What will cops drive?

I think just about everyone is wondering the same thing right now... There are some nice options out there, but I'm not sure if any will be like what the crown vics had to offer.

The one I like the best, and have heard some good things about, is the Dodge Charger Police Package.
http://image.trucktrend.com/f/84921.....front_view.jpg

Another one that looks promising, is Chevy's new Caprice PPV.
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.....1280189577.jpg

Then there's Ford's CVPI replacement, the Ford Taurus Police Interceptor... I haven't heard many good things about it, but, its hard to say, as it pretty much just came out.

The Taurus is much more suitable patrol vehicle than the PPV, partly due to the fact it carrys almost just as much power, is bigger, and all of the interior parts of the original Police Interceptor will fit perfectly. Main problem with the Chargers in 06 was brake rotors. Some officers have requested the Taurus over the Charger and the PPV. Another patrol car thats already in the works is the Ford Fusion. Since Ford has offered such a durable line of patrol cars in the past, many departments will transfer into the new model, plus during the proving grounds, Chevrolets Tahoe PPV, Dodges Charger, and Chevrolets Impala all were out preformed by the new Interceptor and SUV Interceptor. Off road, pavement, as well as handling, speed, cornering, stopping power, safety, and options. Personally I feel as if the CVPI will return, but after a few years of concepts, ideas, and testing.

While this is indeed disappointing to see the last CV roll off the line, parts will always be available. Just as the older models, parts stores will always have what you need to keep yours running. One big issue is EPA, rules and new cars are getting alot more strict than previous years, it wont be long before the Vic is charged extra to drive because its Emissions are below the required EPA regulation. Ford has made a promise not to let its LEOs down and when they make a promise, you can put your money on it.

Cost wise, the CV fully loaded under the PI package stands just under $40,000, Fords goal is to make the new Interceptor cheaper and more cost efficient on fuel. Only way we will ever know is to have a few years of hard abuse to see how everything plays out, before hand I would love for the Big 3 to have a shootout of all the patrol vehicles, not just proving grounds, but real world testing as real officers did at Ford.

Thank you for educating me on this subject. I, unfortunately, must have gotten some inaccurate information from where I read about the new interceptors.

Its good to hear the new line of Ford Police Interceptors are still going to be the best police interceptors on the market. Its also good to hear that Ford keeps their promises, especially when it comes to something as important as this. I too, hope we'll eventually see a new CVPI sometime in the future.

As much as I like the way the Chargers look, and know of a few good reviews of them as police vehicles, it does seem like they have a few annoying problems.

I kind of figured that the retirement of CV was likely due to some type of EPA emission regulation, but did not know that they would start charging extra to drive one. I now see why many agencies are going to start wanting new cars.

I would like to see that too. While proving grounds are good at simulating some things, they certainly cannot simulate everything.

Part of the problem is new officers cannot handle RWD vehicles that have over 300 BHP, many loose control and spin or crash because they are not taught near as much as they should be about the car they drive. While Ive owned a CV, mine had no where near the performance of a PI package, cornering, ride, stability, traction, even take off was way different. Fords answer to this problem is the optional ECO boost package with over 300 BHP and AWD. So now new officers can easily grab hold of the car, drive fast and move in tight turns as to where the CV could not. EPA was starting to crack down on the Vic because it is a 4.6 V8, and with over 90,000 of them driving around 24/7/365. You can see why Al Gore and his nut jobs wanna cut down on them. It wont take long before seasoned officers start making requests for CVs again, Ford will see the market drop and face going under, or bringing a legend back to the streets. Hope is not lost yet, and only time will tell for sure. Even 30 years from now Ill take a 08 model CVPI over any car on the road, because I know its proven itself over many years.


Chargers however need to be removed completely, I would not DARE go near one let alone be forced to drive it. Every Charger here has had a brake job, front end job, rear end job, and countless "rattle" problems. Then theres the subject of room, which the Charger does not have. For the Taurus, this isnt a problem at all. Officers here are impressed with size and the fact it is yet again, AWD. When your in a pursuit, it can mean the difference between stopping a suspect, or the suspect killing someone. I still have hopes the CV will return stronger than ever and with much more muscle than fat. For the Taurus, its gonna be a good test of time and abuse over the next 5 - 10 years untill a new fleet is ordered.

Interesting to find out that new officers are not taught as much as they should be about their cars, that seems like something that would be important to know a decent amount about. The new ECO boost package with AWD sounds like it might help some with the issue of snow up this way. I'm pretty sure its something many officers would like to have when there's a blizzard out here. *nods* From what I'm gathering, whats going to happen will not be much fun. I too, could see Ford facing some real problems unless they bring back the legend. Because, as you said, seasoned officers, and possibly even a few seasoned taxi drivers, will start making requests for them again. So, indeed, hope is not lost. I'm sure I'll still find them cool 30 years from now, and they'll always be on my list of good cars to look for.


It seems like the Chargers might need to be confined to video games and car shows, if they have that many problems. I did not know they were that bad. Its good to hear the Taurus has some nice features about it, that others seem to be lacking. I see how it could make all the difference in a pursuit situation, where a good car with good control is essential to stopping a bad situation from getting worse. A redesigned CV would be really nice to see. But, indeed, time will tell if that will happen, and how well the Taurus does out there.

Thanks again for another informative reply, its good to have a watcher on here who knows a lot about these cars.

In my experience and after being trained in Tactical Evasive Driving thanks to a few friends Ive got, I was very comfortable in the CV pulling R180's, E-Brake Slides, Emergency Stop, P.I.T., Rolling Road Block, and Controlled Power Turns, along with Aggressive Contact. Power was there but yet again, had I not trained partly from owning my own CV and gone in green. Theres no way I could have controlled that much raw power to the rear, and the Positrac will not catch untill a higher RPM. What it comes down to is knowing the weight, and how to control it when you need it most. As for the P.I.T. hands down the Vic will stop them, but will not get up as fast as the Chargers. However, when a Charger makes contact at say 85 MPH, its pretty well done. Theres been a few friends tell me about taking someone at close to 100 and still able to go, because they knew exactly how to strike in the Vic and use its weight as a weapon.

My previous LX model (2001) was a heavy bastard close to about 4,200. To this day its hard to figure out why it was so heavy, yet when i took a corner at about 40 and kicked it sideways in pouring down rain with traffic at pretty much one car length away. She glided like there was a hot skillet and the tires were butter. With just the right pump of the throttle, I had people clapping when I exited the "Drift". One officer stopped beside me and gave me props on handling the heavy Vic, he asked if I was in a department and when i responded no. He told me to come see him when im 21. Lol


Many think Im just a Ford logo lover, but when I can get under the hood and explain some of it. Yeah I know what the hell Im talking about.
30 years from now Ill be happy with a Vic, but honestly my dream car is a 1970 Dodge Challenger 440 Six Pack with the dual black stripes R/T stripes on the side, and bright but deep yellow paint. Only problem is its about $120,000. Lol

That's pretty cool that you already had experience before you went out there. And interesting to hear how the CV compares with the Charger for P.I.T. From the sounds of things, the CV seems to still have the charger beat there to an extent.

That's impressive that a crown vic can take someone close at that speed and keep going, I can't really think of any other police vehicle that could do that.


That is heavy, I'm kind of scratching my head trying to figure why it would glide like that. Those CV "Drifts" are fun to watch, its good to hear you had a good time out there.

Your story reminds me a bit of what happened to me once at Radioshack. Apparently, I knew so much about radios, that one guy asked me where I work. All I could really tell him is that I had attended a couple ham club meetings, and often visit radio websites. Lol


To me, you seem to be a Crown Victoria expert, and someone who knows a fair amount about other cars, too.

I like the sound of the dream car you're speaking of. Too bad about the price. hehe
If I were to have a place to put an extra vehicle and had enough money to afford one, I would probably consider a Crown Vic, or a Ford or Chevy pickup from 1970s or 1980s.

Hum well that's really sad its just like the one of a kind Constellation hotel that's being demolished here in Toronto :( that was a beautiful car the crown vic was the crown jewel of cars and still is .. will be sad to see them go ! .. as for what will the police drive ? well humm lets see we have hybrid transit buses here that always are great at breaking down so they can go to a hybrid get in to a car chase and loose the battle when there car gives out :P i really don't see them ripping around in a super Toyota corolla that's for sure ^^ .. wow the thought of them ripping around in one of them Austin minis flashes in to my mind .. now there is a powerful car that will do the trick high speed chase of about 10 miles an hour yeah that will get people scared for sure :P lol *hugs the crown vic*

It is. :( Being a fan of both Crown Vics and old hotels, its really sad to see both fading away.
Yeah, there aren't too many cars out there that are like a crown vic... They were and still are pleasing to look at, yet tough, powerful, and from what I've heard, are fun to drive.

From what I'm hearing, most departments will be replacing them with the Ford Taurus Police Interceptor.
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests.....r/viewall.html

lol Yeah, from what I've seen, small cars don't seem to work too well as police interceptors in North America. (Though I have seen a photo of a Prius that was used for some type of police work once) :)

*joins in the crown vic hugs*