Sales debate
Does a colour change affect the resale value of your 911?
It’s something we all consider at some point during ownership, if only for a fleeting moment: would another colour better suit my 911? Particularly for those of us who are committed, for one reason or another, to owning a certain car for the long term, the concept of a colour change often runs through one’s mind as an antidote to selling, instead choosing to refresh the car to one’s eye.
Some enthusiasts go through with it. Our very own editor’s 911 undertook a colour change from Zenith blue to Irish green. Elsewhere in this issue, you’ll find pictures of a Speed yellow GT3 Touring which has been resprayed to Signal yellow at the request of its owner, one Chris Harris. A colour change is an extremely personal choice, but what impact does it have on the value of the car?
Jamie Tyler, who’s seen all manner of Porsche shades in his 26 years in the industry as sales manager at Paragon Porsche, says a colour change absolutely does affect the value of a 911 – and not in a positive way. “When it comes to selling a 911, it’s all about originality,” he offers.
“If somebody comes to look at a car, it’s one of the first questions they ask: is the colour original? If it’s the ‘wrong’ colour, it can put people off, as it can lead to speculation that something might have happened to the car in the past.” Tyler points out that if the colour change is fully documented in the car’s history, has been done properly, and passes a detailed pre-purchase inspection, there is little to worry about. “A proper colour change costs thousands and, in terms of resale value, that investment doesn’t correlate. That’s why we actually deter people from doing it,” he concludes.
Anthony Pozner at Hendon Way Motors is broadly in agreement with his counterpart down on the UK’S south coast, though Pozner offers less resistance to the idea. “There are often very reasonable explanations behind a colour change. A full and proper inspection will soon uncover if anything is amiss,” he says matter-of-factly.
As we mentioned, a colour change is an extremely personal choice. If you like the colour in question, that should appeal most to you, though a proper paint job is an expensive process and won’t increase the overall value of the car. With no financial gain, it’s a classic case of head versus heart: your own answer will be equally as personal.