Vanity License Plate Rant

"sm70- why not Duesenberg?" (sm70-whynotduesenberg)
05/27/2014 at 20:01 • Filed to: None

I know not everyone on here will love vanity plates. They seem like an obnoxious way to tell the world that you spent thirty dollars more than they did on your license plates because you could, so there. I don't look at them that way. Both of my parents have personalized plates on their cars, and I plan to as well. I think they are a fun way to personalize your car if you aren't into modding and don't want to put a bunch of stupid bumper stickers on it. And for the most part, any plate is fine. Plates about you, your occupation (apparently mandatory if you're a realtor), your car, your driving style, a clever joke, a movie reference, your phone number, whatever. I'm more or less fine with all of them. But there's one that drives me ape shit crazy. And these are the people who feel the need to spend thirty extra dollars to, in a completely un-clever way, write the make/model of their car on the plate.

I'm not talking about people who write it in a clever way. Electric blue Impreza STI bro that I see around with plates "BLUBARU", you're okay. And I'm not talking about people who put it on a classic car. "70 STANG" or "VETE 427" are acceptable, because people are likely to ask you what it is, and answering in advance on the plate is okay in my book. No, I'm talking about the people with newer, more mainstream cars that I've seen around who just get exactly what their car is on the plate. I bring this up because someone at the bank branch I use has a Subaru BR-Z, and that's lovely. I applaud him/her for their excellent taste in cars, and would love to get the chance to sit down and chat with them about it. However, in that chat, I might briefly ask them what massacre of their brain's imagination cells or visit from Captain Obvious himself possessed them to pay $30, the cost of a really good dinner or a pair of Converse, to get "BRZ" on the plate. Also around town I've seen, "VOLVO" on an S80, "LEXUS" on an LS430, "MERCEDES" and "BENZ 1" on a C-class and an M-class, respectively, and "BLK GTO" on, well, you know. And putting your name or in front so we know whose it is isn't any better. I'm looking at you, "GMAS PT" (Elderly lady seen in red PT Crusier Conv.)

Seriously, I don't get it. It's a waste of money, it's going on a car that often times no one cares about and even if they do, it's already writen across the back of the car . Believe it or not, most manufacturers anticipate you wanting absolutely everyone to know who made your car, so they give you little symbols all over which tell folks, this is a BMW. And they know you want everyone to know that you aren't a cheapskate, and that you bought the 550i, not the 530 or the 528, so they write that across the back too. (I shit you not. Worst offender I ever saw for this crime was an old guy, outside a watch repair shop, with license plates that said, "BMW 550I". I'll let you guess what he was driving.) Please. Have some imagination. Don't waste your hard-earned money telling people information that is already obvious to them and that they don't care about. Because all you're really saying is, "I have no creativity in any way, whatsoever."

Please.

Think of the children.

DISCUSSION (59)

Bandit > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
05/27/2014 at 20:04

Part of me wants to get "BAN TWO" but nobody would get it.

Kinja'd!!!

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Bandit
05/27/2014 at 20:05

DO IT!!!

Nick, Drives a Cobalt LT > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
05/27/2014 at 20:07

I hate people who get names on plates.....like why......

Mine is OHNO5OH

I know people who have some funny ones too like LOLVTEC or LOL OFCIR

offroadkarter > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
05/27/2014 at 20:07

I only have one plate so far, when I think of something fitting or witty for the marauder I'll spring for it

I got this on the bronco like 2 years ago. re-reg is coming up next month!

Kinja'd!!!

MountainCommand > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
05/27/2014 at 20:11

Hey, its their money. It just gives us a better understanding of their creativity and cleverness.

On another note, im totally getting a personal plate soon. To me its almost like a tatto, i need to make sure its gonna be the right one.

now that i think about it, vanity plates are almost exactly like tattoos! Identifying, cost extra, some are creative and clever while others arent good. But dont you dare tell someone what they can and cant do to their body, believe me, thats a can you dont want to open.

Bandit > Nick, Drives a Cobalt LT
05/27/2014 at 20:11

Is that some compound I don't know about or am I just not able to sound it out?

Nick, Drives a Cobalt LT > Bandit
05/27/2014 at 20:13

Oh No 5-0.

As in the cops.

I assume you measnt mine.

MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
05/27/2014 at 20:13

It's more popular in some areas than others. For example, a friend of mine recently moved from Colorado to Virginia and couldn't understand why so many people have vanity plates here. Apparently in Colorado it is like a hundred bucks a year for personal plates. In VA it's ten. Pretty much everyone I know has a personal plate. My MR2's plate is MR2 FTW, and my Cressida Wagon is Boxy.

Hate away.

GhostZ > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
05/27/2014 at 20:20

The only vanity license plate that ever impressed me was on a Mercedes Benz G-Wagen.

The plate?

"1".

In a state where there's serious money for people to really speculate on these plates, and some seriously corrupt and sketchy politics, I felt like I was watching a whale move by slowly.

Bandit > Nick, Drives a Cobalt LT
05/27/2014 at 20:21

Got it. I'm just slow.

GhostZ > Bandit
05/27/2014 at 20:21

"What's a Banone?"

Nick, Drives a Cobalt LT > Bandit
05/27/2014 at 20:21

No worries. If I keep my truck it's gonna say "Ratty" or something similar haha

Bandit > GhostZ
05/27/2014 at 20:29

BAN ONE was the license plate for the Trans Am in Smokey and the Bandit.

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
05/27/2014 at 20:40

It's even more obnoxious when in my city, where a Perrsonalized plate with just your name and no numbers (up to seven letters)? $852.40

a Unique plate, which is any combination of letters and numbers not covered under another section like nicknames or business plates: $2578.80

So that's where I see MYGTO or BRZ

If you want Vehicle Make number plates with just the brand of that car on them?

$4808.80

Though I think some of the dealers have bought the common ones of these.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Nick, Drives a Cobalt LT
05/27/2014 at 20:42

That's a great one. Clever and fun to say.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig
05/27/2014 at 20:44

Nay, that's okay. MR2 FTW is at least clever. If it just said "MR2", that'd be a little face palm worthy.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > GhostZ
05/27/2014 at 20:46

I have actually thought to myself before, if I get a G wagon, I will want the plate "G FORCE" If, I can't have that, I will just get "1". Great to know someone else stole my second choice.

jkm7680 > offroadkarter
05/27/2014 at 20:46

NOT OJ. That's what I'd to with a white Bronco.

offroadkarter > jkm7680
05/27/2014 at 20:49

note the glove hanging to

Kinja'd!!!

jkm7680 > offroadkarter
05/27/2014 at 20:51

Haha, That's one good OJ Enthusiast.

GhostZ > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
05/27/2014 at 20:51

"G STRING" would be a nice one too, especially if I played cello.

OPPOsaurus WRX > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
05/27/2014 at 20:57

I see 1 chick with MSPREZ. I'm guessing her husband is the president of some company and she wants to brag. Mercedes.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
05/27/2014 at 21:07

You've got an A8, right?

Well you've got 3 choices for vanity plates!

1) "DIKT8OR" or "DICT8OR"

2) "BUSINES"

3) "WRKHARD" or WORKHRD"

anything else is unacceptable! :D

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > GhostZ
05/27/2014 at 21:07

Not sure if kidding…

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > Nick, Drives a Cobalt LT
05/27/2014 at 21:11

wait, you rock an "OHNO5OH"?

What state do you live in? I really want one of those on my car!

Cajun Ginger > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
05/27/2014 at 21:12

I'm waiting for the day one of y'all posts a pic of my vanity plate.

Nick, Drives a Cobalt LT > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
05/27/2014 at 21:13

I live in NH.

Kinja'd!!!

It gets way too much attention you do not want.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > Nick, Drives a Cobalt LT
05/27/2014 at 21:14

eh, i'll get it when I graduate high school, and have a job that'll cover the tickets i'll get for going 47 in a 45!

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
05/27/2014 at 21:15

I haven't picked it up yet, but my dad and I have been joking around about plates that would be suitable for an A8. Some that might work are,

" NOT POOR"

"F DAPOOR"

"WEALTH E"

"BAHAHA" (Must be read with aristocratic British accent)

"I SUE U" (We're Jewish, not really rich, and not lawyers, so…)

"OUT DWAY", which I actually quite like.

"PEASNTS"

I could also get my last name/initials, which is something all rich old folks around here do.

Again, apart from "OUT DWAY", I would never get any of these, because even if I was loaded, I'm not that much of an asshole. But it's fun to dream.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Cajun Ginger
05/27/2014 at 21:16

Can you give me a clue? It's not "EAT THE", is it?

Nick, Drives a Cobalt LT > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
05/27/2014 at 21:17

I've been let off of tickets like 85 in a 30 cause the cop liked my plate and laughed.

This weekend I drove past a cop, he pointed at my plate and laughed as I drove past him.

Then I get the dick heads who pull me over cuase I farted too close to them and they take it as a threat and threaten to arrest me, get me on a felony, and try to pull me out of a car window when I say "You have no legal right to search my phone, so I will need a warrant"

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
05/27/2014 at 21:17

WAIT! Big audi? vanity plate?

THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE!

"OBEY ME"!

First off, audis tailgate, and peasants need to obey and move over!

also, audi in GTA V is called Obey

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > Nick, Drives a Cobalt LT
05/27/2014 at 21:19

haha! that's awesome! I think that'd look good on an Orange Challenger, don't you?

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
05/27/2014 at 21:19

TAILG8R was another one we thought of, because Obey Tailgater. I actually might have to get that one…

Nick, Drives a Cobalt LT > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
05/27/2014 at 21:20

Definitely.

I wish I had pics of it on my Crown Vic..... lmao

Cajun Ginger > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
05/27/2014 at 21:20

two clues.

I'm a pilot.

I'm a woman.

You prob still won't guess. ;)

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
05/27/2014 at 21:21

That works. I'm thinking of getting "ITAILG8" for my juke when I get it..

Or maybe "POLRYZE"

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Cajun Ginger
05/27/2014 at 21:22

Nope, need moar clue.

Cajun Ginger > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
05/27/2014 at 21:23

It's two words.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Cajun Ginger
05/27/2014 at 21:24

Can't think of anything.

Arben72 > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
05/27/2014 at 21:32

I got saabaru for my saab because it goes well and confuses a ton of people. I got HOON for my m3 because I wanted a black and white plate to match my car, and it needed to be less then 5 digits long. That manages to confuses a lot more people then I expected.

Cajun Ginger > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
05/27/2014 at 21:33

If you email me I'll send you a pic of it. Lol. Ginger.cajun@gmail.com

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Cajun Ginger
05/27/2014 at 21:36

You can just post it as text, none of us will track you down.

Cajun Ginger > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
05/27/2014 at 21:43

Lol. You speak for the entire internet?

FLIGIRL

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Cajun Ginger
05/27/2014 at 21:45

That's a good one.

No, I don't speak for the entire internet, but so many of us have pictures of our plates (and every other comment on here is people listing their vanity plates), I don't think it will be an issue.

GhostZ > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
05/27/2014 at 21:52

Is kidding.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
05/27/2014 at 22:03

Mini Cooper. DB LIVES.

Honda Element. IM IN MY.

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
05/27/2014 at 22:18

I like vanity plates even if they are goofy. One thing I do hate is the name of the car on stickers above your windshield. The urge to punch is strong.

Bird > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
05/28/2014 at 03:42

I plan to get them for a couple of my cars. Just haven't gotten around to it. One that says 4D BRNCO for the Centurion. It's obviously a four door Bronco, but I get asked at least once a week at a stoplight, "Is that a four door Bronco?"

The other will be for a VAZ Lada 2103. I can only imagine the questions that will get, and it doesn't actually say what it is in English anywhere on the car. It just says Zhiguli in cyrillic on the back, because it was a Russian market model. We wanted VAZ2103, but it's already taken (who would have thought...). So we're still working that out.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Bird
05/28/2014 at 08:02

Both of those are okay, because both are something people would actually ask about.

thebigbossyboss > Nick, Drives a Cobalt LT
05/28/2014 at 14:22

I didn't know your were ohno5oh....I wondered what happened to him.

thebigbossyboss > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
05/28/2014 at 14:23

I am going to troll you. I am going to put the plate that says "HONDA" on my chevrolet. Eel with it.

Kinja'd!!!

thebigbossyboss > MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig
05/28/2014 at 14:25

And in ontario it's like $300 I think.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > thebigbossyboss
05/28/2014 at 14:26

I've seen stuff like that before. Makes me LOL

thebigbossyboss > Arben72
05/28/2014 at 14:26

Just to troll sm70 I want to get a vanity plate "HONDA" and put it on my chevy.

Nick, Drives a Cobalt LT > thebigbossyboss
05/28/2014 at 18:27

He changed his name 3 or four times since then haha

I keep changing my name here and Avi, people cna't keep up.

dal20402 > GhostZ
06/03/2014 at 12:03

My state doesn't have transferable plates... yet. I've picked up a very low number plate for each of my cars as a speculative investment, just in case my state does go that way. It's insane what they fetch in places like Delaware and Connecticut.

dal20402 > Arben72
06/03/2014 at 12:04

I recently saw "HOON" on a modified Mini Cooper in my state.

banshee82 > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
06/03/2014 at 16:01

I wanted to get a CA plate that fit the regular plate format but described my car - haiku like, with the constraints. But if it is in sequence (and therefore was probably issued) you can't get it as a personalized plate. I wanted

1BMW969 or 1BMW600 (for my 1969 BMW 1600)

2BMW002 (for my 1971 BMW 2002)

CA DMV said no.