I wanted an entry level mountain bike, wasn't even sure if I would like mountain biking, and test rode a 2006 Specialized Hardrock Sport. Loved everything about it but I couldn't stand to touch that "matte" paint. To me it felt like a chalk board. (Gee, if you have and love this bike, my apologies. If we all liked the same things the world would be boring!) I'd even wait for a bike if the the manufacturers would offer a wider range of colors. I once pondered a Trek, in an ugly greenish grey. I asked the lbs "who picked out the paint scheme." He looked at me like I had two heads. He said that it was one of his most popular bikes. He sold a lot of them. 1. The color didn't appeal to me 2. He sold a lot of them and I don't want to be riding the same thing everyone else is.

I've rambled enough. Put me down as a "yes it matters"!