The Beginning Of The End For Car Culture In Japan?

Am I overreacting?

I honestly don’t know what to think after seeing these pictures that some friends sent through to me following their experience at Umihotaru Parking Area this past Saturday.

For many years now, 7’s Day celebrations in Tokyo have seen huge gatherings of cars at Daikoku and Umihotaru PAs, and obviously the local police have been quite aware of it. But this year their approach wasn’t so passive.

These photos reflect the scene at Umihotaru’s outside ground floor area where trucks usually park up. The police had set up lights to illuminate the area and were running two separate inspection spots. All cars entering the parking area were filtered through a road block, and any that looked like they might have illegal modifications were sent to the check-over area.

There, shaken test officers went over each car with a fine-tooth comb, looking for anything that would fail the mandatory bi-annual inspection. These included de-cat pipes, exhaust systems without JASMA approval, adjustable suspension arms, big aero and the like.

umihotaru_police_7sday_dino_dalle_carbonare_06

Blake was out cruising that night and sent me the picture above. Apparently Project NSX was waved through, but the almost-stock-looking BNR34 behind him got pulled to one side. Either he was lucky or as he put it, “just respect for the true JDM king, mate.” He might be onto something though as the NSX has always commanded more respect than cheaper tuner cars. It was celebrated in its heyday and people know it and remember it, the police included. Maybe. Or he was just lucky…

This isn’t the first time something like this has happened in Tokyo. The police like to hold these mobile inspections every once in a while at Tatusmi PA, but normally on a smaller scale. But ever since the Hardcore TokyoSuper Street meet at Odaiba Decks last year that made the television news for all the wrong reasons, the police have really ramped things up, obviously unlocking more budget from local governments to crackdown on illegally modified cars. And an operation like this, which would have taken a lot of pre-planning and involved 30 or so officers on the night with big trucks for the lights and a whole lot of other equipment, wouldn’t have been a cheap exercise.

umihotaru_police_7sday_dino_dalle_carbonare_08

As I mentioned in my 7’s Day post from Daikoku PA, Miguel from Newera Imports got caught on his way back home. As soon as the police saw his CR-X SiR they asked for a closer look at it and Miguel obliged; he had just got the shaken on the car in the weeks prior so didn’t expect the inspection to delve too deep.

umihotaru_police_7sday_dino_dalle_carbonare_07

Unfortunately for Miguel, it did. After he passed the shaken test he had refitted adjustable front and rear suspension arms and a de-cat pipe – two things that were spotted straight away. They gave him a little print out that listed the things he has to address before getting his shaken back.

When I spoke to Miguel, he said he wondered what would’ve happened if he had declined the offer for the on-the-spot shaken test. Maybe they aren’t allowed to do one without the consent of the owner? Everyone here is too polite to say no, but Miguel will definitely try if it happens again.

umihotaru_police_7sday_dino_dalle_carbonare_02

Any car caught with more extreme modifications, like aggressive aero parts and super-low ride heights, had one of these ‘Illegal Modified Car’ notices slapped on the windscreen. It can only be removed once the car is returned to a legal state.

The police and shaken inspectors were also paying special attention to cars fitted with temporary red-slash kari-namba plates, which are only supposed to be used when driving a car from a workshop to the shaken center. These have long been used by car guys to drive their heavily modified cars to the track and other events or meets like 7’s Day, but anyone caught on Saturday night would have copped a fine, plus then had to organize a transport truck to get their car back home.

umihotaru_police_7sday_dino_dalle_carbonare_05

At midnight the police packed up and left and a small meet materialized. It’s Japan after all.

So what to make of all this? These sorts of crackdowns can only spell bad things; it’s a step in the wrong direction and I don’t like it one bit. I don’t think the police here are taking notice of the sort of stuff that happens in police states like Australia, this is just their own way of trying to eradicate the problem. Funnily enough, the major complaint that the police get from gatherings at PAs are from truck drivers that show up to park and get a bit of sleep, but find all the truck spots filled up by loud, modified cars. The police need to respond to this, and then it sets the cycle in motion. I guess the best way you can avoid it all is to be smart and prepared; don’t go over the top on your car and know your laws. And if you know the police are planning something, just don’t go there.

Tokyo car culture is still safe for now, but it all depends on the way car enthusiasts respond. Funnily enough, supercar morning meets at Daikoku and Tatsumi never seem to receive even a second glance from the police, but those tend to be frequented by wealthier, older gentlemen with import cars. I’ve never seen a Diablo with a 130db straight-through exhaust and a massive wing get stopped for checks.

Food for thought…

Dino Dalle Carbonare
Instagram: speedhunters_dino
dino@speedhunters.com

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1

Usual Sight here in New Zealand, Not uncommon to come across a Police check point were they have Warrant of Fitness inspectors waiting to go over our cars with a fine tooth comb Especially in the bigger city's or places with large car scene. We have strict rules like, has to be no lower then 100mm at the lowest structural point of the car and if you have adjustable suspension you require certification etc etc etc. if you get caught doing a Burnout they charge you with "sustained loss of traction" and you get your car impounded on the spot for 28days, normally pay around $450 to get it out after that period, plus whatever fine they give you and take your licence of you for 3months and sticker your car ordering it of the road until you get a new Warrant of fitness. Our police have a very strict tolerance to modified or what they call "Boy racer" vehicles. its bullshit in a lot of ways but you learn to adhere by it from the start then you don't have to go through all the shit just to enjoy your pride and joy and the thin blue line doesn't come knocking on your door to take it from you

2

Yeah, but in NZ it really is NOT hard to more or less build whatever you want, and still have it legal. I've got a 350wkw Evo, got mates with 10 second cars etc and unless the cop is having an exceptionally shitty day, I'm confident we can go through any checkpoint and be fine. The rules are pretty clear, and really not that hard to follow - build to the cert requirements, get it certed and you're good to go. I honestly don't understand the "waaah ftp cops stickered my car it's safe as only had cut springs, straight pipes, no wof or rego."

3

Agreed. We can bolt lots on to our cars and if we want to go custom or adjustable then so long as an engineer will cert it as suitable / safe we can do that too.
I do get annoyed with some of the WOF rules or their application (can't have a light bar on my 'wagon but the jacked up 4x4 boofhead crew drive all day with extra lights!?) and how political the LVV office is but we can all get off our asses and change that too.

4

I think we've got it pretty good here. The cert process is ideal, the only negative is that it costs a bit more to do things properly. But do it properly and you can put damn near whatever you want on the road in NZ, and legally. It's a good system. Probably fosters the scene more than it kills it, allows a good group of fabricators and engineers to build a business, which in turn gets quality work out there and so goes the circle...

5

It amazes me that California's car scene has managed to remain so large as well, given how educated their police are on specific modifications. The whole idea of the law having problems with modified cars is ridiculous to me, though. Or even the import law in the US - you can't have a 20 year old Nissan brought in because it doesn't meet modern safety standards, and yet the classics clear back to around 1900 are a-okay to be driven in modern traffic. Not just in regards to cars, either, sometimes I feel like society is evolving backwards. I heard on the news recently that someone's trying to make it a law that young children can't be allowed to play outside unattended. The world is getting closer and closer to Orwell's "1984" vision.

6

The US import rule wasn't about safety. The big makers asked the Federal Govt for grants to retool so they could make better cars to compete with modern imports. The Fed agreed that US makers weren't able to complete and banned the imports rather than subsidise the industry.
Safety is just one of those good excuses. Patriot Act - for your safety. Police trying to force ID people, 'safety'.

7

There's a reason that some of us refer to California as "Soviet Kalifornistan."

It's often difficult to believe that a place that comes down as hard as California does on car mods is actually a part of America.

8

What are you even talking about??? Prove you live here. What's your ZIP?

I've owned NOTHING but modified cars, my entire life (my Volt is stock...it's a lease okay!) and have NEVER been pulled over for mods.

9

Roman, who are you talking to? If me, I live in CO. My limited knowledge of CA's cop-car modder relationship is only what I get from the media outlets. I remember an article in Honda Tuning magazine where one of the writers went on a ride-along with a cop, and from what the guy said, officers in some areas often have a decent understanding of which brands shell out the money for CARB certification, and it's not unheard of for them to ask to look under the hood. Supposedly a fair few stolen engines have been found that way as well.

10

Not you dude, Ice Age...

11

Maybe YOU haven't, but it seems like everybody else has.

What's YOUR ZIP?

12

94538

13

I live CA as as well and its not as bad as these guys make it out to be.... and been modding my car without much bother too just like Roman... unless you guys talking about that sideshow crap, thats another story.

14

I agree. Born and raised California and I'd been driving nothing but modified cars since 87 and have never been harassed. Heck, I drove a 68 gto with a spooled 9" and slicks and was never bothered. As well as a Celica so low it got hung up on speed bumps. Don't believe everything you hear about California, the car scene had nothing really to worry about.

15

Live in Orange County, CA. Had my hood popped once by a motorcycle cop, been told my car looked 'too racey' once by highway patrol... been driving rice burners for the past 12 years, always had a loud exhaust. Never been reffed, haven't been pulled over for 'mods' in over 8 years. Currently driving an e36 m3 with coils, exhaust, tint, etc.. hell, it even has clear tails... Although the 'takeover' scene is definitely changing things.. To what extent is yet to be seen, although I have heard rumblings of police organizing 'task forces'. Hate those scumbags in the socal 'big meet' scene.. Almost embarrassed to drive a tuned car now.

16

Kids used to be able to play outside without there parents giving a crap. Now my mom even gets paranoid about me commenting on this site.

Thanks a lot free candy/WiFi stereotype.

17

Nah, they do this occasionally in places. New Year is a big one, along with any major holidays. It's sort of a massive lip service. The thing is, it's not like those enthusiasts aren't doing anything to bother 'regular' people. Not everyone is at those public facilities because they want to be there to see the cars and party, and for those public opinions, cops do this sometimes to make sure that we see that they are doing something. Considering what it used to be, honestly, cops are pretty darn lenient today. There were times back in the days that cops would just take a hammer to 'illegal' parts like door mirrors or over-fenders on the spot. Eh, the 60s, 70s, and even 80s in some places, whatta good old days.

18
The Real Real Stig (Normally Just The Stig)

Lets Hope that meets in SoCal won't look like this or I'll jump off a cliff

19

There are way too many meets for that to happen with how spread out SoCal and really all of California is. Every weekend there are literally dozens of meets happening all over the region.

20

You know whats really dumb about this is that modificaions like functional aero and lowering your car improve the cars handling which means unless the drivers high or drunk the person with those mods on there car is less likely to crash.

21

Lowered suspension increases the risk of smashing a sump and causing a dangerous oil spill, can cause increased damage to the roads if the car bottoms out, poorly modded cars are a hazard all on their own and aero mods only really take effect at illegal speeds, etc, etc. There are many reasons to justify keeping these cars off the road as sad as that may be.

22

Haha oh man..here in switzerland they're treating you like a criminal if you drive around with a straight pipe on your car and you will get a hefty fine. All-in-all i think that japan is still going to be a car enthusiast heaven.

23

Hehe. When I was wandering around Switzerland on my v-twin bike I got so many dirty looks from the locals. It may be wearing its stock pipe but that thing is loud especially compared to everything else on the road in Switzerland

24

Yeah, I've heard Switzerland acts like a caricature of Germany when it comes to motor vehicle infractions.

25
Bastien Bochmann

Eh, looks like Japan is trying to catch up to Germany, lol.

Over here it's been really bad in the past few years. It's also one of the the reason why I've sold my project car and am now just driving around my daily truck (I got pulled over in that last weekend, as well to check for mods... a stock Dodge Ram...).

It's gotten so bad that we have cops here who act like they are the shit for impounding tuner cars. There's records of them saying shit like "You're from a certain town, I bet you know a certain guy. I impounded his Nissan last year, I'll catch him with his shitty Lexus this year!''. There's been incidents of them towing and impounding cars that are just parked on the street in front of the owners house - while the owner was not present. All because they deemed the car 'too low' or other mods they don't like.

Few years back it used to be, as long as you didn't drive like a dick and treated the cops with respect you would be fine. Nowadays you're basically treated like a terrorist if you have 30mm springs in your car.

It's terrible.

26

How about if you run from the cops, they treat you like a terrorist.

In my decades of driving, I've pulled two pretty sweet pigshakers and gotten away with both of them.

I had to - in both cases, one more ticket would've meant a suspended license.

Nowadays, they'd have APBs out on you, roadblocks, helicopters, the whole bit.

27

It's just my opinion, but I think you're a fucking stupid idiot. Was your comment to sound cool, or do you actually think you're a bad ass??

You mean in your tiny brain, whatever shit you did to cause enough attention to yourself, AFTER you already had several points on your record, you decided to evoke a pursuit so you wouldn't get punished for the shit you deserved for being a dipshit?

That makes total sense. You've got several guys with high blood pressure and probably high on caffeine, speeding in cars that were born to be used as taxis, on streets where mommies are taking little kids to dance class and soccer practice??? Think beyond your dick.

28

Oh please.

Two pigshakers in 25 years of driving, both of which were pure luck, both of which happened at least 15 years ago.

Even back when I was young and stupid, I didn't do shit like that unless I was pretty sure I could pull it off and I was pretty sure I could get away with it.

Besides, moms with kids don't frequent industrial parks in the bad part of town at five in the morning.

29

Maybe you're Mario Andretti, maybe your superior performance vehicle is safe and made for that sort of thing. But bragging about it 15 years later with very little correlation to the conversation for the sake of puffing your chest makes you sound like Al Bundy talking about his quarterback days trying to impress someone.

You still sound like a fool. Especially using the term "pigshakers", especially as one word. I've never heard that, or "Soviet Kalifornistan", or whatever the hell you said. What's your height and weight? Prove you're not a pig yourself...

30

Dude, what's your problem?

I'm just sharing a couple of old memories, and you're acting like I personally ran down your dog.

31

Figure it out.

I killed my own dog...

32

So, let me get this straight: Illegally modified cars were cited for being illegally modified, a car meet that made national and international news for how rowdy it got (the aforementioned Hardcore Tokyo x Super Street meet) has caused authorities to be more cautious with respect to regulating said illegal car gatherings held in public parking areas in the aftermath, and people are shocked and mad? I can't fathom where you are coming from Dino. I completely get it...I drive a very illegal Evo on the street, but I never complain when I fail inspection or get a ticket (which I haven't had a ticket in 6 years). You break the law, and get caught, you are subject to the execution of a penalty. Plain and simple. This isn't just "skateboarding is not a crime" here. I've always been impressed with how Australia and Germany handle modifications and how serious their governments take safety to heart. May sound crazy, and maybe I am too old, but you do the crime... you do the time. Everyone take off your tin foil hats and remember: cars are not a right, they are a privilege. At least here in America, no mention of a motorized buggy is in the Constitution. Safety is important, and if you can't handle that, well...you don't get a car. Plain and simple.

33

100% i was thinking this EXACT thing when i read this article.

34

It's an article by Dino - he has made it clear that in his eyes japanese car tuners can't do wrong, and if they do wrong, its superior culture and we just don't get it.

The japanese authorities have been very passive so far, but as with everything else they still act if necessary. They did with the Wangan races, they do now with this. No idea how "touge" gets monitored these days, but as its outside the cities and away from innocent traffic it may still slip by.

35

To add to your point: A lot of people miss the fact that the issue isn't about modifying a car, but driving it on the road. You can drive whatever you want on your own road (like a race track). Drive on roads paved by a government, you're going to drive by their laws. Don't like a law? Get enough people to vote and change it.

36

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights actually says that it is a human right to own property, which your car is.

37

You can own your car all you want. And you can park your privately owned car in your privately owned driveway, but you don’t have a right to drive it on a PUBLIC road.

The entitlement of people is astounding.

38

no shit sherlock

39

Forrest for the trees, as they say.

You are correct, owning property, in exemplum an automobile, is a "right", so long as it does not violate a law. Here, the article is debating the "right" to operate your illegal property in an illegal fashion on publicly owned property. Your argument would hold water, if say...you are the Millen family and you happen to have a very long driveway. You may even hold a festival there...but that is another topic. The debate is, should we as car enthusiasts get to operate illegal modified cars on the street. Your argument is the same as the "not all gun owners..." that we have to endure here in the US every time there is a mass killing. But I digress.

TL;DR: Legal property, operated illegally does not get a free pass.

40

That’s a completely different argument, I was just correcting him in that owning a vehicle is actually a right and not a privilege

41

Owning it sure. Own it all you want.

Driving said vehicle on a public road is a privilege granted to you by the society who payed for the road.

42

It's arguable that if the automobile had been invented before The Enlightenment, driving would be considered a right rather than a privilege.

I would argue that owning and driving a car actually IS a human right - the right of free movement, made manifest.

In a mechanized society, the way people get around is in - or on - something with an engine. Concerns about safety aren't invalid, but the basic idea here is that people have the right to move about as they want.

You can pay lip service to the right of free movement all you want, but if you deny the ability to do so in a practical manner, you've negated the right.

After all, you can't just walk everywhere.

43

true, you have every RIGHT to own a vehicle, but it is a PRIVILEGE t to drive it on public roads. if your state has an annual vehicle inspection and your vehicle doesn't pass it then you lose your privilege to drive on public roads (providing you don't make the corrections in the allotted time). it doens't matter if it is because your car has illegal modifications or it's unsafe due to neglect. laws are laws and if you knowingly break the law then you have no reason to be upset when you're faced with the consequences.

unless you live in a fairly rural area, there are plenty of ways to get around. public transportation, Uber, taxies, bicylces, walking...hell, even rollerskates.

44

Yeah, but generally speaking, in the context the Constitution uses, the right to OWN something is the same as the right to USE IT out in public.

The First Amendment doesn't qualify the right of freedom of speech by saying that you can only do it at home.

The Second Amendment doesn't qualify the right to keep and bear arms by saying you can only do it at home.

Et cetera, et cetera.

45

But it also doesn't have to be. It could you pants and shirt, so that is kind of pointless to say.

I agree with Rick, we know the risks of modding, and if we do something dumb or get caught pay your dues and move on.

46

It very much is, It doesn't matter what the property is as long as you acquired it legally.

47

I'd argue that the operative standard shouldn't be "legal," but rather "honestly."

Honestly is a universal standard - legally is very local and contextual.

"Honestly" would be where you paid for your property - you didn't steal it from someone and therefore victimize them.

"Legally" would be where you not only bought said item, but also paid all the taxes and registration fees.

Taxes have arguable and questionable legitimacy, where buying something does not.

That's how you can have acquired something honestly, but not legally.

48

That makes no sense. You can purchase something legally for off-road use or static display. You legally own it because you paid with or bartered with legal tender or goods. A court of law doesn't care about honesty, they care about a legal transaction and bill of sale.

49

you can legally buy a shotgun, but as soon as you modify the barrel to a length shorter than the law allows it then becomes an illegal shotgun.

50
Whydotheyalwaysfinethepoor

They should fine the wealthy. They can afford it.

51

Fine the wealthy for the bad decisions being made by the poor?

52
what u meanbro

"I’ve never seen a Diablo with a 130db straight-through exhaust and a massive wing get stopped for checks."
Same.

53

Consider how seldom you see a cop in the process of ticketing someone, and then consider how seldom within those instances that the car is obviously a serious enthusiast vehicle... or how seldom you see something on the level of a Diablo on the street at all. I think I've seen a slammed Honda on the side of the road with a cop once, compared to the hundreds of Average Joe SUVs. By that measure I could just as easily say the "poor" are getting it easy while the middle class are taking all the harassment.

54

I see SUVs and minivans pulled over the most. The cops must be trying to kill soccer mom culture.

55

Ha! You can judge a different countries cops skill and ability by a few photos? lol

I don't get the crying about California law, you can do swaps, you can slam/camber your car far beyond what is unsafe, you can mod the body with flares/bodykits/wings and so on and all you need to do is pass emissions and maybe pay attention to what mods you buy to be CARB legal. I guess it is perspective, of course some places and more lax, but some places are also stricter. As far as I am concerned the glass is half-full and I enjoy using my creativity to build within those limits.

56

One of the only reasons people get away with stuff in California is the sheer volume of modified cars. There are too many to be carefully policed for illegal modifications.

57

Here's the basic problem.

In America, you're supposed to be free to do things like modify your car. Since California's a part of America - geographically, at least - the assumption is that in California, you should be allowed to mod your vehicle how you want.

Nobody assumes people in Japan or Italy are free to do things like that, because those places aren't The Land of the Free. Never have been.

So when the big monkey wrench that is CARB gets into the works, it seems an affront to the freedom to modify your car - to "pursue happiness." as you see it.

It's literally having to get special permission - in the form of an EO-numbered part - to do what many see as something that falls under the heading of "my birthright as an American."

58

America hasn't been free since it was a lawless jumble of immigrants and indiginous people. The US is very similar to a dictatorship run by corporate interest

59

Hey Ice,

To start, I think you assumption of "supposed to be free to do things like modify your car" is completely wrong. You can modify your car within the guidelines - whether they are given because of safety, environmental, or who knows what reason. America is still a country that has a rule of law, and there are laws for everything including cars. That is true for countries like Japan, Germany etc etc.

I don't get what "The Land of the Free" is supposed to mean for this, because it definitely does not mean to do what you want. That is called the land of anarchy. Sure we can argue all day about CARB and how dumb it is, but what it is, is a way to put aftermarket parts on our cars that have been accepted/allowed etc by whatever process, and gives us more options to do things that are legal and let us "pursue happiness" in that way.

I think we have a big difference in our assumptions of what or "birthright as an American" means.

60

Yeah, I think we do.

The Constitution doesn't look at rights from the perspective that safety or environmental considerations invalidate or qualify them - though I suppose you could interpret those parts that talk about "as prescribed by law" as doing that.

The point I'm making is that America was founded on the idea that people should be free to live however they want, although Franklin did say that, "our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other."

He was talking about the difference between liberty and license, but I think we always should err on the side of liberty.

I'm not talking about working outside the law on this one - I'm saying that the law should allow you to do what you want, unless the government can demonstrate that what you want to do will cause quantifiable harm to another person or people.

61

Ice,

Well phrased, and you made some good points. I guess from what I understand the constitution laid out the basic rights - like religion, speech, property etc in writing but car modding seems more like a privilege that is extra. I for one know that realistically I will not be changing any laws - I will vote, sure, do my civic duty, but the laws that are set in place are there so I will work within them instead of complain all day about but not do anything except cause problems for others - which all too many people do.

Caring for the environment by lowering pollution or having some kind of emissions restrictions I think is well worth it. Besides it might just be easier to think of the modding restrictions as the restrictions that are set for a race group that might have HP caps or specific modding rules. Within those rules though there is a lot of creativity and amazing builds that can happen. That is the same for California - I like to look around and try to build what I can within the guidelines because that is a kind of challenge in itself. Also the freedom of modding we do have in California compared to many other places can still be considered very open, so I choose to count my blessings and enjoy the culture and choices that I have available.

62

While I'd agree that California is nowhere near as restrictive as places like Japan, as Americans we shouldn't look to other countries and base our perceptions or activities on how they do things.

We do things differently here, as we always have - and judging by results, we do them better.

There should always be a certain amount of fractiousness in the American spirit - the kind that shouts "I'M AN AMERICAN - I HAVE RIGHTS!" and "THE KING IS BUT A MAN - JUST LIKE ME!"

63

"The point I'm making is that America was founded on the idea that people should be free to live however they want."

Where did you get your information from... Kindergarten? SMH, pick up a history book not meant for children.

64

Care to make a suggestion or two as to what I should be reading?

65

Oops **"Far beyond what is safe" **

66

Im so glad i live in michigan. I can pretty much anything i want to my 240 and never worry. No emissions or safety checks of any kind. You make a tube frame, straight pipe, low as heck racecar and drive it on the road and not get bothered.

67

For now... Don't abuse the freedom by going overboard and give them reason to crack down.

68

Only takes one asshole to ruin it for everyone

69

The ones I find it difficult to take seriously are British cops, with that hi-viz jacket and that silly checkerboard wrapped around their hats.

70

This isn't going to stop happening. If anything, its going to get worse, everywhere. I'm sure I'm not the only one that has picked up on the change in the car scene. Used to be, if you wanted to street race, or do burnouts/donuts or that like, people would try to find somewhere off the radar, away from people. A vehicular manslaughter charge wasn't anything to risk. Now its becoming a sign of status if you can close down a crowded intersection to do donuts, or do a big burnout on a highway access road leaving a crowded meet, street race down the main drag during a car festival, get crowds at a meet to throw rocks at a police cruiser.

I don't think the disparity in day meets vs night meets getting busted up is COMPLETELY related to the money of the individuals. Day meets get busted up less because they generally are less rowdy, generally. If people have to wake up at 6AM on a Saturday morning to get to a meet, the hard partiers are generally going to be left at home.

Honestly, we as the automotive community did this by not policing our own community and now that non-car people have gotten wind in their sails, its only going to get worse, and 50-somethings attending day meets won't even be immune to the crack downs.

71

Social media. It used to be about the cars and culture, now its about the attention and 15 seconds of fame. People do dumb crap for attention, whether that's reckless driving or building junkers that aren't safe to drive.

72

Someone please explain to me why people film themselves doing illegal things.

Prosecutors call that shit "evidence."

If you're going to break the law - and I'm not saying don't, because context matters and we all have our reasons - then for fuck's sake, DON'T RECORD YOURSELF DOING IT!

73

I couldn't agree more that alot of this does have to do with the social media *MUSTGETLIKES* mindset, but I think it also points to the superficiality of modern-day "car culture."

If you don't have a true appreciation/understanding of building a project, actually BUILDING a project, just start hacking your car up until its basically a totalled wreck, or better yet-- take your still bone stock car out and act like a fool. You will get cred.

The bigger the crowd, the better. The closer you are to taking out a bystander, the better. The worse you make the automotive community look to the outside world, the better.

74

You hit it on th head in the last few sentences and with the Nsx reference.
Right now in Northen California. You can expect police harassment if you drive a modified Japanese or new american muscle.

To avoid harassment you can throw in the towel have kids and drive a minivan.

Or you can compromise and drive something the cops like. An Old hotrod or ride a Harley. Similar to the Nsx effect in Japan.

Also money never looses. Same as in Japan. Driving an exotic in Northern California will keeps cops a safe distance from you.

Breaking law still will get pulled over in anything. But it’s the harassment that you will avoid if you drive something they like or show you have the power to fight.

I will be making the shift. To Euro or Exotic soon. Driving the ricer mobiles. Just doesn’t pay anymore

75

I drive a '92 Corona. Everything done to it but looks stock (and no loud pipe so if I get my speed down before they see me people never know I was out for a hoon)

76

Where in Northern CA do you typically see modified or enthusiast cars getting pulled over? I live in the valley, where it's mainly muscle and old school, as well as JDM honda stuff, and typically they rarely, if ever, get pulled over as much as typical soccer mom/trophy wife cars or joe shmoe cars. Cops aren't actually THAT strict on car stuff over here tbh, and they mainly worry most about things like sideshows, which are typically an issue here in the valley and in the bay.

77

If the law is Good and Just, then it should apply to everyone - no exceptions.

That's The Rule of Law in a nutshell.

If the law is applied selectively, its legitimacy is - and should be - called into question.

Going after the kid in the primered Civic while ignoring the dude in the Lamborghini, when both were "speeding," is unjust.

78

Ah yes. The Utopian society ideal. Wouldn't it be grand?

79

Used to be - mostly - the case back when they taught Civics in school.

80

Or when Plato penned his Republic. A couple millennia and we are still working on it. Or not. C'est la vie.

81

Maybe some day, we'll get it right.

Up until two centuries ago, people believed getting rid of slavery was wishful thinking. Now it's rightly regarded as a moral abomination.

Today, we think it's wishful thinking to want the government to enforce laws irrespective of wealth or social position.

82

This sort of thing doesn't help Police/Car enthusiast relationships. I'm in Australia, I know.

83

Bruce. Fish are friends not food

84

I hate front license plates. They look stupid and offer no tangential safety benefit. Most places have them for speed/traffic camera purposes and so police officer's have a convenient aiming point for speed checks. I'm not into making the jobs of the state easier. But they are required by my state for inspection and while driving. I put the plate on the dash when the car gets inspected, then throw it back in the trunk after inspection. So, when I'm pulled over for driving with no front plate, I simply have to take my lumps, because I violated the law.

Do the crime, do the time - Or don't do the crime.

Either folks can get more serious about concealing their modifications, build legal modifications that work, or pay the fines.

No sympathy here.

85

I once had a cop tell me that a front plate is necessary in the event of a hit-and-run, the idea being that the plate falls off and the culprit can be identified... assuming the car isn't stolen. I once rear-ended someone; it took out my radiator, but the plate was still very much attached.

My beef:

- Not every state in the US requires a front plate, so why does mine care?

- The above story is personal proof that you have to make a pretty fucking serious hit to rip the plate off the car, in which case you're not running away anyway. That is further backed up by the fact that an improperly secured plate is also reason to be pulled over.

- Motorcycles don't require one despite it being possible to mount them forward-facing so they're not effectively a knife on the front fender. We could always copy the Europeans and allow the use of stickers, as well.

- People try to get around the law in the same way that you do, by putting it on the dash... where it does effectively become a loose knife in the event of an accident. Get rid of the law that causes this, and it wouldn't be a risk.

- When you buy a new car off a lot, you're only given one tag.

- When you get a temp tag from the DMV - you know, the government THEMSELVES? - they only give you one to stick inside the back window.

My front plate is in a box in my basement, along with the bracket that mounts it onto the car (RSX, has a pointy nose). Haven't so much as looked at it in almost six years. I've so far been pulled over for the missing plate twice and not ticketed. I just say I don't have the bracket for it, they tell me to get one. Sorry, not sorry.

86

Why do you say that? I live here (Bay Area), and there are meets and sanctioned shows/fund raisers all year round. I've never seen cops smash up the show, or kick people out from anywhere. As long as participants are cool and the vibe is G-Rated, then you're good. If you're talking about sideshows and shit like that, then that's just a completely different subject.

I'm starting to see black donut marks EVERYWHERE these days, on the bridges, on residential streets, in the Sunset on Marina Blvd!!! That's straight up dipshitedness. Those houses are easily 3-5 million bucks. You bet your ass those folks are going to demand service from the city.

I don't agree, but you gotta understand the command staff doesn't spend two seconds trying to differentiate the difference from a punk trying to get street cred, and someone out to enjoy their muscle car by driving and getting together with their homies.

You goddamn kids and your social media addictions are to blame. You can't take a shit without posting and sharing with your "friends." They can't know where you're going to meet up if you actually call your real friends and network like a real men. Anyone here old enough to remember dong shit on the DL...?

87

And get off my lawn!

lol, im just kidding but in all seriousness the world will change from the way it is now to the way it will be tomorrow and the truth is that car modification and just straight up enjoying cars may end up being a thing of the past.

you know times have changed when the street racing guys are no longer the scourge of the car scene, now its closing down an intersection and doing donuts until the cops show up. Its just a sign of the times and it shows that some elements of the youth just dont care any more. They will probably end up ruining it for a bunch of people but you can bet that the cops will be able to differentiate between a group of idiots about to do something stupid and mature adults enjoying their projects or on their way to an appropriate venue for such shenanigans. Its all in how you interact with them.

88

Everything is changing, sad. But on a lighter note, I think Dino might have inadvertently started the next "sticker" craze for boy racers and JDM guys here in America. I have a sneaking suspicion we might start seeing those ‘Illegal Modified Car’ stickers popping up on ebay soon. In all honesty it is kinda JDM AF lol.

decom_9173f7d7444d3161c4dea50f35f5d15f_5b47f77c33adf.jpgdecom_9173f7d7444d3161c4dea50f35f5d15f_5b47f77c33adf.jpg
89

ya quiero la mía jajajaa

90

yo tambien hehe, tengo un 67 Mustang en que lo quiero poner!

91

hell yeah!

92

Right!? way better than those "learner" jdm stickers that guys put on and dont even know what it means lol. "Hey check out my JDM sticker, it means I just got my licence" lol

93

I put one on my cars in GT Sport haha

94

They have them in GT Sport? Well I guess I'm late to the party...

95
Seb Agent-Orange Betts

Welcome to Australia, as this is pretty much what happened at a lot of public knowledge meets at one point, but has started dying down recently

96

Sydney, a town that strikes fear (and hatred) into most car enthusiasts. It's the town of defects and police hounding modified cars. However this is not always the case.

Let me tell you a story, If we have anybody here from Sydney, they will tell you of a certain meet (I cannot name for reasons as you'll see in a bit) around 2 years ago.
The typical night, many nice cars with somewhat questionable modifications came and went freely with no hassle from the law, which at that point had been parked in the corner in a Highway Patrol car just watching for any unruly behaviour. They could've defected almost every car there, but didn't, because they knew no one was being a flogstick and enjoying themselves.
That is until a goomba decided that he required everyone's attention leaving the site and proceeded to pull 3rd sideways up the street. It's not enough that he pulled what is believed to be a record powerskid, but came back.
They saw him leave, and let it go. Him coming back is when the trouble started. The cops pulled him over and started over the car, while this was going on, both the driver and passenger are going off at the cops for being quote "Dirty pigs" and "Got nothing else to do". Needless to say the car left on the back of a tilt tray with probably about $1200 in fines and whatever impound costs were applied.
Now this calmed the night down quite a lot, with some very mental, very defectable machinery coming and going as it was earlier in the night.
I struck up a conversation with the two cops, nice guys with one owning an R33 GTR. I had a S15 at the time (any Sydneysiders know how much the coppers love these), modified with many mods hat should not have been on it. Too low, too loud, tints too dark, roll cage, pod, bald tyres from another night etc. They saw the car, they had a look at it and appreciated the build. But because I did not act like a dildo, they left me and everyone else at the event alone. They said to me if they saw somebody being an idiot, they'd stop them. It was more to stop them before an inevitable accident, rather than for the defects. Because they know the guys who do the stupid crap are the ones who can't drive and are just showing off trying to be the cool kids in school. The guys we in the scene all know are actually the try hards and wannabe tough guys.

However after the police left, things got a little rowdy, few more 2 step bangs, few more skids. The same cops from earlier in the night came back and nicely asked everyone to either calm down or leave. At this point, two guys start again with the ranting towards the cops. Not required or needed and as expected, this turned the night on its head.

Now at this point I must state that for around 2 years before this happened, I had never seen a defect station or car get pulled over (apart from doing stupid stuff), however after this night, it all changed.
From that point on, no respect was show to the cops, who deal with more sh!t than you and your crap commodore. Four more cop cars arrived and the proper enthusiasts, the people enjoying the night who knew what was up started leaving. The cops knew this and anyone who was smart enough to leave was not hassled or pulled over. Only the dropkicks and wannabes who had something to say, stayed and as you may understand got absolutely hammered.

Many a defect was handed out that night. I was there, in the corner with a mate watching this happen, and slowly dying inside. To this point, the car community was getting on the better foot with the NSW Police, even to the point of combined car shows with Police involvement. Awesome shows and very friendly to all cars. But this night killed any of that.

This point of the story is where being nice and not being a absolute cock is the best idea. Every car was being inspected as they left at this point. I drove up to the officer completing the inspections, knowing I was going to be smashed. The cop who I was talking to earlier in the night, walked up to the other officer dong the inspections and had a quick chat, 5 seconds later the cop let me go on my way. No fines, no inspection, no defects. The friendly cop had told the other that I was not a worry and let me through.

At this point I had proven my point that I tell anyone who cares to listen:
Be as nice as possible and if you know you have done something illegal or have mods that won't pass, take it on the chin like a big boy. Don't be that guy, because YOU are the reason modified cars get hounded in Sydney.

Since that night I have been through many inspection stations, been pulled over for "Random Breath Tests" and have had the "while were here may as well have a look at your car" issues. Sydney is one of the best places in the world when it comes to modified car culture, but it is us who will keep it that way.
Once we start on the "Us vs Them" mantra, we lose. We lose our freedoms, our fun with the cars we work so hard to build and give them reasons to make it hard to do anything that remotely makes any difference to your car.

Don't be those guys, please, I want to enjoy the scene and not look over my shoulder every time I go for a drive.
Sorry for the rant.

97

Was this at a certain donut/fast food/hotdog/shopping place?

98

No, Harry's is still there, this was a more "Organised" event well known in Sydney. It caused so much shit that I do believe this event is on it's last legs.

99

See, I don't get that.

I thought Aussies had a reputation for being all laid back and cool.

100

There are dickheads in every group. Humans SMH

101

We are, all the guys who know better are too.
Just the wannabes and dickheads who want to be tough guys are the guys who just can't get the message. The cops stop giving out tickets because it's not worth their time and effort, but then these scum crawl out from their holes and start the war again.

102

Can someone please explain to me the "hardcore tokyo x super street" incident that dino has eluded to in the past few articles? I understand police were involved but what was the actual infraction?

103

Don't the boys in blue have anything better to do? guess I'm glad I live in the US, more specifically a part of the country where yearly inspections are little more than "can you get it in here long enough to get a sticker"...

104
Ryan Greythorn

I might be overreacting as well, just like Dino said, but I'm really worried about the Japanese car scene by now. This is not the way to pick out the cars they want to. It ruins the entire culture for those who want to enjoy their cars while keeping them safe to drive on the streets. I'm living in South Korea, and from what I've seen so far, Japan is trying to take the Korea's regulations to extreme, one by one. The regulations work here in a very restrictive way, as in "You're allowed to do this, this, and this - anything else is illegal", while US and Japan have always been "These are illegal, everything else is not". Obviously nobody wants the former way, but Japan is trying to take it. I hope I can find myself wrong in the near future.

105

---tutto il mondo è paese....come in italia, son li in 42 per capire se una macchina ha l'assetto oppure no....e poi con ste tute mi sembrano i power rangers....

106

I'm not quite sure why, but it seems like both government and policing attract people who would rather nitpick technical violations all day than hunt down actual criminals. The city could be crumbling under the weight of drugs, gangs, and homelessness, and they'll still be sitting out on the freeway with a speed gun. I can only imagine how much worse it must be in a place like Japan where the dominant culture is and always has been super-collectivist don't-stand-out-or-else kind of stuff. However when it becomes possible to set up two inspection stations at a car meet, that's just ridiculous and I don't even care.

On top of which, why would adjustable suspension arms be banned? Even more so aero kits? Non-approved exhaust - so if there are no premade aftermarket exhaust systems for you car, you're stuck with stock exhaust forever?

Sadly this isn't the only place these people show up. They also find their way into low-level service sector management positions, where they drive employee turnover with their fanatical dedication to making sure no one uses too many paper towels to dry their hands or deviates by even a single word from the head-office-approved sales script.

Where do these people come from, and how do we send them back?

The worst part of it is, so many people in these places, even car enthusiasts, are so used to this type of thing that they're afraid of freedom. I've talked to some Europeans on forums, and they seem to believe that if government didn't ban things for stupid reasons and then demand to inspect every single modification you make right down to a non-stock tire size, we'd all be suffocated by coal rollers or run off the road by rusted-out death traps.

Even the "good" parts of the US aren't necessarily immune thanks to the idiotic specter of the catalytic converter felony. Fortunately pretty much no one outside of California, including the police, knows about it.

107

If anyone is ruining the car scene, it isn't the cops.

I live in SoCal, cops only break things up when people are being stupid, or pushing their luck. There was a large semi-organized meet up where a bunch of cars went to a paid parking area but most bypassed getting the passes. Cops came, gave tickets, and kicked everyone out because no one paid to be there.

"Don't be an asshole," covers most of your basic problems. Offer a bit of added respect if you do get pulled over (never hurts to be polite) and watch as you get to walk away with maybe a fix it ticket or just a warning.

108

Welcome to Australia. Where this shit happens daily...

109
Lachlan Doherty

So is there a fine involved in failing roadside inspection should the car be deemed illegal? If so how much is it?

110

You should see Sheriff Shaider.

111
Brian E. Spilner

I don't really see the issue that trying to be raised here. In almost every country in the world there are rules you have to follow if you want to drive your car legally on the road. It's that simple. If you decide to modify your car in a way that you know that it won't pass a shaken test and is therefore illegal then you alone take that responsibility - the police are just doing their job in making sure all cars on the road are legal.

If you don't like that then you have 2 choices - get involved in politics to try and get the laws changed or leave the country.

Personally I have no problem with this kind of thing. You are aware of the laws. If you want to modify your car in a way that goes against those laws then you need to accept that you won't be able to drive it on a public road.

112

Get involved in politics - hahahahahaha fat chance. Car guys don't do politics. I tested that idea on another forum and everyone just said I was crazy. So many of us just seem to think we shouldn't have a voice.

113

Being good at politics requires the soul of of a weasel, and car guys - being mechanically oriented and therefore honest - can't pull that off with the shameless effortlessness required.

Besides, if you get down to it, car guys tend to believe in certain ideas that are, shall we say, "high-friction" in the modern world.

Ideas like "do things for yourself instead of depending on others," "safety sometimes comes at a cost to personal freedom that's too high," "if you mess up and break your car, it's your fault and nobody owes you a new one."

114

The middle one of those - "safety sometimes costs too much personal freedom" - is probably the most hated nowadays, which is unfortunate because it's also the most valuable in a free society. We've gone from "those who would exchange liberty for security deserve neither" to "those who wouldn't exchange liberty for security are omnicidal maniacs who don't deserve to live". I've heard the way people use that quote isn't quite in keeping with its original spirit, but I also happen to agree with the common usage anyway. Those who would give up liberty to obtain a little temporary security deserve, and eventually will have, neither. I think that's what the people who complain about cops ruining car culture are getting at - at least in some parts of the world, the list of illegalities used to be much shorter, and getting away with the things that were on it used to be much easier. Most cops were too busy dealing with actual crime to bother with constantly running off racers as long as the racers themselves were circumspect, and the government that hired those cops didn't constantly stick its nose into every little detail of everything. Now you've got police forces full of nitpicks and power-trippers backed up by regulators so heavy-handed I'm surprised they haven't started telling us how to breathe yet (who also frequently try to run entire countries as if they were cities RE: post-purchase modification of vehicle pollution controls).

The good news is, populist governments are starting to rise around the world as people tire of having their every move dictated by out-of-touch elites, and this presents an opportunity. The hard part is getting car people to take advantage of it.

The thing of it is, we can't be our own political party, because no one will vote for us then. Instead, we have to use the already-exant parties which align most closely with our ideals. In the US, this appears to be the Republican party, anywhere else I'm not sure about. In any case, here are, as far as I know, our main political objectives:

-Immediately halt the promotion of diesels, BEVs, and autonomous-car research.

-Debunk the climate change scam.

-Increase speed limits where possible, in keeping with the improved cornering & braking performance of modern cars. Residential areas are not necessarily "where possible", before anyone brings that up.

-Greatly simplify vehicle inspection processes. Inspections should be restricted to "is death trap Y/N" and "is unbearably loud Y/N", with a side of "is polluter Y/N" only in jurisdictions where air quality is a problem. The ideal here is to have the latter determined entirely by a tailpipe emissions test, with no reference to specific pollution control devices such as catalytic converters or EGR.

-Simultaneously simplify the regulations backing up these inspection procedures. In particular, relax or eliminate laws requiring parts to be specifically approved, especially simple things like exhaust pipes.

-Decide on these regulations below national level wherever possible, so residents of rural areas and small towns don't have to put up with the types of regulations that can be necessary in dense urban areas.

-Push speed enforcement (especially on freeways) to a much lower priority; focus police resources on more pressing crimes instead.

-Roll back excessively strict new-car fuel economy & emissions requirements.

It's also worth noting that populist economic policies, aimed at reviving damaged or dormant industrial & rural areas, might help to reduce the population and thus pollution burden on major cities, thus reducing the need for onerous regulations in those areas. Alternate solutions to urban air quality problems, such as CO2-absorbing concrete (apparently someone managed to design that) and increased quantities of decorative flora should also be explored.

115

This is why a large part of German car culture started dying out about 2 decades ago, resurfaced for a little, but has been in decline again in recent years.
Police crack down anywhere, whether there are 5 cars or 500 cars, they will stop by and review paperwork, etc. I suppose many know the German regulations are stricter than in nearly every other country - as in you cant run different side mirrors, foot pedals or brake pads.

The only way possible to have a sleeper, everything else is caught within a few weeks.

116
Joachim Taverne

And still you have more option to modify cars than your belgian neighbours (for example).
Tüv give homologation for a lot of tuning parts (but sadly there's no mutual recognition at european level for that :( ).
But indeed it seems that even that little bit more freedom will disappear (recently heard about noise level and interdiction of exhaust valve to modify noise )

117

AUD $2,800 or approx. $2,100 USD for not running a catalytic converter in Victoria Australia. Have personally seen it go as high as AUD $7,000 however the person managed to get it put back onto the business who provided a roadworthy certificate for the vehicle. Best for the pocket and the environment to go with at least 100 cell cat. Don't believe meets standards, however it is not openly infringing. Have found as get older the lines, "whatever you have to do, just do it", "my wife will kill me", "I've just cleaned the car and was taken it around the block before getting put away" and the offer "you can look at the car and whatever needs to be done, I'll do it" as typically met with "just take it home mate." from the police.

118

I understand a lot where this is coming from, we all know that as modified car owners we push the boundary of what is legal so it makes sense that we should behave with our cars in public.

For example, I'm getting pretty fucking sick of morons with straight pipes driving up and down the road outside of my house, in particular a total retard with a Murcielago that doesn't seem to understand how to shift up from first gear and thinks it's hilarious to dump fuel out of his exhaust at 11pm.

119

Dino, I really, really hope you're wrong, but the closing of Daikoku at around 7 or 8 pm and tatsumi by 10, and the crackdown on Zokusha meets is getting worrisome. I keep telling myself that it is due to the 2020 Olympics and they'll eventually lighten up again, but the question is, when and how much damage will it do to law abiding citizens who just want to meet up with friends and cruise or help install a friend's exhaust?

120

John,yes maybe it could be due to 2020 olympics.The last time i when they closed daikoku at 9pm.Well,it still safe to cruise around tokyo for now.maybe i believe it is better to have meet ups out of tokyo areas.

121

I don't really understand your point here honestly...
It's Japan we're talking about here... When has "hashiriya" car culture ever been seen as as good and ignored by cops? As long as they don't start populating mountain roads to stop people from enjoying their cars there, I don't really care about what they do at truck stops... Unorganized car meets of several hundred cars in random japanese parking lots is not welcome. Who's surprised here?
I don't mean to sound like an ass (maybe I do, but I'm french... it's in my genes :) ), but I just think the "end of car culture" because a 7-day meet in Tokyo was shut down to be "slightly" exaggerated.

122

Obviously the headline has not even a whiff of a clickbait to it, now does it? ;)

On a more serious note, it's not exactly a well kept secret that the authorities in Japan (and other places) occasionally crack down on behaviour that is is viewed as undesirable and not following societal norms and expectations. That's occasionally happening whether you run a certain kind of *cough* "karaoke" *cough* bar or an impromptu, somewhat borderline car meet. Doesn't mean that the sky is falling, but hey, maybe all of us as members of the car scene apply a little common sense?

"Because Freedom" isn't really a good argument - you're freedom stops where it gets entangled with mine, and at least IMHO doesn't supercede my freedom to breathe clean(er) air because you decided to replace your cat with a test pipe. Especially as a test pipe really doesn't even make your car run any better anymore if you're dealing with a modern cat. So in other words, if you decide to break the law, get caught and get to pay a fine, well, that wasn't really the cops' fault, now was it? We all get to make that choice, after all.

And while I might come across as a bit of a sourpuss here - I drive modified cars. In fact, most of the vehicles I own aren't stock. And they're not modified to go slower, either. I also happen to live in an area with a bit of a street racing problem and am really not that fond of getting woken up at 2am because someone decides to tear around the residential area I live in and then have law enforcement follow with the full complement of lights and sirens. Heck, I don't care much if you do it in the deserted industrial area down the street, but please apply some common sense here.

Speaking of common sense, I'm not one to blame things on social media too much, but if you live in an area that already has a street racing problem, maybe you don't post about your "exploits" on the local Cars and Coffee FB page (presumably labouring under the assumption that no member of law enforcement would have heard of such a group, let alone be a member of it).

Like Chris posted about his experience in Sydney - a bit of respect for your fellow people goes a long way. As car people - especially tuner car people - we also owe it to ourselves and our scene to keep it alive, and sometimes that means keeping our inner wannabe outlaw in check a bit, or live with the consequences.

123

While you can make the case that increased pollution can make everyone sick, how do you determine if elevated levels of atmospheric pollutants IN GENERAL made a SPECIFIC person develop a specific illness?

Put another way, how does the law determine if SPECIFIC harm to a SPECIFIC person was caused by a SPECIFIC causal factor?

It'd be exactly like saying that since black people statistically commit more crimes than white people, that we should just lock up all black people on a preventative basis.

Obviously, we neither can nor should do that - properly, we have to have a specific criminal complaint, followed by an investigation, followed by the police apprehending a specific individual, followed by a trial, followed by sentencing that specific individual to a specific punishment.

That's the only just way to do it.

We should treat air pollution and automobile emissions the same way.

Find SPECIFIC individuals who've been SPECIFICALLY harmed by SPECIFIC pollutants, instead of a blanket edict or ban.

Look at the Volkswagen debacle.

No one came forward and claimed to have developed some disease from Volkswagen's "cheating" on emissions tests - all that happened was that Volkswagen fudged some test numbers.

On cars that were already extremely clean.

Volkswagen only did that because they realized that we're way past the point of diminishing returns on automobile emissions controls, and that it's becoming impossible to build an affordable car that meets these ever-tightening regulations.

You might say that clean air is important, but if the only cars that can meet these arbitrary and politically-driven standards cost eighty grand or more, is it a victory for clean air, or for those who want to ban cars but know they can't do so via open legislation?

124

Relax guys,I have been living in tokyo for years and It happens once a blue moon in tokyo when car meets do not leave the area by 12am.Probably due to some complaints by public on bosozoku guys making some noise as usual or public property damaged the cops have stepped up rules alittle tighter on this grounds.sometimes this complaints could be from public who are trying to get a parking spot for dinning at daikoku futo or truck drivers who are trying to get some sleep after shift drives.So as long the car meets do not last till after 12am @ tatsumi PA,Umihotaru PA and daikoku futo it should be fine.Anywhere in tokyo in any carpark if you make a some noise cops do come with public complaints anytime late night.Usual stuff.I have friends who are in singapore where they get stopped even on the way to work in the morning,afternoon and evening by shaken inspectors where they do a immediate inspection and they get their rides impounded with a fine.Japan is still a save car haven as long nobody messes around late night it is all good.couple of weeks ago we also got chased away by cops for hangin around at tatsumi PA.No immediate shaken inspection or any kind happened.

125

Did you just use the term 'gay' as a derogatory one in 2018? Or have I just gone back in time? Cut that nonsense out.

126

Your trolling right? Don't be such a gay. Take that SJW shit on somewhere.

127

It's like this, Speedhunters is about cars and we intend on keeping it that way. We will not tolerate any attacks or slurs on race, creed, gender, orientation or politics. We will not let this comment section descend into the farce that seemingly the rest of the internet has lowered itself to. That's just how it is and how it's going to be.

And really, if you're a grown adult using gay as a pejorative term, you need to have a word with yourself.

128

I like how you use WE. Do you think you speak for all Speedhunter users? Clearly not, because i disagree with you. Retype your comment in a more grammatically correct manner please.

Oh btw, ive done more gay stuff than you ever will, and im calling you gay. How gay does that make you?

129

I'm Editor in Chief here, so I speak for Speedhunters. What happens here is my responsibility and I won't allow anonymous users to drag this comments section into the gutter.

Grow up.

130

this is what makes me glad I live in Ohio because I drive my bagged accord and 180sx all over without having to worry about emissions or checkpoints etc. I always complain about the ohio car scene but then I see this and thank the lord Ohio only cares about tint and license plate locations. I see a point in getting the super dangerous cars off the road but a few decatted cars are not going to make that big of a difference imo

131

wow... what is this world coming too?? this i a worldwide issue... #ftp

132

realmente hay que estar atento a las leyes locales, es algo que parece obvio pero pocos aplican... acá en Chile el tunning es ilegal, llevo mi auto dentro de la norma aunque llama la atención de los polis de vez en cuando...

133

I love this pissing contests about California like anyone understands what CARB really is - it's the sledgehammer of an administrative agency that generates revenue and is self contained in a way the constitution doesn't allow for. If EPA or any other over zealous regulatory agency was serious government they would publish the output limits and honor them, regardless of how cars get there. It's not about SMOG - organic farming requires 50% more land, which means 50% more smog, the mayor of LA welcomed a ship that pollutes more than all cars in his county combined into port - things like arson cumulate in more emissions than the smallest 12 states combined - it's about money and power - that's it. As far as "raids" "busts" or whatever they are headline fodder for agencies that have no actual legitimacy under constitutional law and they do them all the time. A motorcycle shop was fined 25,000 dollars in OC a few years ago and was forced out of business after installing a larger rear tire which the EPA claimed changed emissions - that is not good government, it's socialism and the people who are ok with it will forever vote on gas tax increases when only 15% goes to fix roads while the other 85% goes into the general fund for bribery so democrats can keep a choke hold on politics at everyone's expense.

134

As much as I agree with most of this post, I'd have to dispute the idea that organic farming always pollutes more. Depending on exactly what is being farmed, it may be less machinery-intensive than "regular" farming, and I'm also of the opinion that the damage done by pesticides and by plants genetically modified to withstand them is worse than at least CO2 anyway.

135

I really hope it isn't a sign of what's to come in Japan.

In Australia cops will try get you for anything and everything they can if you're in a modified car. It's definitely not fun being picked on and paranoid about the police ruining your hard work.

The most frustrating bit about that is when police focus on modified cars (not hooning or anything) instead of real criminals. While they're worried about a cold air intake on a car or a lowered car there's people getting bashed and robbed. Their priorities are very skewed. Especially in Australia where revenue raising is unbelievable.

136

Looks like the Japanese are following Germany's example.
In recent months/years the police has "cracked down" on modification to a ridiculous degree, refusing to release even completely stock cars just because they ASSUME an illegal modification took place.
Also, German cops have become known for often not knowing how to run the test they're running, measuring noise with Smartphone-Apps (which, technically, has no legal footing) or ground clearance/wheelhouse-rub on bumpy/uneven or even soft surfaces.

137

You should sell these in your sticker section.....Of course, it may not work so well for your Japanese customers.

decom_e8cd9b5e6cf79a109b3bae401582544e_5b4ac90d390c8.jpgdecom_e8cd9b5e6cf79a109b3bae401582544e_5b4ac90d390c8.jpg
138

I agree with this but this is not the end of the world.
Even though there are not many car enthusiasts, there is still some hope for car meets to materialize.
Also, I hope that in the future we still have the right to mod our cars like coilovers, ECU tune, wheels and tires, seats, etc. I agree with cops stating certain things under illegal modification like a car driving too low to the ground or straight-piping to where that violates Emission Standards. Even so, we should be careful when we turbocharge, install an aftermarket exhaust, or basically mod a car where it is not stock by factory. I mean don't show hate to the police just because who they are or who we perceive of them like let them do their job. There are still good honest cops that are around. I just hope we still have a car culture in the future even with electric cars.

139

Wait, adjustable control arms are illegal in Japan? Why?

140

I'd like to know too. All I can do is guess that at one point someone was making poor-quality suspension arms that would malfunction at inconvenient times, and the legislators and relevant regulators of the day, being typical politicians amplified by messed-up Japanese culture (i.e. utterly clueless about cars if not actively anti-car-culture, but fully convinced that they know better than the average Joe), decided to just ban all adjustable suspension arms rather than finding a more nuanced way to stop the flow of crummy parts.

Honestly, it's the same thing here in the US with "gun culture"; so many of the rules that regulate firearms are written by people who don't know the first thing about them. Every time a gun grabber says something like "30 caliber clip in half a second" or "I don't know what a barrel shroud is, I think it's a shoulder thing that goes up" it just makes me cringe so hard.

It just seems like, as I said in another comment above, there is a type of person who just can't let anything happen without having to micromanage and ruin it, and positions that involve making or enforcing rules are inherently attractive to these people, which is unfortunate as that's exactly where they do the most damage. It's why the most vibrant, creative, exciting things usually happen in spite of, not because of, corporate & governmental authority figures. On top of which, rules that ruin car culture are easy to make, but harder to kill than vampire cockroaches, mainly because fear is such an easy emotion to play on. The argument in favor of deregulating car culture sounds like you either don't care if people die in car crashes, or actively want people to die in car crashes, depending on how well it's articulated. So a regulator ruins everyone's fun with a poorly-thought-out, heavy-handed rule made at far too high a level, and then if you ever try to get it rolled back the braying of "BuT iTs DaNgErOuS" or "bUt We NeEd To ReDuCe EmIsSiOnS" will be immediate and intense - and some of it will come from within the car community, judging by the number of apathetic "do the crime, do the time" responses on this article.

141

Food for thought…

Funny you should mention that.
At a recent event, the only car too 'important' to not be properly assessed by the scrutineer, and not require tape on its lenses etc, was this:

https://carsonfilm.tumblr.com/post/171807459925/mid-night-countach-chiba

I think that's called karma.
It does exist...

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