[TheLiverBird]

Here in the UK we don't really have vanity plates (apart from on large HGVs) - our equivalent is private plates (PPs) that replace the registration plate the government assigns to all new cars.

Similarly though there are very polarised views on them. Some hate them and think they indicate you're some sort of complete dick! However, some like myself think that are fine and see them as a bit of a laugh and a way to individualise their car. I have one that shows my affinity to a particular football team, others have them that spell out initials, words (within reason and nothing too suggestive is allowed!!) dates etc. They cost anything from a few hundred pounds to many hundreds of thousands of pounds. TBH my PP is the only thing that I've bought to do with a car thats actually appreciated in value - I bought it for £600 about 10 years ago, and similar style plates are now going for upwards of 2 and 3 thousand pounds. Another reason they sell quite well is that they hide the age of the car, so when I turned up with my 'new' car on a private plate everyone thought it was a new car. It wasn't, it was 18 months old, but who am I to correct them?

[RoundelM3]

I wrote an article for my BMW CCA chapter's monthly newsletter in TX a few years back about the history of license plates, going back to the days when you put a tag on your radiator. Theose evolved into plates made of wood, leather, and finally, stamped metal. At one point, you had to get new plates every year. It was quite a while before customized or "vanity" plates became available, and (only in Texas would this be true), there was an option back in the 1970s for a vanity plate made out of real gold. I imagine those found a home on 1975 Eldorado convertibles with longhorn-steer horns on the hood and leopard/zebra/other big-game-hide seats. You have to wonder what secured them to the cars that would deter thieves.

Self-expression through the use of vanity plates, bumper stickers, and rear-window decals (don't you just love the daddy-mommy-kid-kid-dog ones on mini-vans and SUV's, along with the soccer balls with the kid's name?) is rampant. Depends on your personality and how big an idiot you want to appear to be or how many arguments you want to start with those who don't share your views. It's like wearing a cowboy hat into a bar in NYC - it might end in a fistfight. I'd say the rule of thumb is do whatever pleases you, as long as you're prepared for the inevitable consequences.

[andrew 330i]

~ personal preference I say... If you want it, get it. I see nothing wrong with it. So if you don't like after a year... go back to the standard plates.

Cheers!

[TheBimmerFiend]

It's your car so just do what makes you happy! I have never cared and never will care if people think I'm a dick or a douche for owning a BMW with vanity plates.

[born_on_halloween]

maybe it's me but special plates scare me, i had VLKN once lol my name with the 1 letter after V, now I am thinking maybe stupid but, easy to remember with the cops or idk lol

[JKeats]

I just moved to somewhere that seems to be obsessed with vanity plates. I think it is funny, and have taken to snapping pictures of the more ridiculous ones I see. Some recent winners:

GLTN FREE
BMW PWER
BMIN 98
HAP E VAN
HBE JBES
WEED SMKR (with Jesus Fish on bumper)

[twincam23]

here's a good one. soooo good I had to take a picture.

[twincam23]

Originally Posted by vknyvz

maybe it's me but special plates scare me, i had VLKN once lol my name with the 1 letter after V, now I am thinking maybe stupid but, easy to remember with the cops or idk lol

well stop doing illegal shit and the cops will leave you alone.

[Thumper333]

Originally Posted by twincam23

here's a good one. soooo good I had to take a picture.

Should be DVR FAIL

LOL "Hi, I live in LA (guessing form the plate and the palm trees.....and the car), I need a big 4WD to go to the store....." LMAO

Originally Posted by twincam23

well stop doing illegal shit and the cops will leave you alone.

Almost spit water on my keyboard, thanks.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

A vanity plate makes you a douche in the eyes of those who don't have one, but driving a Bimmer makes you a douche in the eyes of those who don't drive one, so what the heck. Unless you live in a neighborhood where being perceived as a douche leads to jealous jerks vandalizing your car, in which case you might not want to appear to them to be a double douche, therefore doubling their reasons to do your car ill.

So....

DBL DUCSH

[caligirl310]

Originally Posted by twincam23

here's a good one. soooo good I had to take a picture.

I have taken a picture of that same truck! LOL!

[caligirl310]

Here in California, vanity plates are popular. I like reading them and sometimes figuring out what they mean. I take pictures of the good ones.

If you want to personalize it. Do it. It's your car and your money.

[capt_slow]

The best one I've seen was a White Ford Bronco with the plate "NOT OJS". Although a quick Google shows there's one for every state.

That said, I like standard plates myself since I like to stay under the radar. At least for CA, it's always fun to guess what plate you're going to get since they are sequentially issued with the first two characters: 7A...7B...7C...etc.

I wanted a 7A plate for my car, but ended up with a 7C.

[rikwynnpa]

I did a vanity plate of my ED Germany plate number and very few ever realized it was the same as number as the Germany plate on the front. Guess it wasn't memorable enough but I liked the idea!

[CalCarNut]

I've had personalized plates on a few of my cars. My Impala has one...thought about transferring it over but I can actually get a variation of it if I want. Still playing with the idea. Would have been easier had I known what I want when the dealer filled out the DMV paperwork...that way the first title of the car has the personalized plate too. They are a bit easy to remember though..so like was said..don't do stupid stuff lol

[LUV335]

Originally Posted by murrays

I've got a Mineral Grey M Sport 335i on order and been thinking of custom plates. I'm on the fence as to whether this will be too tacky or not.

First, the background: I've been an Apple fan since I bought my first Mac in '86 and only became more of a fan since purchasing some Apple stock in '98 at a current cost basis of $1.15

So the plates I'm considering: THX AAPL

Thoughts?

Huh, I have LUV335 for a number plate! The only one in Texas! haters will be haters, do what you like..

[mmmmm235i]

I agree with another poster...as much as I like seeing other people with ridiculous plates I don't want that much attention or that memorable of a plate.

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Have owned cars since 1960 & this is the first & most likely the last vanity plate I will ever do.



Car friendly NCDMV has some nice regulations for antique & replica cars.

[Pamela]

Personally i have nothing to do with this technical things of the cars, but i like that plate idea. It can be easily sort out and changes the whole look of your car.

[Zirenz2006]

If I saw that on a Prius around where I live I wouldn't be surprised, but on a BMW I'd puke in my mouth a little....jmho

[BMWZ4]

Originally Posted by FC4

I'm still wondering why your cost basis is $1.15 and you're driving a 3-Series. Do you only have 5000 shares or something?

After the cap gain tax, not going to be much left of the investment!

[325MBKK]

You guys are blessed with those vanity plates. A simple plate with "XY 555" will cost you around $20,000 here.

The letter 5 is pronounced 'HA' in thai, so 555 would be HAHAHA

Some spoiled college kid bought a plate for over a million USD and slapped it on his Toyota Camry or what ever he was driving. All about 'prestige' here... (and extreme stupidity!)