Is $12,000 too much?

C

CHAOS

New member
well ive been tossing around this idea... well more like heavily thinking about night and day.... since i bought my car... to repaint it the color of my old car... i was/am in love with the paint color which is a slightly rare mazda color called Kauai Blue Metallic... well i went to the local shop that i trust... and asked for a quote... they told me they couldnt give me a direct quote so he said between 10 and 12,000... this is for a full bottom to top color change, engine bay, door jams, etc... and i honestly dont think thats too insane considering the amount of work that goes into something like this... also id be installing some nice add-ons at the time... which would bring the price up a bit more ... i just wanted to know what kind of prices the autopians appreciate... the car is currently my daily driver, however i do show it... and i do want to become competitive in auto-x and track days... ill probably have them add a bit more clear than normal to help when i need to correct it... anyway... here are pictures for reference...



this is the car as it sits currently:

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and this is the color i want to get it painted:

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strunks3.jpg






please post up some opinions!
 
I wouldn't. Color change will hurt when you try to sell it so you'll be losing more than 10-12K if you ever want to sell the car.



If money isn't an issue then I say go for it; otherwise, I don't think it's a good idea.



Blue metallic is my favorite color as well.
 
awahl63 said:
I wouldn't. Color change will hurt when you try to sell it so you'll be losing more than 10-12K if you ever want to sell the car.



If money isn't an issue then I say go for it; otherwise, I don't think it's a good idea.



Blue metallic is my favorite color as well.
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well ill put it to you this way... with mods.. im already over 10k deep into the car... i plan on keeping it around for a while... i dunno ... i just really love that blue haha... as far as money being an issue... its more important for me to get a superior product/service than the cost... i spent alot of money on my suspension because i knew it was top of the line... ive been called a "gear whore" by some friends haha... i like nice things... but my wallet hates me....



and this blue is sooooo nice in person! haha i still get complimented on my OLD car haha
 
If you were to get it painted then I would leave the rims the color they are. I love the blue with gold or black with gold subies. The color is a little dark but def isn't something you see everyday. If you have the money just sitting around then go for it.



I personally would use the 12k and put that all into tire and suspension upgrades for the upcoming autocross. Already has enough power and extra grip always helps.
 
You would honestly come out better trading that car for another subie that is blue than repainting that one. Unless that guy is the best in the world, it will NEVER look factory no matter what. And when you resell it, people will notice.
 
Audi90Quattro said:
If you were to get it painted then I would leave the rims the color they are. I love the blue with gold or black with gold subies. The color is a little dark but def isn't something you see everyday. If you have the money just sitting around then go for it.



I personally would use the 12k and put that all into tire and suspension upgrades for the upcoming autocross. Already has enough power and extra grip always helps.
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well if the paint comes... wheels will come after that... in gold.. just not those wheels that i have on it currently...



and the suspension i have is as follows:



Ohlins Fixed perch struts

RaceComp Engineering springs

STi Group-N top mounts

Whiteline 25-27-29mm adjustable front sway bar

Whiteline 24-26 mm adjustable Rear sway bar

Kartboy endlinks all around

Carbing Front strut tower bar

Tein rear strut tower bar

TurnInConcepts Fender braces





the car sits on one of the best street/track suspension set ups possible haha
 
Brandon1 said:
You would honestly come out better trading that car for another subie that is blue than repainting that one. Unless that guy is the best in the world, it will NEVER look factory no matter what. And when you resell it, people will notice.
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the only blue they offer is a light blue... and i dont want that. i guess im just stuck.
 
CHAOS said:
well ill put it to you this way... with mods.. im already over 10k deep into the car... i plan on keeping it around for a while... i dunno ... i just really love that blue haha... as far as money being an issue... its more important for me to get a superior product/service than the cost... i spent alot of money on my suspension because i knew it was top of the line... ive been called a "gear whore" by some friends haha... i like nice things... but my wallet hates me....



and this blue is sooooo nice in person! haha i still get complimented on my OLD car haha
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But with your mods you can always take them off and sell them and still make some money back. When you paint the car that 10-12K goes straight to the shitter.
 
yea ... the car currently needs some minor paint work... the bottom of the bumper has some curb rash from before i put the lip on (super big curb at the bank)... and the fender has a nice ding in it)... i just dont think silver is the color for me haha but the only color blue that subaru sells on the STi is so bright it stands out in pitch black night haha...



i definitely understand what you mean about the money going down the shitter... but honestly with all the plans i have for it... ie. built motor, bigger turbo, etc new interior etc... i think this is only the surface.... i definitely like the comments so far tho guys!
 
Get three more quotes from reputable paint shops. You only live once, so if this makes you happier go for it. You definately do not have a wife, I can tell because your wife would have beat you over the head for wanting to spend that kind of money on paint for your car instead of a new kitchen, bath, patio, etc. for her.
 
3puttjay said:
Get three more quotes from reputable paint shops. You only live once, so if this makes you happier go for it. You definately do not have a wife, I can tell because your wife would have beat you over the head for wanting to spend that kind of money on paint for your car instead of a new kitchen, bath, patio, etc. for her.
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haha yea, no wife here... im 23... no need for that yet... the problem with that is that there are no reputable shops around here IMO... i may have to go out of state to find something that i want.... i basically want show car quality... super nice paint.
 
3puttjay said:
Get three more quotes from reputable paint shops. You only live once, so if this makes you happier go for it. You definately do not have a wife, I can tell because your wife would have beat you over the head for wanting to spend that kind of money on paint for your car instead of a new kitchen, bath, patio, etc. for her.
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^lol :D:funnypost
 
It would be worth the drive to get some other quotes. If you are spending this much on a paint job a little drive won't kill you. Go on to the internet do a search for premier paint shops within 150 miles. I bet you will come back with at least 20, from there do a BBB search on the ones you want visit. Call them to see if they will give you references. If you can, go to a local car show and ask the guy that has the best paint job for a referral. Man to be 23 and without a wife, priceless. ( only kidding, honey)
 
I like your present color. Going to a dark color will make a already small vehicle look even smaller.

Save the money for your next car or better yet put it towards retirement.:idea



IMHO $12000 into a paint job is not money well spent.
 
You're going to spend $12,000 on a paint job for a 2005 Subaru? Are you nuts? Save the $12 for a down payment for a house. If you have plenty of money and a house, join Jay Leno's More Money than Brains Club. :nana: :nana: :nana:
 
Here is my $.02....I just spent $12,000 on a paint job for a 1950 Chevy Streetrod. Now that included a full mud skim-coat on the car to eliminate any possible waves, lining up all the gaps in the panels, 3 coats of primer and sanding, 3 coats of paint and 3 coats of clear...all wetsanded of course. It sounds like his price may be so high just because he basically has to take your whole car apart to be sure that he doesnt ruin anything. As a lot of the guys have said, sink the money into a house or something that will Appreciate not Depreciate! Unless your putting that kind of money into a mid-year vette your never going to see it again. Here is a pic of my paintjob...the trophey was free!

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