Red or White Mk6 GTI? Does Red still Fade?

[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

[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)