Should I Get Vinyl Wrap on My Car for $4k?

[Deactivated] on 07/05/2022 - 08:52
Last edited 07/05/2022 - 10:42 by 1 other user

I finally bought my first decent car recently - paid $31.5k for a 2014 Tarago Ultima V6 in excellent condition with 43,000km on the odometer. The body and paintwork are pristine. It's white in colour but I've always wanted a black car because they look good. So I'm thinking about spending $4k to get it wrapped in vinyl. I will keep the roof white for heat refelction and get the rest of the panels wrapped in satin black. Apparently matte black shows too many marks like fingerprints etc so satin is a nice compromise if I don't want a gloss finish.

Do people think $4k is too much to spend comparative to the car's value? Or should I go for it (YOLO!) if I can easily afford it? Wraps tend to last 3-4 years depending who you ask. It's a thin vinyl film applied with a heat gun and also needs to be removed by a heat gun. Cost to remove is about $600. I also need to notify Transport Dept about colour change

Poll Options

  • 83
    Yes do it, you should be happy with your car
  • 428
    No, don't do it, it's too exy
Automotive Car Toyota Vinyl Wrap

Comments

  • duk242 on 07/05/2022 - 08:53
    +85

    Why not get anime characters all over? Totally way cooler ;)

  • payless69 on 07/05/2022 - 08:57
    +6

    I had a faded gold colured Tarago (direct import 4WD) for a few years, It never needed washing as dirt seemed to blend in well. Best car I ever had!

  • Hardlyworkin on 07/05/2022 - 09:05
    +32

    What do the other soccer mums say?

    • AdosHouse on 07/05/2022 - 14:05
      +3

      Meh, soccer mums all pretend to like each other but all really hate each other, so who cares.

      • ozbjunkie on 08/05/2022 - 16:54
        +2

        Sounds nice. At least they pretend to like each other. That's sweet.

    • [Deactivated] on 07/05/2022 - 14:38
      +7

      Hey don't tease me, this car is gangsta looking! Changing the colour to black will finish it off. I've laid down the very back row of 3 seats so they are hidden and it's now configured as a 4 seater. The rear cabin looks/feels like a private aeroplane cabin with a huge moon roof (skylight) and 4 feet of leg room. The 2 beige leather rear seats with arm rests can now recline full horizontal with pull out leg rests. There's a DVD player and screen in the ceiling, plus USB ports and drink holders make it more comfortable. I was thinking of doing uber with it occasionally but I'm too lazy for that

      • [Deactivated] on 07/05/2022 - 15:36
        +11

        I was thinking of doing uber with it occasionally

        not if you want to keep it nice. there's no way i'd risk some drunk person puking in my car or getting an angry person who decides to throw a drink around my car because of some imagined slight.

      • dufflover on 08/05/2022 - 23:03
        +1

        this car is gangsta looking!

        Sounds more like the sort of "compliments" people say to tease you instead lol and a black wrap would just completes the (profanity) look lol

      • opt on 09/05/2022 - 21:45
        +2

        this car is gangsta looking!

        If you want to make it more "gangsta" looking, lower it, install an oversized body kit and slap some chrome wheels while you are at it : https://i.pinimg.com/736x/c7/8e/6d/c78e6d74b1297762b3e3a0d37…

    • oztite on 09/05/2022 - 13:14

      What do the other soccer mums say?

      your place or mine?

  • fantombloo on 07/05/2022 - 09:08
    +7

    The body and paintwork are pristine.

    Then why not keep it unwrapped and enjoy it.

    if I can easily afford it

    No point keeping it wrapped up for the next person to enjoy then, especially if you can afford the possible depreciation (probably < $4K) you'd suffer after having it worn and torn a bit.

    It's like keeping the wrap on the couch, or the protective film on the shiny surfaces on appliances - you only live once people - rip it off and use it as intended.

    • [Deactivated] on 07/05/2022 - 14:42

      The wrap will also protect the original paintwork while it's on. So if the black wrap starts to deteriorate and look crap over time, I can remove it and have a nice white car again

      • Domicron on 07/05/2022 - 16:10
        +1

        You think?

        • Kangal on 08/05/2022 - 12:52

          If the manufacturer cheeped out on the paint, he won't. The vinyl will remove chunks of the paint off as it comes off. Just like those greedy French people have done to Nissan cars over the past 8 years or so.

      • nse on 09/05/2022 - 19:38
        +1

        To a point. By the time the black wrap looks deteriorated, it's likely to have damaged the paint underneath. That may be in just 2 years on areas like the bonnet, I've seen it many times.

  • SF3 on 07/05/2022 - 09:11
    +1

    You’ll blend in nicely with other 🚌 on the road, your username can check out.

  • peppet on 07/05/2022 - 09:11
    +8

    If you can easily afford it definitely do what you wanna do to love your car

    • [Deactivated] on 07/05/2022 - 14:38

      Thanks mate, you talked me into it

      • WhyAmICommenting on 08/05/2022 - 22:11
        +5

        You wanted to be. Waste of money if you ask me, but I’m not you!

  • Hithere on 07/05/2022 - 09:12
    +9

    I've always wanted a black car because they look good.

    Yeah, for about 1 minute after you wash and polish it.

    Been there, done that, never again.

    Black and White. People will think you're driving a Taxi.

    https://ibb.co/cYhN4zs

  • pegaxs on 07/05/2022 - 09:12
    +39

    Sure, why not throw another $4k at a depreciating asset.

    When it comes time to sell it, the first thing that someone is going to ask is, “why the wrap? What’s wrong with the paint?”

    Also… on a Tarago? You seriously want to vinyl wrap a Tarago?

    • Domicron on 07/05/2022 - 16:14

      I have seen a riced up HiAce… So… I guess tarago is okay.

  • [Deactivated] on 07/05/2022 - 09:53
    +5

    Just get the whole thing wrapped. Leaving the roof white will do nothing to keep temperatures down, I mean you’ve got the big greenhouse underneath letting UV into the interior to worry about.

  • Euphemistic on 07/05/2022 - 10:08
    +7

    Do it, they’re just about to rename this website OzChuckYourMoneyAway

  • El cheepo on 07/05/2022 - 10:13
    +3

    4k for a car that size is pretty cheap for a wrap (probably due to the shape of it, not too many tricky angles to work around)
    But I’d be careful as the quality of those wraps varies greatly as does the price.

    But its pretty unlikely you will see your wrap last that long unless you keep it out of the sun, don’t scratch it and don’t get it chipped by other car doors etc.

    In saying that….
    If you can easily afford it, knock yourself out if it makes you happy.

    Or just pay the few extra $ and actually get it sprayed that colour (and for the love of all that is good and right… DO NOT get a tarago sprayed in a satin or matte colour, it will be the worst decision you’ve ever made for a vehicle, also cost a mint)

    • BartholemewH on 08/05/2022 - 14:25
      +2

      It will be more than a few extra dollars for a good black paint job. Black requires notoriously well prepared panels.

      • El cheepo on 08/05/2022 - 16:15

        Yeah probably should have mentioned that few extra $ is relative to the 4k
        Probably looking at 6/7k for a spray and even more for matte or satin.

  • brendanm on 07/05/2022 - 10:19
    +4

    Black cars suck.

    • [Deactivated] on 07/05/2022 - 14:40
      +1

      But they look so cool with dark tinted windows

      • Domicron on 07/05/2022 - 16:15
        +1

        Yes. Until one day driving in bad weather, lane change without seeing the incoming car that just happened to have the headlights off.

      • brendanm on 07/05/2022 - 18:15
        +8

        I have a black car. It sucks

      • Zondor on 08/05/2022 - 21:35
        +2

        Black cars are great weekenders, not dailys. The amount of effort required to keep it clean is crazy.

        I have an indoor car cover for mine in the garage, and you have to dust it whenever you put it away/get it out. Any dirt or dust will micro scratch the shit out of your paint.

      • morse on 11/05/2022 - 02:30

        Yeah they look cool but everyone I’ve known who has bought a black car has regretted it. Cons of black car:
        - harder to see in poor conditions (marginally higher chance of being in an accident)
        - hard to keep clean, dust shows
        - gets hotter when parked in the sun.

        White looks decent with tinted windows too.

    • fredk1000 on 08/05/2022 - 21:31
      +2

      Keeps you warmer iin summer.

  • plasmog on 07/05/2022 - 10:48
    -4

    its actually pretty good for winter because you can absorb more solar radiation and keep air con running costs down, just make sure you get a reusable vinyl sticker set so you can unwrap it in summer to reflect the rays with your whiteness

    • Domicron on 07/05/2022 - 16:16

      Heat from engine bay will suffice, aircond won't need to be switched on for long.

    • Snoozer on 08/05/2022 - 10:26
      +4

      The cars air con can do cooling only. Heating usually comes free by diverting the air through a small radiator which is has hot water from the car's cooling system.

  • AustriaBargain on 07/05/2022 - 10:57
    +6

    Why not sell it and buy a black car.

  • elgrande on 07/05/2022 - 11:12
    +21

    My known got a vinyl wrap. After it started to peel they sold it to an unknown.

    • Smol Cat on 08/05/2022 - 12:34
      +8

      God the meta of this place

      • Kangal on 08/05/2022 - 12:55
        +2

        This reference went over my head :(

        • ozbjunkie on 08/05/2022 - 16:57
          -1

          A known is a known party or known associate

          You mustn't be following up on the cops and robbers/scammers stories this week.

        • cyssero on 09/05/2022 - 22:40

          Look up the Nissan Elgrand. The Transit is also a large.. transit van.

  • iand on 07/05/2022 - 11:31
    +1

    black cars look great and also provide good exercise with all the cleaning you need to do to keep them looking good

    • jhaley3180 on 08/05/2022 - 13:21
      +1

      Love this comment and soooooo true. I used to have a black car and man oh man you have to love cleaning it.

  • bobbified on 07/05/2022 - 12:28
    +3

    No point asking everyone if it's worth it or not - everyone has different priorities.

    If you've got the money and think it's worth it, then just do it. Do your research to make sure that the place that's doing it can do it properly and uses a quality wrap like 3M or something.

  • jakka on 07/05/2022 - 12:28

    Get some quotes elsewhere, I was speaking to some people at a car show recently and was advised it typically cost about $1500 for a full wrap, so $4k seems a bit much.

    I ended up going the DIY route on roof and bonnet. I’m happy with the outcome but took about 3-4hrs for me to complete.

    • nse on 09/05/2022 - 19:35
      +1

      Good luck finding a full wrap for $1500. A quality film will cost near that much by itself, let alone the margin and a few days labour.

  • GoldenDragon888 on 07/05/2022 - 13:05
    +1

    4K on a 32K car?!

    • AdosHouse on 07/05/2022 - 14:06
      +1

      Not really that different to idiots paying up to $3k for dealerships paint protection and tinting. At least the wrap will actually do something.

      • [Deactivated] on 07/05/2022 - 14:39

        Yes the wrap also protects the paintwork

        • rave75 on 11/05/2022 - 09:33

          It will protect until the time you unwrap it.

    • [Deactivated] on 07/05/2022 - 14:48

      Yea it sounds a lot, it's 13% . In the last 2 weeks I bought a $3,700 Mitsubishi fridge and spent $4,100 on a new 77" OLED Sony TV. I'm usually very frugal and good at investing my money but thought I should learn to reward myself now and again. I recently made a lot of money (for me) on lithium mining shares so thought I'd treat myself with these items and also getting the car wrapped

      • Domicron on 08/05/2022 - 22:29

        Ah har, you are the substantial shareholder for both PLS and LYC.

        • emblurr on 10/05/2022 - 10:25

          Could be AVZ

          • Domicron on 10/05/2022 - 10:53

            @emblurr: Looks like OP will need to sell the car after the last few days decline.

  • Ozbargainite on 07/05/2022 - 15:16

    Is it possible to have the roof of a car wrap if it has a sun roof?

    • forged on 07/05/2022 - 15:22
      +2

      Yes

    • [Deactivated] on 07/05/2022 - 15:29

      If you look at the roof from above, about 1/3 is the front skylight, 1/3 is the rear cabin skylight and 1/3 is painted steel roof at the very rear. It's 3 pieces of curved glass from the front to the rear (windscreen + skylight + moon roof). So the wrap is only stuck to the steel roof section, not the glass

  • mikekiwimike on 08/05/2022 - 09:22
    +1

    I purchased my first brand new car in 2016, had always been a second hand buyer til then as I did not see the point in the first few years depreciation costing my wallet.

    I purchased new, I made the decision that this vehicle is going to be with me for 10 years and therefore I will be ok with damage that occurs to it, as after 10 years wrapped or unwrapped I do not believe the difference will be 4k between my vehicle and a pristine example. Even if the difference was that much, I could do a lot with the 4k over the time frame of 10 years - not considering what a wrap will look like if it gets damaged and the paint that comes off when removing a wrap!

    I do agree with items that are small I want them to be protected but 4k is a pretty big investment that will still look terrible if it gets damaged.

  • Snoozer on 08/05/2022 - 10:24
    +1

    Do you have a leather sofa wrapped in plastic too?

    • [Deactivated] on 08/05/2022 - 10:57
      +1

      terrible analogy - we are talking about changing the colour of a vehicle, i'm not putting cling wrap over it
      what did you vote?

  • ass3ts on 08/05/2022 - 11:40
    +1

    ROFL, is this a troll post?

  • Windows98 on 08/05/2022 - 11:51
    +2

    If it makes you happy and you can afford it. Go for it.

  • mountaineer on 08/05/2022 - 12:01
    +1

    go for it, good for the economy and for you..why not if you can afford …

  • Blargman2001 on 08/05/2022 - 12:46
    +3

    Tarago mums in my area all have spoilers on theirs. Your Tarago isn't sick unless you have a spoiler too.

    • Domicron on 08/05/2022 - 22:30
      +2

      A hole in the exhaust too?

  • [Deactivated] on 08/05/2022 - 12:52

    It's a terrible idea and a complete waste of money. Assuming you're young, now is the time to waste money on stupid things. Being responsible with your money is a problem for future you.

  • Name on 08/05/2022 - 13:07
    +2

    I've seen wraps done on cheaper cars. But I wouldn't do it just to make it black. If you're going to do it, do something creative with patterns / pictures / make it a piece of art.

  • DjSmokin on 08/05/2022 - 13:28
    +3

    Just use the money for in car entertainment. Limo tint +car shades. Carplay/Android head unit. 24 inch tvs + Google TV. 4K would be more than enough.

    • BartholemewH on 08/05/2022 - 14:34

      I agree, spend the money inside where it benefits you/your passengers. The most luxurious van I've been in was a Mercedes with 2 captains chairs in the rear, full burled walnut interior and a bar with single malts etc in crystal decanters. We enjoyed the factory inspections that day lol.

    • [Deactivated] on 08/05/2022 - 16:25

      All the windows have 15% tint, not sure what car shades are? Great idea about putting a 24" TV in the back, I'll look into that next.. now it's only got a 10" screen with DVD player

      • Euphemistic on 08/05/2022 - 19:36
        +4

        Somebody call Xzibit

  • 777 on 08/05/2022 - 14:37
    +2

    If you dont to break the bank get ceramic protection done <1k or do it yourself for ~$200 with a good quality product

  • Dreamcast on 08/05/2022 - 15:44

    Drop in a 2JZ instead and convert to manual. Might be a little more expensive….

  • hothed on 08/05/2022 - 16:11

    Sell it and buy a black one

  • digitalbath on 08/05/2022 - 16:49
    +2

    Do whatever the hell you want. It's your money.

  • RADICALIST on 08/05/2022 - 16:53

    Really?? A wrap for a Tarago? You trying to pull soccer mums and their 6 kids with different father's?

    • juki on 08/05/2022 - 18:47

      sounds like you dont really need a tarago for that…

      (whats wrong with taragos they look practical)

      • Batapotamus on 08/05/2022 - 20:45
        +2

        What's wrong with soccer mums?…they look practical….and easy!

  • striker5950 on 08/05/2022 - 19:08

    tarago all black with a white roof? omg bruh ohhh hell Naw man wtf man.. get your ass on bruh

    • [Deactivated] on 08/05/2022 - 19:10

      You can't even see the roof bro, wtf u talking about

      • striker5950 on 08/05/2022 - 19:11
        +1

        ill be looking down on you from my hilux, get that soccer mom van out of here

        • [Deactivated] on 08/05/2022 - 19:16

          Does your cat ride with you up front

  • [Deactivated] on 08/05/2022 - 19:18

    Do it now, regret later.

  • Dongas1 on 08/05/2022 - 19:34
    +5

    Sounds like you really want it OP - hold off for a month and see if you want it then!

  • kevkay on 08/05/2022 - 20:31

    Are you going to clear wrap the white roof to keep the paint pristine?

  • Batapotamus on 08/05/2022 - 20:42

    Am I missing something here?…, I'm not an auto guy but how much would a professional paint job cost instead?

    • Domicron on 08/05/2022 - 22:32

      Probably double that.

  • ganymede on 08/05/2022 - 20:51
    -5

    Tarago? OP must be an Asian.

  • Cusack on 08/05/2022 - 21:48

    Leave it and don't waste anymore thought. It's just a depreciating asset and should be treated like it. Move onto more important things in life. ….I wish I gave myself this advice when I got my first car.

  • drprox on 08/05/2022 - 22:02
    +2

    You gotta be kidding. Take pride in it, maybe get it ceramic coated and wax and wash regularly but no, vinyl is ridiculous and well over the top.

    Edit - I want to be clear on the ceramic too. I paid $500 and had someone do it. You could pick an easier product and do yourself. Don't pay $2k-$3k for example.

  • FlyingMiffy on 08/05/2022 - 22:21

    Go for it. 4K is not much if you are keeping the car for a while.

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