Silver or Black?

Stopsign002

Stopsign002

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Pretty self explanatory. Im buying a LS soon and I havent been able to decide. I like the contrast that the Silver has, but the Black is just bad ass looking. Thoughts and opinions?
 
Black is hard to clean and keep clean.

Shows scratches and swirls easily.
 
my opinion:

Silver looks pretty sharp. As you stated it contrasts well. The biggest advantage though is basically that it is the lowest maintenance of all the colors. Take really deep scratches to be noticeable and water spots/dust dont show until there's a really thick coat.

Black on the other hand is the best looking. Nothing is more striking than a clean black car. It's also on the opposite end of the maintenance spectrum requiring by far the most thorough cleaning regimen. Swirl marks show up easily and plentifully and water spots as well as dust are instantly noticeable. Also if you do a rush job with cleaning it wax residue or other oily substances make themselves very apparent.

Your decision in the end. Black if you're willing to dedicate to keep it clean, silver if you want a happy medium of attractiveness and maintenance time invested.
 
2006. I have around 12k to spend. I should be able to get a pretty good condition LS from what I've seen around the dealers in Michigan. I'm really starting to lean towards black at this point. It looks damn sexy when waxed, and I'm one of those people who changes their own oil and all that kind of stuff, so maintenance isn't something that scares me. A Saturday cleaning my car sounds like a great Saturday to me :)

Theres a 2006 black LS with 51K miles on it for 13K. Considering I have the cash I think I would be able to get him to sell it for 12k no problem (though I would start at 10):

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.j...pe=d&num_records=25&cardist=28&standard=false
 
shredicus said:
my opinion:

Silver looks pretty sharp. As you stated it contrasts well. The biggest advantage though is basically that it is the lowest maintenance of all the colors. Take really deep scratches to be noticeable and water spots/dust dont show until there's a really thick coat.

Black on the other hand is the best looking. Nothing is more striking than a clean black car. It's also on the opposite end of the maintenance spectrum requiring by far the most thorough cleaning regimen. Swirl marks show up easily and plentifully and water spots as well as dust are instantly noticeable. Also if you do a rush job with cleaning it wax residue or other oily substances make themselves very apparent.

Your decision in the end. Black if you're willing to dedicate to keep it clean, silver if you want a happy medium of attractiveness and maintenance time invested.
Click to expand...


+1^^^
I love the black and when its clean no other color looks better, but I hate it just as much as I love it. It's a real pain in the ass to keep it looking good.
 
I see u live in Michigan. Would the LS be a daily driver? If so, road salt in the Winter spells swirls to me unless you are not ultra diligent with your detailing routine.
 
Yeah it would be a daily driver. What exactly do you mean by swirls? My buddy has a black BMW 325xi that he washes twice a month at this really nice HUGE car wash we have here and I havent noticed anything, but I also havent been paying attention really. What exactly am I looking for?
 
25399_423455497064_23421922064_4951822_2851044_n.jpg


These miniscule circular scratches that you see in direct sunlight are swirl marks
 
Ah, interesting. Yeah would definitely want to avoid that. Any tips/tricks to avoid having that happen? I figure just using nice microfiber and such when you wax? And of course keeping up with the detailing routine?
 
I guess does anyone have a good routine they are looking to type out and share :) This would be my first nice car and I plan on taking care of it VERY well
 
As much as I love black, and this being a daily driver for you, I would do for silver. Road salt can be "chippy" to automotive finishes and black is going to show it and show it unforgivingly. Silver is a easier to maintain if you do not have the time to devote to keeping a black finish at a level which not only does it justice, but more importantly makes it appealing to a buyer if you ever do want to sell it.

But, there are a number of good threads with regard to general detailing(search) on this forum and on the internet if you still decide to with a black finish.

Weigh it all out and post some pics once you make your purchase.
 
Haha I'm in the same position as you really. Just got this car a month ago and it's my first nice car. I've been figuring out a good cleaning regimen for it since I got it. Realistically just about any used black car you get will already have some swirl marks but they can be buffed out with the right compounds and from there its all about using the right towels for it and making sure they've never got foreign debris on them like sand or dirt that will screw you up. Im sure some more established members can chime in with a detailed cleaning routine
 
Haha nice, well if that car in your sig is yours its freaking beautiful so keep it up haha. Can almost tell what kind of tree that is off your hood ;p
 
My black LS is only black for 1/2 a day during winter. Everything below the door handle line turns gray almost immediately.

Edit: See my thread here for how I wash the LS in winter time to avoid swirling the paint.
 
Whichever you get a better deal on! Black is out if it won't be garage kept. If it's silver, try to find one with black leather. Good luck!
 
Soopa009 said:
http://annarbor.craigslist.org/cto/2749707340.html

I haven't checked that car out or willing to vouch for it but maybe worth a look. Crazy low miles, silver, lse, and could probably get it for cheaper then listed.

Just one thing about that black LS you are looking at, it doesn't have the OEM 06 wheels. like this one http://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/ctd/2781528013.html Not sure if that is a deal breaker for you but just something you might want to look at/into..

Good luck!
Click to expand...

Damn that silver one is crazy low miles. Think I'll have to check that one out. And the wheel thing is a annoyance to me, but that's all. Definitely not a deal breaker. Thanks for the find man
 
Stopsign002 said:
2006. I have around 12k to spend. I should be able to get a pretty good condition LS from what I've seen around the dealers in Michigan. I'm really starting to lean towards black at this point. It looks damn sexy when waxed, and I'm one of those people who changes their own oil and all that kind of stuff, so maintenance isn't something that scares me. A Saturday cleaning my car sounds like a great Saturday to me :)

Theres a 2006 black LS with 51K miles on it for 13K. Considering I have the cash I think I would be able to get him to sell it for 12k no problem (though I would start at 10):

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.j...pe=d&num_records=25&cardist=28&standard=false
Click to expand...

Seems high for a base '06....... Maybe worth ~$10k tops, IMHO....
 
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