by Gabrielle DeSantis

Though eggs are great for breakfast, their uncooked interiors don’t bode well for cars‘ exteriors. In fact, if a vehicle gets hit with eggs, it must be cleaned and detailed right away to protect the paint from corrosion.

At some point in history, young people decided that egging cars and other personal property would be amusing. Though meant as a harmless prank, especially around holidays like Halloween, the practice is anything but funny. It can severely damage vehicles, forcing owners to incur costly repair bills. 

Why do people think egging cars is funny?

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Egging a car is when a person throws an egg at a vehicle. Sometimes it’s to get revenge or take out aggression, and other times it’s random and kids just trying to have fun. Halloween eve, known as Mischief Night, is when egging most frequently occurs.

“Usually, troublesome teens will throw the splat-able objects at houses or cars,” Absolute Bail Bonds explains. “They often find it amusing to watch how the object impacts and leaves a sticky mess. Seeing how the victims react to the mess is another plus to the activity.”

But many people don’t know that egging is a punishable offense in most states. It’s considered an act of vandalism. Depending upon the total cost of damage to an individual’s property, the crime is classified as a misdemeanor or a felony.

Common forms of vandalism to cars

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eLocal explains the damage caused by egging thus: “The eggshell scratch the clear coat on the car. The scratches could be superficial, or they [could] be deep enough to penetrate the base coat of paint on the car. The yolk of an egg is acidic and can damage or stain the base coat because it will eat through the clear topcoat.”

Once eggs dry on a car’s surface, they’re difficult to remove. A new paint job can be expensive, so it’s essential to remove the goop as soon as possible.

Find Law defines vandalism as “any willful behavior aimed at destroying, altering, or defacing property belong to another.”

Egging a car fits that description. Other examples of common vandalism are using spray paint, slashing tires, keying a car, breaking windows, and denting the vehicle with hands, feet, or other objects.

The consequences vary by state

State laws have jurisdiction over criminal property damage cases. Each state handles vandalism differently, deeming the destruction of property as criminal damage, malicious mischief, or malicious trespass.

Most states aggressively pursue offenders to limit vandalism’s impact in their communities.

Penalties might include a fine, imprisonment, or both. Restitution isn’t uncommon, where those convicted of vandalism are ordered to repair, wash, or replace the damaged property. Community service is also a common punishment for minor offenses.

Also, authorities might hold parents accountable for a minor’s behavior and force them to pay substantial fines.

The post Is Egging a Car Illegal? appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Hot rods can be fun to own and drive. However, like any car, they can also pose problems. For instance, by definition, hot rods are powerful cars, but they’re not necessarily valuable. Here’s a look at whether they’re a good investment.

Appreciation and depreciation

As most car owners know, vehicles depreciate. There are a few exceptions, but by and large, cars lose their value as soon as they drive off the lot. That means a brand-new car’s $30,000 price will drop to a few thousand in a few years. 

The few exceptions, usually beloved classics, might actually appreciate, meaning they’ll be worth more as time passes. But when it comes to hot rods, the answer to the question of whether they’re a good financial investment is simple, according to Hemmings. Like most other vehicles, these special cars rods will likely depreciate, so they’re probably not a good financial investment. 

But exceptions exist — some hot rods age like fine wine. But generally, they’re like any other car. They drop in value over time, especially if the owner makes too many modifications. 

However, hot rods are a good personal investment

That being said, life isn’t only about making money. After all, most car shoppers buy a model that depreciates, and they seem to take it as a given. So hot rod owners probably don’t care much if their car depreciates, either, since it’s a normal thing for a car to do. 

However, owners might care about what their souped-up cars can do for them. Obviously, they fulfill a vehicle’s basic purpose — moving people from point A to point B. But that’s not their only reason for being. As Hemmings said, hot rods are also a hobby, and for owners, expenses are an investment in their hobby.

This is because hot rods aren’t like regular cars. By their nature, they’re unique. Plus, the hobby aspect makes these vehicles even more special to their owners.

Hot rods as a hobby

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Though it’s possible to buy a hot rod on the market, that’s not what many hobbyists do. After all, these vehicles are modified versions of old cars, and as Hemmings said, many hobbyists modify their hot rods even more. There aren’t many limits to what someone can do to their car as long as it’s still street-legal.

For example, owners can upgrade the engine to be even faster and more powerful. Other owners might want a custom paint job or a modified interior. 

Because these vehicles can be heavy thanks to their upgrades and mods, it’s not surprising they’re typically a bad financial investment. Buyers might not want a hot rod tailored to the previous owner, and that’s OK. After all, that owner invested in their hobby, and there’s nothing wrong with that.

The post Are Hot Rods a Good Investment? appeared first on MotorBiscuit.