Ok, so I have $300...

Do I:

A) Buy an Escort Passport 8500

B) Buy 2k2 tails for my 2k1 sterling silver Max (put last $100 towards a FSTB)
-------------------------

I drive A LOT!!! so the Radar detector would be worth it, but the tails look fantastic making my car look even better than it already is!

 

its your money..

I would get all 3!

Get a basic radar that picks up all bands for about $100, then get your tails and fstb. All for about $300.

 

Screw the radar, it is worthless. Spend it on the Tails and the FSTB.

 

i agree!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

radar is not a complete waste of money, but don't buy it thinking that is your ticket to speed and never get caught. I still go over the speed limit (only in areas I know well), but never over 15 mph ... unless I feel naughty ... but even then I KNOW that if I meet a cop at 1:30 in the morning while I'm over 100mph, I'd better out run him b/c my radar will not help me. Most likely that late at night, he/she would not have the radar on constantly. That means that once they see me, they would flip the radar on (called instant radar) and by the time I hear the detector go off and look up to see it ... they already have my speed. No protection against that useage PERIOD. In traffic yes you can pick it up, but if you find a group that is going the same speed, you will most likely not get pulled over unless you are the lead car. About 5-6 of you at 80 mph in a 65 will most likely be ok, as long as you're not being overtly dangerous. Now if you by yourself are going 80 in a group that is at 65 ... you are dead meat.

Personal opinion ... get the tails. I love my 8500 and it has seriously saved my butt on several occasions, but it is not a free ride. It is merely a speed check for me. When it goes off, I always double check my speed. I don't drive 90 and expect to evade all police radars.

 

Thank you!!! I do want to get radar though, do you remember what that radar testing web site was that had all the ratings on it? I know it was posted a long time ago, but I can't remember, I'll look for a cheaper radar detector...

I'm the same as you, I usually keep it to 10mph over the speed limit, 15 if I'm in a hurry and bored and know the area well, which I usually do. A lot of highway driving for me, and it's the same stretches everday, I know the speed traps pretty well but every once in a while they find a new place to hide.

I really like the 2k2 lights and will probably get those. if you do know of any cheaper radar detectors, I'd love advice!

Thnx again!

 

you can check out www.radartest.com and see the ratings there. Don't know about other detectors ... PM or email maximadave and ask him ...

 

FSTB definitely
RADAR your choice here (if you punch it only in packs then get it)
Rear sway bar substitute for the 2k2 (no flames but I think the smoke tails look better not just cause I got em)

woosh ... out

 

Good radar detectors are not worthless. They work well and good ones will detect lasers as well.

 

I have a Bel 980 and it works well. It saved my butt more than once including once when laser was in use. It is rated nearly as good as the Passport 8500 on www.radartest.com. I got it for about $200 online from www.xtremeshopper.com.

 

FSTB, yes.

Would not spend too much time or effort on the radar.

RSB, yes (that is my next project)

Tails, yuck.

 

check out ispeed's max and you'll find your answer
tails all the way!!!!!!!!!!

 

mmm... I have the smoke tails right now, not crazy about em, I really like the 2k2 tails. I'm still up in the air, but what I might do is wait a little, scrape together another $100 and buy the tails and a $200 radar...

 

I have the 8500's in stock for $259.00
The Bel 980, which I have and love it, is disco. The replacement 985 should be here soon. I heard rumors it is as good as the Valentine 1.8....just what I heard from my rep.

Maximadave

 

Check out this months Car and Driver for the latest radar detector shootout. In a nutshell, Valintine one won followed by Escort 8500 and followed by Bel 980. The other three finishers aren't even worth considering. If you buy a cheap detector, you get what you pay for, namely a speeding ticket..

They are worth it, it won't make you immune, but it gives you an edge in the stupid game of cat and mouse. I've used various detectors from Escort for better than 20 years and only been nailed for speeding once using radar. I let my guard down. All the other speeding tickets were from other means (not that there was alot).

 

 

I have a 7500 (top dog Escort at the time), best detector I have ever owned. I have owned quite a few deferrent detectors and after my first Escort many years ago I won't buy another brand. Sure it's not gonna save your butt everytime, but if it works just once it's worth it. Us the money you save in tickets to buy your tail lights.

 

How much do your Valentine 1s go for?
or do you carry them?

 

Screw all three of them! Save up your money and get some tail

 

i gotta save up to buy a house... but i keep coming here to get tempted on more friggin mods...