Am I the Only *Pimp My Ride* Addict?

[livius drusus]

God I love that show (http://www.mtv.com/onair/pimp_my_ride/). I love the "good kids who could use a break" premise. I love seeing some shitpile bucket of bolts transformed. I love the badasses at West Coast Customs with their gangsta aesthetics and impish glee. I love Xzibit's boys with toys brio.

Lamborghini doors on a 92 Honda Civic hatchback... How can you not fucking love that?

http://www.mtv.com/onair/pimp_my_ride/images/pic_episode_4.jpg

[trendkill]

I haven't watched it much, but I found it fascinating when I did see it. Even though I know nothing about cars.

[livius drusus]

I'm thoroughly car ignant myself, but now I can't even glance at a car without finding myself calculating rim inches.

(Yes, I am aware that sounds kinky. Degenerates.)

[Scotty]

Actually, those types of cars don't really interest me that much.

I like watching the transformation on Over Haulin' of the classics, but the pimping doesn't really do much for me.

But, what I really don't like on Over Haulin' is that I don't believe it only takes them a week to do the transformation. I mean, I read Hot Rod Magazine, and it takes a long time to do those buildups. A week just doesn't cut it, and a paint job that is done in one day usually totally sucks ass and probably lasts about 2 years before it fades off (a production car paint job is a completely different beast, they really don't compare).

But, I do like seeing the cars get built, but trying to make it interesting by adding the conflicts of the people. Sometimes buildings cars can be as fun as watching your grass grow...lots of tedious work.

-Scott

[Lauri D]

The few times I've seen it I found it very entertaining.

I've also enjoyed "Monster Garage" a couple times :blush3: (....mostly 'cuz this one time they turned a MINI into a snowmobile. That ROCKED!)

[livius drusus]

Actually, those types of cars don't really interest me that much.

I like watching the transformation on Over Haulin' of the classics, but the pimping doesn't really do much for me.

I really like the normal car turns into luxury penthouse dynamic. Not that it isn't nuts, mind you. I mean, how in the world do those people maintain the DVD players and 4-layer custom paint jobs? What's the resale value on a pimped 12 year old Civic?

I hope they do a Pimped: Behind the 20" Rims expose 5 years from now.

But, what I really don't like on Over Haulin' is that I don't believe it only takes them a week to do the transformation. I mean, I read Hot Rod Magazine, and it takes a long time to do those buildups. A week just doesn't cut it, and a paint job that is done in one day usually totally sucks ass and probably lasts about 2 years before it fades off (a production car paint job is a completely different beast, they really don't compare).

But, I do like seeing the cars get built, but trying to make it interesting by adding the conflicts of the people. Sometimes buildings cars can be as fun as watching your grass grow...lots of tedious work.

I've seen one episode of Over Haulin': a Corvette of some kind, I think. They set up the wife to think it had been stolen. That was pretty fucked up. They're lucky she didn't cock-punch the lot of them.

I appreciated the craft, but all in all, I found it pretty joyless.

[Scotty]

Well, I haven't watched the Pimp show (as it were), so that type of resto is probably a bit different.

On the classics though (like the Corvette you were talking about), are a different matter. If I had wanted a crappy 1 day paint job on a classic vehicle, then I wouldn't feel like I should be owning the classic.

Now, that being said, they would have probably let the thing rust out forever, then somebody looking around a garage sale when the gal died would get a great car to work on for a great deal.

What is it worth now? More because it was on the show? Or less because they did poor workmanship (really, mostly on the paint). I dont' know, probably doesn't matter, it is just a hunk of metal when it all comes down to it. Boy, do I sure like driving those hunks of metal around!

:)

-Scott

[lisarea]

I know what you mean, liv. All of those improvement shows seem to target people who really don't need stuff. Doesn't Overhaulin' target, like, celebrities and other people who already have the resources to own collectible cars? Trading Spaces and those shows are the same deal: They go into comfortable middle class suburban houses and paint the fucking walls.

I don't watch it a lot or anything, but Pimp My Ride has redeeming social qualities that are missing in almost all the rest of that genre.

[livius drusus]

Marathon alert! They already did the heinous Daihatsu (?) Hi-Jet and the nauseating Chevy Love Truck. Now they're on to the more carcass than car Honda CRX. Bungee cords in the battery, this poor guy's got. He likes computers, he's going to school and he just had a kidney transplant.

God I love this show.

[livius drusus]

The Lamborghini doors on the Civic episode is on right now. Run, don't walk!

[livius drusus]

I'm just bumping this cause the new season continues to rule. The custom paint on tonight's Acura Legend was just ever so pretty. :bliss:

[Scotty]

Oh, I wanted to mention that I was wrong. I read an article in Hot Rod about how long it takes to build those cars, and it is just a week. Because of budget and production costs, they really can't spend any more time.

-Scott

[HarryLime]

Despite my loathing of reality TV, I love Pimp My Ride passionately. It's actually the only thing I've watched on MTV in years. I think it comes down to the fact that I love my scripted television to be dark and mean-spirited, but Pimp my ride is so good-natured that you really can't help but love it. Plus, you get to see LCD displays in VW buses. That's just about as badass as humanly possible. My only qualm is that I really hope the cars run well. Because there's not much sadder than a kid soaking in the hot tub in back of his truck while broken down by the side of the road.

Will

[livius drusus]

Pimp my ride is so good-natured that you really can't help but love it.

Yes! Exactly! Everyone is just so damn game, you know? They're down for it all, from X's cheery mocking of the jalopies to the moans and groans of the West Coast Customs crew when he rolls in the door to the kid-like enthusiasm of making a silk purse out of a sow's ear.

Remember when they made the flamethrower exhaust for that rusted hulk of a Mustang and the big boss had to tell the kids to stop roasting marshmallows and make the fucking car street legal? I so love that shit.

Plus, you get to see LCD displays in VW buses. That's just about as badass as humanly possible.

A 40" plasma screen in a VW bus. Why would a surfer boy ever want to get out?

My only qualm is that I really hope the cars run well. Because there's not much sadder than a kid soaking in the hot tub in back of his truck while broken down by the side of the road.

/me giggles
Hell, what if they get a little scrape on that custom paint job? Repairs of any kind on a pimped ride have gotta be nigh on impossible without a trust fund.

[HarryLime]

I loved the Mattie Mustang episode. Just a bunch of goofy kids having a good time. Good, good stuff. That show, and "Your Friend, Andrew WK" on MTV2 are the only redeeming qualities of the entire MTV network.

And as far as repairing scrapes, that would definitely suck. You get the feeling most people would just have to strip out a couple of the LCD's and hock the rims to pay for it. Which, I'm afraid would be a real temptation for me if I ever needed some quick cash.

Will

[wei yau]

I blame everyone in this thread, but especially livius.

After a too-long business trip in Newark, NJ, I came home to relax in front of the television. I noticed that this show was on and decided to watch it. I mean, if liv likes it, it can't be all that bad.

I'm hooked.

The enthusiasm and creativity shown by the customizers is very infectious. The outlandish nature of the some of the customizing is incredible.

This episode, they put in a bowling ball return, bowling shoes compartment and a friggin' ball washer in the trunk of an Acura Legend.

The goofy grins everyone had whenever the ball washer was mentioned was adorable.

Also, I have great respect and admiration for people who know their shit. If a salesman demonstrates that he truly knows his product, I'm an easy target. These guys are great in that regard.

So, how do they select candidates for pimpin'? It seems like it's a great reward and I got the feeling that the Acura Legend guy did something to deserve the free custom-job.

[livius drusus]

Yay! I hooked someone on Pimp My Ride! :woohoo:

This episode, they put in a bowling ball return, bowling shoes compartment and a friggin' ball washer in the trunk of an Acura Legend.

The goofy grins everyone had whenever the ball washer was mentioned was adorable.

That custom bowling ball was gorgeous. I loved when the guy hugged it and called it his baby, and I agree that the goofy testicle joke grins were just adorable.

How great was that paint job? Mmmm... Glitter...

Also, I have great respect and admiration for people who know their shit. If a salesman demonstrates that he truly knows his product, I'm an easy target. These guys are great in that regard.

Good point. I have the same feeling about the guys on This Old House too.

So, how do they select candidates for pimpin'? It seems like it's a great reward and I got the feeling that the Acura Legend guy did something to deserve the free custom-job.

I checked MTV's website and couldn't find anything about how they pick the lucky pimpees. I know that every backstory I've seen featured an overcome hardship (i.e., a recent kindey transplant) or current community service (i.e., teaching disabled kids to DJ) as well as general going to school/helping mom poverty.

West Coast Customs' website (http://www.westcoastcustoms.com/Home/Pages/) mentions the basic requirements.

[wei yau]

I don't know any of the customizer's names yet, so bear with me.

I loved the round-table discussion as each one describes what they plan on doing for the car. I loved how the Boss would ask each one and give him props at the same time. I loved how they would all welcome each of the ideas with enthusiasm. When that one guy mentioned the ball washer, I could just tell that the others were barely holding back giggling with excitement.

I tell ya, if I knew anything about customizing, I'd love to work with that bunch of guys.

[livius drusus]

Chevy Blazer episode on now, eldar! Now, now, now, now, now! If you hurry you'll see X pull up and the killer round table (which I agree is so happy, positive, knowledgable it reminds what meetings should be but never are in my neck of the corporate woods). :convertible:

[Shake]

I haven't actually watched the show yet, but I saw some ads. It made me wish I had my '79 Nova back (which I sold about 3 years ago) ... and that they would have hooked me up!

[livius drusus]

Tonight's dumbass tried to stick a body kit on his Nissan with double sided tape. I shit you not. I can't wait to see how this one comes out.

[livius drusus]

Well, that was without a question the ugliest final product I've ever seen. Ever. The kid liked it though, so whatever, but I'd be selling that monstrosity so fast heads would spin.

[wei yau]

I really need to check the MTV schedule and catch this show more often. I find that scheduling on these cable stations is so weird. It just seems so haphazard.

So, what was so ugly about this one?

[livius drusus]

Sunday at 9:00, eldar, but they run repeats constantly.

Okay, well, it went like so:
dork spends all his money on getting souped up parts for his car
since he's spent all his money buying stupid crap, he doesn't have the money to install stupid crap
dork wants the souped up car to look like something from his favorite videogame, Need for Speed: Underground 2
X taunts him a little
the West Coast crew hook the dork up with a car that looks exactly like the one in the videogame: ie, bright green, with a hideous spiral flame kinda graphic on the hood and shreddery versions of that on the sides.
Oh, and 3 Xboxes installed with 6 monitors in the trunk so 12 people can play at once
dork says he doesn't have that many friends and drives away thrilled.

[xorbie]

I sort of lost interest in the show after they put a fireplace in someone's car.

I mean seriously. A fireplace.

[livius drusus]

But, but... It was a Blazer, xorbie. Get it? A Blaaaaazer...




Okay, yeah, that was retarded. I wasn't a big fan of how low they dropped it either.

[Shake]

I sort of lost interest in the show after they put a fireplace in someone's car.

I mean seriously. A fireplace.
Yeah! The Blazer, right? I just saw (most of) that one last night. The fireplace I could do without, but otherwise, an amazing transformation.

Also, we get enough snow around here (plus with the potholes) to make such lowering impractical. I also don't particularly care for that look.

[livius drusus]

I'm of two minds about tonight's episode. One the one hand, I would have really loved to have seen that piece of shit Ford Fairlane get the West Coast treatment. On the other hand, the flame job on the 4 Runner was one of the most beautiful exteriors they've ever done.

What these dudes can produce with tape and spray paint just boggles my mind.

[livius drusus]

:bump: 'cause the new season is starting soon and I need people to watch with me, dammit!

[livius drusus]

Okay so. The season premiere was Sunday night and it was kickass. They pimped a tiny little matchbox of a Pacer, somehow managing to squeeze 18" rims in those itty bitty wheel wells. The paint job was adorable (although I would personally never choose anything like that) and the juice bar in the trunk complete with growing wheatgrass lining the window was just dreamy.

The best part, though, was

Xibit found a couple of rat turds on the floor when he first checked out the car. Then when the guys tore out the seats they found mountains of rat shit. I mean piles and piles of little black turds all over the place.

Then they pulled off the dashboard and wouldn't you know it, there was the rat himself, just chillin', ya know? Just hangin out. Naturally the guys picked it up by the tail and chased their boss out of the shop with it.

It totally ruled. :relax:

[Shake]

I just saw my second episode just recently. The dude had some real POS car -- I don't even remember what kind it was -- the front bumper had fallen off and he carried it around in the front seat, leaving his g/f to sit in the back if she wanted to ride with him. He seemed like a good guy and was definitely more than deserving. Oh yeah, they did a real nice job for him.

[livius drusus]

That was the Acura Legend! The one with the ballwasher that made eldar so happy. That's one of my favorite episodes and definitely my favorite paint job. :thumbup:

[wei yau]

Ballwashers *do* make me happy! :wriggle:

I am aghast upon reading about the rat in the car. What the hell did that thing eat to make so much shit? How much food can it find in that car?

I'm kinda squicked right now.

[livius drusus]

It was supergross, eldar, really, and I don't even have a problem with rats. It definitely ate the floormats. I can't imagine it's terribly nutritious, but the upholstery was chewed right through.

[wei yau]

Man, I gotta see that episode. I can't just see the guys chasing Q with the rat. According to Q's bio on MTV.com:

Q, the manager of West Coast Customs, may look like a hard-bodied tough guy at the garage, pimpin'...

To see what follows the ellipses, you have to click "More about Q", but given this season premiere, I can fill in the blank myself.

[livius drusus]

Oh no, it wasn't Q who pulled the Brave Sir Robin. It was the big boss, Ryan, the owner, they turned into a little girl.

[livius drusus]

Whoa! West Coast Customs has a forum (http://p097.ezboard.com/bwestcoastcustoms). They desperately need it pimped too. :laugh:

[RevDahlia]

Xzibit is so freakin' cute. Best smile ever. I want to give him many hugs.

That is all.

[lisarea]

Xzibit is so freakin' cute. Best smile ever. I want to give him many hugs.

That is all.

You are correct.

That time when they did the Toyota van, and he kept doing that "What a feeling!" thing, I almost exploded from teh cute.

[livius drusus]

Then it is settled: X is adorable.

[Spice]

OK ok ok-- how about the shag rug in the Pacer? I loved the paint job and all the guys on this show, but the rat actually in the dash freaked me out. How could she have not known?!?

Hi there, my name is Spice and a I am a "terrible" TV addict*.


*(to be honest anything that I can watch on cable after midnight Pacific Coast time is what most consider terrible-Dog, Kept Man, the First 48, etc.)

[livius drusus]

OK ok ok-- how about the shag rug in the Pacer?

Oh yeah, that was awesome. It looked so strokable and happy. Shag gets a bad rep, but I love it. Ish is a genius with his fabrics. Remember the suede and alligator in the Acura Legend? How hot was that?

How could she have not known?!?

I have no damn idea. I mean, if you have a rat in the walls of a house, that's all you hear. They are noisy fuckers. She was such an airhead, though, not even Xzibit could get a comment or an expression out of her.

*(to be honest anything that I can watch on cable after midnight Pacific Coast time is what most consider terrible-Dog, Kept Man, the First 48, etc.)

I love Kept Man! It's like every deadly sin all in one bright, shiny package. :wriggle:

[livius drusus]

Point of Xzibit Cuteness: They just showed the episode with the old police Chevy the West Coast Customs crew turned into a hotass Impala, and at the end X hands the skaterboi a pair of classic RayBan Aviators so he can "put your fraudulent cop on". How adorable is that?

Oh, and the rat Pacer is on RIGHT NOW! So watch it!

[livius drusus]

New season. No more West Coast Customs. The new crew is bigger, whiter and far, far more self-conscious. The dialogue is forced and unfunny, the little sketches embarassing. I mean, they made Mad Mike do this bit with a robot where it taught him how to install some piece of equipment. I felt so bad for him. :no: