I get asked at least once a month about buying a recently retired police cruiser. Used car markets are still nuts and people are looking to save money anyway they can. Of course, there are some other benefits to buying a former police car. I mean what better way to clear the lane in front of you than being in what appears to be an unmarked cruiser? At the very least they are considered cheap transportation, with old Crown Vics going from $1,500 to $3,500 depending on where you are. So should you do it? Well that depends.
Police agencies have strict rules for how their cruisers are maintained so you can be assured that the vehicle is well taken care of. With that said, police cruisers generally have a tough life. They are left idling for a long time and they are ridden HARD. You might luck out and locate a detective or white shirt cruiser, which generally have a much easier life and are cleaner than the front line cruisers.
Even better, these days agencies are buying a variety of makes and models, generally sticking to: Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Caprice, Ford Crown Victoria, Ford Interceptor, Ford Interceptor Utility, Dodge Charger and Dodge Durango. All of these models have various engine sizes but most will be equipped with V8 power and an automatic transmission. The best part is that all the models are plentiful on the market which makes parts cheap. All of them are easy to work on, and require basic tools.
So should you buy one? It depends on what you’re looking for out of a vehicle. If you want cheap transportation and/or a fun car, go get one. If you are looking for a feature loaded vehicle, or something with amenities, look elsewhere.
