Interesting Police Vehicle Choice...

[Raza]

I think it's body on frame.

That is what I was thinking, it is just amazing that such a car is still be produced considering how outdated it is.

Well, it can't be much older than the last Mustang was before it died.

[R33 GT-R]

What he said

[TBR]

I think it's body on frame.

That is what I was thinking, it is just amazing that such a car is still be produced considering how outdated it is.

Well, it can't be much older than the last Mustang was before it died.

It isn't.

[thewizard16]

I think that one would be the most fun. Our local department has two of those, a firebird, a new unmarked Impala which I don't like because I'm not used to looking for it, two new Expeditions, a new Explorer, a Jeep Cherokee, two police speedboats (I don't know boats, so sorry, no names for them) two Wave Runners, and a river boat, and a few horses (unmarked, would you believe it?) to name the non-standard police cars. Over here, I've noticed the E-Class station wagon is a popular choice for the Polizei.

[The Bartender]

Yeah, we have snow tires but they're crapy Goodyears, the only snow tires on the state bid.  Blizzaks would be a hell of alot better.

TBR, the reason the CVis stil made is because Ford sells enough of them to remain profitable.  The design is so old it cost them peanuts to build!  But you knew that.

Most Highway patrol units wil switch to snow tires of some form during the winter (well, depending on the department.  FLA or southern CA obviously have less need than Montana or the Canadians.)  But even these aren't normally true "snow" tires, but mud & snow rated radials.  Very few manufacturers make true snow tires any more.  Some regions with heavy snow fall expectations can still use studded tires, but this is rare, as they chew up the road surface.

The CV is a full frame platform that also underlies the Gran Marquis and Town Car (modified).  Factor in that most police cars in Canada & the US are CV's, and even the Mexicans use some, plus the large number of CV's in taxi fleets, and it's VERY cost effective for Ford to build the car.  It is an old platform, although it has been updated numerous times.   But it serves the purpose.  Uni body vehicles would be hard pressed (pun sort of intended) to hold up as well as the full frame CV and still keep running.  I've seen CV's (and Caprices) used to ram vehicles multiple times and have little more than cosmetic sheet metal damage.  Plus, there's that carrying capacity issue.  Full frame vehicles can generally haul more weight, and most police cars, as noted, carry a lot of equipment.

For all it is an old platform, the CV fulfills it's purpose very well.  It could be re-designed, but that would destroy the cost effectiveness of the vehicle, and the price is a factor for the various police, fire and tax organizations.

[TBR]

I doubt the cops uses snow tires down here in TX.  

[giant_mtb]

I doubt the cops uses snow tires down here in TX.

 

[TBR]

I doubt the cops uses snow tires down here in TX.

Actually, in parts of Texas they probably do (Amarillo), but not in the part of TX I live in.

[R33 GT-R]

It seems like every time I go through Amarillo it's snowing.  I almost ran over a gas pump the last time I went through.  

Learn how to drive Texans.

[giant_mtb]

I doubt the cops uses snow tires down here in TX.

Actually, in parts of Texas they probably do (Amarillo), but not in the part of TX I live in.

Do they have snow there?  :blink:  

[TBR]

I doubt the cops uses snow tires down here in TX.

Actually, in parts of Texas they probably do (Amarillo), but not in the part of TX I live in.

Do they have snow there?  :blink:

Yep, a lot too apparantly (I have never been there during the winter).  

[giant_mtb]

I doubt the cops uses snow tires down here in TX.

Actually, in parts of Texas they probably do (Amarillo), but not in the part of TX I live in.

Do they have snow there?  :blink:

Yep, a lot too apparantly (I have never been there during the winter).

Is it in the mountains or somethin?

[TBR]

I doubt the cops uses snow tires down here in TX.

Actually, in parts of Texas they probably do (Amarillo), but not in the part of TX I live in.

Do they have snow there?  :blink:

Yep, a lot too apparantly (I have never been there during the winter).

Is it in the mountains or somethin?

No, it is just in the Panhandle (very northern part of TX).  

[giant_mtb]

I doubt the cops uses snow tires down here in TX.

Actually, in parts of Texas they probably do (Amarillo), but not in the part of TX I live in.

Do they have snow there?  :blink:

Yep, a lot too apparantly (I have never been there during the winter).

Is it in the mountains or somethin?

No, it is just in the Panhandle (very northern part of TX).

Ahh...that makes sense then.

[R33 GT-R]

After you leave Amarillo you start going uphill to Raton Pass New Mexico, from there into Coloradao Springs and on to Denver.  I love that drive.

[slakin]

What are the weirdest cop cars you have ever seen? I have seen a Saturn sedan and a two door Alero..........both with light bars :o  

[Catman]

What are the weirdest cop cars you have ever seen? I have seen a Saturn sedan and a two door Alero..........both with light bars :o

Hey Slakin, wlecome to CarSPIN!  Most of the weird police vehicles are seized vehicles that are used for police use.  I saw a magazine recently that featured a new GTO that a department bought for traffic enforcement.  

[footoflead]

Looks like a renta-cop to me....

[footoflead]

I doubt the cops uses snow tires down here in TX.

Actually, in parts of Texas they probably do (Amarillo), but not in the part of TX I live in.

Do they have snow there?  :blink:

Yep, a lot too apparantly (I have never been there during the winter).

Is it in the mountains or somethin?

No, it is just in the Panhandle (very northern part of TX).

Ahh...that makes sense then.

its farther north they you think

i know it sounds weird but yes it does snow in texas... i live in the southern part so not only is it hot but snow is rarer than a blue moon down here....although we did have a few flakes fall christmas eve...they melted as soon as the hit the ground...it was enough to wonder if the roads were gonna freeze...

[giant_mtb]

I doubt the cops uses snow tires down here in TX.

Actually, in parts of Texas they probably do (Amarillo), but not in the part of TX I live in.

Do they have snow there?  :blink:

Yep, a lot too apparantly (I have never been there during the winter).

Is it in the mountains or somethin?

No, it is just in the Panhandle (very northern part of TX).

Ahh...that makes sense then.

its farther north they you think

i know it sounds weird but yes it does snow in texas... i live in the southern part so not only is it hot but snow is rarer than a blue moon down here....although we did have a few flakes fall christmas eve...they melted as soon as the hit the ground...it was enough to wonder if the roads were gonna freeze...

Oh no!  You southern Texans would of had to (OH MY GOSH) drive in a millimeter of snow!  :o  :o  :P   Everybody would be like sliding all over the place.    "how do we drive in this stuff now?"    (I'm just jokin' with you)

[TBR]

I doubt the cops uses snow tires down here in TX.

Actually, in parts of Texas they probably do (Amarillo), but not in the part of TX I live in.

Do they have snow there?  :blink:

Yep, a lot too apparantly (I have never been there during the winter).

Is it in the mountains or somethin?

No, it is just in the Panhandle (very northern part of TX).

Ahh...that makes sense then.

its farther north they you think

i know it sounds weird but yes it does snow in texas... i live in the southern part so not only is it hot but snow is rarer than a blue moon down here....although we did have a few flakes fall christmas eve...they melted as soon as the hit the ground...it was enough to wonder if the roads were gonna freeze...

We have gotten a couple of inches a couple of times and my parents don't like to drive in it simply because no one else knows how to (however, they do, as we used to live in Idaho).  

[giant_mtb]

Yeah...it's very funny when you see out-of-state cars up here trying to drive in the snow and on the icy roads.  It's very comical, until they cause an accident, of course.  Most of them slide through the intersections because they don't know that ice offers close to 0 traction and they need to make their braking distances at least 50% longer.   Duh.  Then it's funny watching them sit there and spin their tires trying to start moving...uhh...let off the gas, it might help.  :P  

[SargeMonkey]

Around here they use a beater toyota and drop in a 350 and a good tranny, its stealthy.  :ph34r:  They are so freaking hard to see but you can here them they run glasspacks.

[TurboDan]

Cab drivers here are the worst in the snow.

Snow+ RWD CV + driver from Pakistan = trouble.  :o    

[Fire It Up]

Cab drivers here are the worst in the snow.

Snow+ RWD CV + driver from Pakistan = trouble.  :o  

lol

[Tom]

Around here they use a beater toyota and drop in a 350 and a good tranny, its stealthy.  :ph34r:  They are so freaking hard to see but you can here them they run glasspacks.

Are you serious?

[R33 GT-R]

He has got to be kidding unless he's in Bay St Louis, Mississippi.  I think I've seen one there before, or was it a 280Z with a Boss 302.

[Minpin]

TBR whereabouts in TX are you, i personally am in Houston.

[Fire It Up]

Remember people, this is the ultimate cop car:

and one of these...

[TBR]

TBR whereabouts in TX are you, i personally am in Houston.

East Texas