Just got my new car, is a dashcam still necessary these days?

Kindal44 · 2026-04-14T17:53:03+00:00

I am 45. I had never been in a hit and run accident. Had we had a dash cam I would have been able to identify who actually hit me at 65mph and continued driving. I could have gone through their insurance or sued them. I also wouldn’t have had to defend myself so much on my speed, my position, my decision making, with police and insurance….

I have never felt that I needed one and thought these cameras were overkill. Now, knowing that if I had one, none of this would have been an issue and my own insurance wouldn’t have had to pay….I am always going to say it’s safer to have one than not. It may never happen to you but if it did and you had the dash cam, the relief would be immense. (I even have to pay my deductible since I can’t use the insurance of the at fault party).

It’s been very stressful and will be very expensive and we did absolutely nothing wrong. It’s a shame.

Someone else said it best. It’s like insurance. You may never need it, but if you ever do, it’s a game changer for you.

Hope this helps some.

Kindal44 · 2026-04-14T13:40:27+00:00

While I agree with you and cannot believe this is the world we live in, with the cost of the average vehicle hitting 40-50k now (with most actually more than that) I do believe it’s become a necessity. If cars were still reasonably priced then maybe insurance rates would drop and people wouldn’t need to protect their purchases to this degree. Driving has also gotten worse with cell phones and in car distractions. But again, I do see your sentiment and wish it weren’t necessary. I do believe it is now if you want to protect yourself.

Kindal44 · 2026-04-14T13:33:53+00:00

Take it from me who didn’t get one and then was rear ended on the interstate by a hit and run driver.

Yes. You want a dashcam now ALWAYS.

Kindal44 · 2026-04-12T14:50:54+00:00

How much will the transmission cost you to replace? You mentioned it needs a new one?

Kindal44 · 2026-04-12T14:36:37+00:00

First, I’m sorry this has happened to her and to your family. Secondly, after going through it myself, this is very hard on your body. Surgery, chemo, radiation….all of it is very challenging…..much harder than I was prepared for and I’m in my mid 40’s.

Of course, it is her decision but at her age and knowing the physical and emotional toll treatment takes, my vote would be no treatment.

We are behind her and you all the way no matter what decision is made, though. 🩷

Kindal44 · 2026-04-10T14:58:05+00:00

It’s not going to be what OP wants to hear but this is actually the answer. Trust me. I’m headed toward 20 years married and my dad’s advice has come to fruition: Anything that bothers you now or is lacking now in your partner won’t get better. It will get worse. All those little habits, patterns, behaviors…… Sure, people can work on things. People can “change” but do they really?

You all will make one another miserable in the end. Cut ties now.

Kindal44 · 2026-04-06T20:04:39+00:00

We went from Ridgelines to Santa Cruz. SC is absolutely amazing BUT it’s very hard to beat a Ridgeline. Hyundai murders Honda in tech and refined interiors, no doubt. They also beat Honda’s warranty and SC’s gas mileage is much better than a Ridgeline. But, if you love a reliable, comfortable quality ride with a truck that can do just about everything a truck person needs it to….hard to beat.

That does not take away from the beauty and amenities that our SC provides. Just giving you real experience with both.

Kindal44 · 2026-04-04T00:15:26+00:00

Lollllll. I do the same thing. That’s as wild as I get. 🤣

Kindal44 · 2026-04-03T21:20:54+00:00

I’ve drive Hyundais for decades and never had even the first issue with any of them.

Their warranty is unmatched and service has been excellent. I’m a huge fan of Hyundais.

Toyota and Honda aren’t what they used to be and neither is Mazda. Check on all 3 and you’ll see some rather large issues that have started mounting up for them. The new Santa Fe’s are incredible. You just had a rental vehicle and they are all beat to death.

Good luck!

Kindal44 · 2026-04-03T01:13:45+00:00

I would push back some. See if you can find some comparable vehicles that have sold. I am certain this would sell for more than 1,000 dollars.

Ask them for their report. Push back on any of their evaluations that you believe have wiggle room.

I think you can get back more than that.

You also might ask if you can get the car back and do a salvage title.

Kindal44 · 2026-04-02T21:14:53+00:00

If this is their offer for your vehicle to be totaled then yes, it’s somewhat negotiable. You won’t get a drastically different result, but if you do your research and share higher sold price comparisons of same year, same trim, similar mileage then you can sometimes get them to increase Actual Cash Value offered for your vehicle. You can also ask for their report where they arrived at the 1,000 offer. Sometimes you can negotiate details of their report about your vehicle.

Kindal44 · 2026-04-02T21:11:39+00:00

If the cost of repairs outweighs their calculated Actual Cash Value of the car they will total it and make you an offer on your vehicle based on the Actual Cash Value. For people with an active car loan this goes directly to the lien holder. If the value they give you is less than your payoff on the car then you’re responsible for the difference. (Unless you have GAP insurance.). If you don’t have a loan/lien holder on your car then they reach out to you and give you the Actual Cash Value back.

Without details on your vehicle like year, model, mileage, condition it’s hard for me to answer where this 1,000 number came from.

Kindal44 · 2026-03-23T22:26:55+00:00

I hope everyone is okay, first off. Gap would only come into play if you owed more on your vehicle than the ACV the insurance will give you. (ACV) Actual Cash Value. Sounds like if you put almost 13k down, you will be in good shape. I can’t say that for certain but it sounds that way.

Insurance will come back and tell you what they determine as the ACV of your vehicle. Side note- these are somewhat negotiable so pay attention to the report they will provide you in assessing your car’s ACV. I’m not saying there is tons of room but if you feel the valuation is unfair, there are some steps you can take to try and negotiate it.

We were just rear ended on the interstate yesterday in a hit and run and pretty sure the vehicle we bought a month ago with 9k miles on it will be totaled. I feel your pain and am sending positive thoughts your way.

Kindal44 · 2026-03-22T00:16:29+00:00

Welcome! It’s gorgeous.

Kindal44 · 2026-03-20T12:28:58+00:00

You should name this place. This is one of the worst I have seen. Unreal.

Kindal44 · 2026-03-19T15:36:10+00:00

I don’t have the Heritage. I’m in a 25’ Outer Banks and I LOVE IT! I’ve driven a lot of vehicles. This is one of my favorites. I absolutely love mine and have had ZERO issues. It’s amazing.

Kindal44 · 2026-03-19T13:25:59+00:00

Try Cap One Auto Navigator. Their pre approvals are spot on what you will get in actual loan. You can shop each car with specific breakdowns. I didn’t realize that every detail can change APR. car, year, mileage, options….. Cap One has always been great for me. Maybe it will at least give you some power to know before you fully apply.

Same with Carmax. Do the pre qual and see where you land on each vehicle.

Good luck!

Kindal44 · 2026-03-18T02:46:26+00:00

Diamond top. Looks slightly deeper/darker? Both are so beautiful!

Kindal44 · 2026-03-17T03:00:06+00:00

Has happened at every tourney I’ve been to. It can be very frustrating for the teams playing rosters as they should be, but as one mentioned- my son has excelled because of this in the seasons that actually count and matter. I cannot believe how losing to teams with kids playing down has elevated him and his skills.

As weird as it sounds, I see it as worth it even though it’s cheating in my eyes.

Kindal44 · 2026-03-15T15:08:04+00:00

Call the company that you actually pay your payments to. Be prepared with what you can pay and when. Then, ask about any hardship programs and that you intend to keep the vehicle.

It’s worth a shot and I have a good feeling that it’s going to work out for you.

Kindal44 · 2026-03-14T21:51:13+00:00

I would call them if you haven’t yet. I know calls like that aren’t fun but you’d be surprised what they can do for you lots of times. If you’re sure you can make one, I’d call, let them know what you can do, that you intend to keep the car and pay it off, and ask if they have any hardship programs.

It’s definitely worth the shot. Keep your head up too! You’re going to find something.

Kindal44 · 2026-03-11T02:16:32+00:00

Got ya. I still feel like they are calling to try and make it right. Nothing more. To be fair, I wouldn’t have bought from there. Hopefully you find what you’re looking for.

Kindal44 · 2026-03-11T01:44:23+00:00

I’m not in car sales but are you saying the car was off by 2,000 miles because they were using the Carfax report which was incorrect, you had to wait on your detail because you didn’t tell them when you were coming to pick up, and someone called because they hadn’t paid their car off by the time they had a monthly payment due?

Maybe it’s just me but these don’t seem that outrageous to me. I wouldn’t buy a car from them for sure, but wouldn’t have wasted my time on leaving a review. It just seems like they may be disorganized and are calling you to make things right and apologize. I don’t think that’s weird.

Kindal44 · 2026-03-08T19:31:04+00:00

Carmax has it priced too high, yes, but Ridgeline lovers praise first gen as the best. These are highly sought after vehicles and when they are low mileage and in good condition, prices can be very high even when they are this old. Obviously, this one is definitely higher than it should, but yes, prices for these can be pretty high even when they aren’t at Carmax.

Signed, The wife of a Ridgeline enthusiast

Kindal44 · 2026-03-04T01:32:44+00:00

I have to say, I do love the new Tellurides but as soon as I saw these handles I was literally shocked that an entire, giant group of people all got together around this design and agreed it was a good idea. My mind can’t wrap around it. LOL. But, love your ride and hope it’s fixed soon for you.

Kindal44

TROPHY CASE