Custom/Vanity License Plate vs Standard License Plate

[cmyx6go]

Originally Posted by Llarry

A couple of things:
1) All the car makers are going with screens and away from switches and buttons. Good luck trying to avoid that.
2) I haven't driven the Cayenne, but I think the Porsche driving experience is generally superior on all counts, particularly steering.
3) Extended warranty? Yes, it's big bucks. No, it doesn't cover everything. Can you get one from BMW? Otherwise, I think it is buyer beware.
4) Your X6M is gorgeous!

I'd absolutely get an extended warranty. At least I know the first owner didn't trash it.

And thank you. I was nervous with the Marina Bay Blue choice at first, but I'm very happy with it.

[Lady Jane]

Originally Posted by cmyx6go

My lease is up one year from tomorrow. .

Mine is due in nine months and I feel the same way about the direction of BMW.

[vreihen16]

Originally Posted by Llarry

I've only done vanity plates once and then for my Sprinter van.

The vanity plate (and OCD psycho dog) on our almost-Mighty Freightliner Sprinter:

Originally Posted by dradernh

When we lived in New Hampshire and I was paying the bills, I chose a "moose plate" for our Tundra.

I can't imagine living in a state where the prisoners have to make "Live Free or Die" license plates!

Originally Posted by cmyx6go

I don't like the direction BMW and all the car manufacturers are going with all this tech and screen nonsense. I want buttons and an analog instrument cluster, damn it! As it is I feel like I'm driving a video game, the newer models are worse.

Some of the reasons why I bought the almost-Mighty Freightliner last fall! The tech in that thing is 15 years behind the times.....

[cmyx6go]

Originally Posted by vreihen16

The vanity plate (and OCD psycho dog) on our almost-Mighty Freightliner Sprinter:

..

Not even close to my mental image of OCD psycho dog... LOL

Carry on.

[Llarry]

Originally Posted by vreihen16

Some of the reasons why I bought the almost-Mighty Freightliner last fall! The tech in that thing is 15 years behind the times.....

The utility of a Sprinter is impossible to beat. I loved mine for almost 20 years. My 2004 had the excellent 5-cylinder inline turbodiesel and gave me 21-22 miles per gallon all the time I had it. The only reason I sold it was because (1) I was no longer doing Home Depot or farm store runs to buy bulky items for projects around the farm, and (2) those early T1N Sprinters are practically a cult vehicle and the value after all that time -- for an admittedly low-mileage vehicle -- was spectacular: Purchased in early 2004 for under $37K and sold in 2022 for $29K.

Are you sure that dog has a valid license?

[ShopVac]

Originally Posted by dradernh

Seriously, who, living in moose country, wouldn't want a plate with a moose on it?

Similar here in PA - I think we had about 30 different plates with the designs/organizations, but ours are a 1 time fee at the purchase. The state changed these recently, so now they are the standard white plate with a small square of the picture. All my cars have the rail road - wifey's one has a tiger.

[ShopVac]

This is what PA's new tiger plate looks like. I wouldn't consider...

[Theruleslawyer]

I kept telling myself I wouldn't do it this time. My car is identifiable enough already. No need to make it easy for little Mrs Pearl Clutcher to call in my car when I have to pass them doing 10 under in the left lane. Nope got one next time my registration was up.

[jmack]

I don't have a custom number but do have the TN Bear plate. Half the fee goes to Smokey Mountain national park, so I don't feel as bad about it.

[Llarry]

Originally Posted by Lady Jane

Mine is due in nine months and I feel the same way about the direction of BMW.

Two words for you, LJ: Porsche Macan.

Our 2021 was the last year with lots of buttons and switches; in 2022 they went to console touch controls, but it is still not the widescreen touch control instrument panel like BMW is doing -- photo attached of a '23. A next-gen Macan is imminent, though, so Porsche may jump on that bandwagon.

The other thing about the Macan is that it is not as roomy as your G01 if that is a priority for you. And of course if you raise your eyebrows at BMW option prices or service costs, Porsche is worse.

[vreihen16]

REAL Porches don't have radiators.....

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by cmyx6go

My lease is up one year from tomorrow. Normally, at this point I'd be starting to get the new car excitement and thinking about my next color. Unfortunately, that is not the case. I don't like the direction BMW and all the car manufacturers are going with all this tech and screen nonsense. I want buttons and an analog instrument cluster, damn it! As it is I feel like I'm driving a video game, the newer models are worse.
Not thrilled with having a vehicle out of warranty but I don't like what's out there. We shall see.

Jesus you Americans are a nervous bunch. I agree 1 million percent in regards to video games and wanting buttons etc, i absolutely despise modern tech. What I don't get is this cold fear of out of warranty. If you car is well maintained and been relatively trouble free, I absolutely guarantee it will be cheaper to run used and out of warranty than it will be to take the depreciation hit on a new lease.

I can't get my head around the "I don't want a once a year $1,500 failure to ambush me so I will pay $900 for four years to be safe" mentality. Unless you feel the engine or gearbox is gonna lunch itself, find a good indy and drive the thing another 10 years.

[cmyx6go]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

Jesus you Americans are a nervous bunch. I agree 1 million percent in regards to video games and wanting buttons etc, i absolutely despise modern tech. What I don't get is this cold fear of out of warranty. If you car is well maintained and been relatively trouble free, I absolutely guarantee it will be cheaper to run used and out of warranty than it will be to take the depreciation hit on a new lease.

I can't get my head around the "I don't want a once a year $1,500 failure to ambush me so I will pay $900 for four years to be safe" mentality. Unless you feel the engine or gearbox is gonna lunch itself, find a good indy and drive the thing another 10 years.

It's the tech stuff going bad that scares me more than the mechanical. I maintain my vehicles and have low miles so I will still have a year left on original warranty.

[Watching The World Burn]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

Jesus you Americans are a nervous bunch. I agree 1 million percent in regards to video games and wanting buttons etc, i absolutely despise modern tech. What I don't get is this cold fear of out of warranty. If you car is well maintained and been relatively trouble free, I absolutely guarantee it will be cheaper to run used and out of warranty than it will be to take the depreciation hit on a new lease.

I can't get my head around the "I don't want a once a year $1,500 failure to ambush me so I will pay $900 for four years to be safe" mentality. Unless you feel the engine or gearbox is gonna lunch itself, find a good indy and drive the thing another 10 years.

Well...$1,500 a year is more expensive than $900 a year for four years, so....


I can understand the mentality though, within reason. They want something new, and they don't want to overly worry they'll be standing on the side of the road by their vehicle hoping they have cell coverage in whatever area they broke down in. I mean, I do it. Though I also have owned a car that I planned to drive into the ground, and had a good six years with it until insurance wrote it off...would have I'm sure driven it for at least another four years.

[Alfisti]

$1K here and there is chump change compared to a lease, if you like the car keep it and drive it. Obviously if you lose an engine or tranny that math starts to fall apart.

This is why I still drive a 2008 9-3 as a DD. Yeah I spent about $7K last three years fixing the dang thing but the cheapest lease in Canada is $350 a month, that'd be $13K over that period and the new car would be small, less comfortable and more hassle tech wise.

[mcsquared]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

Jesus you Americans are a nervous bunch. I agree 1 million percent in regards to video games and wanting buttons etc, i absolutely despise modern tech. What I don't get is this cold fear of out of warranty. If you car is well maintained and been relatively trouble free, I absolutely guarantee it will be cheaper to run used and out of warranty than it will be to take the depreciation hit on a new lease.

I can't get my head around the "I don't want a once a year $1,500 failure to ambush me so I will pay $900 for four years to be safe" mentality. Unless you feel the engine or gearbox is gonna lunch itself, find a good indy and drive the thing another 10 years.

Makes you wonder why the American automotive industry is so vast. Similar to the phone industry wars! Everybody wants the new stuff!

Me, I plan to keep mine maintained and in good health till I can no longer drive a manual car! Haha. Then, I’ll pass it along to someone in the family.

In any case, back to personal plates. Show some more!!!

[Pool Shark]

Originally Posted by mcsquared

Makes you wonder why the American automotive industry is so vast. Similar to the phone industry wars! Everybody wants the new stuff!

Me, I plan to keep mine maintained and in good health till I can no longer drive a manual car! Haha. Then, I’ll pass it along to someone in the family.

In any case, back to personal plates. Show some more!!!

Admittedly, I have enjoyed this side conversation. But as mcsquared said: anymore peeps with vanity plates?

[Buug959]

I think it suits my "office" very well.

Please ignore the filthy state it's in, it's been raining for days.

[XutvJet]

I have this one on order for my cheap 2011 Cayman:

POOR$HA

Just a one time $40 fee.

[Pool Shark]

Originally Posted by XutvJet

I have this one on order for my cheap 2011 Cayman:

POOR$HA

Just a one time $40 fee.

That is hilarious!!

[mcsquared]

Originally Posted by Pool Shark

That is hilarious!!

+2!

[RickFLM4]

Not mine but wish i thought of it.