What's the deal with lots of cars with chrome rims in OC? (San Diego: mortgage broker, brokers)

[capitalist09]

There are so many more cars with custom chrome rims in OC. Not this many in San Diego or Ventura County. I have even seen old ladies with gray haif and beat up cars with custom rims on them. It just doesnt seem right. At that stage of life should the really be thinking, "everyone look at my posession! look at me!"

I think the rims are flashy and somewhat trashy on some cars.

In South County, there are tons of the soccer moms. They tend to be in Suburbans or Escalades (Black or White) with chrome rims, died blonde perfectly-styled hair, and designer sunglasses. Sometimes hot, sometimes not.

I know chrome rims exists everywhere. On the east coast, it is common for minorities and young white people to have rims, but it seems a lot more common amoungst all people in OC. Shockingly even popular amoungst "old money."

[EscapeCalifornia]

I don't think it's the old money putting big chrome wheels on their cars. It's the "I bought my house in 2000 for $300k and borrowed every dime of the appreciation they'd let me" crowd.

[18Montclair]

That's everywhere.

[Charles22]

People are stupid and wasteful everywhere.

[Fontucky]

Thank you for not calling it "the OC". So many from the East do.

[bhcompy]

my grandma bought her car used and it came with gnarly chrome rims. it wasnt the appeal for her, but she wasnt going to pay to change it either

[harhar]

Is this 2004?

I've actually seen a decline in "rims" since the Mcmansion, Escalade, Hummer hay day.

[OC Investor2]

I see 3x as many rims when I am in Corona or Temecula then I do in OC.

As someone mentioned earlier, people with Chrome rims tend to be full size SUV or pickup driving, McMansion owning, Heloc sucking types with more hair dye, peircings or tatoos and less modesty (and often more muffin top) then it is advisable to have

[hsw]

Aftermkt stuff/chrome/tinted windows/"prestige" brand cars (often used) tend to be more popular in any areas w/lower education levels and more aspirational money....FL or LV or NewportCoast is a caricature of that profile...there simply isn't much of a real economy in OC aside from PIMCO, a few small tech cos. like Broadcom, and a lot of unemployed mortgage brokers/RE guys

See far more new $200K+ Mercedes/Ferraris w/no aftermkt nonsense on SF Peninsula (esp Woodside or in SF's PacHts) or LA's Westside (esp Brentwood/Pali), often in wkday commute traffic...hard-working engineers or financiers just trying to earn a living

[capitalist09]

Originally Posted by hsw

Aftermkt stuff/chrome/tinted windows/"prestige" brand cars (often used) tend to be more popular in any areas w/lower education levels and more aspirational money....FL or LV or NewportCoast is a caricature of that profile...there simply isn't much of a real economy in OC aside from PIMCO, a few small tech cos. like Broadcom, and a lot of unemployed mortgage brokers/RE guys

OC is far more educated than LA and SF.. you comparison is based on judgement and has no support. read the stats infact Newport Coast has 75% has bachelors degrees to SF's 45%...

The economy is OC is phenomonal. Have you compared the income stats? Actually, every city in the 949 beats Santa Monica in household income. And you tell me the economy sucks?