Question on retired LEO Crown Vics

I might be needing a car to drive from Denver to Ft. Collins on a regular basis and I am wanting something reliable, gets good mpg's, comfortable and cheap. My wife has a Camry and it's not a bad car but the seat does not go back far enough for me and people want a fortune for them. I've looked at other smaller cars like Civics, Focus, and Hyundai's but the ones in my price range are beat to death. So I started looking at Crown Victorias and saw I can get a LEO retired model with low miles for a decent price. MPG estimates on the internet show they get high 20's on the freeway which is what my V6 Camry gets. So, does anyone here own one? What were your experiences with the car? Where's a good place to buy one here in CO?

What's your price range?

I would think you would be better off with a 4 cyl honda toyota Hyundai

Crown Vic and Interceptors doesn't have a good gas mileage. Those police auction and trade ins have lots of idle time too.

As ^ stated, Hyundai would have a good pricing. MY recommendation on Hyundai is to check the fluid level at least 2/mo.

Crown Vic Interceptors get terrible gas mileage. No way they get 20 even on the highway. I had one after my Camaro was totaled since I found one cheap on CO's ebay auctions. Wasn't a bad ride, but going from a modded Z28 to it and getting similar gas mileage sucked. No center console, and all the trunk sections were gone so you'll have to get new or snag stuff from a junkyard. Mine was a 2001 model year though, so maybe the newer ones could be better.

Nissan versa hatchback. 33 hwy / 27 winter time. Plenty of leg & head room front and back. it also has more storage room than anything else we have used.

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Originally Posted by Great-Kazoo

Nissan versa hatchback. 33 hwy / 27 winter time. Plenty of leg & head room front and back. it also has more storage room than anything else we have used.

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I drove a versa hatchback as a rental for a week, and I have to agree with Kazoo here. They have a surprising amount of space inside and get great mileage.

If the one you are looking at actually has low miles I'd steer clear of it. Most likely lots of starts, stops, and idle time. Probably seen every pothole and curb on every side street you can think of too. I'd take a car with 200,000 highway miles over one with 60,000 hard city miles any day.

Not sure what your budget is, but I recently helped my step daughter shop for a new vehicle. There was a Carmax dealer with some pretty decent stuff on the lot with what looked like some pretty decent prices.

While it isn't really my style, I'll second Jim's recommendation for the Versa. Super gas mileage and more interior room than you would think by looking at the outside of it. I've owned four Nissans in recent years and haven't been disappointed in any of them.

I bought a retired Colorado State Patrol 07 Charger with the Hemi... Gets 26 mpg on the highway after a chip, and has been largely trouble free for over 60k miles since I got it... It had ~97k when got it.

A smaller car will do better, but 26 isn't bad for a V8 car around 4500#...

Buying a used police car is like going to a brothel for a new wife... you don't want something that's been ridden that hard and that rough by that many people. [Coffee]

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Originally Posted by Ronin13

Buying a used police car is like going to a brothel for a new wife... you don't want something that's been ridden that hard and that rough by that many people. [Coffee]

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Win.

At at least he isn't looking for a used oil field truck.

http://youtu.be/QTOg4aYGtdY

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Originally Posted by TFOGGER

http://youtu.be/QTOg4aYGtdY

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Beat me to it. [Police]

I had a '99 CVPI P71, was an ok car, 20 to 22 mpg. I now have a '07 CVPI P71, 22 mpg, I drive it like it is stolen. Bailey to Denver every day. Comfortable, great handling, and speed trap proof. Mine is a retired Nevada State Patrol, dark blue, and still has the push bar and spot lights. Can't beat it for a commuter car, easily a six body trunk. Craigslist should have a few for sale, avoid a police one, hold out for a state patrol one. If the vin doesn't say P71, it isn't an interceptor. Around $5500 for a newer one with around 100k.

Thanks guy's. My budget is in the $3-4k range which will leave me some extra money to spare for tires, full fluid changes and whatnot. The one's I've been looking at have been in the 2003 and up year ranges with anywhere between 58k miles on the low side to 130k miles on the high side. Some are gray, beige, blue and others are white. They're all P71's and I agree I would rather have one that was used by a State Patrol than a city patrol car.

As for center consoles, I can get one off of fleabay for about $130.00. Hyundai's, Civics, and the Escort ZX2 are still not off the list but after making the drive this morning in the Expedition, it's nice to have something I can stretch out in.

Granted I haven't seen it in person, but I like this one except it doesn't have cruise.

http://www.chicagomotors.info/1899/2...ce-Interceptor

Wally world has a cheapo console that fits perfectly. Cup holders, storage compartment and works as an arm-rest too. Think it was $30.

The main reason I got rid of the '99 was because it didn't have cruise. My '07 was a Sgt's car, it has cruise, and even carpet! Also has the kevlar door panel inserts, and the "anti-stab" plates in the seat backs.

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Originally Posted by TFOGGER

http://youtu.be/QTOg4aYGtdY

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Nice

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Originally Posted by husky390

Thanks guy's. My budget is in the $3-4k range which will leave me some extra money to spare for tires, full fluid changes and whatnot. The one's I've been looking at have been in the 2003 and up year ranges with anywhere between 58k miles on the low side to 130k miles on the high side. Some are gray, beige, blue and others are white. They're all P71's and I agree I would rather have one that was used by a State Patrol than a city patrol car.

As for center consoles, I can get one off of fleabay for about $130.00. Hyundai's, Civics, and the Escort ZX2 are still not off the list but after making the drive this morning in the Expedition, it's nice to have something I can stretch out in.

Granted I haven't seen it in person, but I like this one except it doesn't have cruise.

http://www.chicagomotors.info/1899/2...ce-Interceptor

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I had a zx2 manual and beat the living snot out of it for 100k finally died with 212k on the speedo great mileage and my 6'4" self was comfy in it. It is also a non interference motor I snapped a timing belt on it once

Honda Fit - 2007-2013.

+1 for the Hyundai Sonota. They have surprising pep for a 4 banger and my wife can get about 30mpg out of hers.

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Originally Posted by DFBrews

I had a zx2 manual and beat the living snot out of it for 100k finally died with 212k on the speedo great mileage and my 6'4" self was comfy in it. It is also a non interference motor I snapped a timing belt on it once

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Good to know. I've sat in one and it wasn't bad. I've heard to avoid the automatics like the plague but other than that they were pretty good cars.

Knowing what we put our vehicles through, I would never consider buying a police trade in vehicle (even though I really want a turbo interceptor SUV). I cant tell you how many times I've bottomed out our cars going pretty quick. They also idle a lot. Our rigs are running 90% of the time when were not driving just to keep the computer running. For awhile, my department was short on cars and they were being driven 24/7. My only experience with the Crown Vic was back in academy days. I have nothing good to say about Ford's finest family sedan. They arent built to handle the abuse they are given. Also, I try to pull people over who drive police trade ins because for whatever reason, they are almost always dirtbags.

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Originally Posted by Trigg3r Happy

Also, I try to pull people over who drive police trade ins because for whatever reason, they are almost always dirtbags.

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Not to be a total stereotypist, but I completely agree: anytime I see people driving trade-ins, they look like complete meth-heads and one or more of the occupants has nasty dreadlocks.

I'm not even a cop and that is my impression of nost people I see driving trade-ins. I just assume it is mostly because they are cheap.

If you get it for cheap enough and drive it into the dirt than I would say it's a good idea. Don't fix anything and keep it as your beater car. Had a friend who would buy an LE car every few years for a little over 1k, only maintenance he performed were oil changes and fluid top offs.

I had a lt1 powered impala ss. The caprice cop car has the same drive train. It got great mpg on the highway, faster then the ford too.

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Originally Posted by sportbikeco

I had a lt1 powered impala ss. The caprice cop car has the same drive train. It got great mpg on the highway, faster then the ford too.

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The 9C1 Caprice was a great car! I have the lt1 Roadmaster Wagon; 212,000 on it.

Can't say I have a high opinion of the Crown Vic.

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Originally Posted by Trigg3r Happy

Knowing what we put our vehicles through, I would never consider buying a police trade in vehicle (even though I really want a turbo interceptor SUV). I cant tell you how many times I've bottomed out our cars going pretty quick. They also idle a lot. Our rigs are running 90% of the time when were not driving just to keep the computer running. For awhile, my department was short on cars and they were being driven 24/7. My only experience with the Crown Vic was back in academy days. I have nothing good to say about Ford's finest family sedan. They arent built to handle the abuse they are given. Also, I try to pull people over who drive police trade ins because for whatever reason, they are almost always dirtbags.

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So you must be the one that harassed.. er, pulled over my wife... [Coffee] (not really, it was on Hwy 50 in Fremont CO) in the end there was nothing she did nothing wrong and didn't even get a warning...
I actually get waves from some of the LEO's in Florence when driving it... and haven't been hassled in COS. The searchlight is still there, so it's pretty obvious it's a retired car to me (unless they think it's undercover- lots of DOC and other FED agencies here)

About the abuse you note- the Charger must be a damn fine car then, considering how much the CSP must have beat on it before I got it... and it's still going strong!
I do see that it has bottomed out before, some of the skid plates are pretty scratched up...

I can tell you that at least in '07, the Police package Charger got better cooling (including an engine oil cooler and Power Steering cooler), also better brakes and suspension than even the SRT-8 (but the engine is the same standard Hemi as the R/T) I replaced some radiator hoses as a preventative maintenance, and some are police package specific due to the oil cooler. I'd like to get some really good tires and take it on the road course at Pueblo Motorsports park... the Police package would make a great base for an SCCA Charger...

I also would not recommend a Ford, but that's my preference.

Find a used mini van. unloved yet very practical

No dirtbag here and I don't know anyone with dreds or on meth. I am cheap, and could care less what people think of what I drive as I've outgrown driving something to impress people I don't know at a stop sign who I wouldn't like anyway. This is going to be a cheap commuter car that I can throw away at the end. So let's get back on topic and please share your insight if you have any info on the cars mentioned in my previous posts. Thank you to those who have shared their experiences with the Crown Vics.

i would stay away from honda, they still have automatic gearbox problems to this day, AND in their expensive-with-no-value (TL still use physical keys and no vented seats vs keyless ignition and standard vented seats like lexus) Acura line as well
unless you find a stick honda but people want a fortune like you said

+1 nissan versa, but with a stick, because they put in a tall 6th gear specifically for highway cruising

Second avoiding Honda auto tranny.

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Originally Posted by Irving

Second avoiding Honda auto tranny.

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Agreed. No way would I own a 4 cyl with an auto. In fact the only car I'd be interested in with an auto is the crown vic.

My family rented one of the last Grand Marquis to come off the line for a California vacation in 2012. In a combo of city and highway driving from San Diego to San Francisco we average about 25 mpg. I loved the car, and would buy one if it fit into our family's needs.