[chevelle]

Originally Posted by VIPER_SRT

If you have time then take option 3! It might save you on insurance on the long run and ticket on the short! Have you thought of investing on a nice radar detector?

A radar detector won't detect speed cameras. It will just beep for radar and speed guns used by cops.

OTOH, a new GPS from Garmin does tell you where there are safety and speed cameras which could be useful. My Garmin does so and is very helpful.

[DexterMorgan]

Originally Posted by chevelle

OTOH, a new GPS from Garmin does tell you where there are safety and speed cameras which could be useful. My Garmin does so and is very helpful.

Agree, my fairly old "Tom Tom start 55" also notifies cameras on traffic signals. But i think in car navigation systems do not inform about speed cameras.

On the side note, aren't radar detectors illegal in some states? I always wonder if they are worth the money. Please share first hand experience if anyone has ever used them.

[chevelle]

Originally Posted by DexterMorgan

Agree, my fairly old "Tom Tom start 55" also notifies cameras on traffic signals. But i think in car navigation systems do not inform about speed cameras.

On the side note, aren't radar detectors illegal in some states? I always wonder if they are worth the money. Please share first hand experience if anyone has ever used them.

I have a Cobra ESD7100 9 Band Radar/Laser Detector that i got from Sears for $20 and it has saved me from speeding tickets a couple of times. It is a fairly basic detector that works each time. The bad thing is, the laser goes off even in parking lots of banks, superstores and side streets. But overall, my investment has already paid off as it has saved me 2-3 times on a long 2500 mile trip.

Yes, i think its illegal in most states.

[vineeth47]

Originally Posted by vineethvazhayil

One thing that should sway you from the used car could be the fact that 2013 Foresters would undergo some sort of mass clearance very soon, the 2014 new forester is already in the showrooms.

While you are at it, get the turbo forester, it would be good in your high altitudes and perform better than a naturally aspirated model.

Haven't had enough of my 2012 Accord S coupe, but I would like to move on to a nice crossover SUV since my family is joining me soon. I will be looking for a trade in. Fully loaded CRV would be perfect, but every other person in the city seems to have one, so that's crossed off. I don't like the ride quality of Toyota's. Subaru Forester is definitely an option, but I also came across this cool Acura RDX crossover which really impressed me with the looks and supposed drive quality. Any one out there has a first hand experience with RDX ? I'm interested to know about interior space the most (me being 6'2).

Also a comparison with Forester or similar competitors would be helpful. Willing to spend around 26k including the value of trade-in. So if its RDX, I'll be looking at a used one and that's fine for me. Looking up to the gurus for advice.

[infotech58]

Indiana State Police has unmasked Corvettes too. I have seen one a couple of times (back in 2010-2011) near the Airport.

Originally Posted by Jomz

I think the charger is now the hot favorite. I haven't seen anything else out here new other than chargers and one lone Impala.

But for the guys running between Louisville and Indianapolis on I-65, there are 2-3 Unmarked Mustangs patrolling that stretch. I believe they are Indiana State police.

Pic follows.

http://www.sspmustang.org/forums/showthread.php?t=12925
I've seen this one and a magenta one.

[dr.abhijeet]

Originally Posted by chevelle

I have a Cobra ESD7100 9 Band Radar/Laser Detector that i got from Sears for $20 and it has saved me from speeding tickets a couple of times. It is a fairly basic detector that works each time. The bad thing is, the laser goes off even in parking lots of banks, superstores and side streets. But overall, my investment has already paid off as it has saved me 2-3 times on a long 2500 mile trip.

Yes, i think its illegal in most states.

I use two radar detectors they are not illegal except in VA and DC AFAik. however , laser jammers are.
I have beltronics V955 and valentine one and they do detect traffic signal cameras very well.
I hada passport 9500ix which got rid of for the V1.These detetor are also spectre silent (radar detector detector cant detect them) as I live close to Virgina.

@maddy42: U should not be worried about point on a speed cam ticket as it is a non moving violation in most states, your insurance should not go up. You can contest it and showing up in most state will get your fine down or you can get the defensive driving course.

[Technocrat]

Originally Posted by vineeth47

Haven't had enough of my 2012 Accord S coupe, but I would like to move on to a nice crossover SUV since my family is joining me soon. Any one out there has a first hand experience with RDX ? I'm interested to know about interior space the most (me being 6'2).

A relative of mine recently bought a 2013 RDX. I think the space is slightly better than a CRV but by not a whole lot. I have the 8th Gen Accord Sedan & the RDX has slightly less or at most same space, no way bigger. But yes you should be at home in the RDX, The driving position is definitely higher & the overall feel of the interiors is great. The boot or the storage area offers reasonable storage for all the family needs(better than sedan ofcourse)

The 2013 is a completely new RDX and has the same engine as a V6 Accord with slightly different tune. The old RDX had an I4 Turbo which was peaky but also had lag & poor FE. It also had a more advanced AWD (SH-AWD which was heavier too), the current one uses a setup similar to the one in CRV.

Hope this helps

[vineethvazhayil]

Originally Posted by vineeth47

Also a comparison with Forester or similar competitors would be helpful. Willing to spend around 26k including the value of trade-in. So if its RDX, I'll be looking at a used one and that's fine for me. Looking up to the gurus for advice.

My close friend has a 2010 RDX. The major pluses for the RDX's from an enthusiasts point of view - the turbo engine and the SH-AWD. My friend had a FWD model, but having driven the TL SH AWD, I know for one thing that old gen RDX had a really fun to drive AWD system.
The major pluses also create the major minuses - Premium fuel requirement and disappointing mpg's if you cannot stay off the boost ! My friend was getting under 20 mpg overall. The 2.3 turbo engine was not the most refined either and felt rough. The 2013 refreshed RDX has the tried and tested Honda 3.5 V6 with the AWD system similar to what you get in the CR-V. So while the drive train has become more straight forwarded and less complicated, refinement has improved and fuel economy is also better. It will definitely be roomy enough for you in the front seats, but I'm not sure if someone your size can fit in the back seat with the front seats set to a 6'2" driver. I would think they should fit, but have never tried to know for sure. Technocrat has already mentioned a couple of points about the new gen RDX.

I have the forester, and I think the new generation (2014 model year) is a big improvement. For 26k budget, you can get a new car. In comparison to the RDX, you will definitely need the Forester turbo to be on a similar performance caliber. Also, the symmetrical AWD system on the Subaru is designed with different intentions from the Honda SH-AWD on the RDX.

If you are looking for a not so common SUV - why don't you checkout a Volvo XC-60?

[NinadJoshi]

I think the Stingray Wagon looks terrific.

[VIPER_SRT]

Originally Posted by chevelle

A radar detector won't detect speed cameras. It will just beep for radar and speed guns used by cops.

OTOH, a new GPS from Garmin does tell you where there are safety and speed cameras which could be useful. My Garmin does so and is very helpful.

Chevelle: My Bell RX65+ detects speed cams in many cities and saved me thousands of dollars. Some disable their X band detection assuming that its not used anymore but it is, especially for Fixed speed cams. But now the new passport has built in GPS with automatic updates for Speed Cams, red light cams and speed traps. End of the day its all depends on the sensitivity and range of the equipment. I spent $365 on my unit almost 6 yrs back and it still does the job. The only downside is if a cop uses a instant laser of POP wide band radar gun (KA+) then its too late for you to slow down since the cop already has the reading.

Sorry for high jacking the thread OP!

[vineeth47]

Originally Posted by vineethvazhayil

Premium fuel requirement and disappointing mpg's if you cannot stay off the boost !

Premium fuel requirement is a big buzzkill for RDX. My worry is that if I opt for a used car, how'd I make sure that the previous owner has been using premium fuel through out ? Or does it really matter ?

Everything else look very good for the Acura RDX and I should get a TD sometime soon. Nah not a fan of Volvo, although I may take a TD and see if it changes my opinion. Forester/RDX are the strong contenders now. Toyota Highlander looks nice and appears spacious, but I fear the drive quality would be like that of Camry and other Toyota's which I find terrible.

[kraft.wagen]

Originally Posted by chevelle

I have a Cobra ESD7100 9 Band Radar/Laser Detector that i got from Sears for $20 and it has saved me from speeding tickets a couple of times. It is a fairly basic detector that works each time. The bad thing is, the laser goes off even in parking lots of banks, superstores and side streets. But overall, my investment has already paid off as it has saved me 2-3 times on a long 2500 mile trip.

Yes, i think its illegal in most states.

No you can use the detectors in every state except the state of Virginia and Washington D..
But Laser jammers are prohibited in a bunch of states

[NinadJoshi]

Originally Posted by 3071211

Premium fuel requirement is a big buzzkill for RDX. My worry is that if I opt for a used car, how'd I make sure that the previous owner has been using premium fuel through out ? Or does it really matter ?

Premium fuel does not make such a big dent, imho.

Say you drive an average of 15K miles a year (the national average), and the RDX can be expected to yield an overall FE of ~20 mpg, = ~750 gallons a year.

The difference between 87 and 93 octane at the gas station at the corner of my street is 50 cents as of today and will probably remain about the same for the near future.

That would make the delta between premium and normal gasoline for a year = ~$375, or, $1 a day.

While one can't vouch for the previous owners' ethics and discipline in maintaining the vehicle, there is enough space for putting your faith in favor of it. Most people will not treat their cars badly, deliberately. There isn't much incentive in mistreating one's own vehicle. If you really want to judge the attitude of the previous owner towards the vehicle, the state of the interior and exterior of vehicle itself will provide ample evidence for it.

Also, most premium-gas vehicles can auto-config themselves to the octane rating if there is an occasional low octane fill up.

[VLOCT]

Modern engines requiring premium fuel are designed to retard their ignition when using regular fuel instead of the recommended premium fuel. The engines are thus protected although, they will be operating at a lowered performance state. You might notice the occassional pinging when operating such vehicles on regular fuel, where temperatures are relatively high. Unless the vehicle has been deliberately neglected, there really isn't much to worry about.

[chevelle]

Originally Posted by kraft.wagen

No you can use the detectors in every state except the state of Virginia and Washington D..
But Laser jammers are prohibited in a bunch of states

Yes, i stand corrected. I was under impression that the expensive detectors do come with laser jammers in built thereby rendering them illegal but i guess i was wrong. I don't see a point of spending $250-$500 on detectors unless one is doing lots of highway miles as a daily commute. But if it is used for occasional trips, the <$100 would be very fine. I thought if a LEO sees a detector in your car, chances of getting a ticket increases as many of LEOs consider them illegal. I don't know how true it is.

Best would be go <10mph over the speed limit. Usually LEOs don't bother about it.