Turn my Black Prius into a Silver Pine Mica!

A reputable body shop should be able to get the color. I think that it will cost you a pretty penny. Have you thought about trying to sell yours and buy the color you want? Right now you could probably make a profit from the sale. The only downside is that you would probably have to wait for the Silver Pine mica, but to my understanding, that color isn't very popular. To each his own.

 

You should be able to find the codes somewhere. In fact many of the higher end paint shops should have the code for it. Just keep in mind a aftermarket paint job is never as good as an original baked on job. Okay, you can exceed the quality (particularly since the factory does have orange peel), but it's a lot of coin to do so... so just keep that in mind.

Mike

 

I'd rather have orange peel than bodyshop paint anyday. I can't remember any paint I've had done that was better than the factory.

 

I would go talk to the dealer, but I don't know what kind of deal he will give you. You might try and sale it yourself, I don't think the dealer is going to give you a even trade. Let us know what happens.

 

You can bet that the dealer will make you an offer that will make them a profit on both your present car and your replacement.

 

At the rate Prii are going I'd bet you could order a silver pine mica and then sell your black for almost what you paid for it. Because of the long waits used Prii are going for higher than the average used car. You might look into that.

I don't recommend repainting the entire car.

 

Do NOT change the factory color on your car! In order to do it correctly, it will cost a small fortune. Inspect your car and find all the body parts on your car that are currently painted black. Now imagine the work involved to paint all of it SPM. Anything less than that will look like hell and hurt the value.

 

Well, the OP has already decided to do a trade-in, which make sense given her desire to have a SPM color.

It would probably cost ~$5K for a quality paint job that includes removing all body trim and the glass, and painting the door jambs and the hatch opening. However the engine compartment area would still be black since the powertrain would not be removed at that price.

If an owner was going to spend that amount of money on a repaint, it seems to me that a custom color would be better than a standard factory color (since that provides tangible evidence that money had been spent...)

 

I was under the impression that SPM wasn't going to be available next year. I'll bet $5,000 wouldn't even cover the cost of a repaint.

 

if you get it painted at a reputable body shop they will do it really nice.

and not only that you can choose your own color and have pearl and such it should cost below 3000.

materials in general to repaint an entire car would be about 600 max for high quality stuff

 

You won't get an even swap - your car is used. And even though there's a high demand for Prii, they're not hurting for business, so it will come down to how much you want to spend/lose to get SPM. (Ironically, I just got a call from my salesperson saying they had a Prius in... SPM, package #6. I declined, as I don't want either. Call Round Rock Toyota in Texas if you're interested. Maybe it's still available.)

 

Just responding to your post when you said you'd like a 'straight swap.' Either way, I'm sure you'll get what you want eventually. I do think your best bet is to sell it - ideally for more than you paid.

 

You're not going to like my opinion. Personally, I think you should learn to like it. How bad can it be? Start thinking good thoughts about the black exterior like how it makes the car look more elegant or lots of people love their black Prii. Or ask yourself, why have some people posted saying the SPM isn't that popular of a color?

Sometimes I think it's all a head game. We second guess our choices or think the grass (or color) is always greener. (Well, I guess in your case, the color will be greener.) Nonetheless, I know a long time ago I bought a car, okay, I confess a SUBURBAN (gasp! I hate to admit that now) with black interior. As I was driving home, I realized I HATED the black interior. What did I do? I just dealt with it and then next made certain I really knew what I wanted. Time goes by quickly.

And now look ...I have a PRIUS...I car I would love regardless of the color as long as I get the MPG and am not polluting our planet.!!!!!!!