[williamsji]

There is one factor that has not been mentioned in this discussion. There are 3 premium colors ($395 extra) and there are 4 non premium colors. The premium colors are Platinum White Pearl, Radiant Red Metallic and Sonic Gray Pearl. Why do these colors cost significantly more? Are they more or less vulnerable to the elements as they age? Should they be maintained in a different manner compared to the 4 non premium colors?

They are highly desired, or limited edition colors, so Honda is playing with some a-la-carte premium uplift pricing.

Nothing more, nothing less.

White pearl finishes are historically in high demand on CRVs, and Sonic Gray Pearl is a very unique color with a dynamic rainbow sheen that pops in the right bright sunlight. Radiant Red Metallic is simply a very desired color.

And honestly, other than the one dark metallic gray paint in the current lineup, the three colors above are about the only paint finishes with some pomp and circumstance to them right now.

All Honda paints are using the same base formulations, are water based, and are applied in modern high tech automated paint shops at Honda factories. The only differences are pearl finishes are tricoat finishes, and some paints are metallic finishes and some are not. I can see pearl finishes costing more as they require an extra midcoat and curing cycle compared to the metallic paints.

 

[williamsji]

CR-Vs also, it seems.

Paint Peeling issues so disjointed

I have a 2016 Honda CRV AWD EX, my paint is literally peeling away. Is this covered under warranty? Upset over this.

www.crvownersclub.com

The particular paint issue being seen in the linked discussion appears to be something weak in the design of the rear spoiler edge on gen4s. It somehow results in water penetration at the paint edge, which eventually delaminates the paint from the primed surface. The material the spoiler is produced from could also be an aggravating varaible too.

My guess is that vortex air coming off the top of the roof at speed is creating pressure along that spoiler edge, resulting in micro cracks which in turn allow moisture penetration and delamination over time.

I bet, had owners known of this weakness early on, a strip of PFF applied there would have prevented the paint degradation ... but hindsight is 5+ years down the road on this one.

 

[JB in AZ]

I seem to remember another thread about white paint peeling on CR-Vs, perhaps on the A pillar?? but couldn't find it.

 

[Carbuff2]

so Honda is playing with some a-la-carte premium uplift pricing.

Want to put this into perspective?

One sports car maker 'only' charges $8100 for premium colors!

EDIT: That is on a $125K car, so its 15% more. WORTH IT if your fav color is purple.

Honda's premium paint upcharge is ~ 10%

 

[Tinalove]

I feel it's wrong to charge differently for paint colors. I understand the packages and trims pricing. Then again it's a money maker. I don't feel any of the colors are premium. They are just different and consumers have different tastes.

 

[TheDarkKnight]

I feel it's wrong to charge differently for paint colors. I understand the packages and trims pricing. Then again it's a money maker. I don't feel any of the colors are premium. They are just different and consumers have different tastes.

^

You answered it right there. Its about making money

The day people choose only solid/free colours, there might be a policy change....but until that day....

 

[JB in AZ]

I feel it's wrong to charge differently for paint colors. I understand the packages and trims pricing. Then again it's a money maker. I don't feel any of the colors are premium. They are just different and consumers have different tastes.

While I agree, I suppose it costs the manufacturer more to paint a vehicle with the colors that they are charging more for, so if they didn't charge extra for just those color vehicles, then all the vehicles of that model would have to cost more to cover the higher cost to the manufacture on the "special colors".

 

[williamsji]

I feel it's wrong to charge differently for paint colors. I understand the packages and trims pricing. Then again it's a money maker. I don't feel any of the colors are premium. They are just different and consumers have different tastes.

Any color that is much more in demand and desire though... IS a premium color. Meaning, there is extra value in it for the buyer who loves the color.

It's an ingrained characteristic in humans, and company marketing departments are experts at finding things people can and will pay a premium for. It's a miracle Honda did not start uplift pricing on select colors years ago. But if they had, I would have gladly paid the uplift to get the color I wanted (White Diamond Pearl, with Black Interior)

Some of the "cool" companies like Apple figured out years ago that they could use particular colors and finishes on their products to encourage buyers to spend more by going up the food chain in offerings.

I admire Honda's approach though. It is a small upcharge compared to the price of the vehicle, and it is not tied to a particular trim. So the Honda approach is both modest in uplift and egalitarian in nature. Owners that want one of the uplift priced colors will do so because the color truly appeals to them enough to pay extra for. Though in your case.. you got your Sonic Gray Pearl as a freebie.

 

[Carbuff2]

I feel it's wrong to charge differently for paint colors.

Who remembers buying a Model T ford... @beww you seem to be old enough? 😜

One of Henry Ford's famous quotes about the Model T was, "Any customer can have a car painted any colour that he wants, so long as it is black."

Good thing it is no longer 1909.🤪

 

[williamsji]

Who remembers buying a Model T ford... @beww you seem to be old enough? 😜

One of Henry Ford's famous quotes about the Model T was, "Any customer can have a car painted any colour that he wants, so long as it is black."

Good thing it is no longer 1909.🤪

Henry Ford, the inventor of the motor vehicle for the common man, produced on assembly lines by common folk, free of any options or alternatives other than to buy what Ford is selling.

I can only imagine what would have happened way back when if owners were more spirited and inclined to take some paint to their otherwise "basic black" paint finish.

 

[Tinalove]

Yes, I am glad I got the sonic gray pearl as a freebie and I am also glad that Honda isn't charging for premium colors as much as some of the other brands mentioned here. So it's a different paint process for some pearls and metallics? I am starting to see more sonic gray pearls in my area now. However, White Diamond Pearl and Steel Metallic still rules in this region.

 

[patruns]

Those colors are not available on the base model so the % extra you pay depends on how high a level CRV you buy. Higher % on a Special Edition than it is on a Touring. $395 on a $30,000+ car doesn't seem too bad a deal to me.

 

[Tinalove]

Those colors are not available on the base model, so the % extra you pay depends on how high a level CRV you buy. Higher % on a Special Edition than it is on a Touring. $395 on a $30,000+ car doesn't seem too bad a deal to me.

Yes, according to the comments, some brands are charging a lot more for premium colors. Moneymaker!!!! Just like service is a moneymaker. At my hometown dealership, the salespeople come in the lounge inquiring if anyone is interested in trading or a new vehicle. I've witnessed it numerous times. Last month I got sucked in too. I am happy, however.