Would you buy an unpainted car?

[BLINGMW]

So I wonder, would you buy a car that wasn't glossy off the dealership floor? That wasn't painted at all? That had completely plastic skin with the color impregnated into it?

I'm not asking if you like the styling of this late '90's concept, but is it "shiny" enough for you?



image stolen from here, more info too if you never saw this concept car. Its skin was unpainted PET plastic and actually had a nice metalic shine to it when I saw it in person:

http://www.allpar.com/cars/concepts/pronto-spyder.html

I've just always wondered why we hang on to the notion that a good looking car has to be shiny. It just seems silly to me that we try to maintain a gloss finish on something that will meet shopping carts, door dings, road salt, tar, bugs, rocks, fender benders, I'm sure you see what I mean. Obviously, there have been other prototype cars with the same idea, and unpainted plastics are already on the road and making their way into more vehicles. But they are often grey and part of a two tone scheme, ie, the Honda Element.

But unpainted plastic doesn't have to be dull grey, it can have a luster and a color and I would LOVE to have a car that was wrapped in it. Keeping it clean would be much easier, it would last longer and stay just as nice, chips would be un-noticeable, and it would cut way down on production costs, hopefully reflected as a savings to the customer.

So why hasn't a manufacturer run with the idea? Would you WANT a car that had a trouble free exterior even if it wasn't as glossy as a nice paint job? I'd like to know.

[ViPER1313]

So why hasn't a manufacturer run with the idea?

Because people don't want plastic cars - they want the feeling of safety that metal brings to a car. While production costs would be lowered and maintenance levels would decrease, I doubt people would want to drive a car that would shatter into 1000 pieces when hit by a 3 ton Excursion. Today's trend is bigger=better, and comfort/safety sell the majority of cars. Making cars out of plastic also results in more noise and vibration inside the cabin - a "buzzing" sensation most customers don't like. Take a look at Saturn and all the flak they catch for making "toy" cars.

Now make a car out of unpainted carbon fiber and I might take a look hock: .

Edit - One more reason - shiny, unpainted plastic tends to fade in the sun over the years - look at the rear pillars on Chris' Del-Sol .

[ScottyB]

i personally like the look of matte paint. call me trendy if you want (since alot of people who "hustle da streets" rock the flat black paint or whatever) but i think it looks cool.

that's not to say i don't like shiny paint though. i can picture some cars looking awful in matte, and others would be cool in it. personally, i like my accord shiny as hell. i'm the guy that wipes fresh bird crap off the paint if i see it. i guess i have a wide tolerance for finishes, depending on the intended look.

i've seen a few rock-crawlers painted in different color bed-liner types of paint before...but of course they go looking for crap to run into so i guess its a different situation with them.

[Kaan]

does it come in race kaaa matte black?

[Chris]

So why hasn't a manufacturer run with the idea?

Edit - One more reason - shiny, unpainted plastic tends to fade in the sun over the years - look at the rear pillars on Chris' Del-Sol .

hahaha I hate those things, they're more pink now then red.

[CaptainHenreh]

So why hasn't a manufacturer run with the idea?

A manufacturer has. The "dent resistant" Saturns were made of colored plastic, until last year. Saturn switched to metal, they say, because heat made the plastic expand, so they had to allow for tolerances for that in the body seams. I don't buy that, they switched to metal because all their cars are standard GM platforms now, none of which are plastic.

So, yeah. Go buy a 2001 SC2.

[.RJ]

A manufacturer has. The "dent resistant" Saturns were made of colored plastic, until last year.

They were painted, just like all other cars.

[BLINGMW]

They were painted, just like all other cars.

yeah, that's what I thought.

I also don't think plastic leads to buzzing. The only reason Saturns were prone to it was because of the cheap interior plastics. Well, and cheap everything. :lol: My Fiero certianly never had a buzz. And the panels weren't warped after 15 years in the sun.

The fading issue. I would THINK they could or have already solved that. Anyone know?

Safety. That's probably one thing the uneducated are afraid of. But in an accident, it's the frame that's the crash structure. Thin sheet metal doesn't do much to protect you. And in a fender bender, a bent up wrinkled fender is just as worthless as a cracked plastic one.

I think it can be done correctly these days. No buzzing. Just as safe. Let's assume the fading thing can be solved. Maybe they have to leave a little more room for body gaps. Would you go for it then? Anyone know any more facts about the plastics available now?

[Feersty]

My family has an Element and the plastic panels are tough and sheer away water very easily.

[Mike]

i just realized how much this poll sucks. no matter what you choose, you're saying yes. you suck chan, i will not give in to your strongarming.

[BLINGMW]

i just realized how much this poll sucks. no matter what you choose, you're saying yes. you suck chan, i will not give in to your strongarming.

:?:

If you like paint, you answer #1.

:|

[Mike]

i got f'd. reading owns me. damn! you win, can i name my firstborn channing? thanks.

[BLINGMW]

....can i name my firstborn channing? thanks.

no.

[CaptainHenreh]

A manufacturer has. The "dent resistant" Saturns were made of colored plastic, until last year.

They were painted, just like all other cars.

You got me.

But they COULD have been colored plastic. *drops hypnotoad and runs away*

[Myuki]

yea, I'll sacrifice some paint to reduce money...but geez...not to the point of being hideous...some bling is required

[BLINGMW]

so is that it? only 11 people care? Or was my poll too confusing.

[Feersty]

Where is the Red Bull and Vodka option, or smoke w33d everyday?

[Mike]

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