What happened to the older Ford Crown Victoria police cars?

[cawimmer430]

I'm just curious what happens to ex-Ford CV police cars (or American police cars in general) after they're retired. Are they sold to private customers or are they scrapped?






In Germany police cars are now delivered to the police in a specific color and the police markings are on a foil which is glued unto the car. After a certain mileage the cars are pulled off duty, stripped off the foil and sold on the private consumer market for a cheap price.

Here you can see the foil on this W211 police car for example. Without the foil, the car will look like a standard silver Classic trim E-Class.

[ifcar]

Same here.

[cawimmer430]

Same here.

But they're still a rare sight, right? Why don't private consumer buy Ford CVs directly from Ford?

[ifcar]

But they're still a rare sight, right? Why don't private consumer buy Ford CVs directly from Ford?

Within the last couple of years, Ford stopped offering them to the public. Before that, decommissioned police cars were just another part of the used market for the cars.

[Mustangfan2003]

Yep some are sold and others are scraped.  BTW Wimmer this might make you sad
http://www.wtva.com/news/local/story/Salvaged-vehicles-mean-extra-cash-for-county/cTCodiDPDEOkscbsDpGQ5A.cspx

[cawimmer430]

Within the last couple of years, Ford stopped offering them to the public. Before that, decommissioned police cars were just another part of the used market for the cars.

It's a pretty peculiar car, the Ford Crown Victoria. It's used by the police, taxi and government fleets - but private consumers never seemed to care about it! 

[cawimmer430]

Yep some are sold and others are scraped.  BTW Wimmer this might make you sad
http://www.wtva.com/news/local/story/Salvaged-vehicles-mean-extra-cash-for-county/cTCodiDPDEOkscbsDpGQ5A.cspx

It makes me sad indeed! 

[2o6]

Yeah, some of the decals are vynal decals, but some are painted. I see quite a few black and white CV's and Caprices even running around town.

You can get one for cheap, too. Most government cars are sold, for awhile you could get a JA Dodge Stratus or a late model Contour 2.0 (they were popular state, non police vehicles in my area) for pretty cheap. I'd imagine the new crop of cars will be done the same way. (Ford Fusions, I think)

But they're still a rare sight, right? Why don't private consumer buy Ford CVs directly from Ford?

No one wants to buy a new car that's pretty antiquated. But on the used market, it's a stout, reliable car that is pretty safe. And if it's an old Interceptor, it'll be pretty quick, too.

It's a pretty peculiar car, the Ford Crown Victoria. It's used by the police, taxi and government fleets - but private consumers never seemed to care about it!  

They're cheap to buy and easy to fix, and pretty big inside. That's why they're so popular with fleets. However, CV's aren't as dynamically competitive as they need to be. Taxis are moving to minivans and hybrids, and the police demand more performance.

Even so, not all of government fleets JUST drive CV's. I see plenty of Malibus, Contours, Fusions, Focuses and even the occational Stratus or G6 being used as a government fleet car (that isn't a police car).

It makes me sad indeed! 

They've led a hard life. Who knows what they've been through.

[cawimmer430]

Yeah, some of the decals are vynal decals, but some are painted. I see quite a few black and white CV's and Caprices even running around town.

You can get one for cheap, too. Most government cars are sold, for awhile you could get a JA Dodge Stratus or a late model Contour 2.0 (they were popular state, non police vehicles in my area) for pretty cheap. I'd imagine the new crop of cars will be done the same way. (Ford Fusions, I think)


No one wants to buy a new car that's pretty antiquated. But on the used market, it's a stout, reliable car that is pretty safe. And if it's an old Interceptor, it'll be pretty quick, too.


They're cheap to buy and easy to fix, and pretty big inside. That's why they're so popular with fleets. However, CV's aren't as dynamically competitive as they need to be. Taxis are moving to minivans and hybrids, and the police demand more performance.

Even so, not all of government fleets JUST drive CV's. I see plenty of Malibus, Contours, Fusions, Focuses and even the occational Stratus or G6 being used as a government fleet car (that isn't a police car).


They've led a hard life. Who knows what they've been through.

Thanks for the comprehensive info. 

I'd buy a Crown Victoria based purely on style. They're an icon to me. 

[Mustangfan2003]

It makes me sad indeed! 

In this case those cars likely had a ton of miles and most of them probably didn't run anymore.  They likely made money from salvage instead of selling them. 

[Colin]

I've seen a whole yard of the ex police Crown Vics parked up on La Brea in one of the less salubrious areas of Los Angeles...... they look pretty beaten up, mostly.

[cawimmer430]

In this case those cars likely had a ton of miles and most of them probably didn't run anymore.  They likely made money from salvage instead of selling them. 

They could have shipped them to me! I don't have the space to house them...but...they could have sent them to me! 

Man, I am really lusting after an '80s Ford Crown Victoria, the ones the cops always used in movies.

Like this! 

[Madman]

A lot of ex-cop cars have had second careers as taxis.  You see plenty of Yellow Cabs where, when the driver opens the door, the door jambs inside are still Police white.  Even though there are still Crown Vic taxis running about, they're not as ubiquitous as they used to be.  Lately, local cabbies seem to be buying up old beater minivans.

You also occasionally see old cop cars in poor neighbourhoods, as they can be acquired cheaply via police auctions.  Just a few days ago, I saw a pickup on the highway pulling a trailer carrying two recently decommissioned Chevrolet Impala police cars.  You could still see the imprints from where the "Metro Police" stickers were.  I imagine they were either going to become taxis or destined for a "pay by the week" used car lot in a seedy part of town.

[Rupert]

Yeah, some of the decals are vynal decals, but some are painted. I see quite a few black and white CV's and Caprices even running around town.

You can get one for cheap, too. Most government cars are sold, for awhile you could get a JA Dodge Stratus or a late model Contour 2.0 (they were popular state, non police vehicles in my area) for pretty cheap. I'd imagine the new crop of cars will be done the same way. (Ford Fusions, I think)


No one wants to buy a new car that's pretty antiquated. But on the used market, it's a stout, reliable car that is pretty safe. And if it's an old Interceptor, it'll be pretty quick, too.


They're cheap to buy and easy to fix, and pretty big inside. That's why they're so popular with fleets. However, CV's aren't as dynamically competitive as they need to be. Taxis are moving to minivans and hybrids, and the police demand more performance.

Even so, not all of government fleets JUST drive CV's. I see plenty of Malibus, Contours, Fusions, Focuses and even the occational Stratus or G6 being used as a government fleet car (that isn't a police car).


They've led a hard life. Who knows what they've been through.

I see very few government (local, state, or federal) non-police CVs. A good number of Malibus and Fusion hybrids, and the various trucks and SUVs.

[Mustangfan2003]

I usually slow down when I see a Crown Vic and now I'll have to get used to looking out for these, or various other cars



Also seen Alabama Troopers using an unmarked Yukon around Huntsville

[JWC]

http://www.govdeals.com/index.cfm?fa=Main.Item&itemID=655&acctID=596

This just needs a transmission.

http://www.govdeals.com/index.cfm?fa=Main.Item&itemID=7&acctID=3097

That whole site is interesting to go through...bicycles by the dozen, cameras, ancient PD equipment.

[ifcar]

I just saw a new one for a police cruiser: unmarked Camry Hybrid in Takoma Park, Md., a little hippie town right outside D.C.

[hotrodalex]

Former Police Interceptor C.V's are pretty popular with the tuner crowd. I see a lot of them at car shows w/ newer cars.

[rohan]

Departments with small fleets-2-5 or so cars sell them on ebay or by auction but departments like us with a lot more sell ours as groups to taxi companies.  I can get between 8-10k for a patrol car which is in good shape has less than 100k miles and has detailed service and repair records from taxi companies but I can only get 4-6k from private individuals.  The money we get from the sales goes directly to the purchase of new cars so it's a no brainer- 25% vs. 50% of towrads the cost of a new car -

[rohan]

I usually slow down when I see a Crown Vic and now I'll have to get used to looking out for these, or various other cars



Also seen Alabama Troopers using an unmarked Yukon around Huntsville

Being a speeder's about to get real tough Impala, Caprice, Taurus, Explorer, Tahoe, Durango, Charger are all going to be patrol cars.  Durango is something Dodge is "promising" but even without that that's a lot of cars to have to learn.

[rohan]

I just saw a new one for a police cruiser: unmarked Camry Hybrid in Takoma Park, Md., a little hippie town right outside D.C.

That's a liability nightmare waiting to happen if it's not a "police package".  Our union won't even allow a non-police package to be put in service or they grieve it.  We purchased a couple Explorers with the union agreeing to them if they were only used in foul weather or other non-daily patrol function.

[cawimmer430]

Thanks for all the responses and infos. 

A lot of ex-cop cars have had second careers as taxis.  You see plenty of Yellow Cabs where, when the driver opens the door, the door jambs inside are still Police white.  Even though there are still Crown Vic taxis running about, they're not as ubiquitous as they used to be.  Lately, local cabbies seem to be buying up old beater minivans.

You also occasionally see old cop cars in poor neighbourhoods, as they can be acquired cheaply via police auctions.  Just a few days ago, I saw a pickup on the highway pulling a trailer carrying two recently decommissioned Chevrolet Impala police cars.  You could still see the imprints from where the "Metro Police" stickers were.  I imagine they were either going to become taxis or destined for a "pay by the week" used car lot in a seedy part of town.

How many miles do cop cars usually have before they're sold? I imagine they're sold with pretty high mileages. Not sure about the cop cars here but I know that taxis are usually retired at 250,000 km and sold in Eastern European markets at dumping prices.

[2o6]

IIRC, most cars are replaced by years, rather than miles.

[GoCougs]

Being a speeder's about to get real tough Impala, Caprice, Taurus, Explorer, Tahoe, Durango, Charger are all going to be patrol cars.  Durango is something Dodge is "promising" but even without that that's a lot of cars to have to learn.

Cool - full throttle toward ever more taxation without representation...

[Laconian]

That's a liability nightmare waiting to happen if it's not a "police package".  Our union won't even allow a non-police package to be put in service or they grieve it.  We purchased a couple Explorers with the union agreeing to them if they were only used in foul weather or other non-daily patrol function.

If you want camoflage for your ticketing, then your comment proves that a hybrid is ideal.

[MX793]

If you want camoflage for your ticketing, then your comment proves that a hybrid is ideal.

Makes me glad that the NY State Police (and IIRC there is some legislation that will expand to cover all police forces in NY) cannot use unmarked cars for making traffic stops.

[Mustangfan2003]

I know the Sheriffs department my dad works for is a little hesitant about the Taurus and they are long time Ford buyers.  The only non Fords they have in their fleet is a Suburban donated by  the DOT for trash collection and a Tahoe that was seized that's being used by a detective.  They've considered the Charger. 

[rohan]

If you want camoflage for your ticketing, then your comment proves that a hybrid is ideal.

Not really- when a car is tracked on radar or laser and the police car turns around and goes after it with or without emergency lights- that's statutory definition of "pursuit" and under MML (michigan municiple league) MTA (michigan township association) and MSA (michigan sheriff association)  liability carriers- use of a non-pursuit package (police package) car is strictly prohibited.  Crashing a non-police package car while engaged in a "pursuit" would cause you to be vulnerable to civil liability- lose your liability coverage- be uninsurable as an organization.  Same goes for any crash which can be 51% (perponderance of evidence) blamed on a failing of the patrol vehicle which isn't police package.  That's not exactly what I'ld call ideal.

[rohan]

Cool - full throttle toward ever more taxation without representation...

[Atomic]

if a person hurries, the crown vic's twin, the mercury grand marquis can be had brand new. for a while it was the best selling car in florida. now it's just like many other retirees... in the sunshine state  !