Advice-Buying former Police units

[STAPrap]

Hi,just wondering if anyone has any advice on buying former Police Interceptors from an auction for personal use?I know these cars will last for some time after they're done with the forces.
I live in London Ontario Canada and am wondering where I go to purchase one?
Plus,does anyone know of any rules you have to follow after purchasing a Police Interceptor?ie. you use to have to re-paint them before you licensed them.
To replace the brakes for example,being a civilian,can you buy the heavy duty brakes or do you have to convert to conventional style for the car?
I appreciate your replies,thankyou very much :)

DD

[03SILVERSTREAK]

Originally posted by STAPrap

To replace the brakes for example,being a civilian,can you buy the heavy duty brakes or do you have to convert to conventional style for the car?
I appreciate your replies,thankyou very much :)

DD

Yes you can buy the heavy duty brakes that fit that car's brake system . You don't have to convert .

[BillyGman]

an auction of state vehicles that is held twice per year at the motor vehicle department in my state. I was looking for a police interceptor and they had some of them, however I waited three hours to bid on the one I wanted, and I learned that those auctions are no bargain since you have a lot of people there competing w/you on the bidding. The car I bid on started out as $4000 and ended up being sold to the highest bidder at $9000!!! And this was a car w/100K on it, and 7 years old.
So I've never even owned a PI but for what it's worth, my Brother who is a Police officer strongly recommended that I stay away from those cars because they get beat on constantly on a daily basis by almost ALL the police officers. His comment to me was"Bill, if you're like most cops, you drive fast and beat on the cars for no other reason than, you can, and nobody will pull you over for speeding". So that was quite revealing coming from a cop who's been on the force for 13 years. He also said that every single time he answers a call where there are other cops who have already arrived at the scene of the crime, when he gets out of his cruiser, and is walking by the other ones that are already parked there, all is he smells is burning brake fluid, and/or coolant. So after hearing those comments, I realized that those cars have some hard miles on them,and so I decided not to continue to seek one out.

[Mikeenh]

STAPrap,
Our state has an auction twice a year. Most of the cruisers are State Police. That means that ONE person has had this car since new. Most troopers take very good care of their cruisers. They have mandatory regular maintanece performed on them. Many troopers keep their cruisers in their garage and keep them well waxed. Some at auction were a Chief's car or high supervisor....still good. If it is a cruiser that had three shift changes a day, I'd say no way.
One of the reasons the price stays high is that Taxi company's buy these for parts and back up vehicles.
Like anything, you have the good and bad.

[RF Overlord]

STAP:

I don't know the laws in Canada, but in the US, there are no restrictions on civilians owning used CVPIs...in other words, you can buy all the correct parts, you can register them in your name, etc. Requirements for re-painting vary from state-to-state, and sometimes even vary by community...most, if not all, require the word "POLICE" to be removed, but vary as to leaving the colour schemes, etc...

As far as mechanically, you're at the luck of the draw...some departments take very good care of their cars, as Mikeenh said, and those cars would probably be a good value...others, as stated by BillyGman, really beat their cars and they're pretty well trashed when the department is done with them.

There are lots of auctions around, but the closest retail place to you that I'm aware of is Cheyka Motors (http://www.usedcopcars.com) in Schofield, Wisconsin...the Cheyka brothers enjoy a very high reputation for the quality of their cars and their customer service...

[jgc61sr2002]

I have been to several auctions of Police Vehicles. Stay away from the marked ones and go for the unmarked. The unmarked ones were likely used by superior officers or detectives. They are usually in good shape. The taxi companies are always there and seem to pay, more than I would for the PI.

[RF Overlord]

Originally posted by jgc61sr2002
The unmarked ones were likely used by superior officers or detectives. They are usually in good shape.

Good point, John... :up:

[BillyGman]

I guess that is a pretty good point. I can't say that I've ever been pulled over by a cop driving an unmarked car. I'm not saying that it doesn't happen, but just that it's rare as far as I know.

[BigMerc]

All of those points are right on the money. never, NEVER buy a marked car, I had the chance to buy MY old patrol cruiser I thought about it ..for like a minute!!! Then I remembered what I did to that car and said ..FORGET IT!!. One more thing you have to remember the mileage shown is not the real mileage, you have to factor in the idling under the tree while writing reports, over 3 years probably would equal about 20,000 more miles.

With that said I Would buy an Admin. staff car, they come in at 0900 and leave at 1700 hrs, no weekends and drive like my Aunt Susan, look for colors, if its white stay away most staff buy blue, silver etc, have at those all day long

[Zack]

Just a piece of info here that might help. I am good friends with a Master tech at a Ford dealer that services taxies and cop cars. He himself is always shocked at the high mileage the 2 valve motors are capable of achieving and still run good. He says he sees cars with over 300,000 miles on a daily basis and they are in excellent running condition. But if you have the chance to buy a state troopers car or a detectives car, go for that one first.

[BigMerc]

Uhhh maybe not the Detective car, we were patrol guys first, ask my poor unmarked if she has had an easier time!!......NOPE, shes just as abused as the marked ones

[RoyLPita]

How about finding a civilian CV or GM with the Handling and Performance package? It comes with some Police spec equipment (shocks, stabilizer bars, front coil springs, 3.27 open rear (3.55 for 2000), dual exhaust). Plus you get all the creature comforts that do not come on a PI car (examples: leather, remote keyless entry, upgraded sound system, cross-laced aluminum wheels).
just my .02

[Macon Marauder]

My Dad, my brothers (both LEOs) and me have been buying retired cruisers for more than 20 years. Though not so much anymore. They're so popular now that they're hard to find cheap - or even reasonable.

In some cases the CVs are still running for hundreds of thousands of miles after retirement. As others have said, some agencies are better than others at maintaining them.

Around here, they have to remove the equipment and markings before auction. Then you can do what you like after purchase. The marked cars have to be repainted because of the mess they make scraping off the decals.

And I agree: the detective cars, chiefs' cars, and other unmarked cars are usually "nicer" and better kept.

[DetGeno]

Get a well kept used Mercury Marauder! :up: Every owner I've met so far has adopted their MM as their own kids, very well taking care of!

[Marauderman]

Originally posted by DetGeno
Get a well kept used Mercury Marauder! :up: Every owner I've met so far has adopted their MM as their own kids, very well taking care of!

There SHOULD NOT BE A USED MM even out there--including those with 8,000 miles and not titled yet by dealers---

Although some unsuspecting buyers did probably buy thinking it was a super fast GM and decided it wasn't their type--this is what has caused the USED MM to become into existance--plus the fact it likes gas and most thought it was good on gas...OH What a shame--we all should have two MM's the way we love them.......hummmmmm......'03 rebates.....refina...home...Hu mmmmnnnn..Tom

[4wheelcouch]

Do NOT buy a ex-patrol car that has been used as a taxi or one that was used for K9

Search ebaymotors.com to get an idea what the going rate is.

Make sure it actually is a P71 or 9C1

Consider buying a car that is less likely to be rusted to heck.

CV place
http://www.used-police-cars.com/

Caprice 9C1 place
http://www.keymotorsusa.com/current.html

$800 1994 blown trans, shot interior
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2435413846&category=6227

$7000 for a 2000
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2434815056&category=6227

$3900 1998
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2435236191&category=6227

Here is a $5200 Caprice with some mods. 3.73 gears. wahoo
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2435073499&category=6162

When buying an ex-Patrol expect to do some work. Budget for it. Bank on it. Great cars for the price though.

[troopcar]

I've got a great idea . . . why not get one of each? . . a Marauder AND a retired cop car. That way, you know you're gonna have fun no matter which car you're driving that day!

Works for me. :D :D

troopcar

[STAPrap]

Ok guys,I get the jist of it now.Thanks a lot for all of your helpful replies.I cannot believe how much I have learned already on this site.
Thankyou and brake the back end loose guys!

DD