LA's "Night" car culture

"Dsscats" (dsscats)
07/17/2014 at 02:38 • Filed to: None

Los Angeles is a wonderful place to be if you're a gearhead. There are events nearly every day, great shops, not too much pestering from the cops, and a very healthy modding scene. Most of this goes on during the day, but what happens when the sun goes down and the lights come on? That's when the stance crowd comes out to play.

Now, when I say stance, I'm not referring to slammed cars only. I'm also referring to the whole crowd which is roped in with the slammed crowd, such as Evo and STI guys. To find out what this crowd is like when they come out to play, I went to an event in Burbank, CA, a place notorious for a large police presence and having one of the biggest impromptu meets ever ( !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! ). For this meet, we traveled to this very place once again.

The first thing I saw when I pulled up was a few slammed Civics and some guys smoking next to them. I parked up next to a slammed Hilux on very stretched tires and a slammed 2010 Corolla. Walking around these events, you meet loads of people. When I put out the sign saying my car was for trade, a man in a Ducati jacket immediately approached me. We started chatting about the car, his bike, his IS300 and cars in general. That's the best part about the car culture in LA. Most people, whether they like your car or not, respect your build and the work you've put into it. While walking around, I encountered a couple other Z guys, 4 slammed Miatas, several Lancers and Evos, and the normal crowd of Civics and Accords. On top of that, there were 2 turbo'ed E30s, an old Corolla wagon (From the 70s), and the normal crowd of "drift douches", AKA S13 and S14 guys.

While most of the people are very nice and respectful at meets, issues do come up. Almost all of these meets are not condoned by the places where they are held, and as a result, they can often be shut down prematurely. Most of the time when no one does anything stupid, the meet can last a good 2 or 3 hours, but when people start revving their engines and doing burnouts, the cops WILL show up.

If you're ever out in LA, please let me know and I'll take you to one of the car events, either night or day (Or legit vs. impromptu). It's worth it.

More pictures available here:

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DISCUSSION (100)

AM3R > Dsscats
07/17/2014 at 02:43

i really wish car culture was as prevalent on the east coast as it is on the west coast.

I need to go out to Cali and just enjoy the car scene for a few days.

Dsscats > AM3R
07/17/2014 at 02:48

If you do, let me know and I'll see if I can wrangle up some Opponauts. Seriously, I'd be happy to take you to some events if you stay near me.

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > Dsscats
07/17/2014 at 02:55

That blue Evo on the NT-03's though. delicious.

Manuél Ferrari > AM3R
07/17/2014 at 02:55

You will never go home!

AM3R > Dsscats
07/17/2014 at 02:57

I've never stepped foot on the west coast, always wanted to go.

What part of SoCal do you live in?

Jolteon > Dsscats
07/17/2014 at 02:57

I wish that the car culture where I am is not just rich kids showing off :)

Dsscats > AM3R
07/17/2014 at 02:58

Los Angeles. I'm 5-10 min north of Beverly Hills

Dsscats > beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard
07/17/2014 at 02:58

It's a good looking thing.

D > AM3R
07/17/2014 at 03:00

My theory is that snow drives all the gearheads west

like "winter beater" isn't even a term here

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > Dsscats
07/17/2014 at 03:01

normally I hate the NT-03's, they look rubbish if they're anything other than the ideal offset. That Evo is killing it though.

Dsscats > Jolteon
07/17/2014 at 03:02

The car culture here is all about respect. That respect comes from the depth of your build, or how impractical your car is. No cupholder? Cool. No roof? Awesome. Can't make it into your own driveway? "DUDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Dsscats > beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard
07/17/2014 at 03:03

I kinda like the double ring look.

Dsscats > beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard
07/17/2014 at 03:04

Did you see the matte blue Evo in the album? That thing was a serious monster!

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > Dsscats
07/17/2014 at 03:09

Yeah, the evo 8 or 9 or whatever it is.

AM3R > Manuél Ferrari
07/17/2014 at 03:10

Maybe that's not an entirely bad thing LOL

AM3R > D
07/17/2014 at 03:11

the snow in northern Virginia isn't that bad. It's the shitty road conditions and drivers that come with it that make me dislike winter weather. I actually love winter though. My birthday is in December so in school I would always get off for winter break a few days after my birthday.

AM3R > Dsscats
07/17/2014 at 03:20

where's a good place to stay around there?

Dsscats > AM3R
07/17/2014 at 03:25

There are LOADS of places. If you're feeling high end, basically any of the places in Beverly Hills are nice. If you're feeling way low class, I can direct you to some lovely motels. The mattresses only have minor blood stains!

AM3R > Dsscats
07/17/2014 at 03:29

haha I'll splurge to avoid blood stains. I wanna rent something fun while I'm out there, with how little I've used public transport I'd rather not rely on it.

Dsscats > AM3R
07/17/2014 at 03:31

And public transport sucks here.

Manuél Ferrari > AM3R
07/17/2014 at 03:35

Seriously!

It's a magical land where anything other than RWD is silly

AM3R > Dsscats
07/17/2014 at 03:36

same in DC. The metro is tolerable at best, and that's me trying to make DC not sound shitty lol.

AM3R > Manuél Ferrari
07/17/2014 at 03:37

that's my kind of land. Finally getting to run high performance summer tires all year.... That's living the life.

Omnislash79 > D
07/17/2014 at 07:26

We skip all the shitty weather and just have summer all year.

Omnislash79 > AM3R
07/17/2014 at 07:26

snow and virginia is a pain... school closed down with a 1" of snow... people dont know how to drive in snow and it happens yearly...

Omnislash79 > AM3R
07/17/2014 at 07:27

depends if your poverty or bill gates

Brian Silvestro > AM3R
07/17/2014 at 07:36

THIS.

yamahog > Manuél Ferrari
07/17/2014 at 07:57

Lol, I did :P

David E. Davis > AM3R
07/17/2014 at 07:57

It's here in pockets. Most of the car culture I'm familiar with is the cruising type.

fivepointnine > AM3R
07/17/2014 at 08:16

The car culture used to be much much bigger in SoCal. We would have several HUNDRED cars rolling from race spot to race spot back in the San Diego/Kearny Villa street racing days of the early 2000's

bpromersberger > D
07/17/2014 at 08:17

That's why there isn't much car scene here in Cleveland. The snow is one thing, but the obliterated roads means no one wants to take out their cars for a cruise. Damn shame.

fivepointnine > AM3R
07/17/2014 at 08:17

I was in DC for a class a couple months ago and saw loads of nice cars. I was, however, not in a nice car, I had a lime green Fiesta rental lol.

Tyler Z > Dsscats
07/17/2014 at 08:18

I'm from California, but reside in South Carolina now. Bay area though, not SoCal. These impromptu car meets were cool when I was in high school, but after that I became more interested in driving than just looking at other cars. Had a hell of a time finding anyone to go on a mountain run with me. And I really upset one guy in a Supra who did go (something about being outgunned by a stock Miata in the mountains).

Viperfan1 > AM3R
07/17/2014 at 08:26

What do you drive and where are you located? I'm in the DMV area.

MiniBitty_S > Dsscats
07/17/2014 at 08:29

Surprisingly enough, Wild and Wonderful West Virginia and the nearby Metro DC area has a great car scene. Same type of "brotherhood." We have the Summit Point track closeby, so it tends to draw a wide range of cars, mostly the same regulars. We also arrange a couple events where were will take a 2-3 cruise through the twisties to southern WV to find a good BBQ place.

drdude > AM3R
07/17/2014 at 08:29

They are, but like Stig-a-saw-us-wrecks said... its in pockets. You just need to find someone "in" to tell you when/where the meets are.

JTSnooks > Dsscats
07/17/2014 at 08:29

So was anyone there over the age of 30? Because all of those are pretty lame cars to bring to a gathering. I guess rice is still alive and well in LA, they just can't let it go.

Yes, I am opinionated about certain aspects of car culture, and yes, slammed, stanced, stretched and poked cars are ridiculous and stupid.

Scaggnetti > JTSnooks
07/17/2014 at 08:46

Why bother posting then?

Kin Polaj > AM3R
07/17/2014 at 08:48

it's the weather, the amazing canyon roads, the pacific coast highway, the scenery, the fact that there is an abundance of nice high end cars in the rich parts. Those things just beg you to spark an interest in cars. Yet another reason why I'll be ditching the cess pool of NJ and moving to LA in the future.

JTSnooks > Scaggnetti
07/17/2014 at 08:50

Because comments are for sharing your opinion. I did ask an honest question, though, because this sounds exactly like the kind of hangouts I've attended in the past, and they were mostly composed of high school kids or early-20s people with no responsibilities. Just wondering if it's the same crowd in LA.

heeltoehero > AM3R
07/17/2014 at 08:52

Long Island has the best car culture in NY. And sometimes the worst.

http://jalopnik.com/5921104/abusiv… This used to be a great meet. You'd see all sorts of interesting cars. And then the stupid would start.

Conversely, Westchester has the worst car culture, but excellent car spotting. Living in the hills near Greenwich, I see all manner of exotics. The most interesting thing I've seen on the roads was probably 599GTO. Hell, this morning, I passed an SL65 on my way to work. About a month ago I spotted a 12C on my commute. But good luck finding any sort of culture beyond a cruise night filled with 99% garage queens.

ThatbastardKurtis > AM3R
07/17/2014 at 09:09

But you have to give the DMV credit, it is sport bike heaven. 495, 66, 295, 97, I-95, and 50 all are biker favored for blasting. And there are plenty of exotics to be seen as well.

ThatbastardKurtis > Manuél Ferrari
07/17/2014 at 09:16

There are A LOT of people from CA who moved to the DMV...whether it be for the jobs, or due to getting away from CA.

Vicente Esteve > Dsscats
07/17/2014 at 09:29

Thats so cool! I dont even like "stance" but I would like to go to one of these events so much. I hate that they dont have these things in Mexico, and that it would probably be dangerous if I went at night. Sometime I have to experience something similar, as well as Cars and Coffee.

C-Rod > AM3R
07/17/2014 at 09:44

I'm originally from Miami, I had never bought an all-season tire until I came north.

MoFinWiley > Dsscats
07/17/2014 at 10:02

Fuck show cars.

meatatarian > AM3R
07/17/2014 at 10:11

Sundays, 9AM- fair oaks by Dick's sporting goods

Saturdays, ~7AM- Katie's coffee, great falls

Monday nights- fairfax town center by the big office building with the Ruth Chris

keep an eye out for a black 987 Cayman

ChoamNomski > AM3R
07/17/2014 at 10:25

Concours d'Elegance on Amelia Island isn't big enough for you? I go every year.

gc8foreva > Dsscats
07/17/2014 at 10:42

I live in Orange County. An Oppo meet would be excellent.

Doug Nash > AM3R
07/17/2014 at 10:43

Just consider (next time you're putting on your winter tire/wheel package) that we just run "summer tires" here all year.

Because it never snows.

Or rains.

Ever.

(Please bring rain when you visit.)

Frances A. Espada > Dsscats
07/17/2014 at 10:45

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DipodomysDeserti > Dsscats
07/17/2014 at 10:46

No cup holders! Shit, my '91 Loyale would kill it.

DipodomysDeserti > Tyler Z
07/17/2014 at 10:50

Maybe no one wanted to go on rides with you because you made up stories about your stock Miata being fast?

MstrBig > Dsscats
07/17/2014 at 10:54

We'd always go over to Bob's Big Boy in Burbank on Saturday night when people would fill the parking lot with their restored classic cars.

OmegaEGG > Dsscats
07/17/2014 at 11:03

People have been playing too much Midnight Club: LA.

Poundingsand > Dsscats
07/17/2014 at 11:09

"I'd be happy to take you to some events if you stay near me."

-Haha, I read that as "stay close, kid. It's dangerous out here!"

There is a pretty good car culture out here. There is a decent Sunday morning gathering not too far from me, at the Topanga Mall. Everything from American muscle to Lamborghini and Ferrari galore. Some very nice cars; it's a shame so many owners of the exotics drive like douches when they leave. Kids...

shieldsdb > Dsscats
07/17/2014 at 11:31

Good to know. I'll be in Oxnard for work next month. It will be too easy to drive down to LA at night.

TheCrudMan > AM3R
07/17/2014 at 11:50

Don't call it Cali.

Andrew T. Maness > AM3R
07/17/2014 at 11:52

Look for a place on AirBnB or HomeAway. Hotels are fked out there, even shit ones in the valley think their rooms are worth $100 a night.

For transportation rent yourself a ride from the geniuses at SilverCar. For around $67 a day you can cruise around our pothole ridden city in the comfort of a new A4. I don't understand how people rent from anyone else when they come here.

cardriverx > Kin Polaj
07/17/2014 at 12:01

It will be the best thing you have ever done in your life. I am just about to hit my year anniversary of moving from Philly :)

RSWhore > Dsscats
07/17/2014 at 12:01

we ought to get a group of Jalops together and participate in some of this shit. Ever go down to cars and coffee in Irvine, or Supercar Sundays? I have a feeling there's a bunch of us our here in our own disparate scenes.

Smiley Cyrus-Poo > Dsscats
07/17/2014 at 12:05

I'm in OC too. How do we get in touch with you?

Dsscats > Tyler Z
07/17/2014 at 12:24

I go on cruises with a group called Fairlady Generations, which is all the atsun/Nissan guys. It's really cool because they provide lunch and get it sponsored and shit.

Dsscats > Smiley Cyrus-Poo
07/17/2014 at 12:24

Dsscats@gmail.com

Dsscats > RSWhore
07/17/2014 at 12:25

I go to Supercar Sunday often! I drive a white 300ZX, so if you see me, say hi!

Dsscats > Poundingsand
07/17/2014 at 12:26

Yeah, supercar Sunday! I actually got to have lunch with the creator. It was so cool and he was a really nice guy!

Party-vi > meatatarian
07/17/2014 at 12:26

Virginia is teh suck I want MD events!

Dsscats > shieldsdb
07/17/2014 at 12:26

email me at dsscats@gmail.com if you get the chance to go to some events.

moejr > Dsscats
07/17/2014 at 12:42

We used to have a really good weekly car show in Austin (actually Round Rock). I loved that the guys who got most of the attention were the guys who did it all themselves. Some rich guys would show up with some big money cars once in a while but the only ones who really looked at them were the kids. Any real car guy would rather talk to the guy who spent 10 years restoring his '69 z-28 than the guy who just went and bought a new viper or vette. I loved that the owners would talk all day about their cars. For the most part they knew every bolt in them. I miss those summer nights.

CoolhandLuke > Dsscats
07/17/2014 at 12:47

This is amazing. It would seem like South Florida would be attractive to the car scene for the same reason but I don't see any of this. So many nice cars but never together and with people hanging out. Maybe I don't know where to look, but I'd love to see a Cars & Coffee in Miami.

Poundingsand > Dsscats
07/17/2014 at 12:52

I've never actually stopped in, just driven by and enjoyed the view over the shrubs. I literally live about two blocks from there, toward Shoup. Now I have a reason to stop by, I guess! Will definitely say hi one of these days.

Dsscats > OmegaEGG
07/17/2014 at 12:54

That made me giggle. In reality, the racing scene was much bigger 5-7 years ago, but the cops shut that down and it was a very good thing, considering there were a lot of injuries and accidents.

Dsscats > MstrBig
07/17/2014 at 12:55

It's now Friday night. If you're still in LA, you should go again! They generally get some pretty cool stuff, like a Bricklin SV1 and some insane Plymouth wagon.

Dsscats > gc8foreva
07/17/2014 at 12:56

You willing to come up to Irvine?

Dsscats > Poundingsand
07/17/2014 at 12:57

What do you drive? Also, it's so worth going in.

Tyler Z > Dsscats
07/17/2014 at 13:12

Yeah, I eventually found a Miata group that made semi-regular spirited runs through the mountains just east of San Jose. I just lost interest in cruising and parking.

Poundingsand > Dsscats
07/17/2014 at 13:22

Not sure anything worthy of parking there, I'm afraid. haha

Currently:

2000 Eclipse GS, 2002 Tundra, 2005 BMW 330i E46, and 1964 Baja Bug (barely street legal - or not).

Dsscats > Poundingsand
07/17/2014 at 13:25

Definitely the Baja Bug!

Ted Ladue > Dsscats
07/17/2014 at 13:29

you had me at slammed hilux.

coz312 > Manuél Ferrari
07/17/2014 at 13:32

Such an LA thing to say!

OmegaEGG > Dsscats
07/17/2014 at 13:41

Most interesting. I will have to look it up.

LJ909 > Dsscats
07/17/2014 at 13:43

Ive been to some of these night meets before. It really is like some Fast & Furious shit out there. Its great to do this stuff especially if its at the beach. Then everyone heads to In n Out since they dont close till like 1am.

Poundingsand > Dsscats
07/17/2014 at 13:49

I may have to do that!

Manuél Ferrari > coz312
07/17/2014 at 14:03

(except i'm not in LA and don't really like it, but shhhh don't tell the OP!)

subarufun > Dsscats
07/17/2014 at 14:06

Up in Glendale til the end of Aug wouldn't mind tagging along. Or some good info on where/when meets are

Dsscats > subarufun
07/17/2014 at 14:08

Email me at dsscats@gmail.com

JohnnyMayday > Dsscats
07/17/2014 at 14:10

I think this about sums it up.

AM3R > fivepointnine
07/17/2014 at 14:12

DC has all the cool cars (tons of BMW M's, AMG's, and S- cars) but all the meets I know of besides C&C are small.

AM3R > ThatbastardKurtis
07/17/2014 at 14:15

True, but it's a pain hitting those during rush hour. I will admit, you do see tons of nice cars. Especially on 28 if you drive by the Lambo dealership.

AM3R > Viperfan1
07/17/2014 at 14:15

Centreville. I drive a BMW 328i.

71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors > Dsscats
07/17/2014 at 14:16

Where does one find out about these meets?

AM3R > Andrew T. Maness
07/17/2014 at 14:17

thanks for the heads up. I'm familiar with silvercar. Another member on Oppo used them on his trip out west.

Poundingsand > Dsscats
07/17/2014 at 14:18

However, it's no show car.

It was partially an attempt to beak my automotive OCD. And it worked; it looks like shit! haha

AM3R > Doug Nash
07/17/2014 at 14:20

You should see how much rain we've been getting in the DC area. It was basically a thunderstorm every evening for almost a week.

Dsscats > 71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors
07/17/2014 at 14:21

Facebook, nearly always. Other than that, word of mouth

AM3R > ChoamNomski
07/17/2014 at 14:23

I'm way up by DC but I've been trying to make it down. It'll be a looooong drive but it definitely seems worth it.

AM3R > meatatarian
07/17/2014 at 14:24

I usually go to both C&C, I'm usually at fair oaks ever week because it's only 10 minutes away.

How big are the fairfax corner meets on Mondays? I know there's usually a BMW meet on Thursdays but I don't know if that still goes on.

AM3R > C-Rod
07/17/2014 at 14:25

I've never bought a high performance summer tire before. I need to fix that!

AM3R > heeltoehero
07/17/2014 at 14:27

Westchester sounds a lot like where I live. Northern Virginia is excellent for car spotting but the the culture isn't good. There's a few good meets and then everything else is just something you stumble upon. Can't find info on meets anywhere.

AM3R > drdude
07/17/2014 at 14:30

it's somewhat like that in VA but the meets won't be big at all. I used to go hang out with some STi owners on Wednesdays but it eventually got boring being 4 cars total..