Black or Basalt Black?
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Malaga, Spain
Black or Basalt Black?
Just seen this interesting Q on Roadfly -- but no replys -- can anybody here help ???
Black or Basalt Black?
"Can you please tell if you have owned both and which one you prefer? Thanks"
Black or Basalt Black?
"Can you please tell if you have owned both and which one you prefer? Thanks"
Miserable Old Bastard
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From: Los Angeles
I have not owned both but I do own a Black 997S. Based on my personal taste, I don't like Basalt - it is just sort of a "washed out" black. There is nothing like pure Black, clean and shined up real nice - stunning!
I do like Atlas a lot, and might consider owning an Atlas car in the future - very dark, almost black, but with a much more intriguing tone than basalt.
I do like Atlas a lot, and might consider owning an Atlas car in the future - very dark, almost black, but with a much more intriguing tone than basalt.
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Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
I believe the Basalt Black has a metallic flake in it - for me, it doesn't really work.....gives a result that's sorta a very dark greyish color, or dirty black as others have suggested. All to individual taste though ....
Instructor
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From: The ATL
I went through the same analysis for nearly 2 years -- Black, Basalt, Atlas. I ultimately ended up with Black....and it's smokinfrigginhot!!! when it's clean. When it's dirty, it looks terrible. But, in reality, so does Basalt and Atlas. Having come from 6 year line of 3 metallic silver and metallic gray cars, I was looking for a change. If you're **** about scratches and swirls, then Black will drive you nuts. Basalt, due to the metallic flakes, tends to "scatter" the light and you won't notice these things as much. At dusk, Black is seldom distinguishable from Basalt, however in sunlight, Basalt looks a bit dull and sometimes purpleish; yet, at other times, brilliant and shiny. Under fluorescent lighting, however, Basalt looks all sparkly and rich. This is where the flaws in Black show up considerably.
Ask yourself: Do I plan to keep my car really clean, almost to the point of obsession? If so, get Black. If not, get Basalt. Or White.
Ask yourself: Do I plan to keep my car really clean, almost to the point of obsession? If so, get Black. If not, get Basalt. Or White.
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From: Back in the OC
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Drifting
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I like Basalt over flat black. The difference is that it metallic with a silver flake in it. In bright light, it has a brighter more lustrous look to it. For color preference, it depends on the car. I am really disappointed that Porsche has dropped Seal Gray, which is my favorite and one of the most popular colors. I will have to wait to see Meteor Gray when it comes out. For non-aero cars, Seal is my first choice with GT Silver following. For aero cars, I am now fond of front ends unless they are in dark colors. I would look at Basast Black, Atlas Gray or Midnight Blue with Aero. My $.02.
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I've gone through this agonizing decision on more than one occasion: flat black or metallic black, metallic black or flat black. On both occasions, first with a BMW 645 and now with a C4S, I ultimately opted for the flat black. There is no doubt that black is, perhaps, the most difficut color to keep clean...but when it's clean, watch out! Basalt, or any metallic black, for that matter, may better hide some of the imperfections on a dirty black car, but I personally find it to look a bit too grayish and dull in bright sunlight, whereas a clean pure black car has that awesome sheen to it, albeit one that no doubt incurs a lot more maintenance overhead. My philosophy is: if you're committed to black, then go for the real deal. If you're interested in a dark metallic, Atlas Gray is a nice color, too. In the end, of course, it's all a personal decision and the 997 looks good in just about any color available.
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From: Back in the OC
Originally Posted by gmaier
flat black or metallic black, metallic black or flat black.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2005
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I have basalt black on my p car and plain black on my x5. Both a pain to keep clean. Both look black under the shadows or at night. Both look great under direct sunlight, but the basalt has a spark-ley shine to it. Basalt is black with a little character fussiness about it.
Either way, you can't go wrong.
Either way, you can't go wrong.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Los Angeles, CA
I have basalt on my C4s cab. It is a pretty car but I would probably stick with pure black. Basalt doesn't show minor imperfections but if you keep your car cherry all the time like I do, you will have greater satisfaction in the pure black finish.
