Would tinting my car windows alter the value?

[Umbrello]

I was thinking of professionally getting my car windows (all four) tinted, to a very dark hue. Not too dark, but enough to keep the interior cool on blistering hot days in the sun. Do you think it would raise or lower the value of my car? It's an 07 Mazda Mazda3 S Sport.

[Bloodwork]

Wouldn't make much of a difference. Window tinting is a cheap modification that is easily removed if unwanted.

[SoCalledChaos]

Nothing that you can do to your vehicle cosmetically will raise the value, unless its a rare car.. and engine mods or anything of that sorts wont raise the value either.

Let me reiterate that.. The money you put into your car.. you'll never see again when it comes to selling it.

Edited August 26, 2008 by SoCalledChaos

[revvo]

Will it alter the value of your car? Well, it won't raise it but if you do other changes to make the car look sweet with the tinted windows, it could help.

Nothing that you can do to your vehicle cosmetically will raise the value, unless its a rare car.. and engine mods or anything of that sorts wont raise the value either.

Let me reiterate that.. The money you put into your car.. you'll never see again when it comes to selling it.

It depends

You're right if this is what it looks like, which is like 95% of the cars out there

But a nicely modified car as a whole will sell more than if it's OEM, such as this integra type-r with the JDM front-end

Any money you put on a car is wasted. Cars are a waste and whatever you sell your car it in the end will be less than the money you've put into it, but a well maintained car nicely taken car of and modified without any over-exagerated bs that ricers love can help you keep the value higher than the average.

[Rudy]

depends, a crappy tint job might turn some people away from your car

[s0nic69]

i was thinking of getting the windows on my car smoked, people say it looks nicer and doesnt give u issues like bad tint. Anyone have anything to say about smoked windows? would like to hear it.

[NoneAvail]

Window tinting won't make it any higher but it will give it a much better look especially if its a black car. But get it, it does look nice on all cars.

[CrimsonBetrayal]

Were I live, window tinting is pretty much required... to prevent us from burning up from the sun on the long drive home. ;)

But like everyone else says, depends on the person, and I also think it depends on the location you live in as well.

[LiqHead]

Actually... it would break the law.

[AudioDope]

LOL having dark windows isn't breaking the law. Yes, there are regulations for how dark the tint can be, but every shop that does tinting knows that and asks u how much dark u want it and telling them 'the most legal dark i can get' will suffice. However, cops can still bug u as they dont just look and measure how dark your windows, are and due to their discretion it cn vary from cop to cop if they see the tint abstructs the view.

It won't affect the price at all. Infact it will increase it, incl the word 'professional tint' in ur ad or to the potential buyer when selling is a considered a plus not a bad thing, many people buy 08 cars and tint it and leave it as that, to some it's considered a mandatory thing esp if your used to driving a tint car.

Good luck, Post pics before /after !

[FredEx]

Actually... it would break the law.

Depends where you live. Southern states in the US are easy on this due too the heat. Where I am they limit the tint, supposedly. If an officer cannot see into the car at all, it is too dark. I see cars running around all the time here with real dark tint though. My wife used to work in the courts and the only time she saw dark tint tickets is when the person was doing something else, like speeding, and the officer in my town giving the tickets usually for the dark tint has the nick name (even with the other cops) Barney Fife.

[dbuizert]

All you have to do is keep in mind that there is law for the amount of blending ;)

Here is in holland its 70% on the back side of the car and nothing on the front if im not mistaken (dont have a license so :p)

[Hum]

I was thinking of professionally getting my car windows (all four) tinted, to a very dark hue.

What are you trying to hide ... :shifty:

Park in the shade, use a sun-sheild, throw a white sheet over the top, etc.

Who cares if it looks 'cool'.

[+Nik Louch Subscriber²]

Window tinting has a number of benefits:

1) Safety - a good tint and sunstrip will reduce glare, making a sefer driving experience.

2) Security - stop people seeing your stuff in your car.

3) Style - a decent light tint looks great.

Tinting is no longer about "boy racers" blacking out their windows.

But a good tint is needed. Make sure your tinter goes up to the edges of the glass. Also ensure they do a full window in 1 piece - not a 2 or even 3!

As far as legalities go: In the UK you are allowed "Limo" or full-tint on the rear and passenger rear windows. You are allowed 70% on the front door windows, and NOTHING on the screen. However, you are allowed a sunstrip as long as it does not encroach upon the "Viewing area" - which is generally defined by the reach of the wipers.

[Rohdekill]

Window tinting has a number of benefits:

1) Safety - a good tint and sunstrip will reduce glare, making a sefer driving experience.

2) Security - stop people seeing your stuff in your car.

3) Style - a decent light tint looks great.

Tinting is no longer about "boy racers" blacking out their windows.

But a good tint is needed. Make sure your tinter goes up to the edges of the glass. Also ensure they do a full window in 1 piece - not a 2 or even 3!

As far as legalities go: In the UK you are allowed "Limo" or full-tint on the rear and passenger rear windows. You are allowed 70% on the front door windows, and NOTHING on the screen. However, you are allowed a sunstrip as long as it does not encroach upon the "Viewing area" - which is generally defined by the reach of the wipers.

If I'm a thief and you have tinted windows thinking it hides your stuff, you'd be out either:

- 1 window and nothing touched cuz I wanted to see what's inside

- 1 window and your stuff.

Having clear windows and nothing of personal value left in plain view means you get to keep your windows.

Nothing that you can do to your vehicle cosmetically will raise the value, unless its a rare car.. and engine mods or anything of that sorts wont raise the value either.

Let me reiterate that.. The money you put into your car.. you'll never see again when it comes to selling it.

Not to mention you're also limiting its purchasers - an unmodified car will sell to anyone (so they can have it as is or modify it as they like) while a modified car will only sell to the one customer that likes the modification(s).

[majortom1981]

Also look into the laws concerning tintining. In ny they cant be tinted very much no matter what window it is. Baasically barely tinted limo tint is illegal for regular cars in ny . So look up your states or countries laws first.

[revvo]

As far as laws go on how dark they're allowed to be, here it works as follows

30% front driver/passenger windows, 60% (I think) rear windows. We have to be able to clearly see the driver for obvious safety reasons, if the police officer comes by and the driver's holding a weapon

[majortom1981]

As far as laws go on how dark they're allowed to be, here it works as follows

30% front driver/passenger windows, 60% (I think) rear windows. We have to be able to clearly see the driver for obvious safety reasons, if the police officer comes by and the driver's holding a weapon

All places states/ countries have diff laws so your laws in canada will be diff then the laws here in NY in the US . he has to check his local laws.

[Umbrello]

A complete list of state laws regarding car window tinting can be found here: http://www.tintcenter.com/laws/

Here in Florida I can get

Windshield Non-reflective tint is allowed along the top of the windshield above the manufacturer's AS-1 line.

Front Side Windows Must allow more than 28% of light in.

Back Side Windows Must allow more than 15% of light in.

Rear Window Must allow more than 15% of light in.

Tintcenter is a great website. Anything you need to know about tinting, they've got it.

Anyone have any idea how much I would expect to pay for tinting of all 5 windows at state regs?

Edited August 26, 2008 by Umbrello

[ninjamunky]

Any money you put into the car starts losing value immediately. I have over $1k into my car and I'd be lucky to sell it for what I got it for, $3k

[splicer707]

IMO Tinting on a car looks really good and it cools the cabin too.

Get it.