Don't know about Cali, but here in IL if you fight a ticket an lose you get court costs to cover. And that's usually from 2x to 5x times the ticket.

The officer needed probable cause but he could have said anything; driver-side tint, exhaust too loud, he thought you had a flat, etc.

I may be wrong but you did not have to open your hood. In fact, he can not enter your car, open the trunk, open the hood without your consent or a warrant. From my past experience, they will hassle you by asking "what are you trying to hide" and similar questions but you do not have to open it. Then again, you just took one step towards the sh** list in the officer's mind.

CHP is known to pull over cars because he/she wanted to check it out. But if that was the reason, he/she shouldn't have given you a ticket. It happened to me a couple of times on previous cars and never got a ticket despite the obvious illegal mods.

BTW, great looking car. Very nicely set up.

That doesn't happen here. Although you do have to pay "bail" in the amount of your fine in order to contest the ticket.

As much as I don't like it, CA law says that cop's have to be able to look under the hood to be able to check the safety equipment and "road worthiness" of your vehicle. Places where you keep personal property (the glove box, and trunk) require a warrant and/or probable cause.

I have locking hood latches on my very not street legal '98 rSTi and thought I could get around popping the hood by telling the cops I never carry the keys, but it turns out if they are big enough ****s they can impound the car until the hood can be opened. It really comes down to the cop that pulls you over and if he thinks it's worth the hassle though.

Sound fishy... I don't think the cop would say he stopped you coz your car look like a race car.... tell us the truth...

I once had a cop say to me "Why were you going 93 mph on the freeway, f*cker?" as the first words from his mouth...what they say may surprise you :eyebulge:

That's exactly what he said.

I spoke to his sergeant today and he told me that if I contest it in court, the judge can rule that the officers "training" in spotting cars that might be in to street racing is a valid reason to inspect my car.

Anyway, its just a quick header swap.
Still sucks to know that even though you aren't breaking any laws and your car is by no means looks or sounds like a race car, you can still get hassled.

damn that sucks!!! i drive through that tunnel everyday to go to work too :(

Install an Exhaust Control Valve (ECV) and silence the engine the next time a cop is behind you. Would he have "forced" you pop your hood? Maybe you could have just gotten away with a tint ticket. =/

What is this inspection you guys speak of?

SC, the land of no emissions or inspections and the cleanest water in the country :D

Wouldn't have made a difference. My exhaust is about as quiet as the Perrin/Q300/TRD. Plus I was in 6th goin 20mph; a Prius would have been proud.

Total example of a fuckin power hungry pig.. Bet you he just got tired of doing his same shitty job everyday at the airport and wanted to have some power hungry moment.

Btw, your back window can have the darkest tint. It's legal, just not the front.

I agree it sucks, but I also believe the OP was breaking some laws, by his own admission.

Sorry, I meant any moving violation laws. Seems like just getting pulled over because he felt like it; I guess I'll never know. :popcorn: