Cop car fascination?

[The Bone]

What is the fascination with going out and buying cop cars? They dont have the options of a regular Taurus. They are used to transport criminals to jail. Not sure why cop cars are for sale so soon since many Crown Vic's are still on the road. As for cop cars these are not that old to be on the market. Are they not as reliable or to expensive to maintain. How many hours have these cars sat idling on the side of the road. Having to replace the seats adding all the electronic goodies you can get from the factory like keyless entry or remote start power door locks just to name a few. I have seen so many problems adding electronic parts to cars that never had them in the first place.
I was just curious.
Is it not the same car as my SHO without all the goodies?

[Webmaster]

I'm not sure what the fascination is but there's quite a P71 following so I'm guessing we'll see more guys here as time goes on

[mope]

i think you miss the point.......

i dont think theres a 'fascination' with prior service vehicles at all. i think many people realize theyre a great value that almost always come with trustworthy service records, have upgraded mechanicals (even if lacking some electronics), and come at a fraction of the price of their civilian counterparts.
why are so many for sale? the sedan isnt a great police vehicle......its got space issues for both officers and 'passengers'. many departments purchased and tested sendans and suvs and chose to make their big purchases the suv.
whats the difference between your sho and my pi sedan? i got mine with 85k for $5500. what about you

[The Bone]

I ordered mine ant waited 6 weeks for delivery. Ford drove it for 45 miles and then it was delivered to me. Has heated and cooled seats, sat radio, cruise control, keyless entry, Blind spot system paddle shifters, moon roof, self dimming mirror, carpet, and automatic door locks both front and rear. Sure I paid more than that, way more than that but I started with 45 miles on mine and it's still going strong at 65K. Still smells new as a matter of fact.
I was just curious why people were buying these cars then adding all the things that came standard on mine. and why cops are getting rid of them already. Remember Crown Vics are still on the road.

[GhostRider]

I dont think its a fascination really. The police cruiser had upgraded suspension parts and are typically faster then their retail counterparts. I had owned 2 CVPI's (1997 and 2006). I traded my 2006 for my '13 Limited. All I did both times is add in CD players and remote starts and change out trim pieces from where a partition was installed and was cut in to. Nothing major. I can get by without the frills and extras of my Limited, as long as I have remote start. I am also a Volunteer Firefighter so my lights and sirens are easier to wire up. I am going to have to get creative to mount my gear, where as in the CVPI or PI Sedan you have room in the middle between the seats. When buying a cruiser, you just have to be careful and do your homework. Also, the general public can not order a PI new, unless you know someone, so there is that.

As far as why you see them retired already is because most agencies have mileage limits. The Ohio State Highway Patrol for example used to cycle them out at 100K. For the last 8 years, its become more like 120K. I know some agencies that do that at 70K, and some like the Kansas Highway Patrol cycle them out at 50K then offer them for sale to other agencies. Other agencies just didnt like them and the trial period is up. When agencies learned the CVPI was going to be phased out, they started mass-ordering them so they would have spares of spares to get them by for years due to the uncertainty of the police fleet market. That is why you see many CVPI's still in service. Parts for them are plentiful and cheap and they are easier to maintain then todays cruisers.

[Celticwolf]

They are heavy duty. That is why I bought mine, and it was practically new (1k).

It is the safest car on the road. Yes, safer than your Taurus.

Depending on who ordered it, they can be pretty spartan, but mounting a rifle/shotgun rack is pretty easy.

Oh yes, I almost forgot, PURSUIT MODE

Seriously, if you think your SHO is the same car, try curb hopping and see what happens.

[kyledooley]

They are heavy duty. That is why I bought mine, and it was practically new (1k).

It is the safest car on the road. Yes, safer than your Taurus.

Depending on who ordered it, they can be pretty spartan, but mounting a rifle/shotgun rack is pretty easy.

Oh yes, I almost forgot, PURSUIT MODE

Seriously, if you think your SHO is the same car, try curb hopping and see what happens.

^^^^^^ This.

If you prefer to drive a car, and you have kids and all their stuff, and hate SUVs or minivans, it has to be a full-size sedan. There are few real choices.

Cop cars. Well, usually, but that's not the motivation. Durability, reliability, safety and performance are. Higher cooling capacity, trans cooler, diff cooler. A little more performance oriented driving dynamics (firmer suspension, transmission programming), 75mph rear impact (not that I'm spending unusual amounts of time on the side of the highway, but who hasn't been tapped from behind or worse?)

Then compare a Taurus SEL to a well-equipped, like for like year and mileage Police Interceptor Sedan, and you're looking at $4-6k savings. Now you have to spend a little energy finding that lightly used/non-patrol gem, but they're out there. With blind-spot detection, Sync and Rear camera even. Then add about 20 minutes with Forscan to add keyless, remote start and this and that, and you've got a fun little project.

[The Bone]

They are heavy duty. That is why I bought mine, and it was practically new (1k).

It is the safest car on the road. Yes, safer than your Taurus.

Depending on who ordered it, they can be pretty spartan, but mounting a rifle/shotgun rack is pretty easy.

Oh yes, I almost forgot, PURSUIT MODE

Seriously, if you think your SHO is the same car, try curb hopping and see what happens.

Seriously curb hopping LOL. Sure that's how you drive your car.
I have PURSUIT MODE just step on the go peddle and it goes. My car has 365 HP
No your car isn't any safer than my car. You can't tell me that ford builds cars that aren't as safe as any other car that they build.
As far as heavy duty you may be right on some things like alternator, brakes, and maybe some other suspension parts. However having a car that you know for a fact that it has been driven hard.
I don't know a cop that doesn't have the green light to drive it like as rental. if I had a car that I could peg the needle and not get a ticket how sweet is that. I would be in PURSUIT MODE all the time. Not sure that buying a cop car that is slightly used is on car lots. Good luck with your cars. I don't want you to have a lemon. I was just asking why people are buying these cars and making them family friendly.

[Webmaster]

I have PURSUIT MODE just step on the go peddle and it goes. My car has 365 HP

No, your car doesn't have pursuit mode unless you've swapped the PCM from PI sedan. Pursuit mode is a real thing.

In both Police Interceptor models, the standard six-speed transmission features a unique Pursuit Mode specifically programmed for law enforcement use. The transmission automatically switches from normal, fuel-saving operation to Pursuit Mode when it detects aggressive driving situations, based on brake line pressure, deceleration and lateral acceleration rates.

Once in Pursuit Mode, the upshift and downshift performance of the transmission is optimized for aggressive driving, returning to fuel-save mode when it senses the aggressive driving is complete. The software is tuned to perform a reverse J-turn, which is when a reversing vehicle is spun 180 degrees and continues, face forward, without changing direction of travel.

No your car isn't any safer than my car. You can't tell me that ford builds cars that aren't as safe as any other car that they build.

The PI sedan is safer than your car, at least with rear-end accidents. Ford made a big deal out of the 75mph rear impact crash safety when the car came out, and they modified the car for that. Your SHO does not have the additional bracing.

Something not mentioned above is that when the fluid in the PTU on PI vehicles overheats, it will give a warning message to the driver that it needs servicing. Regular cars don't have that and owners are paying for it $$$ in repairs.

[Celticwolf]

I lumped the PTU in with heavy duty. I figured the op didn't really need every spec that makes it special.

My car was never driven by cops. Ford titled it at their HQ put 900 miles on it and sold it at their auction.

I have had to hop a curb with mine, crazy woman not looking to her right as she was turning left. It was either hop on the clear side walk or get hit in the side. Had the alignment checked at my next oil change, and it was still good.

Bone, enjoy your SHO, it is a great car. The Interceptor isn't for everyone.

[Mike B]

Love my PI Sedan. Bought it with a hair over 30,000 miles and 300 hours. Was never an in-service police car, privately owned and has almost every option. I'd buy it all over again in a heartbeat. Granted it cost $20K but if you want something that's newer and not abused with a fudge ton of miles, then you've gotta pay to play.

[Timeisaflatcircle]

I'd love a Ford SHO, but the Interceptor Ecoboost looks like a better deal, plus all the reinforcements, transmission upgrades, brakes, etc. Also I suspect people wouldn't cut me off as much or like the NYC assholes they are when I drive.

[crownedking]

whys it got to be a fascination? how about its a cheap reliable car at a good price. sorry buddy but, you over paid for basically a "cop car" upgraded with sliver trim, cooled seats, and some other unnecessary overpriced features. yes, we're laughing at you.

[montanaman]

I specifically wanted a Police Sedan, and for my 2014 with less than 5k miles on it I paid $16,200.

Try to buy a AWD Taurus with those miles for even twice that price.

I wanted the heavy duty alternator, the beefed up crash protection, and yes, if my wife slides it over a curb on an icy street, I want it to still be aligned !

I especially like the heavy duty drivetrain cooling system on the Police Sedan.

The police version of AWD has numerous features to improve durability during severe use.
First, the Power Transfer Unit on the AWD system uses a police-only auxiliary cooler. The standard
AWD unit is air cooled, i.e., the aluminum housing dissipates heat to the surrounding air. When the
vehicle is stationary, the amount of cooling is obviously less than when the vehicle is moving.
On the police AWD unit, the front housing of the Power Transfer Unit has a special water jacket
cast into the assembly. The integral PTU auxiliary cooler is part of the water cooling system.
That means the cooling remains "active" since the cooling water is constantly circulated,
whether the police vehicle is moving or stationary. The PTU cooler is plumbed into the bottom of the
radiator, where the water is cooler than at the top of the radiator.
Second, the Power Transfer Unit uses an internal temperature sensor, not found on the standard unit A
module keeps track of oil temperature in the PTU and the amount of time spent at that temperature.

I like the backup camera in the mirror, I like the blind-spot system, and being car-nerdy, I like having the ability to see engine hours, coolant temperature, etc. too.

Yes - I'd trade it for a nice SHO, but it's the best bang for the buck ever if you find a lightly used one like I did.

[Mike B]

The police version of AWD has numerous features to improve durability during severe use.
First, the Power Transfer Unit on the AWD system uses a police-only auxiliary cooler. The standard
AWD unit is air cooled, i.e., the aluminum housing dissipates heat to the surrounding air. When the
vehicle is stationary, the amount of cooling is obviously less than when the vehicle is moving.
On the police AWD unit, the front housing of the Power Transfer Unit has a special water jacket
cast into the assembly. The integral PTU auxiliary cooler is part of the water cooling system.
That means the cooling remains "active" since the cooling water is constantly circulated,
whether the police vehicle is moving or stationary. The PTU cooler is plumbed into the bottom of the
radiator, where the water is cooler than at the top of the radiator.
Second, the Power Transfer Unit uses an internal temperature sensor, not found on the standard unit A
module keeps track of oil temperature in the PTU and the amount of time spent at that temperature.

All very cool info that I did not know. Thanks for sharing ! Haven't kept up on the Taurus vs. Police Sedan differences like I had with the Crown Vic vs CVPI's.

[montanaman]

Don't tell anybody - but I'm a refugee from CVN too - my 2008 P71 was a terrific car.

But the 2014 is better.

[Mike B]

If I didn't get into an accident I would've still had my 2011 CVPI. Loved that car but the insurance company totaled it out. She was super mint on the outside and inside. I told myself if anything happened to that car, that would be my last Crown Vic. I've owned 5 of them since 2005 ( been on CVN since 2005 as well, and I also admin the P71 facebook group and a bunch of other Crown Vic pages as well ). Time to move onto something newer and much faster ( hence my new car lol ).

[clperry1]

Don't tell anybody - but I'm a refugee from CVN too - my 2008 P71 was a terrific car.

But the 2014 is better.

Im from CVN also.. loved my Crown Vics, but man this Taurus PI is a bad bitch.. im loving this car

[crag antler]

Nice. I'm another transplant from CVN. Miss my '04 P73 and just had to get back into a Ford.
Waiting to hear if Ford put the "cop chip" in the PI.

[15PI]

I too am a transplant from CVN. For me, it's not a fascination. Ford has put a lot of time and effort in making comprehensive police packages. I prefer well built cars that are easy to obtain parts for.