similar car).
Is $7k and reduced practicality (rear doors, cargo capacity) worth it to delete the mfing sunroof? Maybe.

 

White is the new black, pal. Women are buying white cars/SUVs. Until the next fad. If you are paying a premium for white, it's because white is in demand.

 

When shopping for a replacement vehicle for my totaled white GK, white was at the bottom of my list.

Both my GK and Odyssey suffered the peeling white paint and they were built 2 years apart in different countries. I'll never own another white vehicle.

 

I think Honda also plays the same money grab with HR-V colors. Platinum White Pearl, Boost Blue Pearl, Urban Gray Pearl and Nordic Forest Pearl all cost $455 additional.

 

Interesting. I've seen reports of that happening with Korean vehicles. I bet it was a problem with the paint supplier.

 

White, red and yellow are the colors that the cops notice first. In case cops noticing you is a problem.

 

We have lots of radar here, and I use cruise control.

 

Seems like a lot of manufacturers struggle with their white paint. Like Toyota has for a decade lol

 

As I understand it, adding the pearl glitter takes additional steps, so it costs more.

Me personally, prefer PLAIN WHITE cars, but almost no manufacturer offer them anymore, so I have to SETTLE FOR pearl white.