I don't know why but every time I'm out driving around and I see a cop car, I get nervous as if, "The jig is up! They found me!" And then I'm ultra aware of every movement I make, trying to toe the line so that I won't get pulled over and arrested for...whatever. Yes, I just have an exaggerated respect for authority.
I was driving our 2007 Kia Rondo to work this morning when I had an encounter with a cop car...
I didn't see him at first as I was behind a really slow-moving Mercedes sedan. For a split second I thought about switching lanes to get around the slow poke but then I saw the cop car.
I decided to stick behind the Mercedes and act like I liked it there, driving 5 mph below the speed limit. Had I been in our 2002 M3, I'm sure he would have seen through my charade. But in the Rondo, I looked like a happy commuter on her way to work, not in a hurry at all: "There's no need to hurry when I could sit in my tall car enjoying my tunes and fiddling with the climate control."
Little did he know that in this unassuming vehicle was a girl who has a penchant for extra-legal speeds. He just happened to catch her in a quiet moment, in the Rondo. And for this disguise I was thankful. The cop moved on.
Caroline Pardilla, Deputy Managing Editor @ 8,651 miles
I decided to stick behind the Mercedes and act like I liked it there, driving 5 mph below the speed limit. Had I been in our 2002 M3, I'm sure he would have seen through my charade. But in the Rondo, I looked like a happy commuter on her way to work, not in a hurry at all: "There's no need to hurry when I could sit in my tall car enjoying my tunes and fiddling with the climate control."
Little did he know that in this unassuming vehicle was a girl who has a penchant for extra-legal speeds. He just happened to catch her in a quiet moment, in the Rondo. And for this disguise I was thankful. The cop moved on.
Caroline Pardilla, Deputy Managing Editor @ 8,651 miles
zoomzoom22 says:
11:51 AM, 04/ 8/08
I hope no one is offended if I say that...um...the Rondo looks attractive in that picture. Just me?
louiswei says:
12:23 PM, 04/ 8/08
zoomzoom, it's just you...
Hehe.
bgw says:
12:55 PM, 04/ 8/08
The Rondo IS attractive. It's one reason I bought a 2007 EX V6.
estreka says:
12:58 PM, 04/ 8/08
I might have had a similar situation this morning. I was driving home from work when I saw a Crown Vic heading my way. I was only going 50 in a 45, and I wasn't even sure it was a cop car. But I slowed down anyway. I got really nervous when he pulled a U-turn, but then he pulled off. Whew!
desmolicious says:
01:44 PM, 04/ 8/08
Hey, what are you doing at The Brig Caroline?....
caroscuro says:
03:30 PM, 04/ 8/08
desmolicious,
Good eye! I'm being the designated driver. :)
felonious says:
04:15 PM, 04/ 8/08
This is why I love sleepers so much, and hot-rod station wagons in particular. :) I currently drive an 05 S4 Avant which I wish was a bit more stealthy.
opfreak says:
12:26 PM, 04/ 9/08
sleeper? this isn't a sleeper
a sleeper is a mazdaspeed 3 unless you know the wheels, the extact hood shape, and the distance a regaular 3 sits off the groud, you wont tell the 2 apart, untill your close enough to see the speed badge
SubyTrojan says:
03:34 PM, 04/ 9/08
^ You forgot to mention the MS3's foglights, opfreak. :o)
opfreak says:
05:38 AM, 04/10/08
SubyTrojan - opps I forget, the mspd3 has the trapzoidal sytlye fog lights vs the circle.
still a fog light difference could always just be though of as a different model year :-p
jq_s6 says:
08:31 PM, 04/15/08
blending in is a wonderful thing, my 1995 Audi S6 daily driver is a good sleeper in that respect, but my second car (2000 Dodge Caravan) is especially good as an automotive disguise. With the van i can speed with relative impunity. Although being a complete base model, with the 3 liter Mitsubishi engine, 14 inch wheels, no ABS, and a lot of mass, going fast requires a long run-up as well as bravery... or maybe more accurately, stupidity.