GTA 5: Your Guide to Auto Shops & LS Car Meet

Welcome to the World of Customisation: GTA Online's Auto Shops and LS Car Meet

For those who love to fine-tune their virtual wheels and showcase their automotive prowess, Grand Theft Auto Online has significantly upped its game with the introduction of the Los Santos Tuners update. This exciting addition brings with it the LS Car Meet, a dedicated social space for car enthusiasts, and the opportunity to purchase your very own Auto Shop, transforming your passion into a profitable venture. This guide will delve deep into what these new features offer, from their initial setup to the lucrative contracts and export lists that await.

The Genesis of the LS Car Meet

Upon logging into GTA Online after the Los Santos Tuners update, you'll be greeted with a notification about the LS Car Meet's grand opening. Shortly after, you'll receive a message from Mimi, the organiser of this automotive haven, on your in-game phone. The LS Car Meet is prominently marked on your map with an 'LS' icon, located in Cypress Flats. Making your way there and entering through the shutter entrance will trigger an introductory cutscene. Here, you'll be formally introduced to Mimi and Hao, key figures in this new automotive scene.

Once the cutscene concludes, you're free to explore the LS Car Meet. A crucial interaction here is with Mimi herself. For a fee of GTA$50,000, you can purchase a membership to the LS Car Meet Club. This membership is an investment that unlocks a wealth of benefits, including hundreds of exclusive clothing items, new and exciting race modes, unique wheel designs, custom liveries, and, importantly, access to Trade Prices on a variety of vehicles. This membership is your key to fully immersing yourself in the car culture of Los Santos.

Acquiring Your Own Auto Shop: A Business Venture

Following your visit to the LS Car Meet, the next logical step for any budding mechanic or car collector is to acquire their own Auto Shop. This can be done through Maze Bank's Foreclosure website. It's worth noting that while the exterior appearances of Auto Shops vary, their interiors are identical across all locations. Therefore, the best Auto Shop for you is primarily determined by its geographical convenience to your other businesses or preferred operational areas.

Choosing Your Auto Shop Location

There are five distinct Auto Shop locations available for purchase, each with a different price tag:

As you can see, the cheapest option is the Mission Row Auto Shop at GTA$1,670,000, while the most premium is located in La Mesa, costing GTA$1,920,000. Your choice should align with your strategic gameplay and existing property portfolio.

Customising Your Auto Shop: Personalise Your Workspace

Once you've purchased your Auto Shop, you have the opportunity to personalise its interior. This customisation is entirely optional and can significantly increase the overall cost, potentially adding up to an additional 2 million dollars. The customisation options range from aesthetic choices like style, tint, and emblems to essential upgrades like staff and essential equipment.

Here's a breakdown of the maximum costs for various interior customisation categories:

• Style: Up to $450,000
• Tint: Up to $187,500
• Emblem: Up to $104,500
• Staff: $770,000 for 2 Staff Members
• Extras: $990,000 for Personal Quarters & Car Lift

While these upgrades offer cosmetic and functional enhancements, the core business operations remain the same regardless of your chosen decor. The Car Lift is particularly useful for managing multiple vehicles.

The Setup Mission: Getting Started

After purchasing your Auto Shop, your first visit will initiate a cutscene where you'll be introduced to Sessanta and Kenny Dixon Jr., also known as "Moodyman." They'll present you with an initial task: to retrieve Sessanta's car, which has been impounded by the police. This mission can be commenced from the whiteboard located inside your Auto Shop.

To begin this setup mission, you must be operating as a VIP, CEO, or MC President, a prerequisite for most business-related activities in GTA Online. Upon arriving at the police station, you'll find the garage containing Sessanta's car heavily guarded by police officers. Your objective is to neutralise the threat and secure the vehicle before reinforcements arrive. Be prepared for a high wanted level, typically 3 or 4 stars, depending on your engagement with the law enforcement.

To evade the authorities effectively, it's highly recommended to drive the impounded car into the sewer tunnels. The exact entry point for these tunnels will be clearly indicated on your map by a purple custom marker. Once inside the tunnels, you can wait for the wanted level to dissipate. After successfully losing the cops, you can then drive the car back to your Auto Shop to complete this crucial setup mission.

Unlocking Your Potential: Contracts and Exotic Exports

With the setup mission successfully completed, your Auto Shop becomes a fully operational business. You can now access a job board within your shop, which features various Contracts. These contracts, provided by KDJ, are essentially mini-heists that offer a respectable payout upon completion. A significant advantage is that these contracts can be undertaken solo, making them accessible even if you don't have a crew readily available.

Beyond the contracts, your Auto Shop also provides access to the Exotic Exports List. This feature is a more lucrative and organised version of Simeon's car sourcing requests from the main game. Instead of randomly searching for vehicles, the cars on the Exotic Exports List are clearly marked on your mini-map with small blue dots, making them easier to locate. This list refreshes every 24 hours, offering a consistent opportunity for players to earn extra income through car recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What does a custom auto shop do in GTA 5?
  A custom auto shop, similar to Los Santos Customs but with added business functionalities, allows players to customise and enhance their vehicles. This includes changing paint colours, applying decals, and installing performance and durability upgrades. Furthermore, your own Auto Shop serves as a base for unique missions and income streams.
• How to use an auto shop in GTA 5?
  In GTA Online, you can utilise your purchased Auto Shop to modify your vehicles, accept and complete lucrative contracts from its job board, and undertake the daily Exotic Exports list for quick cash. It also functions as a garage for storing additional vehicles.
• What is the GTA LS Car Meet membership?
  The LS Car Meet membership is a one-time purchase of GTA$50,000 that grants players access to exclusive benefits within the LS Car Meet. These include a wide array of unlockable clothing, special race modes, the ability to access Trade Prices for certain vehicles, and participation in unique jobs associated with the car meet, enhancing the overall car enthusiast experience.
• Is a GTA auto shop worth it?
  Owning a custom Auto Shop in GTA Online is generally considered worth the investment, especially for players who enjoy vehicle customisation and participating in unique gameplay loops. The ability to conveniently modify cars, earn money through contracts and the Exotic Exports list, and gain access to additional garage space makes it a valuable addition to your criminal empire, particularly if car-related activities are your forte.

The Los Santos Tuners update, with its LS Car Meet and purchasable Auto Shops, offers a significant expansion for players who appreciate the automotive side of GTA Online. Whether you're looking to socialise with fellow car lovers, customise your dream car, or build a profitable business out of your passion, these new features provide ample opportunity to do so.

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