Probably moving to California, will I be hassled by the man for driving a low 240sx?

[ronmcdon]

tint & exhaust are the biggest draws to cops.
especially if you have some loud bov going off.

I've gotten pulled over once in 4 yrs of owning my 240,
and that was because of exhaust and tint.
(was super lucky to get away w/ fix-it tickets only)
I need my tint, but I swapped out my exhaust for a more subtle replacement.

Ultimately it's going to be a gamble.
You can do stuff to reduce your chances of getting pulled over,
but you can never guarantee it.
I say just keep your car as sleeper as possible.

Also some areas are worse than others.
The OC/Irvine seems to me like the absolute worst.
The San Fernando Valley and San Gabriel Valley (close to Pasadena) are moderately bad.
West LA, Santa Monica, and Downtown LA seem more laid back.
Hollywood can be hit or miss.

i have been lucky in Pasadena/Atwater Villiage/Burbank/Eagle Rock area so far.

[beb]

Leaving it titled in FL only saves you registration fees.. By law, you are supposed to research on your own and abide by any state laws if you enter that state...

As far as getting hassled, Ive never gotten pulled over for the fact that I am modified. I have had no bad experience with cops in my bright red turbo s2k with bright blue wheels..neither in my flat green s14 with bright pink wheels - both cars had pretty loud exhausts too. Cops (IMO) leave you alone as long as youre not driving like a douchebag (riding ass, switching lanes freq etc).

Good luck on your move!

[RacerX1]

I moved here in August from Chicago and I was planning to go to PCC as well, too bad that school fucking SUCKS, especially if your an out of state student. I have been there at least 20x in the past couple months just trying to get into classes, the people there are rude and fucking stupid.

Sorry, hadda get some frustration out. I have a SR and have my car registered in IL at my dads house under my name. Ive been pulled over twice for my exhaust and I told both cops [as politely as possible] that I am here for school and havent gotten around to registering it, they understood . I also know a guy who has had his registered in North Dakota for 5 years now and hasnt had more than a hiccup.

[kevmeistah21]

Originally Posted by RacerX1

I moved here in August from Chicago and I was planning to go to PCC as well, too bad that school fucking SUCKS, especially if your an out of state student. I have been there at least 20x in the past couple months just trying to get into classes, the people there are rude and fucking stupid.

oh really? i got classes perfectly fine and im not rude nor stupid. K thanks <3

[RacerX1]

Let me correct myself, the employees there are fucking stupid.
Denada

<3

[usdm180sx]

Originally Posted by brndck

both my cars are registered in florida.
i have a fl drivers license.
i've only been pulled over once in the last 2 years (but i drive like a grandma on the streets)
cop couldn't write me up for anything.
i stay in costa mesa when i'm on this coast.
my car is very very very far from stock.

bottom line is there are no guarantees. cops can do whatever they want, and even if they can't make it stick, it can still be a massive hassle/nightmare for you.

Just roll like Tyler and you'll be straight.

[malemodel69]

Only had my 240 for 7 months, and I drive it like i stole it. Believe it or not, I ran a stop sign in front of a cop because it was raining and there was no way i was going to stop and burn out (up hill on super bumpy pavement). Ran it, he gave me a look of dissapointment and shook his head (no ticket). Another time i was going 70mph on a side street (road rage) and pulled up right behind a cop, he weaved his hand out hte window and took off. BOV went off cruising right next to a cop while he had his window open, got a dirty look but kept cruising next to him and guess what, no ticket. Got followed for miles but since my exhaust looks stock and the RB purrs - didn't pull me over. I just pretend like im driving my POS saturn when the cops are around and they don't bother me. Basically it comes down to this, drive it like you don't care that they are following or are next to you and you should be fine, but once they smell fear you are SOL. I get pulled over in my Saturn more than in the 240 (havent been pulled in the 240 yet)...Ohh, must i remind you, motorcycle cops will ruin your day, unless they are busy they will definitely pull you over (they hate cars).....

Yes, i drive like a douchebag, but even so i don't get fucked with. I've stopped after the 70mph incident, i know my luck will run out if i keep it up. But how can you own a 240 and not drive like you're better than everyone else? HAHA.

[ronmcdon]

I think that's the worst advice I've heard in a long time.

I would suggest the more or less the opposite.
Be courteous.
If you have to break the law,
at least be discreet & be aware of your surroundings beforehand.

Most of it is luck.
But that doesn't mean you shouldn't take extra steps to prevent the likelihood of a disaster.

It is really tempting to throw illegal manuevers in LA.
The drivers here in are generally slow & traffic is heavy.
Just please be as careful as possible.

[DUFFM4N]

Originally Posted by beb

Leaving it titled in FL only saves you registration fees.. By law, you are supposed to research on your own and abide by any state laws if you enter that state...

As far as getting hassled, Ive never gotten pulled over for the fact that I am modified. I have had no bad experience with cops in my bright red turbo s2k with bright blue wheels..neither in my flat green s14 with bright pink wheels - both cars had pretty loud exhausts too. Cops (IMO) leave you alone as long as youre not driving like a douchebag (riding ass, switching lanes freq etc).

Good luck on your move!

it helps that you're a girl too

[thatdrifterguy]

wont you have to keep getting it safety checked or something each time you register it with FL?
thats how it works here at least. sorry, might be moving over sometime as well and never thought about these things yet.

[YoungGun]

Don't be a dick when they pull you over.

[fckillerbee]

I drive the car in my sig, ka with no muffler (4 inch )...i drive real slow, stay around the 2k rpm level....stop at stopsigns and mind my own business. I have a few stickers on my car, but its your driving that makes the difference. Oh, and bike cops are out for everyone.

[pinky121388]

dude dont go to cali. everything is all messed up there. go somewhere else. Tree hugging state isnt the state you want to be at. I visited cali and about 3 cars aday were getting pulled over. A few 240s, hondas, and golfs.

[usdm180sx]

Originally Posted by ronmcdon

Ultimately it's going to be a gamble.
You can do stuff to reduce your chances of getting pulled over,
but you can never guarantee it.
I say just keep your car as legit looking as possible. (Front plate, no tint, sleeper exhaust, everything in working order)

Also some areas are worse than others.
The OC/Irvine seems to me like the absolute worst.

This seems pretty accurate. I fixed the part in bold text.

[malemodel69]

Originally Posted by usdm180sx

This seems pretty accurate. I fixed the part in bold text.

I drive like a douche, but i have a catalytic converter on my car and the exhaust is pretty stock looking - low sound and crappy look. But when its at WOT, the RB roars like a lion. Low profile exhaust helps a lot, its always the ricer civics and integras with big fart cans that i see on the side of the road. You have 2 choices when you move here, sell the 240 and get a regular boring POS car, or keep the 240 and make it LOW PRO.

[kevmeistah21]

Originally Posted by malemodel69

I drive like a douche, but i have a catalytic converter on my car and the exhaust is pretty stock looking - low sound and crappy look. But when its at WOT, the RB roars like a lion. Low profile exhaust helps a lot, its always the ricer civics and integras with big fart cans that i see on the side of the road. You have 2 choices when you move here, sell the 240 and get a regular boring POS car, or keep the 240 and make it LOW PRO.

you're a douche...

[sideview_s13]

Leave it registered out of state is your prime choice. Once you have lived in state and get your CA-ID keep your out of state one as well. pull the out of state one when cops hit you up. Use the instate one when you go out to events and such.

[SicBastard]

There is a law that says you have to change your liscense and registration over to CA within 6 weeks of moving to CA. But unless a cop recognizes your car they can't prove it. Try and keep the florida reg as long as possible because CA has their own smog stations that people randomly get selected to go to. There is NO getting around these.

[MisawaJason]

Wow good info. I just got here on Tuesday and was wondering about this stuff

[ronmcdon]

Wait, what if your permanent address is another state outside of CA?
Say you, or a relative own a house out in OR or something like that.
Can you register your car as an OR car & drive it in CA, without having to register it as a CA car?

Thinking about buying an apartment in Portland, and possibly registering the car there.

Perhaps the OP can register is permanent address under the parents'
Not unreasonable given hes moving to CA just for school.

[MADE]

Originally Posted by ronmcdon

Wait, what if your permanent address is another state outside of CA?
Say you, or a relative own a house out in OR or something like that.
Can you register your car as an OR car & drive it in CA, without having to register it as a CA car?

Thinking about buying an apartment in Portland, and possibly registering the car there.

Perhaps the OP can register is permanent address under the parents'
Not unreasonable given hes moving to CA just for school.

It's not the cops who get you with the plates, its the judge when you appear in court. If you military your good anyone else they judge isn't going to listen cause he has heard it before. I seen this first hand in court. Student, temp jobs in CA over 45 day but you live in state X. He didnt care. Maybe it was out of state plate day I dunno.

[RacerX1]

Originally Posted by ronmcdon

Perhaps the OP can register is permanent address under the parents'
Not unreasonable given hes moving to CA just for school.

This is what I am doing.

I am sure there is a law against it, or at least frowned upon...but if its worth the risk to you then why not? If you keep getting pulled over then the cop is going to write you a ticket and your gonna have to deal with it in court eventually.

[MisawaJason]

Originally Posted by MADE

It's not the cops who get you with the plates, its the judge when you appear in court. If you military your good

werd. Half the cars on base have out of state tags

[drift freaq]

Originally Posted by SicBastard

There is a law that says you have to change your liscense and registration over to CA within 6 weeks of moving to CA. But unless a cop recognizes your car they can't prove it. Try and keep the florida reg as long as possible because CA has their own smog stations that people randomly get selected to go to. There is NO getting around these.

Ah if you don't know the laws here do not comment. I.E. pertaining to your random selection statement. All Smog stations in California are licensed by the state. There are two types, Regular ones that can do repairs and Test only stations.
Pertaining to your random statement, cars are randomly selected to be run through test only stations were there bi annual smog is due. It usually happens more to higher mileage cars because they are profiled as being possible higher emitters.

Test only stations are not state stations they are independently owned by state licensed smog techs.

There are referee stations for people who get sent to the ref for violations but thats a whole other ball of wax.

[airhead]

never gotten a ticket or pulled over

tip: put bumper sticker on the back that says"my child is an honor student at XXXXX elemetry"

you will never get pulled over.

[JayDee M Rolly]

just depends in the area you're in really, some cops in some areas are assholes (irvine) and some dont give a shit. just be lucky and keep your driving on check.

[silpena]

you can allway move to a smaller county in cali... i live in a small town where theres only 1 stop sign and like 4-5 cops. Never get pulled over unless its legit stuff to get pulled over. Bad registration, no insurance, car theft, head lights out, no plates, speeding, or annoying gangsta tints. Loud exhaust and all that will get you a look and probably a little bit of a hassle. Cops will tell you its annoying but most of the times it'll be a warning. Some smaller county's are suffering from low budgets and dont wanna waste their time on these.

LIke someone said have everything together. license, registration, insurance ready and your car running tip top!

Sacramento aint that bad.... i just hate the biker cops. Every day i see 2-3 ppl getting tickets on my way to work but alot are ppl speeding so much. I drive a 84 camry so best assure i cannot speed and wont. i learned my lesson

[Deviance]

Hey guys i have a question reguarding the tint issue. If i have a light tint say as 25% or lighter all around on my S14 the cops shouldnt care right? My daily sedan has 5% limo tint all around and I dont get pulled over. I am used to having tint on my cars and I know I cant get away with limo tint on the S14.

[g00se]

A tint is a tint they can/will still pull you over for stupid bs reasons.. btw VC 26708(A) Unlawful material on vehicle windows, is now no longer listed as a Correctable Violation. It may get dismissed if you can show proof of it being removed. If not, you will have to pay a standard fine depending on county and court, and you can be written for the violation again if you do not get it removed.

I ended up picking a used jetta diesel wagon for a daily to avoid the harassment.. that and 220 ft lbs of torque + 40-45 mpg =/

welcome to commiefornia

[RHD95S14]

If you're living out of state for school you don't have to transfer your shit.. Atleast that's what Illinois, Indiana and Missouri have all said. Since I was a student I didn't even have to get state taxes taken out of my paychecks.

I would just keep your FL stuff if you're JUST going to school