Question on retired LEO Crown Vics

[husky390]

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

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.

[King]

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.

[KestrelBike]

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

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.

[Irving]

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.

[RonMexico]

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.

[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.

[MED]

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.

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.

[68Charger]

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.

So you must be the one that harassed.. er, pulled over my wife... (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.

[earplug]

Find a used mini van. unloved yet very practical

[husky390]

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.