Enough is Enough!!! Life With a Modified Car in Cali.
Enough is Enough!!! Life With a Modified Car in Cali.
Hey all...
I'm sure i'm not the only one that has noticed a seemingly state-wide crackdown on modified cars lately.
Videos turn up, you hear stories from buddies, you read about it online... it's beginning to be all too commonplace.
Harrassment from local law enforcement and the CHP appear to be at an alarming rate.
I only call it harrassment because it's unfair.
Let me explain.
A G35 coupe gets pulled over for a modified exhaust.
Yet, a Harley Davidson motorcycle loud enough to crack bank-teller windows isn't even looked at.
It seems to be a trend lately.
Moreso than it used to be.
Some cops are openly admitting to being told from the higher ups to target modified cars.
Now, is it just me, or does that kinda sound... unconstitutional?
I think that's borderline discrimination, or profiling even.
Granted, messing around with emissions is illegal and detrimental to the environment.
But since when did putting rims on your car make u the scourge of society?
And IMO, as long as u're within state emissions/decibel parameters, modifying your exhaust should not be a big deal.
But a lot of us blame the cops that pull us over.
Yes, some cops are bitter, cranky, insecure... u name it.
They see a fixed up car and decide to flex the badge muscles like Arnold.
But they're not the only ones to blame.
I'm definitely not the biggest fan of cops, but to an extent, they're doing their jobs.
They've got bills to pay and mouths to feed, too.
You don't cuss out the waiter for bad food, u cuss em out for bad service.
I've been a victim of HORRIBLE service on the part of many cops.
But the REAL PROBLEM is WHAT they're serving me.
It's drilled down on cops from above.
Whether they're writing tickets to meet invisible/non-existant quotas to keep their jobs or vacation times...
or if it's just their excuse to stop you and write you a ticket for being at the wrong place at the wrong time...
It's not cool.
Me, i'm an amiable member of society.
I go to work, put in my hours, come back home, make my money, pay my dues(taxes), and i'd like to spend some of it on my car.
And as long as those modifications are within legal parameters, i don't want to be harrassed about them... or singled out because of them.
But lately, it's clearly evident that modified cars have a huge target on their backs.
This past week, i've heard friends complain about how a STOCK car was going faster than they were, yet they were pulled over and cited for speeding.
One was leading, the other was was trailing, neither of them racing.
They both had one thing in common: they're cars were visibly modified.
Hell, in one case, the cop put down he was going 82mph when he was actually going 65mph in a 65mph zone!
I'm getting tired of it.
Tired of experiencing it, hearing about it, dealing with it.
But then again, i don't feel like selling my car or putting it back to stock.
It's my right to modify (within legal limits) and privelege not to be harrassed or singled out for it.
Something has to be done.
Not just talk about it, we need to do something about it.
We all live in California.
Which is part of the United States.
Freakin America.
A nation founded on ideals of individuality and independence.
A nation that broke off from a restricting England, fought against Communism, but look at this...
It's almost as if they want us all to be un-modified, un-individual, and to conform to what THEY want.
THEY being those in power and setting these rules and regulations.
I don't want to conform.
I don't want a stock car.
BOTTOM LINE:
My tax dollars shouldn't bankroll the government to employ cops to harrass/cite me for exercising my right to be (legally) individualistic.
That's basically what is going on.
Everyone suffers.
Consumers (like me), Vendors, Distributors...
Aftermarket companies should be outraged.
Their livelihood is already at risk, if this continues, no one will modify their cars period.
Everyone suffers...
except those that put these rules and regulations in place and those that enforce them.
This goes beyond all lines.
Whether u drive a Honda, Nissan, Toyota, Scion, Mistubishi, Subaru, etc.
(notice the JDM companies listed?)
Or if you like HKS, TEIN, ARC, NISMO, TRD, etc.
(notice the JDM companies again)
Please pardon my ranting and raving.
I just had to get it off my chest.
But i really would like to see something happen.
It just seems like we're all just letting it happen without a fight.
We have the right to buy cars we like and do what we will with them.
And as long as it's done within legal parameters, to single out or target modified cars is WRONG.
If anyone thinks i'm overreacting, please be my guest and tell me so.
I'll pipe down and stay quiet.
But at this moment, i'm seriously bothered by what is going on.
It's just WRONG.
Just my honest opinion, take it or leave it...
That is all,
DRU
I'm sure i'm not the only one that has noticed a seemingly state-wide crackdown on modified cars lately.
Videos turn up, you hear stories from buddies, you read about it online... it's beginning to be all too commonplace.
Harrassment from local law enforcement and the CHP appear to be at an alarming rate.
I only call it harrassment because it's unfair.
Let me explain.
A G35 coupe gets pulled over for a modified exhaust.
Yet, a Harley Davidson motorcycle loud enough to crack bank-teller windows isn't even looked at.
It seems to be a trend lately.
Moreso than it used to be.
Some cops are openly admitting to being told from the higher ups to target modified cars.
Now, is it just me, or does that kinda sound... unconstitutional?
I think that's borderline discrimination, or profiling even.
Granted, messing around with emissions is illegal and detrimental to the environment.
But since when did putting rims on your car make u the scourge of society?
And IMO, as long as u're within state emissions/decibel parameters, modifying your exhaust should not be a big deal.
But a lot of us blame the cops that pull us over.
Yes, some cops are bitter, cranky, insecure... u name it.
They see a fixed up car and decide to flex the badge muscles like Arnold.
But they're not the only ones to blame.
I'm definitely not the biggest fan of cops, but to an extent, they're doing their jobs.
They've got bills to pay and mouths to feed, too.
You don't cuss out the waiter for bad food, u cuss em out for bad service.
I've been a victim of HORRIBLE service on the part of many cops.
But the REAL PROBLEM is WHAT they're serving me.
It's drilled down on cops from above.
Whether they're writing tickets to meet invisible/non-existant quotas to keep their jobs or vacation times...
or if it's just their excuse to stop you and write you a ticket for being at the wrong place at the wrong time...
It's not cool.
Me, i'm an amiable member of society.
I go to work, put in my hours, come back home, make my money, pay my dues(taxes), and i'd like to spend some of it on my car.
And as long as those modifications are within legal parameters, i don't want to be harrassed about them... or singled out because of them.
But lately, it's clearly evident that modified cars have a huge target on their backs.
This past week, i've heard friends complain about how a STOCK car was going faster than they were, yet they were pulled over and cited for speeding.
One was leading, the other was was trailing, neither of them racing.
They both had one thing in common: they're cars were visibly modified.
Hell, in one case, the cop put down he was going 82mph when he was actually going 65mph in a 65mph zone!
I'm getting tired of it.
Tired of experiencing it, hearing about it, dealing with it.
But then again, i don't feel like selling my car or putting it back to stock.
It's my right to modify (within legal limits) and privelege not to be harrassed or singled out for it.
Something has to be done.
Not just talk about it, we need to do something about it.
We all live in California.
Which is part of the United States.
Freakin America.
A nation founded on ideals of individuality and independence.
A nation that broke off from a restricting England, fought against Communism, but look at this...
It's almost as if they want us all to be un-modified, un-individual, and to conform to what THEY want.
THEY being those in power and setting these rules and regulations.
I don't want to conform.
I don't want a stock car.
BOTTOM LINE:
My tax dollars shouldn't bankroll the government to employ cops to harrass/cite me for exercising my right to be (legally) individualistic.
That's basically what is going on.
Everyone suffers.
Consumers (like me), Vendors, Distributors...
Aftermarket companies should be outraged.
Their livelihood is already at risk, if this continues, no one will modify their cars period.
Everyone suffers...
except those that put these rules and regulations in place and those that enforce them.
This goes beyond all lines.
Whether u drive a Honda, Nissan, Toyota, Scion, Mistubishi, Subaru, etc.
(notice the JDM companies listed?)
Or if you like HKS, TEIN, ARC, NISMO, TRD, etc.
(notice the JDM companies again)
Please pardon my ranting and raving.
I just had to get it off my chest.
But i really would like to see something happen.
It just seems like we're all just letting it happen without a fight.
We have the right to buy cars we like and do what we will with them.
And as long as it's done within legal parameters, to single out or target modified cars is WRONG.
If anyone thinks i'm overreacting, please be my guest and tell me so.
I'll pipe down and stay quiet.
But at this moment, i'm seriously bothered by what is going on.
It's just WRONG.
Just my honest opinion, take it or leave it...
That is all,
DRU
Last edited by MEECHIN; Mar 28, 2006 at 12:35 AM.
I guess you can say I have been pretty lucky. If you have ever read any of my past posts relating to getting pulled over, I think I have just been really lucky with being personable with officers to get off. As a matter of fact, I was pulled over this past week on Brookhurst and Garden grove blvd for taking a corner pretty quick. To me it was the perfect apex and no tire squeel
, but of course from a cop's perspective I flew around the corner pretty quick. He lit me up, and he said "You went around that corner pretty fast. Why are you in such a hurry?"
I told him that I needed to take a crap and lived down the street, which was true and he just checked to see if I had any warrants, was on probation, or parole and then let me go. As I was driving off I heard a female laugh, which I think was the 2nd cop car behind me. I think he shared my #2 story with her hahaha
, but of course from a cop's perspective I flew around the corner pretty quick. He lit me up, and he said "You went around that corner pretty fast. Why are you in such a hurry?" I told him that I needed to take a crap and lived down the street, which was true and he just checked to see if I had any warrants, was on probation, or parole and then let me go. As I was driving off I heard a female laugh, which I think was the 2nd cop car behind me. I think he shared my #2 story with her hahaha
Get outta here fuvkers Trending Topics
The problem is not the cops, IMO. The problem is the people that ruin it for everyone else. I would be willing to bet, that if there were not a bunch of problems with people street racing then we would not be harassed as much. The other thing is that when we do this stuff to our cars we know that we run the risk of being pulled over, in essence it is somethign that you signed up for when you put that exhaust on your car. I agree with you about the exhaust noise though, why can a motorcycle have the loudest exhaust on the road, but not a car.
The law says that you can 92 db, well I went to Laguna Seca last week and found that at WOT I was at 95, so as long as your not at WOT you can tell the cop your exhaust is not that loud. Mine is pretty loud as to date I personally have not heard one louder.
If you do not like the cops harassing you then either move or take the mods off your car. We can complain all we want it won't change anything.
The law says that you can 92 db, well I went to Laguna Seca last week and found that at WOT I was at 95, so as long as your not at WOT you can tell the cop your exhaust is not that loud. Mine is pretty loud as to date I personally have not heard one louder.
If you do not like the cops harassing you then either move or take the mods off your car. We can complain all we want it won't change anything.
buy a Mustang Cobra Lite it up with everything possible and you wont get harased. trust me I know i did and never got harased.. now im in the Z all whipped up and im frieghtened to drive my beast
I seriously have concerns over even stricter enforcement after Fast & the Furious 3 comes out... well if you can't beat em' join em. I guess I'll go sign up for the Police Academy during the summer lol.
I was ticketed in costa mesa once for no front plate. while he was writing up the ticket I pointed out every single car that passed that did not have front plates, there was another parked truck next to me that had no plates. I asked why he wasn't writing them tix. hes response hey its only a fix it tix.jus pay ur fees
Originally Posted by LATEZ
I was ticketed in costa mesa once for no front plate. while he was writing up the ticket I pointed out every single car that passed that did not have front plates, there was another parked truck next to me that had no plates. I asked why he wasn't writing them tix. hes response hey its only a fix it tix.jus pay ur fees
The reason why they dont have sound laws for motorcycles is because there aren't as many motorcycles as there are motor vehicles. But yes I agree, the police officers do go after modified vehicles. I think its because of ricers and stupid movies like fast and furious.
Originally Posted by MEECHIN
Hey all...
I'm sure i'm not the only one that has noticed a seemingly state-wide crackdown on modified cars lately.
Videos turn up, you hear stories from buddies, you read about it online... it's beginning to be all too commonplace.
Harrassment from local law enforcement and the CHP appear to be at an alarming rate.
I only call it harrassment because it's unfair.
Let me explain.
A G35 coupe gets pulled over for a modified exhaust.
Yet, a Harley Davidson motorcycle loud enough to crack bank-teller windows isn't even looked at.
It seems to be a trend lately.
Moreso than it used to be.
Some cops are openly admitting to being told from the higher ups to target modified cars.
Now, is it just me, or does that kinda sound... unconstitutional?
I think that's borderline discrimination, or profiling even.
Granted, messing around with emissions is illegal and detrimental to the environment.
But since when did putting rims on your car make u the scourge of society?
And IMO, as long as u're within state emissions/decibel parameters, modifying your exhaust should not be a big deal.
But a lot of us blame the cops that pull us over.
Yes, some cops are bitter, cranky, insecure... u name it.
They see a fixed up car and decide to flex the badge muscles like Arnold.
But they're not the only ones to blame.
I'm definitely not the biggest fan of cops, but to an extent, they're doing their jobs.
They've got bills to pay and mouths to feed, too.
You don't cuss out the waiter for bad food, u cuss em out for bad service.
I've been a victim of HORRIBLE service on the part of many cops.
But the REAL PROBLEM is WHAT they're serving me.
It's drilled down on cops from above.
Whether they're writing tickets to meet invisible/non-existant quotas to keep their jobs or vacation times...
or if it's just their excuse to stop you and write you a ticket for being at the wrong place at the wrong time...
It's not cool.
Me, i'm an amiable member of society.
I go to work, put in my hours, come back home, make my money, pay my dues(taxes), and i'd like to spend some of it on my car.
And as long as those modifications are within legal parameters, i don't want to be harrassed about them... or singled out because of them.
But lately, it's clearly evident that modified cars have a huge target on their backs.
This past week, i've heard friends complain about how a STOCK car was going faster than they were, yet they were pulled over and cited for speeding.
One was leading, the other was was trailing, neither of them racing.
They both had one thing in common: they're cars were visibly modified.
Hell, in one case, the cop put down he was going 82mph when he was actually going 65mph in a 65mph zone!
I'm getting tired of it.
Tired of experiencing it, hearing about it, dealing with it.
But then again, i don't feel like selling my car or putting it back to stock.
It's my right to modify (within legal limits) and privelege not to be harrassed or singled out for it.
Something has to be done.
Not just talk about it, we need to do something about it.
We all live in California.
Which is part of the United States.
Freakin America.
A nation founded on ideals of individuality and independence.
A nation that broke off from a restricting England, fought against Communism, but look at this...
It's almost as if they want us all to be un-modified, un-individual, and to conform to what THEY want.
THEY being those in power and setting these rules and regulations.
I don't want to conform.
I don't want a stock car.
BOTTOM LINE:
My tax dollars shouldn't bankroll the government to employ cops to harrass/cite me for exercising my right to be (legally) individualistic.
That's basically what is going on.
Everyone suffers.
Consumers (like me), Vendors, Distributors...
Aftermarket companies should be outraged.
Their livelihood is already at risk, if this continues, no one will modify their cars period.
Everyone suffers...
except those that put these rules and regulations in place and those that enforce them.
This goes beyond all lines.
Whether u drive a Honda, Nissan, Toyota, Scion, Mistubishi, Subaru, etc.
(notice the JDM companies listed?)
Or if you like HKS, TEIN, ARC, NISMO, TRD, etc.
(notice the JDM companies again)
Please pardon my ranting and raving.
I just had to get it off my chest.
But i really would like to see something happen.
It just seems like we're all just letting it happen without a fight.
We have the right to buy cars we like and do what we will with them.
And as long as it's done within legal parameters, to single out or target modified cars is WRONG.
If anyone thinks i'm overreacting, please be my guest and tell me so.
I'll pipe down and stay quiet.
But at this moment, i'm seriously bothered by what is going on.
It's just WRONG.
Just my honest opinion, take it or leave it...
That is all,
DRU
I'm sure i'm not the only one that has noticed a seemingly state-wide crackdown on modified cars lately.
Videos turn up, you hear stories from buddies, you read about it online... it's beginning to be all too commonplace.
Harrassment from local law enforcement and the CHP appear to be at an alarming rate.
I only call it harrassment because it's unfair.
Let me explain.
A G35 coupe gets pulled over for a modified exhaust.
Yet, a Harley Davidson motorcycle loud enough to crack bank-teller windows isn't even looked at.
It seems to be a trend lately.
Moreso than it used to be.
Some cops are openly admitting to being told from the higher ups to target modified cars.
Now, is it just me, or does that kinda sound... unconstitutional?
I think that's borderline discrimination, or profiling even.
Granted, messing around with emissions is illegal and detrimental to the environment.
But since when did putting rims on your car make u the scourge of society?
And IMO, as long as u're within state emissions/decibel parameters, modifying your exhaust should not be a big deal.
But a lot of us blame the cops that pull us over.
Yes, some cops are bitter, cranky, insecure... u name it.
They see a fixed up car and decide to flex the badge muscles like Arnold.
But they're not the only ones to blame.
I'm definitely not the biggest fan of cops, but to an extent, they're doing their jobs.
They've got bills to pay and mouths to feed, too.
You don't cuss out the waiter for bad food, u cuss em out for bad service.
I've been a victim of HORRIBLE service on the part of many cops.
But the REAL PROBLEM is WHAT they're serving me.
It's drilled down on cops from above.
Whether they're writing tickets to meet invisible/non-existant quotas to keep their jobs or vacation times...
or if it's just their excuse to stop you and write you a ticket for being at the wrong place at the wrong time...
It's not cool.
Me, i'm an amiable member of society.
I go to work, put in my hours, come back home, make my money, pay my dues(taxes), and i'd like to spend some of it on my car.
And as long as those modifications are within legal parameters, i don't want to be harrassed about them... or singled out because of them.
But lately, it's clearly evident that modified cars have a huge target on their backs.
This past week, i've heard friends complain about how a STOCK car was going faster than they were, yet they were pulled over and cited for speeding.
One was leading, the other was was trailing, neither of them racing.
They both had one thing in common: they're cars were visibly modified.
Hell, in one case, the cop put down he was going 82mph when he was actually going 65mph in a 65mph zone!
I'm getting tired of it.
Tired of experiencing it, hearing about it, dealing with it.
But then again, i don't feel like selling my car or putting it back to stock.
It's my right to modify (within legal limits) and privelege not to be harrassed or singled out for it.
Something has to be done.
Not just talk about it, we need to do something about it.
We all live in California.
Which is part of the United States.
Freakin America.
A nation founded on ideals of individuality and independence.
A nation that broke off from a restricting England, fought against Communism, but look at this...
It's almost as if they want us all to be un-modified, un-individual, and to conform to what THEY want.
THEY being those in power and setting these rules and regulations.
I don't want to conform.
I don't want a stock car.
BOTTOM LINE:
My tax dollars shouldn't bankroll the government to employ cops to harrass/cite me for exercising my right to be (legally) individualistic.
That's basically what is going on.
Everyone suffers.
Consumers (like me), Vendors, Distributors...
Aftermarket companies should be outraged.
Their livelihood is already at risk, if this continues, no one will modify their cars period.
Everyone suffers...
except those that put these rules and regulations in place and those that enforce them.
This goes beyond all lines.
Whether u drive a Honda, Nissan, Toyota, Scion, Mistubishi, Subaru, etc.
(notice the JDM companies listed?)
Or if you like HKS, TEIN, ARC, NISMO, TRD, etc.
(notice the JDM companies again)
Please pardon my ranting and raving.
I just had to get it off my chest.
But i really would like to see something happen.
It just seems like we're all just letting it happen without a fight.
We have the right to buy cars we like and do what we will with them.
And as long as it's done within legal parameters, to single out or target modified cars is WRONG.
If anyone thinks i'm overreacting, please be my guest and tell me so.
I'll pipe down and stay quiet.
But at this moment, i'm seriously bothered by what is going on.
It's just WRONG.
Just my honest opinion, take it or leave it...
That is all,
DRU
Originally Posted by Beer Goggles
How about all the trucks jacked to the moon with illegal 28" wheels?
This is why I chose my mods carefully and I try to maintain a sleeper look. I won't even do wheels on my car let alone a tint job. I have an exhaust but keep it under 4k around town. Although Apex does have some awesome valve controls for their exhaust. I might invest in that.
Yes living in the P.R.O.C. has many costs. Earthquakes, fires, floods, anti-tuner police. But I love the 330 days a year of sunshine, ocean, nice temps, low humidity, no mosquitos, mountains, valleys, it's got lots of green!
Yes living in the P.R.O.C. has many costs. Earthquakes, fires, floods, anti-tuner police. But I love the 330 days a year of sunshine, ocean, nice temps, low humidity, no mosquitos, mountains, valleys, it's got lots of green!
Originally Posted by Navygolf13
The problem is the people that ruin it for everyone else. I would be willing to bet, that if there were not a bunch of problems with people street racing then we would not be harassed as much.
Hence why most cops stereotype Modified Cars = Street Racers. Notice that their "main" reason in pulling over modified cars is to prevent street racing which IMO is just as stupid as Taxas' recent arrests of people caught drunk in bars to prevent drunk driving. I can totally understand their intent but they're definitely going about it the wrong way
Last edited by GTNPU Z; Mar 28, 2006 at 02:42 PM.