Private plate related to name

[motoroller]

I've recently found that a plate fairly similar to my name is available from DVLA. The spacing would have to be modified or the space removed (I know this is liable to a FPN of £60 but might take the risk).

Thoughts on whether or not to buy the plate? Pro: hides age of car, personalises it a little bit, and it's cheap (£350). Cons: lots of people seem to think they're useless and a waste of money.

I used to have a random 5-digit plate but sold it with my previous car.

[Jonno02]

Don't be one of those tts that changes the spacing. Please, just don't.

If you want to hide the age of your car, perhaps you should put the £350 towards a new car. Nobody except the "whatever colour is standard" boggo spec A3 TDI lease brigade care about which numbers are in the first four digits of your number plate. Or the badge on the front.

If you want the plate, buy it. But illegal plates just scream "I'm a helmet."

[JamesRF]

Be prepared to find yourself in here:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[motoroller]

Wow, that thread has some absolute corkers. I wouldn't modify what the actual numbers and letters say, or the mounting bolts / letter size. Having second thoughts already...

[Baldchap]

So to paraphrase:

motoroller said:

Pro: Stuff that matters to you
Cons: What other people think

Feels like a no-brainer. Get it bought.

[louiebaby]

I bought one that is as close to my name as you could get, since Mr Hamilton spent oodles on LEW1S, and it will go on a car when I have one that is new enough. (15 plate or newer.)

People who know me will probably say "cool" and people who don't won't even realise.

£350 is either a lot of money and means your kids will have to skip Christmas, or a bottle of nice wine, depending on your situation. (Probably somewhere between these two extremes.)

Do what makes you happy, personally I'm not keen on changing the spacing, but I'm a lot less militant about it than I used to be.

[krisdelta]

I have a plate that is very similar to my name, no spacing changes or random screws, however I have an unusual name, so the plate doesn't stand out at all - except to me and I like it. Don't be a plonker and mess around with spacing...

I got teased for being called R274 TFG at school, but now it's paying for itself.

[spookly]

motoroller said:

Having second thoughts already...

Good. Have a third thought and then don't do it

I don't see the appeal in spending money on something that is a show for other people. Isn't there something you could spend the £350 on for your car that is functional/performance enhancing?

[B'stard Child]

motoroller said:

I've recently found that a plate fairly similar to my name is available from DVLA. The spacing would have to be modified or the space removed (I know this is liable to a FPN of £60 but might take the risk).

Does it really need the spacing removed??

We have one where it would look better with the spacing removed but it's still as obvious to anyone that knows us with out any doctoring - so it's not doctored

[Ozzie Osmond]

motoroller said:

The spacing would have to be modified or the space removed

No, no, no.

[JamesRF]

louiebaby said:

I bought one that is as close to my name as you could get, since Mr Hamilton spent oodles on LEW1S

I'm sure he said he didn't buy it when asked as he's not a fan of private plates?

[Ozzie Osmond]

Well, at least it says his name rather than 1.3WLS

[The Moose]

Just buy the plate! Worst case you can display it 'correctly'.

[Hitch]

krisdelta said:

I got teased for being called R274 TFG at school, but now it's paying for itself.

Very good

[mwstewart]

Surname/initials: yes, of course. First name or shortening thereof: absolutely not.

[anonymous-user]

Baldchap said:

So to paraphrase:

motoroller said:

Pro: Stuff that matters to you
Cons: What other people think

Feels like a no-brainer. Get it bought.

This, if you want the plate, get it done mate.

Probably wouldn't bodge the spacing though, not worth the hastle when you get a tug from BiB, but still up too you

[louiebaby]

JamesRF said:

louiebaby said:

I bought one that is as close to my name as you could get, since Mr Hamilton spent oodles on LEW1S.

I'm sure he said he didn't buy it when asked as he's not a fan of private plates?

Going by the following article, which could well be wrong, it looks like he did buy it, but either way, £50k, £200k or £500k, I'm never spending that!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/2137...

[motoroller]

Sounds like it can be a bonus-dependent purchase around Christmas-time then! I won't remove or change the place of the space, one problem is some of my "friends" are judgey b***ds who would be at home in the leasing thread :P

[motoroller]

mwstewart said:

Surname/initials: yes, of course. First name or shortening thereof: absolutely not.

(Un)fortunately, people who share my surname seem to be willing to spend obscene money on private plates! I'm thinking first name (in full - it's a short name), with middle and last initials.

[JamesRF]

louiebaby said:

JamesRF said:

louiebaby said:

I bought one that is as close to my name as you could get, since Mr Hamilton spent oodles on LEW1S.

I'm sure he said he didn't buy it when asked as he's not a fan of private plates?

Going by the following article, which could well be wrong, it looks like he did buy it, but either way, £50k, £200k or £500k, I'm never spending that!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/2137...

http://www.britsonpole.com/f1-guess-whos-bought-the-lew-1s-vanity-plate-post678

Who knows, currently on a Bentley anyway!