Most people aren’t big fans of the police.  In a previous article, I declared that I’m not a member of this group.  I respect the police, I leave them alone, and they tend to leave me alone (save for the times I’ve been pulled over).  A lot of people are aware that police cars usually have factory modifications to handle the rigors of police work.  Some of the mods include more powerful engines, firmer suspension, better brakes, a more durable interior, and disconnected rear switchgear (windows, locks, etc).  However, those looking to buy a de-commissioned patrol vehicle should definitely watch out.

There’s always an abundance of used cop cars on the market these days.  For simplicity’s sake, I’m going to stick with the Ford Crown Victoria P71 (Police Interceptor), since it’s been the standard cop car since 1997 (after the Caprice got killed), and has been a mainstay since.  It’s a traditional American body-on-frame sedan, with all the driving dynamics to match–steering that would feel more at home on a Hudson River ferry, V8 engine, rear-wheel-drive, and plenty of room.

First off, understand that almost all police cars are maintained on a level normally beyond the “severe” service schedule specified in the manual.  This is due to the lives they lead–they idle constantly (which isn’t great for any engine), are usually driven hard on a daily basis, and are usually driven more annually than a normal car.  For this reason, don’t be alarmed by a recent model with higher than normal miles–as long as it’s been maintained, you shouldn’t worry.  That said, always have a mechanic look it over 100%–nothing is more thorough than that.

Some things on most police cars will indicate what sort of life it might have lead.  On the CV, for example, a plug in the roof almost always indicates the former resting place of a lightbar–this would point to a normal service car, which might not be in the best shape from the severe life its had.  A car that isn’t white or black means a few different things.  Always check if the car’s been resprayed–this would cover up if it was a marked police car.  Try to go after the ones with the civilian look package–most likely, this was either a police chief’s car or a detective vehicle, and might have been babied a bit more.  That said, no matter what you end up with, these are incredibly durable cars.  The Modular V8 engine is a bit crude, but it’s a very strong motor and will last longer than a Twinkie on your teacher’s desk, the axles tend to last a long time, the interiors, despite being basic, are made of well-tested materials, and people get scared when you barrel down the road in one.  Just don’t get mistaken for a cop.

-Al