Hey Guys! I'm a new member and I am picking up my Red Cooper S tommorow, the 15th. It is obvious to me that my red car will attract some attention, not all of it wanted! In particular the police. I have already gotten a nice Cobra radar detector to watch out for these douchebags. I motor and enjoy motoring fairly aggresively, that's what I don't want to give up. Do you guys have any tips that would that would help me avoid tickets, and still motor aggresively?I am a new driver on my family's insurance, and the insurance rates are already high enough!

 

Don't break the law !

 

one word....(ok, maybe two)

AUTO CROSS

 

I love a bit of speed myself, mostly because I feel like I would fall alseep otherwise, and it's fun. I get my rush from acceleration and cornering. As long as you don't peel out, or hit anything you can't get a ticket for that. Keep the high speeds to the track, or your increase in insurance would be the least of your problems. Where I live the cops use laser-yes there are detectors but by then it's too late, a detector would be a waste. Sorry for the lecture, and I don't know just how you drive. But I just never understood how people neglect to do any cost/benefit analysis (ticket, jail, life.../quick rush). It's just not worth it. So my advice is that the only reason a cop should have to pull you over is to look at your cool car. (BTW-you probably think I'm an old fart-I'm not, being in an accident will change your perspective).

 

I AGREE !!!!!

 

Welcome to the Red MCS club. I've got a MC40 that does get attention, but I think ANY car that's driving way outside the boundaries of what would be considered responsible motoring would attract 'unwanted police attention' (swerving in and out of traffic, running lights, EXCESSIVE speeds). I dont know about calling them 'douchbags' either - last time I checked police officers simply do their job when they uphold the traffic laws that we agree to when we get our driver's license.

That being said, I have a Passport SRX detector/laser jammer installed in my Cooper - not that I make it a habit to drive at excessive speeds, but i prefer to play it safe in case I do happen to wander above posted limits (especially when i'm just going with the flow of traffic). I am also a physician and on emergency calls tend to drive faster than usual. I do have a friend that was going 75-80 in a 65 (maintaining the same lane) when everyone else was going the same speed...and he was the only one stopped.

If you want to drive AGGRESSIVELY, do it in the AUTOCROSS environment or get Need For Speed Underground 2 for PS2.

Your car being RED wont be the reason you get stopped...the way you drive will be.

 

I agree with BriNYU....it's not the color of your car that will get you "unwanted attention". BTW, if everyone obeyed traffic laws and accidents were a thing of the past.....traffic cops would be out of business. It's job security for them because there is always someone out there pushing the envelope and driving beyond their abilities.

Be sure and remember to call the officer a "douche bag" the next time you need some help......I'm sure he/she would appreciate it!

 

[QUOTE=ChiliCooperS] In particular the police. I have already gotten a nice Cobra radar detector to watch out for these douchebags.QUOTE]

Sorry, bad form.

Other than that, congrats on the new ride.

 

Looks Long But Its Worth It!

Knowing from experience with law enforcement. I might not considering calling police officers names. Many find police officers differently but some see them better than others! And Radar Guns aren't the only ones out there! There is also LIDAR which is Laser and its hand held and they can pick out any car they want even if your travelling in a pack. If you've seen some of the things I've seen you wouldn't be pushing your speed to much! I'll admit I do drive over the posted speed limit most of the time but not excessively over! I enjoy the twisties and speed like anyother MINI driver! Many don't understand law enforcement but everyone has an opinion. I might say that law enforcement is there for your protection and also the others around you. And another thing you won't always see the police coming. Their are many undercover/un-marked police cars out there. Might I add that many times its hard to see whats coming and whats going when driving. I understand that many of us MINI drivers enjoy the speeds but you need to understand that its a big risk. I'll find some of my videos/photos of what happens with speed and stupidty. It may take some time before I find them but I'll post them sooner or later if I can get around to it.

I'm sorry for the the length but I hope it makes sense.

By the way:
Sooner or later your detector will be old and out of date.

Forgot one thing!
I'm only 17 years old but I understand many things in life and how law enforcement works and how they have to deal with people like you. I keep my speeds down and obey the laws. I need to add that my father was a Sheriff and I will be following his foot steps.

 

So, I'm guessing you are a new driver also . Keep your speed racer moves off the streets and join the SCCA. We'll all be better off

 

OK Junior, I am happy for you to be blessed enough to live in a family that they can give their kid a $20K+ car as his first ride. You should thank GOD that you are where you are. Perhaps you ought to think about a better radar detector something like the Valentine one, or a inferior Escort model? Other than those two brands you are simply wasting money!

Next get your thrills at the track! NEVER on the street. Yes twisty roads may make for fine motoring, but keep it legal. Please remember to leave the DSC on! It will save your inexperienced hide a few times! Better yet ask mommy and daddy to send you to a driving school or two. First a weekend defensive driving school for teens and then maybe a performance driving school. Then again keep it legal on the street that way the only thing you can hurt is your hide and your MINI. The life and NINI you save by not playing Paddy Hopkirk could be mine!

And as others have said, cops aren't douschebags. They are there to keep everyone safe. Show some respect for "The Man" and you will go a lot further in your young "I will never Die" life!

Yes I am being harsh but someone has to give you tough love.

 

You go! "Cop Basher" ! I hope you have your license suspended ASAP , or just rack up enough points to earn some fantastic insurance rates .



This message sponsored by a member of F.O.P. Lodge 168

 

F.O.P.
Might I ask what police department? And I'm assuming by the name you are a K-9 Officer. Correct?
Thanks.

P.S.
I'm looking forward to be involved with K-9 Unit. One more question? Enjoy working with the K-9 Unit. If you do.

Sorry to kinda go off topic! Please forgive me!

 

Anyone know if these things work? Seems everytime I've been stopped, the cops just clocked me the old fashion way.

 

sending you a PM

 

Thanks alot for the advice you guys, you are really helping out a young driver. As for the cops, I was being a smarta$$ and trying to be funny, I didn't mean to hurt anyone's feelings as I feel I may have. I am sorta just testing the water here, and I feel I have made a bad impression upon all you, and regret it. As for the speeding I really don't speed that bad (5-8 over AT THE MOST), I just drive to get places and have fun, and realize every time I get behind the wheel it's like holding a loaded gun. You seemed to think I am a cocky young rich kid but I am not. I paid for my car with MY money ever since I saw one for the first time in '02. I respect the police for my family is friends with the Police Chief and Sherriff, I just have heard many bad stories about them. In the future I plan to obey the law, because four of my close friends have died in the past year due to automobile accidents.

Thanks for the advice and sorry for the misunderstanding.


R.I.P: Matt Anderson, Clark Georke, Ryan Morris, Brett Langton.

 

Hey ChiliCooperS,

These guys and gals above me have given some fantastic advice!

Please follow it! That way I won't have to be called out in the middle of some cold, rainy night to fly you to the nearest Trauma Center after the laws of physics have had their effect on you and your car.

Speed and an unmovable object can make a quite the mess

Could you do me a favor?
Print out what you wrote, take it to your folks and have them read it and get back to us with their opinion. Could you do that for me? Thanks

 

An aftermarket exhaust and intake, plus some stripes will get you a little more attention. :smile:

Be good and be safe.

 

Sounds like you learned something tonight And it didn't cost you any $$ or points .

 

GOOD LUCK PUP!

YOU'RE REALLY GONNA NEED IT!!!

Like a few others on this thread, I strongly suggest that you join the SCCA and start Autocrossing. It's only $70. a year and usually about $15 per raceday. Tell Daddy! He'll pay for it.

...and no need to explain that you're a new driver, it's quite obvious.

Edit: Just saw your second post. It did come off pretty bad, especially the "douchebag" remark. If that's not what you meant, cool. I guess it's part of growing up. Enjoy your motoring. Be careful. Most of all, remember that cops do allot more than write speeding tickets. A friend of mine is a Tennessee Highway Patrolman. He told me just the other day that he hasn't given a ticket just for speeding yet. He only writes people up that are wreckless and speeding. Again, good luck!!! ...and this time I mean it. :smile:

 

[QUOTE]
]

Don't worry about it !!! Just remember that the slower you drive the better other motorist can check out your New MINI !!!!

 

I have some advice.

Never drive aggressively on the streets (well try not to at least).

If you want to be hardcore, take your car to the track (with lessons). The MINI will actually teach you a thing or two about driving, and how to drive. And keep the DSC on for the first couple of times until you know what DSC really does.

Regarding the "douche bag" cops, personal statistics show that 1 in 5 cops are ar$eholes...but not all of them. Try to accept them, otherwise you'll end up fighting them (and losing).

 

Glad you understood what everyone was trying to tell you.
You don't when something is going to happen until it happens!

 

Hi! I can tell you from personal experience that the Passport SRX works very well. It has, without fail, alerted me well in advance of standard radar...and even give the frequency of the particular radar (very useful in differentiating between a false alarm and an actual police radar). I tend to drive about 10 mph above posted speed limits and it gives me plenty of time to slow down a bit.

As far as detecting/ LIDAR, it is nothing short of amazing. Every time I've been "lasared" the unit has successfully shifted the lasar, indicated by warning beep and , well, not being stopped

There are quite a few positive independent reviews... http://www.radartest.com/article.asp?articleID=1026 (for example) and I know that our local porsche dealer exclusively offer this particular installed unit to their customers.

In any case, having one is no excuse to drive irresponsibly or at excessive speeds...but it is nice having the piece of mind when you do on occasion a bit too far above the posted speed limit (there's a 25 mph near me in the middle of nowhere...i tried doing 25, just not happening...I think a ladybug passed me when i tried to do 25 there, lol)

Note : this and ANY radar detector is useless if you're being pace checked by an officer's squad car. Drive responsibly and you wont need one.

 

it's so visible, especially to that Hummer bearing down on my bum It looks great dirty:smile: It doesn't cost $420 You can interior color code and with black stripes and roof it looks quite the menace

So I could care less if it makes a cop see me easier Jimbo