Yeah, eight years ago it was $1200. I read somewhere it had gone up to $3000. So you can get your car your car back, if it's worth it to you. And Chinky's right: most of the people cases get dropped or they send you to drug school which results in a dismissal. It's the fortune to get your car back that hurts. And if you wait for the "car impoundment hearing date" thinking you'll go in and argue that your case got thrown out or whatever- by that time the daily storage fees have added hundreds or thousands to the $ needed to get your car. Best to go to 400 West Superior and pay these fuckers within the first two weeks, before storage fees start.
Oh, if the car's title isn't in your name, or you got a title loan, or the insurance, license, city sticker ain't paid - you're fucked.