While the Ford Crown Vic can easily be considered an “old man’s” car, I have given serious thought to buying one of the used Crown Victoria Police Interceptor models.
Before buying my Scion tC, I had done quite a bit of research on the Police Interceptor (PI) as a possibility. There are quite a few police departments that replace all of their cruisers when they reach a specific mileage, usually in the neighborhood of 50,000 to 80,000 miles.
The Crown Vic has a pretty good track record for being a workhorse of a vehicle, particularly when you consider that the Crown Vic is also a popular choice among taxi drivers. But I would be lying to you if I said that I was considering a PI because of the reliability.
Think about the last time you were driving along on the highway in the left lane and you looked in the rear view mirror and saw what looked like an unmarked police cruiser closing in behind you. Chances are you quickly looked for the first opportunity to move over to the next lane to let the officer cruise right by you.
That is why I want one of these cars, preferably with the crash bar installed up front and the spotlight on the driver’s side window. With all of the highway driving that I do on my commute to and from work, I am sure this car would make that drive much more enjoyable and would likely reduce the number of people that crawl along in front of me.
While I am happy with my Scion tC and do not regret making that purchase, I still think it would be fun to own a Police Interceptor that is pimped out with as much equipment as would be street legal for a civilian vehicle.
Would you move over if you saw one of these closing in behind you?
Photo credit: CHEYKA Motors, Inc.
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At the moment I am searching for a full sized Jotto Desk Trunk Tray or a full sized trunk tray by Gamber Johnson unless there are other trunk trays that I am not aware of. I have been looking at a pair of Havis Shields trunk trays but because of their size with Havis I might have to buy 2 of these. I’m looking to mount all of the sound equipment onto one or two of these trays. I think it would look real trick considering I’ll have 5 amps plus a surround sound processor and various other sound equipment. Let me know what you can find out for me and I’d be much appreciated and will be back in touch with you sometime later tonight! Thanks
Alex Inglis
I’m sorry I have’nt been replying to the site but I’ve been off of my feet for a while trying to get the pain in my neck to mellow out all due to a drunk driver rear ending me at and estamated speed of 70mph while I was stopped at a red light back in 1990. Anyways I finally located some used equipment trays for the P71′s. These trays are in really great shape and the last that I looked this persons selling them for about $60.00 to $70.00 a tray. I bought mine for about that price and I failed to mentioned and it was a double tier tray that I bought. I dont think it’s going to be enough to hold all of the amps that I’ve got going in on this system install. I’ve got 4 amps going in on this particular build for a toal of 4000 watts in this stereo system. My main goal is to not cut this car up or alter it in any visable way. I’m now ready to move forwad on the sound system install. Ohh! also I finally located the Alpine surround sound processor from a man that sells Alpine and Denon sound equipment, he’s located in Japan but sells his products here on Ebay so, things are finally starting to go my way finally. I’ve got everything that I need on this system build. It took me 6 months to locate everything that I wanted/needed but everythings now ready to be installed on this build. I figure a good solid 2 days possibly 3 days on the install then I’ll be ready to make my ears bleed. (jk) I’ll let you know how things go once I’ve got it all installed plus I’ll have some pictures. PEACE yall!
Please let me know what you can find on aJotto Desk full size trunk tray> Im also looking at the Havis trays but with the Havis trays Im probably going to have to go with 2 of these. Lastly if I can possibly locate on one of the full size Gamber Johnson full size trunk trays depending upon the size of their trunk tray. I’m getting reafy to build really crazy huge sound system in my P71 and I think it would look really trick to mount all my electronics in back on one of these. let me know with what you find out please.
thanks and thanks for your posting. I found it to be interesting as well.
Sincerely
Alexander Inglis
Im sorry but I failed to ask just where do I have to go to see your website t hat sels all of the P71 equipment. I didnt think I saw anything on the above page unless I missed it? Thanks again.
Alex Inglis
My services website is http://www.martelautos.com and my online equipment store is at http://www.martelautos.com. I will check with my distributor on the trunk trays. Also, I though that I would let you know that it is part of my companies goal to open a branch in FL within the next 1-5 years.
Sorry, I put the same address twice. The second one is http://www.martelemergencyequipmet.com
My brother used to have one of these. I remember everyone was scared of him in the highways
Thats funny, I get the same reaction lolz. Everyones curious about my car. All the sheriffs wave but not so much the FHPs, their unfriendly so it seems….
Alex, I’d really like to feature your car on the blog. I know you emailed me a few pictures and quite the recap of your car, but if you have more pictures or want to write up something specific let me know.
Its rain here yesterday and today. Once the rain stops I’ll take some pictures other than the pictures the dealer gave to me. I’ll get that done asap. I sent you an email about all the crap thats been happening. Its been crazy lately.
Alex
Great, that is quite the story about what has happened with your car. Look forward to the pictures and then we’ll get a post up here featuring your car.
Is this legal to have? I was always wondering about that
Yes it is legal to own and drive one of these vehicles. Certain pieces of emergency equipment which are equipped and removed by the police are illegal for use by a civilian. 98% of the time all of the equipment is removed by the selling departments or by the used vehicle dealer selling the vehicles.
Man, I want one of these cars. I’m tired of people driving slow in the speed lane
Scares the shit out of whenever I see one of these. I got pulled over 3 times already and can’t risk getting pulled over anymore
I don’t know if people are aware that the rumor of Ford discontinuing the P71 Ford Crown Victoria’s a false rumor. I just received 2 pictures of the new P72 with its V10. As of March 12,2010 the new Crown Victorias pictures are on display. If people want a quick glimps of the P72 feel free to go to Ford Police Interceptor Team <Announcements@FordPoliceInterceptor-form.com and sign up. Once signed up you'll receive an email that will take you to this new musclebound police car.
Outstanding!! can’t wait to get one of these, thanks for the info.
My P71 is a 98 with stock hubcaps. Does anyone know if the newer bolt on style hubcaps will fit on these rims, or should i get new rims?
May get new rims anyway. These cars are awesome in almost every way and imo are well worth the investment. Contrary to conventional ‘wisdom’ these are not gas guzzlers, and gas prices aren’t going to the moon for awhile. China’s growth is fueled by massive central gov stimulus – much of it off of the books. Their bubble will burst as well.
This thing is tight. I want one of these
My bro got one these. Every time we go to parties he brings it and everyone thinks he is a cop. lol
If the P71′s in a really good condition the police will even think the same thing. A couple Fridays ago I was behind a car load of what appeared to be high school kids. Just minutes after they saw my P71 behind them a plastic bag goes out the window. I guess these guys got paranoid and tossed their dope. lolz
I think that’s funny. I ruined some stoners Friday night.
btw- I don’t know if my website address is working. I’ll check later,..
LOL @ Alex. This car is a money maker.
I rarely see these cars now a days. I used to see them all time, mostly high school kids had them. I wonder if my city put a law to ban these cop looking cars.
I had one of these when I was in college, but it had alot of miles. It was a nice car while it lasted
I want one
Do they still make these? I only see the older ones on the road
Yeah they make em. From earlier models up to last year a believe. I could be wrong but I believe up to 2009/’10 The newest ones have the Flex Fuel badge on the rear trunk lid. If you find the right deal you’ve got yourself one heck of a car.
ehh not really my style
Style? Hmm… Personally I think the P71 has got allot of style for what the car is. Me, I’m now getting ready to start getting to work on mine. Strictly preformance improvements. I’ve got my new rims coming next week then I’ll be doing a cat back exhaust system. Then after the cat back I’ll be calling on a company called Blue Oval Chips. Their at http://www.blueovalchips.com/ After chatting with several mechanics I’ve been informed that there’s not much that really needs to be done to make my P71 a quicker car just by re-programming the onboard computer and a few other changes such as removal of speed limiter, increased shift rpm, shift firmness & torque converter lockups (auto) are standard changes in all our programming unless otherwise notified. I’ll be able to expect better throttle responds, drivability, some increase in mileage besides additional performance. There’s allot to the P71′s. Allot more than I ever knew about until I started asking around.
As for the changes I’m tired of people always thinking that my car is the PoPo. Even the PoPo think I’m one of them and this I deffenately dont want but most of all I miss having a “Go Fast Car” Thanks yall. I hope you all have a Happy Thanksgiving! Remember be safe out there…
I just came across this after a search about crown vics. I own a 2004 police interceptor, i’ve also owned a 1996 and 2000 both police interceptors. They have been great cars. I’ve also owned other vehicles and had the crown vics to ride around town in and i’m in a volunteer fire dept and use it when i’m running my calls. I’ve not done anything but added red lights in it. They run great,decent gas mileage as long as your not running with the pedal stuck to the floor constantly and they have a good bit of room. I’ve bought all of mine from the North Carolina Highway Patrol, they take care of them and keep up with the maintenance and if they’ve ever been in any type of accident or had any severe mechanical issues they wont’ sell them.
I think you can’t go with a Crown Vic. They’re proven cars and handle great. Lots of power and rear-wheel drive make them fun to chuck around corners when no one’s around too. Go for one and enjoy your commutes.
Crown Vics, esp. in the PI version, will get up and go. Years ago, I saw a Wyoming Highway Patrol Crown Vic give chase to a Pontiac Trans Am, and within 5 miles make a felony stop. They blew by me at 130 plus on I-80. Another cop favorite, available used, is the Chevy Caprice Police Interceptor. Occasionally you’ll see a Vic PI for sale with the smaller V-8, usually a Park Service or other Federal unit, which helps with the gas mileage. Vics are the ultimate anti-tailgating machine, and for that reason alone, worth a serious look. A great car, and a design triumph.
Its true, Crown vic is first choice among taxi drivers, they like long cars with good features
Awesome. That is a great reason to want one. Too funny. I love it.
OMG! That is an awesome idea…I hate the morons who drive 20 miles BELOW the speed limit on the far left lane!
Nice ride! Maybe add some police stripes and a sirene!
Hahahaha, that’s what I was thinking too. All you need is a siren
I had one of these when I was in high school. Everyone in school wanted a ride. Great car btw
Speeding on the highway in a gay 90′s miami vice car, you should better bye a range rover mate…
i passed a broken down range rover yesterday on the highway – stopped and helped. gave owner a ride to the next exit – had one and hated it.
after $$$ repairs i sold it-got a ’09 p71…never been happier….mate
For all the right reasons. I love it. I never thought about having cars get out of my way cause it looked like an undercover. Great thinking.
Oh, it get’s better than just having people move over – let me tell you.
I drove one of those bad boys for 4 years and it was awesome. I wasn’t going around pretending I was a cop but here’s a couple examples:
1. I’m cruising along in the fast lane doing about 120 km/h (about 70mph), which is more than fast enough and actually exceeds the limit by about 10km/h. So up from behind me this Hyundai comes flying up out of nowhere and promptly starts hovering about 10 feet off my back bumper, using intimidation to try and get me to speed up. This lasts about 10 seconds until he figures out he’s tailgating a “cop”. LOL. It was awesome watching him suddenly fade waaaay back and then nonchalantly change lanes. Great way to get rid of a pest.
2. I’m sitting at a red light when an import comes up behind me with the music going “DOOOOM – DOOOOM – DOOOOM”. That pounding bass you can hear from a half mile away. Once again it takes the genius at the wheel a few seconds to realize he’s behind a “cop”. Suddenly the music disappears and I finish waiting for the red in complete silence. Ha ha.
And incidents like this happened almost once a week! Which goes to show how many pricks there actually are on the roads. I loved that car and plan to get another one ASAP.
Hi Derek, you definitely have a brilliant idea there! This could ease your commutes tremendously. Brian’s examples posted above seem to vouch for the conveniences quite well. No imports blasting bass near you, no tailgaters.. seems like having the Crown Vic would be better for the health of your heart and ears too!
-Jean
the other good thing about buying those cars is normally they have a reenforced suspension which really adds durability to a vehicle
It worked for me, I sure miss it to. Mine was a silver 98, unmarked and I still had all kinds of people slow way down to make sure I wasn’t a cop. Not sure it’s going to continue to work since so many departments and HPs are switching to the Charger.
some people act like total fools when they see one of these. usually i drive a little under the speed limit so the outliers don’t clog up the passing lane by driving in my blind spot for miles.
great car – very reliable so far but gas mileage a little low – otherwise best car value i’ve ever had as you can pick these up for less than the sales tax on a new car.
as far as i know 2011 was the last model year. their mojo will last a few more years.
but all officers i’ve asked who’ve driven both preferred the chevy caprice police car. jalopnik had an article a few years ago about chevy bringing back a caprice police version but haven’t seen it yet.
Those old police cars also have a supped up suspension. They are cars you can literally run into the ground.
Chevy Caprice police version is back. Hope these catch on so we can buy these at auction about the time our CVPIs die
http://www.gmfleet.com/government/police/chevy-caprice-ppv/index.jsp
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2012-chevrolet-caprice-ppv-police-car-review-review
when my family where travelling in LA my dad rented one of those. we called it “the beast” and/or ” the mafia car” ’cause u have the space to place a grown up in the trunk and still have the space for two suitcases XD hahahah well we didn’t notice that people was avoiding us (i don’t think) but I wasnt paying attention to that, i was more interested in the things we drove past
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the other good thing about buying those cars is normally they have a reenforced suspension which really adds durability to a vehicle
i would so move out of the way and i love the track record of these cars .
I’d like to buy one of these I’m looking to spend 2,000$ cash for one and I want to fix it up as the days go buy if any body knows where to buy a police interceptor p71 please let me know
Having driven one of these both before and after it was stripped of specialized gear they are an incredible car. Sadly availability is virtually non-existent anymore.
There are a few companies that I am aware of that still sell reconditioned cruisers; one of them is in Texas (San Antonio I believe) and the other is in Kansas City (if memory serves me correct) – and they both sell them with various degrees of accessories too.
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