In Qld its a pay once arrangement and the combination is yours for life, not that i'm saying that makes the initial purchase more warranted. I had a heavily modified XR6 Turbo ute that was blue with the plates BLU333. I think they cost me approx $350 years ago.
Did I need them? no.
Did I like them? yeah a fair bit.
Would I buy another set? nah probs not, if i was to buy another car (currently have a work vehicle) i'd just make sure it was blue
But each to there own, obviously just like when you see some one who covers there rifle in ridiculous "tacticool" crap which has no purpose what so ever when they just sit at a bench weekend after weekend.
Another one which cracks me up is when you see 7615/7600 covered in absolute garbage, rails everywhere, red laser,green laser,hop up sights,red dot scope and monstrous handles on the pump like they have to pump some 100mm cannon. Ask them how much it weighs and how it is to carry on a hunt and they look at you in bewilderment.