I prefer darker colours, anything from purple to maroon to dark green/blue or black, but not any grey shades. I like 1990's Nissan turbo r.w.d. cars in manual (300zx, Silvia/200sx, skyline), but also love my mother's 2004 Ford Mondeo turbo diesel as it is an excellent car.
I will be inclined to choose an excellent, driveable and usable car over outright speed/performance, within my budget.