What color and make

[Peter B]

So my last MS3 was just totaled due to a flood. Going out this weekend to look for another one. One guy told me he as an 08 GT on his show room floor he wants to get rid of and would make me a deal on it. The only catch is its red. Now I really like the red, but there are all the rumors about what comes with a red car.

The one I am most concerned with is the getting pulled over more often. Anyone here with a red car have any experience with this? Do cops actually target, or stop red cars more?

The other thing I am worried about is fading. I hate those faded red cars you see sometimes they are more pink then red. I painted houses for 6 years and I know red fades much faster then many other colors, and while at work my car will be baking in the sun all day long.

My last MS3 was the metro gray which was a very nice color. And it blended in well.

Also, the one I had was a 08.5. Any reason to want a 08.5 over the 08? I know the cd player wont play mp3s in an 08 and I heard the paneling inside was a different color.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated

-Pete

 

[justanothermp5]

umm i dont really think red cars get pulled over more because cops target them or anything like that, i just think that the car is ore noticeable in a bright color so they pay more attention to it then to the other color cars that blend in

 

[mazpro]

what he said, they don't really look for red cars, it just kind off stands out a little more. saying that, I have not had any problems with cops and I like to push the car everywhere I can... (knock on wood)

 

[MikeHTally]

Red gets attention 'cause it's always at the forward tip of that red blur. (five-0)

Personally, I think the interior of the '08 1/2 is nicer than the two-tone of the earlier '08s. Plus, I really like the MP3 player. Lotsa songs can be stuffed onto six disks.

 

[Kain]

I've had four bright red cars. Drive like an ass and you'll get pulled over, no matter the color.

 

[ecniemann]

I've had four bright red cars. Drive like an ass and you'll get pulled over, no matter the color.

Yep, this myth is total BS. I have had 2 bright red cars the last 10 years and never been pulled over, even after speeding approx 10 mph over the limit a few times when I have passed cops. I think I just got lucky though as usually I was in a pack or saw them last second and slowed significantly. It's a sweet color, especially in the sun. Just don't spend too much time detailing it in the bright light though; you will be seeing pinkish orange afterglow otherwise!

Keep it detailed with quality products and it will not fade.

 

[phantom6294]

Also, the one I had was a 08.5. Any reason to want a 08.5 over the 08? I know the cd player wont play mp3s in an 08 and I heard the paneling inside was a different color.

Wherever you see the black piano trim in the 08.5, it would be gray in the 08. The gauge needles are white in the 08.5 vice red in the 08. The 2008.5 gets a black/black seat colors, and the GT has Alcantata inserts along with the leather.

Here is a link where someone posted the 'official' change sheet.

 

[jdm justin]

i think mythbusters on the discovery channel found the red car myth to be false.

 

[Stelina]

I can only speak for Germany, but my husband drives a 2000 red Honda S 2000. The car looks like brandnew-so much for the red color...and he hasn't been pulled over more often than in different colored car.

I'm getting a black one next month, that was my choice since I don't want to have two red cars, but red looks great on the ms3.

Good luck on the purchase

 

[340CID]

Is your insurance company giving you replacement value? If so, then who cares what sort of deal you can get on an 08. Considering yours was an 08.5, why should you have to settle for an 08 replacement car when it wasn't your fault that your 08.5 was written off. I would push your insurance company for an equivalent to what you had.

 

[coololddude]

just notice the colors of the cars pulled over when you are on the hi-way. the CHP is a equal opportunity ticketer. make like you think the color sucks and try to get a really good deal.

 

[ericrapp]

There is a young fella nearby that I pass now and again and have spoken to once. With a true Redd model. The car really looks outstanding. Too much for me to drive. But i can see his car coming from a longer distance than most cars. Really stands out in the good way I think.

 

[Peter B]

Yeah the red is pretty hot. With the red trimmed interior it adds a little sex appeal in my mind.

But the metro gray is nice as well, and also looks good with the interior.

decisions decisions ...

 

[phillyb]

red and grey would be my first two choices

 

[Peter B]

Thanks for all the tips

So it is done and I am the proud owner of an 08.5 Red GT.

After searching several dealers and pitting them against each other for the best deal it came down to the following.

For sports I had offers for $21,960, $22,000, $22,240 and $22,460. All on 08.5s in a variety of colors.

There was also an offer for an 09, which was on the lot for $22,810 in metro gray. This car was identical to the one I had.

For GTs I had an offer for $22,961, on an 08 which is supposedly 500 bellow invoice.

Then on another Red GT 08.5 with 200 miles for $22,473, and on offer to match that and another to beat it by $300 with proof of the offered price.

I was going to get the red 08 GT but someone beat me to it. Finally today it came down to the Red 08.5 GT and the grey 09 sport.

AS I was walking off the lot the dealer made me an offer I could not refuse. The red 08.5 GT for 500 bellow invoice, which was the same cost at the 08 which someone else got. Sadly his manager would not let him go that low, but I did get it down to $200 below invoice at $23,233. All in all i felt it was a good deal. The financial guy told me it was the first one he had seen go for less than invoice. They threw in some wheel locks for me too.

Im sure the dealer made some $$ off it, you cant blame them for that. But over all I felt like the deal was pretty good.

Hopefully going to pick it up tomorrow (today technically since its 5am almost)

-Pete

 

[micronesia]

Sounds like you got a good deal...

And the Red 08.5 GT is sexiest by far.

 

[ericrapp]

Congratulations Pete, sounds like you did alright. Any mazdaspeed parts on it yet?

 

[Peter B]

No no speed parts on it yet.

I think if I were to add something it would be the CAI which is recalled or the lowered suspension. Would be nice to get a chip for it as well. I hear there is one out there that adds another 30 hp or so.

 

[kneedragger241]

I know it's late to chime in on this one, but here goes anyway.

True Red is so noticeable that I do believe it gets/would get pulled over more than another colour.

Before my MS3, I had a light brown metallic Jeep Liberty that I drove the same as I do now in my MS3. Highway cruising speed between 80-85 and passing anything that was going too slow.
Never got pulled over in four years of driving it.

With my MS3, I was recently popped for 80 on the highway and I've been pulled over numerous times for my window tint while driving the speed limit or even stopped at an intersection.

I was driving home from DC over the holiday weekend and saw another True Red MS3 coming at me on the other side... spotted him hundreds of yards away!

If a True Red MS3, a silver STi and a black M3 were in close proximity, and all passed through a cop's radar at 80 mph down a 55 mph stretch of highway, I'd put my money on the MS3 getting pulled over.

 

[Peter B]

I agree the red sticks out.... but someone raised a good point to me. Radar is color blind.