Cheapskate colors

"Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing." (granfury)
07/06/2020 at 20:08 • Filed to: None

Back in 2012, when I bought my Mazda5, there were six colors available. However, if you didn’t want to spring for a fancy trim package or an automatic transmission you could only choose from half of those colors. I knew that I was going to get the basic base model with the 6MT and didn’t want a black interior so that left me two colors to choose from. I wanted the Metropolitan Gray Mica since it was closest in color combination to my E34 525i 5MT, but the dealer closest to me only had the Copper Red Mica so I bought it (and took the 20% discount). I’m glad I bought the red and love the color, and am glad I didn’t get the gray; the blue is nice, but I really love the red (and if I could have gotten the blue I’d have to take the black interior) .

What other cars out there limit you to certain colors if you want the manual transmission or a basic model? I’ve seen lots of great colors on the Honda Element but I’d be willing to bet that I couldn’t get them in the nice colors in the configuration I’d prefer. I miss the days, like back in 1989 when my E34 was new, when you could get any color, with a choice of interior colors (!), on any of the models in the series - no screwing you because you didn’t want to shell out extra (yeah, I know, the 525i wasn’t cheap and didn’t have a single option, just a choice of transmission).

I think someone around here mentioned that the Kia Soul was only available in black or white with the manual transmission. There must be other examples, so please share your experience.

DISCUSSION (12)

nj959 > Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing.
07/06/2020 at 20:33

I know Volvo limits you to the boring colors if you want an Inscription model, which is a shame if you want a nice color but without the firmer R-design suspension.

Khalbali > Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing.
07/06/2020 at 20:48

The current soul is white/silver/black only and the forte is white/gray/black only unless you spring for the gt.

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing.
07/06/2020 at 21:15

Previous generation Accord sedan was like this. It was available with a manual in 3 “ colors.” White and silver on the base LX and silver and dark gray on the somewhat better equipped Sport. I’m not sure about the LX but I know the Sport was available in a few more colors if you opted for the automatic.

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing.
07/06/2020 at 21:18

Also IIRC with Mazda of that time period this also extended to the 6 and CX-5. I briefly looked for a manual CX-5 before I ended up with my Forester and only found silver and dark gray ones. In theory it might have been available in more colors but I never saw one. Subaru offered the manual with any color and I even saw a few nice blue and green ones out there while I was shopping.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing.
07/06/2020 at 21:51

Isn’t Tesla pretty bad for this? Want it in any other color other than (black/white), and it’ll cost you?

Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. > BaconSandwich is tasty.
07/06/2020 at 22:01

Paying extra is one thing. Not allowing you a different color just because you chose a particular trim or transmission (not applicable to Tesla, of course...) is something else. Have you seen the Soul Red Crystal Metallic on a lot of current Mazdas? So gorgeous, and worth every penny of the $595 that they ask for it.

Kinja'd!!!

It’s even better in person

BaconSandwich is tasty. > Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing.
07/06/2020 at 22:58

I saw a CX5 with that same paint. It really is gorgeous.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing.
07/06/2020 at 23:01

That was me with the Kia comment. Unfortunately, they have it listed under their SUV/CUV category, which ummm what? The official link to take me to the build page claimed it was a hatchback so I think they need to get their story straight.

Kinja'd!!!

Yes, they offer multiple colors on the base LX model but once you change it to the base trim only manual you have black, silver, and white.

That just makes me mad. WHYYYYY?!?!?! They don’t even allow any different interior color options too, of which the base trim has many.

https://www.kia.com/us/en/soul/build?model=B2522&exterior=Inferno+Red&interior=Black+Woven+Cloth&trim=LX

FCA GM and are usually pretty good about not limiting colors too much to trim levels. I’ve only ever seen two other base (LS, like mine) autumn metallics. The few that I see are almost always top trim simply because it was an expensive option.

Kinja'd!!!

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com
07/06/2020 at 23:10

The coupe could be had in red and blue with a manual

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing.
07/06/2020 at 23:39

A similar color on the new Acuras is pretty amazing, I saw an RDX A Spec in the sparkly red, pretty nice.

Forrest > Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing.
07/07/2020 at 01:40

The Honda Ridgeline has a lot of constraints on exterior and interior color matching. The higher Ridgeline trims offer tan, grey, or black interior. I seem to recall that, if you want a blue exterior, you must have a grey interior. And, if you want a burgundy exterior, you must have a tan interior. Personally, even if you could mix and match all the interior and exterior colors, I would still want the red exterior and tan interior, and that happens to be an allowable color combination by Honda.

Of course, to buy one, I would first need (a) a reason to haul things, and (b) a reason to leave the house (not going anywhere because of covid).

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing.
08/04/2020 at 18:06

I was just playing with a configurator when I discovered another one and remembered this post from (wow has it already been) a month ago. The current Kia Soul can be had in a manual with the base trim , but only in white, gray, or black. Opt for the CVT and you have more options like red and yellow even in the same base LX trim. Interestingly, its Hyundai platform-mate, the Venue, can be had in its full color palette with the manual. Just as long as it is the base trim.