Color choices

[coachsnacs]

Originally Posted by mikem33 Hi, I'm in need of color advice. I am torn between oolong gray, havana black and quartz gray. My favorite is Havana Black; what worries me is the maintenance. I have read (never owned) that black cars are a nightmare to keep looking good. How hard is it to keep Havana Black looking OK? Is it easier than a flat black? Oolong is my second choice (or first if the black is hard to keep). I don't like it under some lighting conditions, but love it most of the time. How's upkeep on this one? Quartz is the safe choice; easy to care for, doesn't show dirt. But I've had three gray cars in a row, so I want a change. Thanks, Mike The Havana Black is awesome. Sometimes it's black then again sometimes it's brown. Then the gold and green flakes that you see in paint just make me melt. I really enjoy my Havana Black.

[billmac]

Originally Posted by mikem33

I like Daytona gray. Did you special order it? I don't think it's a standard color for the A6.

Yes, special order. At least that was the case for MY12, I am not sure if it will become a standard color for '13.

[organizedchaos]

Hello,

So, I also have a Havana Black Metallic A6. So..........

The good:

When detailed/washed, there is NO comparison in my opinion. The Havana is a sophisticated color and a head turner. I agree with the fact that in different light conditions, you have many different colors. Black, Gray, Brown, Dark Green. I don't think there is another color like it on any other make of car. If you can't decide between brown and black, then get it... They should have named it Coffee Black, because that's what it looks like.

The bad:

It gets dirty very quickly. If you care about the appearance, then you will spend a lot of time maintaining it. If you don't care, then spots won't bother you.

If I had to redo, I may have gotten Oolong Gray, which I think is an extremely sexy color in many ways. You will get a lot of different shades, but RARELY (on the darkest of nights) will you see it appear black. Overall, you can't go wrong with either. Quartz is nice, but I'm more into "browner" colors... Good luck...

[MickBlue]

I'm having the same issue. I love the dark colors on the A6, but black is such a PIA to keep nice, especially in the winter. Thinking of compromise with Oolong but have yet to see one in person. Also, anyone have nougat interior with oolong? How's it look?

[FuchsB]

I have the IBIS white and I think its almost more of a PIA to keep clean than black. My last 4 cars were black and my wifes is and whoever told me white doesnt show dirt if full of sh*t

[Mickelin]

I am very happy with my Aviator Blue. Lots of different hues, not as difficult to keep clean as a black and much less boring than a grey or white.

[mikem33]

Do you happen to have some pics of the color? I have been unable to see Aviator blue live; I've cruised through all 3 local dealerships repeatedly, even looking at their cars in service to try and catch one. No luck so far.

I've been spending lots of time at the dealership; I'm kind of tending towards Havana over Oolong. These colors change so much with lighting, overcast days, etc. I think I'm OK with washing the car once a week, but I still don't get a feel that it's enough to keep Havana looking decent.

I'm definitely not the guy that will wax his car every other weekend (my kids take all my free time); I usually have them detailed twice a year.

I have a couple of weeks to decide (until the order is picked up), so I'm hoping to see Aviator by some stroke of luck before then.

[Mickelin]

Originally Posted by mikem33

Do you happen to have some pics of the color? I have been unable to see Aviator blue live; I've cruised through all 3 local dealerships repeatedly, even looking at their cars in service to try and catch one. No luck so far.

I have a couple of weeks to decide (until the order is picked up), so I'm hoping to see Aviator by some stroke of luck before then.

Yeah, that's another great thing about the Aviator; they aren't that common. Over here, the black A6's are everywhere.

Here are a couple of pics. In these you see mostly the blue. In some light conditions, it is more of a steely grey and there is also a greenish tint that comes out sometimes. At night, it looks dark blue or even black. You can compare it to my wife's Cobalt Blue Q3 in the background, which is a very dark blue, almost black.

Good luck whatever you decide, all the Audi colors are great and complex!

[awryexperiment]

I have a Quartz Grey Q5 and currently have a Havana Black A6 as a dealer loaner. I also have a non-metallic d.d. Black car.

The Quartz has a very fine silver metal flake and is the "shallower" of the 2 colors. It waxes easily and appears clean most of the time. You can see salt and heavy pollen/dust. But the light stuff is imperceptable and there are no fingerprints or swirls. I think it is a very pretty color.

My black car only looks clean for a day or 2 after it is freshly waxed. The rest of the time it ranges from "good" after being washed to "horrible" during most of the winter and spring. the Black shows salt, dust, pollen, water spots, fingerprints, smudges, swirls and light scratches.... basically everything. it is by far the most stunning when freshly waxed. Having said that I would not buy another black car, unless it was tiny like a Mini Cooper.

The Havana Black is a nice color. It has a course metal flake that appers to have some refractive coloring effect. Sometimes you can see pink, gold, and other colored flakes in the sun but the paint is not iridescent. To my eye, it looks more like a warmer grey, maybe a greyish-taupe. It has not been easy to keep clean. It shows dust, pollen, and water spots, as well as fingerprints and smudges. Side-by-side with the black car, it looks cleaner longer and was easier to spruce-up. The metal flake distracts your eye from the defects. I think the Havana is a nice alternative to Black if you like dark cars and want to avoid the silver/grey.

[tenspeed]

Originally Posted by mikem33

Do you happen to have some pics of the color? I have been unable to see Aviator blue live

I have a couple shots of the aviator blue metallic.