Afraid to Admit I made a mistake with Misty Grey

[dsviv]

I just spent a bundle on the car of my dreams and I'm not at all thrilled.

Why? I, like a lot of you, never got to look at Gen III before purchasing. I love the way it drives. What I REALLY don't like is the interior color. The misty grey is SO light that every ounce of dirt shows up. I have had the car for 4 days and can already see scuff marks.

With only 105 miles on the car I am already wondering how much I'd lose to sell it. What's even sadder is that I have NO idea how to tell my husband.

What would you do if you knew you were going to own a car for several years and within 24 hours after purchasing it you knew you had made a mistake?

[wvgasguy]

Originally Posted by dsviv

What would you do if you knew you were going to own a car for several years and within 24 hours after purchasing it you knew you had made a mistake?

I'd tell everyone how much I loved it

I don't know how many cars you've owned, sometimes you need to experience a lot inorder to know what you like best. I simply don't like light gray interiors. Said I'd never own one, but in 2007 I bought a Camry Hybrid with the light gray interior. Didn't like it from day one but I had to get it in a small window of opportunity to qualify for a State tax credit. Everytime I got in the car I told myself I'm saving money. When the three years were up (ownership time for the Federal tax Credits) I traded it. This 2010 Prius has a lot of colors I like but I told my dealer it had to have Bisque. I just like brown for leather. I don't mind Charcoal too bad but just prefer brown. I knew I would not keep the Camry long (although that is as long as I have ever owned a car) but I plan to drive the wheels off the Prius so I'm waiting to get exactly what I want (Blizzard White w/ Bisque Model V w/ Nav)

I wouldn't take a loss just because of interior color. Live with it a while and the "edge" of being dissapointed will wear off. If not sell it (don't trade it as the depreciation on trade value will really dissapoint you). But if you just can't stand it then Steve has already sold his on this forun. Lost about $1500 I think.

[wvgasguy]

Originally Posted by dsviv

What would you do if you knew you were going to own a car for several years and within 24 hours after purchasing it you knew you had made a mistake?

Then again, I just noticed you have the sun roof. You may actually be able to sell without a loss especially if you deal with someone that simply can't find one or is having to pay a premium.

[swich2mac]

Originally Posted by wvgasguy

I'd tell everyone how much I loved it

I don't know how many cars you've owned, sometimes you need to experience a lot inorder to know what you like best. I simply don't like light gray interiors. Said I'd never own one, but in 2007 I bought a Camry Hybrid with the light gray interior. Didn't like it from day one but I had to get it in a small window of opportunity to qualify for a State tax credit. Everytime I got in the car I told myself I'm saving money. When the three years were up (ownership time for the Federal tax Credits) I traded it. This 2010 Prius has a lot of colors I like but I told my dealer it had to have Bisque. I just like brown for leather. I don't mind Charcoal too bad but just prefer brown. I knew I would not keep the Camry long (although that is as long as I have ever owned a car) but I plan to drive the wheels off the Prius so I'm waiting to get exactly what I want (Blizzard White w/ Bisque Model V w/ Nav)

I wouldn't take a loss just because of interior color. Live with it a while and the "edge" of being dissapointed will wear off. If not sell it (don't trade it as the depreciation on trade value will really dissapoint you). But if you just can't stand it then Steve has already sold his on this forun. Lost about $1500 I think.

Instead of taking a loss on the vehicle, have you thought about taking it to an upholstery shop and have them install a darker shade of leather? In addition, I'm sure that it will be better quality as well. I did this several years ago on a car that came with cloth Interior. I believe that it cost me about $900 to do the whole interior. Just a thought to consider!

Scott

[Cinemator]

Hi dsviv,

I'm sorry to hear this.

I just ordered a Prius III with light (called "aqua" here) interior myself, because the standard grey interior looked quite boring to me.

You mean this interior color right?

Is the dirt problem really that bad? Would you care to upload a few pictures maybe?

Take care,

Maarten

[dsviv]

I've never owned leather before (out of 9 or so cars). The lighter color made sense to me from the "heat" factor of owning leather b/c I kept hearing about how hot leather gets. BTW, the mats are black, so at least those won't show dirt.

If you've read any of my other posts you would know that I'm about as anal as it gets about my car interior. I'm the fool that drove around with towels covering the car mats for 8 years to avoid dirt. I'm not a nut, really, I promise. I just can't stand dirt & clutter in my car.

[Cinemator]

Same here, and I'm a man. I get annoyed when my girlfriend puts her feet on the dashboard and leaves all kinds of dirt on the dark, wine-colored dashboard of my current car (Fiesta)... ;-)

The "aqua" interior in the 2010 Prius here in Europe doesn't use any leather though. The seats are not leather, and the rest is the same material as with the dark grey color I believe.

Misty Grey means leather is used in the interior (apart from the steering wheel)?

[steve44]

Why not just keep a bottle of grease cleaner or simple fabric/leather cleaner in the back with a rag? That may clean up 75% of it instantly. Just takes more thought. Personally, being 28 years old, I'd chalk it up to "love the car, wish I got dark gray" and leave it at that. You're NOT going to notice the interior much after a month. If you do and you're really that picky, then either 1. clean it yourself 2. get it cleaned professionally 3. Pay $900 to put on new leather color 4. be more careful with how you treat your car so you don't get dirt on the seats. 5. Take a loss and sell it back if you have that money to waste.

[dsviv]

Yes, almost the entire interior is a light grey, with the exception of the darker grey interior plastic accents. The steering wheel & seats are in light grey leather. The rest is lisght grey fabric, carpet like material & plastic. I will send a few pictures this afternoon.

[msirach]

It bothers me more to have a dark color and know there is potential for dirt to be there and the dark color is masking it. If something is dirty, I prefer to see it and remove the dirt.

Originally Posted by dsviv

I've never owned leather before (out of 9 or so cars). The lighter color made sense to me from the "heat" factor of owning leather b/c I kept hearing about how hot leather gets. BTW, the mats are black, so at least those won't show dirt.

If you've read any of my other posts you would know that I'm about as anal as it gets about my car interior. I'm the fool that drove around with towels covering the car mats for 8 years to avoid dirt. I'm not a nut, really, I promise. I just can't stand dirt & clutter in my car.