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Around the Internet => Antimustachian Wall of Shame and Comedy => Topic started by: Spiffy on April 21, 2021, 12:20:24 PM

Title: dumb vanity plate
Post by: Spiffy on April 21, 2021, 12:20:24 PM
I pulled up behind this guy at a red light yesterday and had to take a picture. I think it costs an extra $150 a year for a vanity plate in Texas. I'm sure he thinks it is money well spent.
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: Dicey on April 21, 2021, 01:10:09 PM
Pretty funny.
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: Jenny Wren on April 21, 2021, 01:32:37 PM
There is a subset of society that believes that more access to debt = more affluence. It doesn't make sense to me, but I see it often. I think the idea is "if they're willing to lend me even more money, I must be doing alright!"
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: TheGrimSqueaker on April 21, 2021, 02:21:19 PM
There is a subset of society that believes that more access to debt = more affluence. It doesn't make sense to me, but I see it often. I think the idea is "if they're willing to lend me even more money, I must be doing alright!"

Anyone who takes deliberate entrapment as a compliment probably is probably a few assault rifles short of a purge.
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: Wrenchturner on April 21, 2021, 02:31:35 PM
That's Ron Paul's truck and he's making a commentary on Texas.
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: TheFrenchCat on April 22, 2021, 07:51:59 AM
Wow, that's ridiculous that there's a yearly charge.  A one time charge I slightly understand, but how can you justify that much money just to change your plate?
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: BlueMR2 on April 22, 2021, 09:24:47 AM
Back when I was in the car show scene I was paying an extra $35 a year for vanity plate.  Once I quit doing that I paid extra one more time to get OUT of having a vanity plate on that car so I could cut that yearly payment.  With a whole fleet of vehicles those registrations add up to real money in a hurry.
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: Morning Glory on April 22, 2021, 10:34:29 AM
Maybe he is a very attractive man and he's using that to stop people from hitting on him so much. He might also have to park in bad neighborhoods and the plate might stop people breaking into his truck... Sorry I can't think of a really good logical reason here. Wait.... Someone lent him money to get out of a scrape and the condition was that he have that plate until the debt is paid back. I could see a controlling parent doing that to their young adult child.
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: nereo on April 22, 2021, 11:00:34 AM
There is a subset of society that believes that more access to debt = more affluence. It doesn't make sense to me, but I see it often. I think the idea is "if they're willing to lend me even more money, I must be doing alright!"

Anyone who takes deliberate entrapment as a compliment probably is probably a few assault rifles short of a purge.

who was it that bragged about being the "king of debt"...? 
Name is on the tip of my tongue... douglas... darren... hmm....
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: Morning Glory on April 22, 2021, 11:20:52 AM
There is a subset of society that believes that more access to debt = more affluence. It doesn't make sense to me, but I see it often. I think the idea is "if they're willing to lend me even more money, I must be doing alright!"

Anyone who takes deliberate entrapment as a compliment probably is probably a few assault rifles short of a purge.

who was it that bragged about being the "king of debt"...? 
Name is on the tip of my tongue... douglas... darren... hmm....

Dave Ramsey??? It could be a die-hard Dave Ramsey fan who thinks it's worth the money for that plate to remind himself to pay off his debt. It's all about the emotional connection to the goal, right?
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: RWD on April 22, 2021, 12:23:22 PM
There is a subset of society that believes that more access to debt = more affluence. It doesn't make sense to me, but I see it often. I think the idea is "if they're willing to lend me even more money, I must be doing alright!"

Anyone who takes deliberate entrapment as a compliment probably is probably a few assault rifles short of a purge.

who was it that bragged about being the "king of debt"...? 
Name is on the tip of my tongue... douglas... darren... hmm....

Dave Ramsey??? It could be a die-hard Dave Ramsey fan who thinks it's worth the money for that plate to remind himself to pay off his debt. It's all about the emotional connection to the goal, right?

Maybe he's thinking of Donald..... Duck?
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: Alternatepriorities on April 22, 2021, 12:40:14 PM
$150 a year? Wow, Alaska is really missing out on some sweet sweet revenue here. I think it's a one time $25 fee for a vanity plate here. Which does have the advantage of lots of clever plates to look for. One of the plate options has a bear in the middle and people have found ways to make that part of the plate.
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: SunnyDays on April 22, 2021, 04:13:23 PM
I think it’s a brag that he/she is living an affluent lifestyle.
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: meghan88 on April 22, 2021, 04:59:24 PM
There is a subset of society that believes that more access to debt = more affluence. It doesn't make sense to me, but I see it often. I think the idea is "if they're willing to lend me even more money, I must be doing alright!"

Anyone who takes deliberate entrapment as a compliment probably is probably a few assault rifles short of a purge.

Funniest thing I've read all day, TGS, thanks!  On one hand I'd love to use that line, and on the other hand I hope I never have to.
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: Dicey on April 22, 2021, 05:20:25 PM
There is a subset of society that believes that more access to debt = more affluence. It doesn't make sense to me, but I see it often. I think the idea is "if they're willing to lend me even more money, I must be doing alright!"
I owe, I owe,
so off to work I go...
Yeesh!
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: partgypsy on April 24, 2021, 07:47:09 AM
There is a subset of society that believes that more access to debt = more affluence. It doesn't make sense to me, but I see it often. I think the idea is "if they're willing to lend me even more money, I must be doing alright!"

Trump must be in that category. oh- someone already mentioned that : )
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: iluvzbeach on April 24, 2021, 09:44:59 AM
Not a vanity plate, but along those same lines I saw this license plate frame a few years back and couldn’t help but to snap a photo of it.
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: nereo on April 24, 2021, 09:49:53 AM
Not a vanity plate, but along those same lines I saw this license plate frame a few years back and couldn’t help but to snap a photo of it.

Would have been funnier on an F-250 Limited short bed.
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: PDXTabs on April 24, 2021, 10:43:39 AM
So the thing about IN-D3BT is that can be read more than one way.

Eg, Lovesick season 1 episode 2:

Dylan: Hi, I'm Dylan.
Cressida: Cressida Evans. I recognize you. Are you in equities?
Dylan: No, I'm in debt.
Cressida: Oh? Management or restructuring?
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: labrador on April 24, 2021, 02:04:28 PM
When I was in college many years ago, I went to register my first car (an old Volvo given to me by my aunt). I went to the DMV counter and had the paperwork all filled out for a vanity plate. The grandfatherly guy behind the counter took one look at me, saw "young college student", asked if I was in college, then asked if my dad was paying for my vehicle registration. I told him "yes". He replied: "I thought so, you have no business getting this". And refused to let me do it. Over the years I have silently thanked him many times.
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: nereo on April 24, 2021, 02:48:28 PM
When I was in college many years ago, I went to register my first car (an old Volvo given to me by my aunt). I went to the DMV counter and had the paperwork all filled out for a vanity plate. The grandfatherly guy behind the counter took one look at me, saw "young college student", asked if I was in college, then asked if my dad was paying for my vehicle registration. I told him "yes". He replied: "I thought so, you have no business getting this". And refused to let me do it. Over the years I have silently thanked him many times.

While I’m glad this worked out for you, I can’t help but but be annoyed at this person.  A state employee has absolutely no business refusing service because of their own personal opinions. Absolutely unacceptable, and illegal.
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: johndoe on May 01, 2021, 07:43:25 PM
That's Ron Paul's truck and he's making a commentary on Texas.
I saw one around the interwebz that might be more appropriate:
(https://i.imgur.com/SXgsh2e.png)
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: kms on May 27, 2021, 08:51:38 AM
Wow, that's ridiculous that there's a yearly charge.  A one time charge I slightly understand, but how can you justify that much money just to change your plate?
I live in an HCOL neighborhood in Austin, TX. The amount of vanity plates on brand-new flashy pickups and SUVs around here is staggering, and it almost seems like people are looking for new ways to one-off their neighbors.
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: nereo on May 27, 2021, 11:17:34 AM
Our state currently allows vulgar license plates, though that is being challenged with a new bill moving through the legislature. 

As a result, I occasionally pass vehicles (typically large pickup) with the F or C word on their plates, often combined with a politician or party. 

I'm not a fan.
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: iris lily on May 27, 2021, 11:52:28 AM
That's Ron Paul's truck and he's making a commentary on Texas.

One of my favorite things about Rand  Paul was when he was campaigning in Iowa, my home state, during Halloween. He wore a costume representing the national debt because he said it was the scariest thing he could think of.
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: Wrenchturner on May 27, 2021, 03:08:06 PM
That's Ron Paul's truck and he's making a commentary on Texas.

One of my favorite things about Rand  Paul was when he was campaigning in Iowa, my home state, during Halloween. He wore a costume representing the national debt because he said it was the scariest thing he could think of.

Haha nice!
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: GuitarStv on June 02, 2021, 12:43:05 PM
That's Ron Paul's truck and he's making a commentary on Texas.

One of my favorite things about Rand  Paul was when he was campaigning in Iowa, my home state, during Halloween. He wore a costume representing the national debt because he said it was the scariest thing he could think of.

Haha nice!

Is he still a climate change denier?
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: nereo on June 02, 2021, 01:23:56 PM
Rand Paul was a frequent gaslighter and political high-theatre before  Trump and his followers made it trendy.


He went to medical school (and is was opthomologist) but panders to the anti-Vaxx movement, talking about how they transform kids from healthy to having profound mental disorders. He plagiarized parts of his speech from Wikipedia and then got angry when people pointed it out.  More recently he’s objected to the CDC being in charge of leading the federal response to the pandemic, asking who gave them that right [for the record - congress, of which he is a member].

HIs whole grandstanding about the national debt irritates the hell out of me... which is probably partly his aim.  He voted for the 2017 tax cuts and says he wants to cut tax rates further (including FICA), which account for a not-unsubstantial portion of the debt accrued in the last five years of which he seems so deeply, morally opposed.
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: Wolfpack Mustachian on June 04, 2021, 05:13:14 AM
Rand Paul was a frequent gaslighter and political high-theatre before  Trump and his followers made it trendy.


He went to medical school (and is was opthomologist) but panders to the anti-Vaxx movement, talking about how they transform kids from healthy to having profound mental disorders. He plagiarized parts of his speech from Wikipedia and then got angry when people pointed it out.  More recently he’s objected to the CDC being in charge of leading the federal response to the pandemic, asking who gave them that right [for the record - congress, of which he is a member].

HIs whole grandstanding about the national debt irritates the hell out of me... which is probably partly his aim.  He voted for the 2017 tax cuts and says he wants to cut tax rates further (including FICA), which account for a not-unsubstantial portion of the debt accrued in the last five years of which he seems so deeply, morally opposed.

It's kind of sad that he's Ron Paul's son. Ron, at least in my opinion, could be respected for consistency even though he was out there. His son just seems to play for the publicity.
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: PDXTabs on June 05, 2021, 11:25:45 PM
HIs whole grandstanding about the national debt irritates the hell out of me... which is probably partly his aim.  He voted for the 2017 tax cuts and says he wants to cut tax rates further (including FICA), which account for a not-unsubstantial portion of the debt accrued in the last five years of which he seems so deeply, morally opposed.

That's inline with the US Libertarian Platform (https://www.lp.org/platform/) which wants to cut taxes while cutting services even faster. He just never got a chance to do the second. But yea, maths would indicate that he only did half the job.
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: nereo on June 06, 2021, 10:34:17 AM
HIs whole grandstanding about the national debt irritates the hell out of me... which is probably partly his aim.  He voted for the 2017 tax cuts and says he wants to cut tax rates further (including FICA), which account for a not-unsubstantial portion of the debt accrued in the last five years of which he seems so deeply, morally opposed.

That's inline with the US Libertarian Platform (https://www.lp.org/platform/) which wants to cut taxes while cutting services even faster. He just never got a chance to do the second. But yea, maths would indicate that he only did half the job.

That’s what irritates me About self-described deficit Hawks. After failing to get any traction with cutting programs they have collectively said “ok, then we will just blow the deficit up, cheer for the implosion of the US economy so we can then pay ourselves on the back for being “right”.  “

If people don’t support the service cuts you are advocating, and you believe the debt matters, then it’s irresponsible to cut revenue.
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: Dicey on June 06, 2021, 01:24:01 PM
Hmmm, anybody seen any good (bad) vanity plates lately?
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: PDXTabs on June 06, 2021, 01:45:50 PM
HIs whole grandstanding about the national debt irritates the hell out of me... which is probably partly his aim.  He voted for the 2017 tax cuts and says he wants to cut tax rates further (including FICA), which account for a not-unsubstantial portion of the debt accrued in the last five years of which he seems so deeply, morally opposed.

That's inline with the US Libertarian Platform (https://www.lp.org/platform/) which wants to cut taxes while cutting services even faster. He just never got a chance to do the second. But yea, maths would indicate that he only did half the job.

That’s what irritates me Scott self-described deficit Hawks. After failing to get any traction with cutting programs they have collectively said “ok, then we will just blow the deficit up, cheer for the implosion of the US economy so we can then pay ourselves on the back for being “right”.  “

If people don’t support the service cuts you are advocating, and you believe the debt matters, then it’s irresponsible to cut revenue.

I don't disagree. But at least Rand Paul is on the record for saying that the GOP are a bunch of hypocrites.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFkUX8kpIvE
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: nereo on June 06, 2021, 02:35:33 PM
Hmmm, anybody seen any good (bad) vanity plates lately?

Actually yes!

Today while driving a Maserati Quattroporte blasted by me.
I had just enough time to catch the plate:
YIB POOR

At least he’s got a self defacing sense of humor...
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: RWD on June 06, 2021, 02:48:29 PM
Hmmm, anybody seen any good (bad) vanity plates lately?

Actually yes!

Today while driving a Maserati Quattroporte blasted by me.
I had just enough time to catch the plate:
YIB POOR

At least he’s got a self defacing sense of humor...

Haha, nice. The Quattroporte is one of the fastest depreciating vehicles (https://www.businessinsider.com/10-cars-lose-the-most-value-last-5-years-2019-10) you can buy. There are clean title ~15 year old ones for sale under $15k (~90% depreciation).
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: nereo on June 06, 2021, 03:05:21 PM
Hmmm, anybody seen any good (bad) vanity plates lately?

Actually yes!

Today while driving a Maserati Quattroporte blasted by me.
I had just enough time to catch the plate:
YIB POOR

At least he’s got a self defacing sense of humor...

Haha, nice. The Quattroporte is one of the fastest depreciating vehicles (https://www.businessinsider.com/10-cars-lose-the-most-value-last-5-years-2019-10) you can buy. There are clean title ~15 year old ones for sale under $15k (~90% depreciation).
Curious - why do Ferraris hold their value relatively well but Maseratis don’t?
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: GuitarStv on June 06, 2021, 03:37:42 PM
Hmmm, anybody seen any good (bad) vanity plates lately?

Actually yes!

Today while driving a Maserati Quattroporte blasted by me.
I had just enough time to catch the plate:
YIB POOR

At least he’s got a self defacing sense of humor...

Haha, nice. The Quattroporte is one of the fastest depreciating vehicles (https://www.businessinsider.com/10-cars-lose-the-most-value-last-5-years-2019-10) you can buy. There are clean title ~15 year old ones for sale under $15k (~90% depreciation).
Curious - why do Ferraris hold their value relatively well but Maseratis don’t?

I have it on good authority that people drive their Maserati's 185, then lose their licenses and can't drive.  So there's probably a smaller pool of potential buyers.
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: RWD on June 06, 2021, 04:00:24 PM
Haha, nice. The Quattroporte is one of the fastest depreciating vehicles (https://www.businessinsider.com/10-cars-lose-the-most-value-last-5-years-2019-10) you can buy. There are clean title ~15 year old ones for sale under $15k (~90% depreciation).
Curious - why do Ferraris hold their value relatively well but Maseratis don’t?
An excellent question. Some of it certainly comes down to brand name prestige. But also many more Maseratis have been built than Ferraris so there is a surplus of supply. The types of vehicles Ferrari builds are more niche which also increases their appeal. If you want a cutting edge sports car there aren't many choices and Ferrari is the most recognizable. If you want a luxury sports sedan or GT there are many competitors to Maserati (BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Jaguar, Aston Martin, Porsche, etc.).

Maserati also has a reputation for being unreliable and expensive to maintain. Ferraris are also expensive to maintain but presumably are more reliable (or people care more so they keep them in better shape). Another factor is Ferraris aren't driven as much so on average their prices won't depreciate as much due to use.

That's not to say though that Ferraris don't depreciate a lot either though. For example, if you look at a ~15 year old F430 with 30k miles or so they will have lost a similar amount in raw dollars as a Quattroporte from the same era, it just doesn't look as bad from a percentage standpoint ($200k->$100k). Example (MSRP $219k -> $87k sale) (https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2006-ferrari-f430-spider-13/). And not every Maserati has been a depreciation nightmare. If you were lucky (and wealthy) enough to be one of the 50 people to buy a Maserati MC12 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maserati_MC12) for $1.5 million in 2004/2005 you'd have seen appreciation instead of depreciation (worth $2-3 million today).

I'm mostly just making guesses here but I'm confident that the truth is mostly some factors of the above variables.
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: GuitarStv on June 06, 2021, 04:11:24 PM
No Joe Walsh fans?
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: RWD on June 06, 2021, 04:11:51 PM
No Joe Walsh fans?
I caught the reference. =)
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: nereo on June 06, 2021, 04:32:17 PM
No Joe Walsh fans?

It made me laugh
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: rmorris50 on June 06, 2021, 04:50:08 PM
Hmmm, anybody seen any good (bad) vanity plates lately?
I saw “TAX DIVA” the other day. I could only assume she loves preparing peoples’ taxes!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: PDXTabs on June 06, 2021, 07:37:46 PM
Curious - why do Ferraris hold their value relatively well but Maseratis don’t?

I just assume that everyone associates Maserati with the Bora (https://www.topspeed.com/cars/maserati/1975-maserati-bora-47-ar182725.html) as much as I do which is generally consider to just be a pretty bad car. From the above:

Quote
Obviously, it isn’t bullet-proof in terms of reliability, the body tends to rust in some areas more than you may expect...
  • Citroen hydraulics could fail, leaving you without brakes
  • Body rust can be an issue
  • Isn’t the best handling supercar of the ‘70s

Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: RWD on June 06, 2021, 08:42:46 PM
Curious - why do Ferraris hold their value relatively well but Maseratis don’t?

I just assume that everyone associates Maserati with the Bora (https://www.topspeed.com/cars/maserati/1975-maserati-bora-47-ar182725.html) as much as I do which is generally consider to just be a pretty bad car. From the above:

Quote
Obviously, it isn’t bullet-proof in terms of reliability, the body tends to rust in some areas more than you may expect...
  • Citroen hydraulics could fail, leaving you without brakes
  • Body rust can be an issue
  • Isn’t the best handling supercar of the ‘70s
The Bora is at least a desirable classic Maserati. I think more people think of the bi-turbo cars which had a terrible reputation for reliability in addition to being uninspiring both visually and in performance. But today's Maserati has nothing to do with that era. The modern Maserati customer will be more concerned about sharing cheap parts with Fiat-Chrysler.
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: calimom on June 09, 2021, 09:28:47 PM
No Joe Walsh fans?

I lost my license, now I don't drive.
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: Morning Glory on June 09, 2021, 11:06:19 PM
That's Ron Paul's truck and he's making a commentary on Texas.

One of my favorite things about Rand  Paul was when he was campaigning in Iowa, my home state, during Halloween. He wore a costume representing the national debt because he said it was the scariest thing he could think of.

Haha nice!

Is he still a climate change denier?
If so, he will need a taller truck for those rising sea levels!
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: Sanitary Stache on June 10, 2021, 05:20:49 AM
It is possible this guy is a billionaire and is in debt until he dies in order to qualify for the Child tax credit and pay no income tax.
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: AerynLee on June 10, 2021, 05:36:10 AM
Hmmm, anybody seen any good (bad) vanity plates lately?
I saw “TAX DIVA” the other day. I could only assume she loves preparing peoples’ taxes!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I'm a CPA and a coworker has the plate TAX NERD

A couple of years ago I saw a huge Platinum Edition Ford Expedition with the plate "401k". I don't know if he thinks it's an investment like one, or if he had to withdraw/borrow from his, or if it costs as much as his balance at the time. Either way I was mildly appalled
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: RWD on June 10, 2021, 08:36:37 AM
Years ago I saw the license plate 40YRW8 (or something to that effect) on a new Corvette. Implying they had worked for 40 years to afford the car. I guess its a good example of delayed gratification, at least.
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: Psychstache on June 10, 2021, 10:09:37 AM
Hmmm, anybody seen any good (bad) vanity plates lately?

We live in a neighborhood that is heavily Jewish and occasionally on my drive leaving the house, I see a woman with the license plate 'SHIKSA'. Makes me chuckle as she likely got it to thumb her nose at somebody (probably her MIL).
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: Dicey on June 10, 2021, 01:56:07 PM
Hmmm, anybody seen any good (bad) vanity plates lately?

We live in a neighborhood that is heavily Jewish and occasionally on my drive leaving the house, I see a woman with the license plate 'SHIKSA'. Makes me chuckle as she likely got it to thumb her nose at somebody (probably her MIL).
Oh, I love that one!

When I lived on LA's Westside, I used to see OJ Simpson's yellow Mercedes with the license plate: L84ADATE, which probably referenced those commercials he made running through the airport, but turned creepy in light of what happened a few years later.

Another favorite spotted in LA was U02BNPX.  That one's easier to decipher if you add some spaces and hum a few bars: U 0 2 B N PX.
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: nereo on June 10, 2021, 03:54:09 PM
Reminds me - a neighbor of mine who owned a white Ford Bronco in the late 1990s got the plate:
“NOT OJ”
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: epritch7 on July 01, 2021, 10:56:15 AM
Haha, nice. The Quattroporte is one of the fastest depreciating vehicles (https://www.businessinsider.com/10-cars-lose-the-most-value-last-5-years-2019-10) you can buy. There are clean title ~15 year old ones for sale under $15k (~90% depreciation).
Curious - why do Ferraris hold their value relatively well but Maseratis don’t?
An excellent question. Some of it certainly comes down to brand name prestige. But also many more Maseratis have been built than Ferraris so there is a surplus of supply. The types of vehicles Ferrari builds are more niche which also increases their appeal. If you want a cutting edge sports car there aren't many choices and Ferrari is the most recognizable. If you want a luxury sports sedan or GT there are many competitors to Maserati (BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Jaguar, Aston Martin, Porsche, etc.).

Maserati also has a reputation for being unreliable and expensive to maintain. Ferraris are also expensive to maintain but presumably are more reliable (or people care more so they keep them in better shape). Another factor is Ferraris aren't driven as much so on average their prices won't depreciate as much due to use.

That's not to say though that Ferraris don't depreciate a lot either though. For example, if you look at a ~15 year old F430 with 30k miles or so they will have lost a similar amount in raw dollars as a Quattroporte from the same era, it just doesn't look as bad from a percentage standpoint ($200k->$100k). Example (MSRP $219k -> $87k sale) (https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2006-ferrari-f430-spider-13/). And not every Maserati has been a depreciation nightmare. If you were lucky (and wealthy) enough to be one of the 50 people to buy a Maserati MC12 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maserati_MC12) for $1.5 million in 2004/2005 you'd have seen appreciation instead of depreciation (worth $2-3 million today).

I'm mostly just making guesses here but I'm confident that the truth is mostly some factors of the above variables.

For what it's worth, every Mazerati built since 2002 has had a Ferrari built engine under the hood.  That being said, I would agree with your assessment of why they depreciate more and like any other toy if you really "need" one you might as well let some even bigger sucker buy it first and take the bulk of the depreciation hit.
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: RWD on July 01, 2021, 02:47:08 PM
Haha, nice. The Quattroporte is one of the fastest depreciating vehicles (https://www.businessinsider.com/10-cars-lose-the-most-value-last-5-years-2019-10) you can buy. There are clean title ~15 year old ones for sale under $15k (~90% depreciation).
Curious - why do Ferraris hold their value relatively well but Maseratis don’t?
An excellent question. Some of it certainly comes down to brand name prestige. But also many more Maseratis have been built than Ferraris so there is a surplus of supply. The types of vehicles Ferrari builds are more niche which also increases their appeal. If you want a cutting edge sports car there aren't many choices and Ferrari is the most recognizable. If you want a luxury sports sedan or GT there are many competitors to Maserati (BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Jaguar, Aston Martin, Porsche, etc.).

Maserati also has a reputation for being unreliable and expensive to maintain. Ferraris are also expensive to maintain but presumably are more reliable (or people care more so they keep them in better shape). Another factor is Ferraris aren't driven as much so on average their prices won't depreciate as much due to use.

That's not to say though that Ferraris don't depreciate a lot either though. For example, if you look at a ~15 year old F430 with 30k miles or so they will have lost a similar amount in raw dollars as a Quattroporte from the same era, it just doesn't look as bad from a percentage standpoint ($200k->$100k). Example (MSRP $219k -> $87k sale) (https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2006-ferrari-f430-spider-13/). And not every Maserati has been a depreciation nightmare. If you were lucky (and wealthy) enough to be one of the 50 people to buy a Maserati MC12 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maserati_MC12) for $1.5 million in 2004/2005 you'd have seen appreciation instead of depreciation (worth $2-3 million today).

I'm mostly just making guesses here but I'm confident that the truth is mostly some factors of the above variables.

For what it's worth, every Mazerati built since 2002 has had a Ferrari built engine under the hood.  That being said, I would agree with your assessment of why they depreciate more and like any other toy if you really "need" one you might as well let some even bigger sucker buy it first and take the bulk of the depreciation hit.

Almost all Maseratis, but not true for the hybrid (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FCA_Global_Medium_Engine) and diesel (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_VM_Motori_engines#A_630_DOHC) versions. Even with the Ferrari engines they just don't have the same brand appeal as a Ferrari. And even if the engine is perfect the car can still be let down by unreliable transmission, electrical, suspension, etc.

Agreed, the severe depreciation here works to the advantage of the used car buyer.
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: nereo on July 01, 2021, 05:05:31 PM
I mean, since we are on the MMM forum I feel compelled to point out that exotic sports cars really don’t work in anyone’s financial favor, used or not (excepting the dealership).
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: Chris22 on July 01, 2021, 05:52:35 PM
I mean, since we are on the MMM forum I feel compelled to point out that exotic sports cars really don’t work in anyone’s financial favor, used or not (excepting the dealership).

Entirely depends. For most of them buying new doesn’t work out in the short term, but can work in the long term. And if you buy a used one right and take care of it and drive it like a toy (low miles), you won’t make much money but probably won’t lose much either.  They’re not good investments, but it’s entirely possible to not lose much money or make a few bucks. My little Honda convertible (not an exotic) is probably approaching the value now they I paid for it 14 years ago ($22k).  Obviously I paid to insure, maintain, etc it all these years, but depreciation is around nil. If you bought a 993 Porsche in 1995 or so, it’s probably worth MSRP or more today. Same with a Ferrari F355 or Acura NSX, unless you destroyed them or did 200k miles or something.
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: PDXTabs on July 01, 2021, 06:00:49 PM
I mean, since we are on the MMM forum I feel compelled to point out that exotic sports cars really don’t work in anyone’s financial favor, used or not (excepting the dealership).

Entirely depends. For most of them buying new doesn’t work out in the short term, but can work in the long term. And if you buy a used one right and take care of it and drive it like a toy (low miles), you won’t make much money but probably won’t lose much either.  They’re not good investments, but it’s entirely possible to not lose much money or make a few bucks. My little Honda convertible (not an exotic) is probably approaching the value now they I paid for it 14 years ago ($22k).  Obviously I paid to insure, maintain, etc it all these years, but depreciation is around nil. If you bought a 993 Porsche in 1995 or so, it’s probably worth MSRP or more today. Same with a Ferrari F355 or Acura NSX, unless you destroyed them or did 200k miles or something.

You could purchase a new Ford GT for ~$150K in 2005. There is currently one listed for $399K on dupontregistry.com since it only has 785 miles on it.
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: nereo on July 01, 2021, 06:53:34 PM
Yeah yeah, I knew that comment would bring out such comments about some exotic cars ‘retaining’ their value, which is true to a point, but…

Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: Morning Glory on July 01, 2021, 11:45:20 PM
Yeah yeah, I knew that comment would bring out such comments about some exotic cars ‘retaining’ their value, which is true to a point, but…

  • i’m talking about actually driving the car on a daily basis (and racking up tens-of-thousands of road miles over several years), not keeping it in a garage as some trophy only to be taken out on fair-weather weekend jaunts
  • cost of insurance, garaging, etc
  • Opportunity cost
  • Simply looking up cars which have risen in value is survivorship bias.  Knowing which cars today that will be worth more in 20 years… much harder.

I made money on an 82 Chevy that was a complete piece of shit. Bought it for $800 in running-ish condition and sold for $1000 with a punctured fuel tank and rotted tires, 20 years later. I guess they are popular now??? I always hated that truck. My husband insisted we trailer it here when we moved because he was going to fix it up and never did.
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: PDXTabs on July 02, 2021, 12:34:00 AM
Yeah yeah, I knew that comment would bring out such comments about some exotic cars ‘retaining’ their value, which is true to a point, but…

  • i’m talking about actually driving the car on a daily basis (and racking up tens-of-thousands of road miles over several years), not keeping it in a garage as some trophy only to be taken out on fair-weather weekend jaunts
  • cost of insurance, garaging, etc
  • Opportunity cost
  • Simply looking up cars which have risen in value is survivorship bias.  Knowing which cars today that will be worth more in 20 years… much harder.

1-3 apply to all cars. But as far as I can tell certain high end cars still hold their value better than econoboxes. Eg, half depreciated Porches. Actually, if I had kept my 1987 Porsche 944 it would now be worth 5x what I paid for it, and they aren't all that expensive to maintain.

4. Well, I just really want a Ford GT.
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: nereo on July 02, 2021, 04:54:23 AM
Yeah yeah, I knew that comment would bring out such comments about some exotic cars ‘retaining’ their value, which is true to a point, but…

  • i’m talking about actually driving the car on a daily basis (and racking up tens-of-thousands of road miles over several years), not keeping it in a garage as some trophy only to be taken out on fair-weather weekend jaunts
  • cost of insurance, garaging, etc
  • Opportunity cost
  • Simply looking up cars which have risen in value is survivorship bias.  Knowing which cars today that will be worth more in 20 years… much harder.

1-3 apply to all cars. But as far as I can tell certain high end cars still hold their value better than econoboxes. Eg, half depreciated Porches. Actually, if I had kept my 1987 Porsche 944 it would now be worth 5x what I paid for it, and they aren't all that expensive to maintain.

4. Well, I just really want a Ford GT.

Well there are two different things at play here.  Wanting a Ford GT - which is fine if that’s your thing - and convincing yourself that it’s a “good investment”.

Above you listed a 2005 GT (purchase price $150k) that was selling for $399k now with essentially no miles on it.  Great, it’s worth more!  But that same investment in an SP500 index would be $727k.  Sad, and not a good ‘investment’ for something you couldn’t actually drive. That’s opportunity cost.  Maintenance costs might be minimal on a car that nets 700 miles over 16 years, but you still (presumably) insure it, register it, change the oil annually and buy some new tires every decade or so, plus need an indoor place to keep it (preferably one that’s climate controlled).  The cost of a dedicated garage space is likely the biggest expense, but hard to calculate as it depends on where you live. Several brokerages offer that index fund for an expense ratio of < 0.02%, or under $50 at the start.   So both are low, but investments are lower.

I’m not doubting that [some] exotic cars hold their value far, far better than mass-produced commuter vehicles, but every time this comes up in discussion it’s people comparing purchase prices for very-gently-driven cars cherry-picked with the benefit of hindsight and always ignoring ownership costs and what that extra $50k or $100k could have done in the market or in RE during that same time period.   
It all comes off as people just wanting to financially justify an expensive toy.  You do not need to justify buying a GT (or whatever) to me! 
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: kuritzl on July 02, 2021, 11:50:17 AM
Was His
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: Chris22 on July 02, 2021, 12:13:50 PM
I mean, since we are on the MMM forum I feel compelled to point out that exotic sports cars really don’t work in anyone’s financial favor, used or not (excepting the dealership).

Yeah yeah, I knew that comment would bring out such comments about some exotic cars ‘retaining’ their value, which is true to a point, but…

  • i’m talking about actually driving the car on a daily basis (and racking up tens-of-thousands of road miles over several years), not keeping it in a garage as some trophy only to be taken out on fair-weather weekend jaunts
  • cost of insurance, garaging, etc
  • Opportunity cost
  • Simply looking up cars which have risen in value is survivorship bias.  Knowing which cars today that will be worth more in 20 years… much harder.

I don’t think anyone is saying exotic/sports cars are investments. My point was that you said they don’t work out for anyone, but in reality it is entirely possible to buy and use an exotic/sports car as a toy and not lose much if any money at all.

Also, I bet I can name a half-dozen cars or so you could buy today and use sparingly (which is how people use these cars) and not lose anything much beyond the carrying costs:

-Porsche 911 GT3 manual
-Porsche Boxster Spyder/Cayman GT4
-Alfa 4C
-Mustang GT350
-Ferrari 458
-Gen V Dodge Viper


None of those are a particularly big gamble. Hell, I’ll throw my S2000 out there; buy one today for $20k, put 10-15k on it over the next 5 years, I bet it’s worth $20-25k at the end.
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: PDXTabs on July 02, 2021, 01:07:05 PM
Above you listed a 2005 GT (purchase price $150k) that was selling for $399k now with essentially no miles on it.  Great, it’s worth more!  But that same investment in an SP500 index would be $727k.  Sad, and not a good ‘investment’ for something you couldn’t actually drive. That’s opportunity cost.  Maintenance costs might be minimal on a car that nets 700 miles over 16 years, but you still (presumably) insure it, register it, change the oil annually and buy some new tires every decade or so, plus need an indoor place to keep it (preferably one that’s climate controlled).  The cost of a dedicated garage space is likely the biggest expense, but hard to calculate as it depends on where you live. Several brokerages offer that index fund for an expense ratio of < 0.02%, or under $50 at the start.   So both are low, but investments are lower.

There's a reason that I don't have one. I never said that it was "a good investment." But I would point out that the people that buy these cars and never drive them often keep them inside their house. Like in the middle of their living room. That will never be me, I'm in the wrong economic class. There are plenty of Ford GTs around that have actually been driven and still have a dramatic increase in price.
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: SnipTheDog on December 23, 2021, 09:09:39 AM
https://i.redd.it/3j4e1u0dex681.jpg
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: RetiredAt63 on December 23, 2021, 09:25:19 AM
https://i.redd.it/3j4e1u0dex681.jpg

Perfect plate for that colour car!
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: Kris on December 23, 2021, 10:13:32 AM
https://i.redd.it/3j4e1u0dex681.jpg

I grudgingly approve.
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: scottish on December 24, 2021, 02:39:24 PM
No Joe Walsh fans?

I lost my license, now I don't drive.

It's hard to leave when you can't find the door.
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: Turtle on January 11, 2022, 02:10:33 PM
One of the funniest vanity plates I ever saw was on a DeLorean.

WHENAMI

Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: Dave1442397 on January 12, 2022, 06:52:09 AM
My favorite:

Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: JoePublic3.14 on January 12, 2022, 07:33:39 AM
While I would never pay for a plate (or want to have anything that calls attention to me), I do enjoy seeing how witty some folks are.

WHENAMI, that was great.
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: Turtle on January 12, 2022, 10:46:22 AM
"Feature"

My Dad used to drive a VW and was a programmer.  I could see him at least considering that plate.  (& probably deciding against it -- very MMM before his time, in lots of ways.)

Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: Dicey on January 12, 2022, 12:19:38 PM
Reminds me - a neighbor of mine who owned a white Ford Bronco in the late 1990s got the plate:
“NOT OJ”
I must have missed this. I used to live on LA's Westside in the '80's. Back then, OJ drove a Mercedes sedan with the license plate "L84AD8".

I love @Turtle's last two examples.

In related news, I've mentioned elsewhere that we've ordered vanity plates for our new-to-us RV. She will be known as E RIG B. Well, some day...maybe. When we ordered the plates in October, following the Moab Meetup, the DMV website said 4-6 months, which we thought was insane. Of course they took our money right away, which is the only confirmation we've ever received. I just checked the site. A hopeful sign is that the plate now shows as "Not Available", which could be good, but the lead time is now...wait for it... 6-9 MONTHS!

I wonder if we'll have to pay for the almost one year we didn't actually have it. The good news is we're FI/RE*, so it doesn't really matter.

*If you're paying attention, I've been out since 2012. DH is finally retiring in March 2022. Yippee!!
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: Loren Ver on May 06, 2022, 03:10:17 PM
Okay, at first DH and I thought it was a name, then DH goes, I think it reads "DAMN I QUIT"

What do you think?

We were happier with the second so I snapped a shot and brought it here.

Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: Villanelle on May 06, 2022, 05:36:53 PM
Clearly I have a filthy mind because I initially read it as "in de butt", with the "3" being a butt, or just because "dE" was taken already. 

Maybe the car belongs to a proctologist. 
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: Loren Ver on May 06, 2022, 05:51:04 PM
Uh, there is no "3."

It's "DMNIQUI"
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: Villanelle on May 06, 2022, 05:53:35 PM
Uh, there is no "3."

It's "DMNIQUI"

Referring to the OP. 
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: zolotiyeruki on May 11, 2022, 11:53:50 AM
I want a vanity plate that says "YICAN RE" so I can put it on my '97 Geo Prizm...
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: Dicey on May 11, 2022, 02:52:17 PM
I mentioned this upthread, but our vanity plates we ordered on Nov.1, 2021, finally arrived in mid-April...and they're wrong! All the letters are smooshed together, so you can't tell what the hell it means. Two trips to the DMV later, it is being "researched" and we have been told it will get eight months to get a response. And, why, yes, of course, we have to pay for it in the meantime.

You be the judge(s): we ordered E RIG B for our RV, and we received ERIGB. The former has a fighting chance of being figured out, which is the whole damn point. The latter is indecipherable, imo.
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: Greystache on May 12, 2022, 07:40:45 AM
Many years ago, I saw a Jag that appeared to have been part of a divorce settlement. The plate said TWASHIS.
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: Spiffy on May 12, 2022, 10:30:55 AM
I mentioned this upthread, but our vanity plates we ordered on Nov.1, 2021, finally arrived in mid-April...and they're wrong! All the letters are smooshed together, so you can't tell what the hell it means. Two trips to the DMV later, it is being "researched" and we have been told it will get eight months to get a response. And, why, yes, of course, we have to pay for it in the meantime.

You be the judge(s): we ordered E RIG B for our RV, and we received ERIGB. The former has a fighting chance of being figured out, which is the whole damn point. The latter is indecipherable, imo.

Eleanor Rigby?
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: Dicey on May 12, 2022, 11:08:38 AM
Yup.
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: shureShote on May 13, 2022, 06:46:01 PM
I figured that out Yesterday.
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: sonofsven on May 13, 2022, 11:02:41 PM
I mentioned this upthread, but our vanity plates we ordered on Nov.1, 2021, finally arrived in mid-April...and they're wrong! All the letters are smooshed together, so you can't tell what the hell it means. Two trips to the DMV later, it is being "researched" and we have been told it will get eight months to get a response. And, why, yes, of course, we have to pay for it in the meantime.

You be the judge(s): we ordered E RIG B for our RV, and we received ERIGB. The former has a fighting chance of being figured out, which is the whole damn point. The latter is indecipherable, imo.
People might think you're Irish.
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: Dicey on May 14, 2022, 01:14:05 AM
I mentioned this upthread, but our vanity plates we ordered on Nov.1, 2021, finally arrived in mid-April...and they're wrong! All the letters are smooshed together, so you can't tell what the hell it means. Two trips to the DMV later, it is being "researched" and we have been told it will get eight months to get a response. And, why, yes, of course, we have to pay for it in the meantime.

You be the judge(s): we ordered E RIG B for our RV, and we received ERIGB. The former has a fighting chance of being figured out, which is the whole damn point. The latter is indecipherable, imo.
People might think you're Irish.
Erin Go Bragh?
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: sonofsven on May 14, 2022, 12:09:32 PM
I mentioned this upthread, but our vanity plates we ordered on Nov.1, 2021, finally arrived in mid-April...and they're wrong! All the letters are smooshed together, so you can't tell what the hell it means. Two trips to the DMV later, it is being "researched" and we have been told it will get eight months to get a response. And, why, yes, of course, we have to pay for it in the meantime.

You be the judge(s): we ordered E RIG B for our RV, and we received ERIGB. The former has a fighting chance of being figured out, which is the whole damn point. The latter is indecipherable, imo.
People might think you're Irish.
Erin Go Bragh?
That's where my brain went. I have a hard time figuring out the vanity plates. I suck at wordle, too
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: BlueHouse on May 14, 2022, 01:39:09 PM
I recently saw one in Northern Virginia that read XKXKXKX.  I snapped a pic and reported it to DMV.  No idea if they did anything. 
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: Dicey on May 14, 2022, 02:54:56 PM
I mentioned this upthread, but our vanity plates we ordered on Nov.1, 2021, finally arrived in mid-April...and they're wrong! All the letters are smooshed together, so you can't tell what the hell it means. Two trips to the DMV later, it is being "researched" and we have been told it will get eight months to get a response. And, why, yes, of course, we have to pay for it in the meantime.

You be the judge(s): we ordered E RIG B for our RV, and we received ERIGB. The former has a fighting chance of being figured out, which is the whole damn point. The latter is indecipherable, imo.
People might think you're Irish.
Erin Go Bragh?
That's where my brain went. I have a hard time figuring out the vanity plates. I suck at wordle, too
That's why I'm pissed. They took six months, charged me for something I had not received, fucked up the spacing, then blamed me for ordering it wrong. It's their  website! I followed all the directions that were offered. Apparently the pld-school paper version has special characters for spacing, but the website does not. Silly me, filling in the boxes and leaving blanks in the empty spaces is not how it works.
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: sonofsven on May 14, 2022, 06:14:46 PM
I mentioned this upthread, but our vanity plates we ordered on Nov.1, 2021, finally arrived in mid-April...and they're wrong! All the letters are smooshed together, so you can't tell what the hell it means. Two trips to the DMV later, it is being "researched" and we have been told it will get eight months to get a response. And, why, yes, of course, we have to pay for it in the meantime.

You be the judge(s): we ordered E RIG B for our RV, and we received ERIGB. The former has a fighting chance of being figured out, which is the whole damn point. The latter is indecipherable, imo.
People might think you're Irish.
Erin Go Bragh?
That's where my brain went. I have a hard time figuring out the vanity plates. I suck at wordle, too
That's why I'm pissed. They took six months, charged me for something I had not received, fucked up the spacing, then blamed me for ordering it wrong. It's their  website! I followed all the directions that were offered. Apparently the pld-school paper version has special characters for spacing, but the website does not. Silly me, filling in the boxes and leaving blanks in the empty spaces is not how it works.
That is annoying! My state has crap web sites for the most part, too. You'd think these west coast states *maybeeee* could find some competent firms to set up their web sites, but no.
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: Gremlin on May 14, 2022, 06:26:28 PM
I recently saw one in Northern Virginia that read XKXKXKX.  I snapped a pic and reported it to DMV.  No idea if they did anything.
Woah - that's appalling!
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: Dicey on May 15, 2022, 12:22:01 AM
I recently saw one in Northern Virginia that read XKXKXKX.  I snapped a pic and reported it to DMV.  No idea if they did anything.
Woah - that's appalling!
In CA, you actually have to explain the meaning of your plate. Wonder what bullshit explanation they offered to get that one. Ugh.
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: nereo on May 15, 2022, 03:39:21 PM
I recently saw one in Northern Virginia that read XKXKXKX.  I snapped a pic and reported it to DMV.  No idea if they did anything.
Woah - that's appalling!
In CA, you actually have to explain the meaning of your plate. Wonder what bullshit explanation they offered to get that one. Ugh.

I actually prefer that to my current state’s policy, which is basically “anything goes”.  Can’t tell you how many variations on “F___ Biden” or “F - Obama” are out there.  Or other vulgar words.  FOr the first this year they are prohibiting vulgarities, but there’s a long phase-in period. The libertarians haven’t been very happy to learn that “their” license plate is in fact property of the state, and subject to whatever rules and regulation they wish to place on them.
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: GuitarStv on May 16, 2022, 10:16:40 AM
I recently saw one in Northern Virginia that read XKXKXKX.  I snapped a pic and reported it to DMV.  No idea if they did anything.
Woah - that's appalling!
In CA, you actually have to explain the meaning of your plate. Wonder what bullshit explanation they offered to get that one. Ugh.

Maybe they're just very proud about being an ex-KKK member?
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: shureShote on May 16, 2022, 10:33:01 AM
I recently saw one in Northern Virginia that read XKXKXKX.  I snapped a pic and reported it to DMV.  No idea if they did anything.
Woah - that's appalling!
In CA, you actually have to explain the meaning of your plate. Wonder what bullshit explanation they offered to get that one. Ugh.

Maybe they're just very proud about being an ex-KKK member?

Or something completely unrelated. It's an interesting pattern to look at depending on font and spacing. I'd be hard pressed to parse it in real time on the road, it's almost an optical illusion. Like trying to tell a one from an ell in some fonts.
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: GuitarStv on May 16, 2022, 11:04:05 AM
I recently saw one in Northern Virginia that read XKXKXKX.  I snapped a pic and reported it to DMV.  No idea if they did anything.
Woah - that's appalling!
In CA, you actually have to explain the meaning of your plate. Wonder what bullshit explanation they offered to get that one. Ugh.

Maybe they're just very proud about being an ex-KKK member?

Or something completely unrelated. It's an interesting pattern to look at depending on font and spacing. I'd be hard pressed to parse it in real time on the road, it's almost an optical illusion. Like trying to tell a one from an ell in some fonts.

That's why I always figured a license plate like "1OI0O01I" would be the best bet for a vanity plate.  Make it more likely that you'll get off on a technicality.  :P
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: zolotiyeruki on May 16, 2022, 11:08:05 AM
I recently saw one in Northern Virginia that read XKXKXKX.  I snapped a pic and reported it to DMV.  No idea if they did anything.
Woah - that's appalling!
In CA, you actually have to explain the meaning of your plate. Wonder what bullshit explanation they offered to get that one. Ugh.

Maybe they're just very proud about being an ex-KKK member?
I find it interesting that you (and possibly @BlueHouse and @Gremlin too?) saw that license plate and came to that specific interpretation.  I saw it, and only thought "gosh, that's gonna be hard for a cop or speed camera to decipher."  Thus I was a bit confused by Gremlin's strong reaction.
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: RWD on May 16, 2022, 01:38:09 PM
I recently saw one in Northern Virginia that read XKXKXKX.  I snapped a pic and reported it to DMV.  No idea if they did anything.
Woah - that's appalling!
In CA, you actually have to explain the meaning of your plate. Wonder what bullshit explanation they offered to get that one. Ugh.
Maybe they're just very proud about being an ex-KKK member?
I find it interesting that you (and possibly @BlueHouse and @Gremlin too?) saw that license plate and came to that specific interpretation.  I saw it, and only thought "gosh, that's gonna be hard for a cop or speed camera to decipher."  Thus I was a bit confused by Gremlin's strong reaction.
Same here. Seemed like a stretch to associate it with the KKK.
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: BlueHouse on May 16, 2022, 02:01:07 PM
I recently saw one in Northern Virginia that read XKXKXKX.  I snapped a pic and reported it to DMV.  No idea if they did anything.
Woah - that's appalling!
In CA, you actually have to explain the meaning of your plate. Wonder what bullshit explanation they offered to get that one. Ugh.
Maybe they're just very proud about being an ex-KKK member?
I find it interesting that you (and possibly @BlueHouse and @Gremlin too?) saw that license plate and came to that specific interpretation.  I saw it, and only thought "gosh, that's gonna be hard for a cop or speed camera to decipher."  Thus I was a bit confused by Gremlin's strong reaction.
Same here. Seemed like a stretch to associate it with the KKK.
Wait, are you serious?  I mean, all kidding aside, is there any other possible explanation than to ignore the Xes and the remainder is "KKK"
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: shureShote on May 16, 2022, 02:32:38 PM
I recently saw one in Northern Virginia that read XKXKXKX.  I snapped a pic and reported it to DMV.  No idea if they did anything.
Woah - that's appalling!
In CA, you actually have to explain the meaning of your plate. Wonder what bullshit explanation they offered to get that one. Ugh.
Maybe they're just very proud about being an ex-KKK member?
I find it interesting that you (and possibly @BlueHouse and @Gremlin too?) saw that license plate and came to that specific interpretation.  I saw it, and only thought "gosh, that's gonna be hard for a cop or speed camera to decipher."  Thus I was a bit confused by Gremlin's strong reaction.
Same here. Seemed like a stretch to associate it with the KKK.
Wait, are you serious?  I mean, all kidding aside, is there any other possible explanation than to ignore the Xes and the remainder is "KKK"

I know I am. If you listed 10 sets of letter and asked me to pick ones out that might be considered "bad", I would not have picked that one out. Mainly because it was a lot of lines in there and I would not have parsed it out in a way that would create a  potentially offensive set of letters.

I mean, there are more Xes than Ks, so XXXX (or XXXXX or XXXXXX or XXXXXXX) is more likely how I would read it.
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: zolotiyeruki on May 16, 2022, 03:20:41 PM
I find it interesting that you (and possibly @BlueHouse and @Gremlin too?) saw that license plate and came to that specific interpretation.  I saw it, and only thought "gosh, that's gonna be hard for a cop or speed camera to decipher."  Thus I was a bit confused by Gremlin's strong reaction.
Same here. Seemed like a stretch to associate it with the KKK.
Wait, are you serious?  I mean, all kidding aside, is there any other possible explanation than to ignore the Xes and the remainder is "KKK"
I already provided a more probable alternative--I think "I want my plate to be as hard as possible to read" is a lot more plausible than "I want my plate to secretly advertise the KKK, but only if you look at it *really* hard."  There are LOTS of people who select their plates to be hard to read correctly, like the "TQMATQ" plate in my town, with a frame that happens to make the tails on the Q's unobtrusive.
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: RWD on May 16, 2022, 06:59:39 PM
I recently saw one in Northern Virginia that read XKXKXKX.  I snapped a pic and reported it to DMV.  No idea if they did anything.
Woah - that's appalling!
In CA, you actually have to explain the meaning of your plate. Wonder what bullshit explanation they offered to get that one. Ugh.
Maybe they're just very proud about being an ex-KKK member?
I find it interesting that you (and possibly @BlueHouse and @Gremlin too?) saw that license plate and came to that specific interpretation.  I saw it, and only thought "gosh, that's gonna be hard for a cop or speed camera to decipher."  Thus I was a bit confused by Gremlin's strong reaction.
Same here. Seemed like a stretch to associate it with the KKK.
Wait, are you serious?  I mean, all kidding aside, is there any other possible explanation than to ignore the Xes and the remainder is "KKK"
Yes, I'm serious. I agree with zolotiyeruki, I think it's more plausible it's just trying to be difficult to read. I wouldn't rule out it meaning "KKK" but I just don't think it's obviously supposed to be that.
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: myrrh on May 17, 2022, 09:18:27 AM
I always liked the "NARANJO" plate on a bright orange car.

One of the best ones I've seen is "CRUELLA" on a Coupe DeVille, as the DeVille emblem was to the right of the plate. It wasn't white with black spots, though!
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: bacchi on May 17, 2022, 01:35:26 PM
There's a great story about a "Null" license plate. If you're into computers, you can imagine the problems.

https://www.wired.com/story/null-license-plate-landed-one-hacker-ticket-hell/
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: nereo on May 17, 2022, 02:26:48 PM
Somewhere I saw a white Nissan Cube with the plate “C6H12O6”
Awesome.
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: shureShote on May 17, 2022, 06:28:31 PM
Somewhere I saw a white Nissan Cube with the plate “C6H12O6”
Awesome.

Some are so sweet that I can’t even judge them for the expense.
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: nereo on May 17, 2022, 06:49:15 PM
Somewhere I saw a white Nissan Cube with the plate “C6H12O6”
Awesome.

Some are so sweet that I can’t even judge them for the expense.

I see what you did there ;-)
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: Dicey on August 10, 2022, 05:13:44 PM
Not sure if I've mentioned this one on this thread. One of my customers had a few classic cars. One day, I noticed one I hadn't seen before. The license place was 4x4x8 and I knew exactly what it was. He was tickled that I got it right away.
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: ATtiny85 on August 10, 2022, 06:37:15 PM
Not sure if I've mentioned this one on this thread. One of my customers had a few classic cars. One day, I noticed one I hadn't seen before. The license place was 4x4x8 and I knew exactly what it was. He was tickled that I got it right away.

You say he was tickled, but that’s just acCORDing to you…
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: Dicey on August 10, 2022, 08:22:09 PM
Not sure if I've mentioned this one on this thread. One of my customers had a few classic cars. One day, I noticed one I hadn't seen before. The license place was 4x4x8 and I knew exactly what it was. He was tickled that I got it right away.

You say he was tickled, but that’s just acCORDing to you…
I see what you did there...
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: nereo on August 11, 2022, 04:43:13 AM
Not sure if I've mentioned this one on this thread. One of my customers had a few classic cars. One day, I noticed one I hadn't seen before. The license place was 4x4x8 and I knew exactly what it was. He was tickled that I got it right away.

You say he was tickled, but that’s just acCORDing to you…

You are far quicker than me…
Title: Re: dumb vanity plate
Post by: Rollin on September 09, 2022, 02:00:59 PM
No Joe Walsh fans?

I loved it, but at first thought not to comment. :)