I get the frustration, but I’ve seen firsthand what happens when there aren’t any guidelines at all—let’s just say, my neighbor’s “project” car turned into a rust sculpture that attracted more raccoons than car enthusiasts. I don’t love the idea of the city nitpicking over a faded paint job, but at the same time, a little structure keeps things from getting out of hand. Maybe it’s less about overreach and more about avoiding a full-on wildlife sanctuary next door...
Maybe it’s less about overreach and more about avoiding a full-on wildlife sanctuary next door...
That’s a fair point. I get why some rules are needed—nobody wants to live next to a junkyard. Still, I do worry about where the line gets drawn. A faded paint job isn’t the same as a car that’s literally falling apart. There’s got to be a middle ground, right?
I hear you on the need for balance. I keep a couple of older cars myself, and while they’re not showpieces, I make sure they’re maintained and don’t become eyesores. The tricky part is when rules get so strict that even well-kept classics get flagged just because they’re not “modern” enough. There’s a difference between neglect and just having a bit of patina... It’d be nice if the city recognized that nuance instead of painting everything with the same brush.
There’s a difference between neglect and just having a bit of patina...
That’s exactly it—patina can actually add character, not take away from it. I’ve seen some policies where “visible aging” gets lumped in with actual damage, which seems unfair. Has anyone here had issues with their insurance or registration because of these new city rules? I’m curious if it’s mostly about appearance, or if they’re looking at things like leaks and safety too.
I’ve seen some policies where “visible aging” gets lumped in with actual damage, which seems unfair.
That’s been my experience too. My uncle’s old Chevy has this awesome sun-faded paint, but when he tried to renew his registration last year, the inspector flagged it for “excessive wear.” No leaks, brakes were solid—just looked old. It feels like they’re focusing more on looks than actual safety stuff. I get wanting to keep junkers off the street, but a little rust isn’t the same as neglect.
