My biggest concern would be the amount of idling they do. Lots of wear and tear compared to the reported mileage.
Cons:Driven hardHigh Mileslong life/hoursNo history.
Quote from: Jon Bon on July 08, 2019, 11:55:43 AMCons:Driven hardHigh Mileslong life/hoursNo history. You're forgetting the important one:A police force maintenance department decided to get rid of it. You're buying someone else's problem.They've lived a hard life, and someone who does this sort of thing for a living decided it wasn't worth keeping around (either based on vehicle condition or based on their experience with the lifetime of the vehicles in their fleet service).You can find a car that's been treated an awful lot better for the same sort of money.
We have an old police Crown Victoria. It has been great because repairs are cheap and easy, and we can fit two kids and a dog in the back seat. The trunk is huge too, and it has a high safety rating. Husband does all repairs himself and the parts are cheap because it is a very common vehicle. The only complaint I have is that the fuel mileage sucks.
Pro: If you keep the spotlight, cattle guard and antenna - everyone gets out of your way when you're driving down the highway!
While I agree your italicized bit is an important consideration in a private party sale, I don't think it holds as much water when discussing government fleet vehicles. These vehicles are purchased en masse, usually well-maintained, then retired en masse. Condition of the vehicle is generally an afterthought.
Quote from: Boofinator on July 09, 2019, 12:38:16 PMWhile I agree your italicized bit is an important consideration in a private party sale, I don't think it holds as much water when discussing government fleet vehicles. These vehicles are purchased en masse, usually well-maintained, then retired en masse. Condition of the vehicle is generally an afterthought.It depends on the fleet. In general, though, they'll get rid of them when experience has taught that they're getting to end of useful life. If they're good for 150k miles, it's unlikely that they'll get sold at 100k miles.
Quote from: MrsWolfeRN on July 08, 2019, 12:08:12 PMWe have an old police Crown Victoria. It has been great because repairs are cheap and easy, and we can fit two kids and a dog in the back seat. The trunk is huge too, and it has a high safety rating. Husband does all repairs himself and the parts are cheap because it is a very common vehicle. The only complaint I have is that the fuel mileage sucks.Don't the Crown Vics have a safety problem with their gas tank placement? I thought that was why they were retired?
Quote from: dcheesi on July 09, 2019, 12:39:22 PMQuote from: MrsWolfeRN on July 08, 2019, 12:08:12 PMWe have an old police Crown Victoria. It has been great because repairs are cheap and easy, and we can fit two kids and a dog in the back seat. The trunk is huge too, and it has a high safety rating. Husband does all repairs himself and the parts are cheap because it is a very common vehicle. The only complaint I have is that the fuel mileage sucks.Don't the Crown Vics have a safety problem with their gas tank placement? I thought that was why they were retired?That issue was for models 2001 and older, ours is a 2008.