Old Police Cars

[Grappa]

Looking for a daily driver, and I can't find anything that I really want.  But... came across a listing for a 2004 Crown Victoria P71 police car.  Black and white paint scheme.  Police push bar.  Spotlights.  Looks like it still has some of the extra lights behind the grill and inside the rear window.  No lights on top though.  Sounds silly, but when I think about it, it sounds kind of interesting too.  Park it out front of the house, and less chance for break-ins.  Heck the whole neighborhood might benefit with a drop in crime.       Driving down the highway, and people might actually let me merge without flipping me off.    Less likely to be stolen.  (Actually maybe more likely, I don't know.)     I've read that they are built to last, but they usually take a good beating during service.  The thing still looks like a service car, how do I not get arrested for impersonating an LEO?  Anybody have any first hand experience with these?

[Speedbag]

It's got a cop motor, a 4.6 liter plant, it's got cop tires, cop suspension, cop shocks. It's a model made after catalytic converters so it'll run good on unleaded gas.

(as long as the cop livery is gone and the roof lights are also, you should be fine  )

[64duc]

  I've had a couple. As long as it does not say police, sheriff, or the name of a city or county you should be all right. Get rid of the numbers on the roof if they are still there. last one I had was Fla. State Trooper. Had to paint that one.

I wouldn't buy one with more than 100,000 and then for half retail.

[nllm_oo_mlln]

there's a facebook group called "I hate it when people drive cars that look like undercover police vehicles"...

but it was taken over by people that actually drive these "slick-tops" and love that benefit. it's dead now but the posts are insightful -- and made me consider one.

No FHE here except the LEO's  at work shrugging their shoulders at the mechanic... again. 

and yeah; at 100k they have to retire them. 50% retail seems right it's like a rental^2.

[zarn02]

I've got a buddy with a non-LEO Crown Vic, and another buddy with an ex-LEO Caprice.

Fuel mileage on the Crown Vic is unimpressive, but it's a V8 full size sedan, so whatcha expect?

The Caprice had been well-used (read: beat on a bit) during it's service stint. Figure into the cost that you may have to get the car freshened up.

[Latinbalar]

My family has bought a few retired police cars. The trick is to get them from a guy that specializes in selling them.  Some of the police Departments don't take of their cars. Like here in Florida Miami cops don't take care of their cars but if you get it from a central Florida department they are great cars.

Take it for a test drive if it doesn't drive like new walk away.

[DucNaked]

It's got a cop motor, a 4.6 liter plant, it's got cop tires, cop suspension, cop shocks. It's a model made after catalytic converters so it'll run good on unleaded gas.

Yes, but does it have a lighter. 

[Speedbag]

Yes, but does it have a lighter.  

Yep, and it works.

[1KDS]

Yeah, they get beat up a bit during use but they also follow maintenance guidelines that a lot of people don't.  Best thing would be to find a captain's car, all the cool stuff but not beat as a cruiser.

[64duc]

 In Florida this is where I have bought all my cars and trucks for the last 30 years.

http://tmauction.com/

[hbliam]

They get seriously beat on. Full throttle to full braking is the norm on much of a shift. They get drove over curbs, off sidewalks, flooded, and bashed into everything. If it's got a plastic back seat it was used for prisoner transport and has seen it's share of drugs, blood, crap, urine, and every other bio hazard the human (and sometimes non-human) body can excrete.  The benefits? People may get out of your way and the spotlights will help if you get a job delivering pizza. More likely: You'll wonder why everyone is driving so damn slow around you and why your front yard is suddenly the regular victim of vandals.

[Howie]

You want a Highway Patrol or equivalent, whatever they call it in your area.  Those cars are maintained.  Local cruisers are a different story, more like buying a used taxi.

Ummm, also read at what hbliam posted while I was typing.  Welcome back hbliam! 

[hbliam]

Yeah, they get beat up a bit during use but they also follow maintenance guidelines that a lot of people don't.  Best thing would be to find a captain's car, all the cool stuff but not beat as a cruiser.

Yep. Stay away from the black and whites. A command staff car or detective unit would be better.

[csp808]

We service alot of these at my dealership. The big city ones are usually beat to hell. The smaller town ones are the ones to get.  If they rattle from the front of the engine budget for new chain guides. Not a real dificult task but you need to get it timed up right

[Monster Dave]

My uncle drives one of those and it has the interceptor police package under the hood. That thing does move! He's had little trouble with it and has been pretty happy overall.

I wouldn't mind having one of these: