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!

[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!

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

[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!

Can i have mine in Beige??

[trueman]

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

[Corey_R]

Can i have mine in Beige??

lol mate

[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