Avoidance is your best bet. Quiet exhaust, car is not slammed to the ground, no numbers or decals and even remove the wing.

Then radar detector (where legal), and constantly scan and look down the road.
Many of us don't look far enough down the road to spot police. Get to know your commute and hiding spots. Aggressive brake pads help too.

 

[QUOTE=9evolution;9479047]Trust me... it's an uphill battle. But in all honesty no matter how many good cops there are, people will always think they deserve a break. I'm not suggesting that you should admit guilt when getting pulled over (quite the opposite), but speeding is a strict liability law. Meaning... if you're 1mph OVER the speed LIMIT... guess what... you're speeding. Don't get all bent out of shape if the police officer is doing his job, whether you agree with the politics or not.

 

I get pulled over basically constantly regardless of driving style. I've been pulled over for 19 in a 25, and given a ticket for "excessive speed" where the officer said it sounded like I was doing 90 mpg. SOUNDED.

My car is low, limo tinted, debadged, loud, caged, and has the factory wing... so I can't say I'm surprised at the negative attention, but it is absolutely profiling because I'll see officers do a 180 degree turn and trail me for 5+ miles on a regular basis when I'm driving exactly the speed limit, in the slow lane, at low rpms. Partly its the area I live... most of the cops around here are incredibly bored and have nothing better to do than harass people. Also they wouldn't give a domestic car with open headers and a plume of smoke a second glance, but an import... your *** is screwed. The only exception I've seen is when I got tagged completely legitimately by laser doing 25 over north of Baltimore... the cop knew my shop and used to own an STi, so he gave me a warning and talked cars with me for several minutes. Very cool dude. I honestly hadn't been aware I was going that fast, and I drove home at the speed limit the whole way.

 

[quote=ProPilot04;9479083]all i have to say to that is F*** THE POLICE. take that bull**** to a minivan forum so my mom can applaud.

anyways, I can attest to the wing variable as far as police attention is concerned. as far as Evo drivers personality, I think its fairly similar across the board at least with Evo owners that I know. I live in colorado and around here I just keep a low profile during the day then at night minimal city illumination and all these hills have my back . but i must say i get a lot less attention than i used to when i owned an audi.

all hail

 

I commute a 45 mile stretch to work one way, and it's not uncommon to see 4 or more CHP one way. I drove a total of 3 years in a Tundra with tint,no front plate, and never once got pulled over. The first week I drove the Evo, I got pulled over 6 times, Although I had just gotten the evo from Nevada, I had no plates just the temporary slip, and the Front side windows were tinted, wich I guess gave them reason to check me. I always drove the speed limit, but I noticed how they stare at you in the Evo compared to the truck,it looks like they have this crazy envy in their eyes. The problem is I think they take it personal, and if they do, they shouldnt be a cop. In the truck they never even look, I dont blame them though the Evo is sexy haha.

 

My experience with this topic in my local area (Seattle) is this:

• In Seattle: The officers never gave me a second glance when I was running dark tint/no front license plate with my STi. They don't take a second look with my Evo w/exhaust either. They have much bigger things to deal with.
• Just outside of Seattle (non-highway): Officers seem to use exhaust/no license plate as as reason to pull you over to check for DUI or other major infractions (as many other cities do). Only a few times has an officer done a U-turn to follow me for a bit without provocation.
• Non-major regional cities/rural: Officers seem to focus on exhaust and licence plate issues much more than in Seattle. Most people I know that have been pulled over for no front license plate/exhaust has had it happen in smaller western Washington cities. I've had many more officers do a U-turn and follow me in my Evo (also my STi when I had it) without provocation than I ever had in my old beaters or even my e46 M3.
• Washington Highways: There seems to be no rhyme or reason to the WSP. City or rural, you can go past them one day doing 10 over with dark tint and you won't see them flinch. The next day you'll be doing the speed limit and they'll come flying out of their hole like you just robbed the bank for a tint ticket. At least they keep you on your toes though!

 

[QUOTE=ProPilot04;9479083] I never get upset, I did the crime I can own up and do the time. I was guilty as sin at double the speed limit and paid for it. I will not forget the officer coming to my car very mad and asking do you know how fast you were going??? I said no speedo stops at 85. He yanked me out of my car and stuffed my head in his cruiser to look at the radar display I did get out of a tint ticket by going to the police station and taking pictures of officers personal cars with full tints and asked the prosecutor what the difference is between our vehicles and why are officers above the laws they enforce ect... Only law enforcement to get da nuts is the DEA

 

[QUOTE=ThatMileHighEvo;9479141]Yeah... you're getting pulled over for your spoiler...

 

Just to reiterate a point made several times and for any newer evo owners out there.

Step 1: De-badge
Step 2: De-wing
Step 3: ?????
Step 4: Profit.

No wing, no badges, no tint, no carbon fiber/exterior mods = no reason to be pulled over.

Follow those steps and don't get caught in the middle of something stupid and you'll be left alone.

 

I've had my evo since 2007, 50% tint, mild exhaust(tanabe medallion) and wheels, and have never been pulled over for any reason. The truth is most people that get pulled over either gave the cop a reason to pull them over, or encountered the wrong cop on the wrong day.

p.s. the wing has nothing to do with it.

 

I guess a lot of it depends on the officer. Yes most officers do profile -- because it works.

My anecdotal evidence: I have a 2000 Saturn coupe, which for a long period of time had a turbo but looked stock and was moderately quiet. I got pulled over one time when I stomped on it getting on the interstate -- and that was for the loudness -- which didn't result in a ticket.

I have a 2008 Sky Redline and I've had 3 tickets in 2 years, all for speeding, all "were not captured on radar". I had 2 thrown out and one lessened in court, because there was no evidence. I simply look and sound fast (and I can be if I chose to do so).

I'm a 27 year old, but I generally wear a tie to work and I look like a professional. They're not profiling the driver, but they certainly profile the car.

I've had the Evo for about 6 weeks now and I've been followed twice, even taking turns out of my way just for the heck of it, and they continued to follow. I would say 100% they profile vehicles, because it's generally profitable to do so.

Making a habit of following minivans around wouldn't lead to nearly as many tickets.

 

It all depends on what roads you drive on. I never get pulled over when I speed in the rural roads near my neighborhood, but I have to get on the Interstate each day to work and probably pass 2-5 cops, daily. I cannot speed when going to and from work but can for the most part on any of the more mountainous roads near my house.

Edit: +1 on the wing doesnt do anything. Been pulled over 5 times since owning an Evo since Aug 2010 and all 5 were before I put the wing on. I put the wing on about 5 months ago.

 

The wing I can understand... but debadging? You guys really think that a cop is going to see a wingless car with an evolution badge on it and say yep I better pull them over?

And you know that it comes up when your plates get ran anyway right?

It isn't really profiling... fast cars go faster. Its more of a probability thing.

 

^ not trying to flame... I'm just curious I guess?

 

I debadged cause i like it clean. Thought about shaving door handles as well. I don't think badges make a difference at all. Wing is a look at me! I need lots a downforce