[fbarraza]

Hi,
There are some particulars and retailers selling cars these were police cars once; mileage vary between them as well as conditions of course.
Some people, most of them being car shop owners advise me about not purchasing any of these cars b/c of the driving conditions and how engines/transmissions etc are touched so they can go faster.
However some other people tell me these cars are good for purchasing and they still have a long usage life.
What's your recommendation based on your experience and/or knowledge?
Thanks in advance.

 

[Nathan in MN]

I currently own a 1989 Ford Crown Vic police car and my dad has a '96 Crown police car. They are both in excellent condition mechanically. The body and frame on the '96 are basically perfect, though the interior is a little rough (I think that's pretty common). That one had 200,000 miles on it when we bought it, and we just took a long trip with it (12 hours) and it made it with nary a complaint. It is the nicest, smoothest running car we've ever owned.

Basically, if you can give the car a thorough inspection and can test drive it, as long as there aren't any major red flags, you can buy it without worrying. They really are great cars.

BTW, on our long trip, we got 24 mpg on the highway at 70-75 mph. We were really impressed!

HTH,
Nathan in MN

 

[fbarraza]

Thanks a bunch for your reply Nathan..!
Your advice will be seriously considered.
You take care.

 

[tony209]

I am sorry that this post is too old. But, don't ever drive an old PD vehicle.
Those drivers don't take care them very well. They normally last in 3 or 4 years. When the PD upgrade to new ones, those old ones become craps.
Crown VIC have many problems since. One of the big problem is the shift of the transmission. They mostly have stuck shifts; can't drive, can't back up, rough driving, and many times the indicators don't even show correctly when it is in "park" or "drive".

 

[Stick462]

If you knew what you were talking about Tony you would be dangerous .There is nothing wrong with buying the right CVPI mostly supervisors or one officer take home units are the best but local trooper SLIP SEAT units are junk usually so dont bother with those units.Unmarked are the cars to buy. I buy 3 or 4 units per year and have never found a bad CVPI if you LOOK and Watch what your buying.

 

[Steveo989]

X2 With the above, as long as it is not a regular patrol unit. My 05 P71 had no spot light installed, no holes drilled into the roof or trunk. So far I have flushed the brakes, flushed the tranny, changed the PCV valve, changed the oil to synthetic, changed the diff fluid, and about to flush the coolant this weekend and change the spark plugs, and drive belt and tensioner/idler. I think I am about to be all caught up.

 

[1ATony]

The police cars are cool. There's a big trend right now in restoring the fox-body police issue Mustangs,those are nice cars.