Police agencies say goodbye to iconic Crown Victoria, roll out new cop cars

Orange County Register ^ | February 16, 2015 | Sandra Stokley and Scott Schwebke

[EveningStar]

That icon of police transportation, a vehicle so sturdy and beloved and ubiquitous that it became virtual wallpaper on TV cop shows and local streets – the Ford Crown Victoria – is dead.

The upshot is this: For many police agencies, it’s time to buy a new car.

Ford stopped making the Crown Vic four years ago, saying sales to the public had fallen to the point that the car is no longer viable, even if demand from police agencies remained strong. Fuel efficiency (or in the Crown Vic’s case, inefficiency) played a role.

[Yo-Yo]

Fix the cigarette lighter.

[Fightin Whitey]

Oh but sometimes one can be so grateful for front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive, studs, chains, even trax....

[Slyfox]

What was real nice about driving a Crown Vic is that when people saw you they would naturally drive better, they’d slow down, get off their phones, and put on their seat belts - all cuz they didn’t know for sure if you were a cop or not.

[stylin19a]

I had an ‘06 that got could squeeze 30 mpg on the hwy with cruise control on.
around town, mpg stunk.

[Excellence]

I’ve been seeing the Ford Police Interceptor around and they’re hot.

[Skybird]

I remember visiting Rapid City, South Dakota in the early 1980’s and seeing Volvos (with turbos) as the standard police patrol car.

[CrazyIvan]

I dated a girl who owned a plain Jane Dodge Polara. We crested a hill one day and some guy in a Corvette doing 100+ towards us put on an incredible demonstration of braking.

[Disambiguator]

The worst police cars ever were the Dodge Diplomats. They couldn’t keep up with anything, being so gutless due to smog regulations (and Detroit’s inability to comply with them without emasculating the engines).

[CGASMIA68]

Probably,no need to get anywhere fast and when they do they just get filmed,harassed and then sued.

[Crapgame]

I began my career in Furies and Crown Vics...my department had a mixed fleet. Ended it in the Dodge Charger. Funny thing. The Crown Vic was the most comfortable patrol car I ever drove but it was an absolute pig when accelerating. The Charger was great on acceleration but not the most comfortable. Every other car in my career sucked, Ford Taurus, Jeep Cherokee, Chevy...

[toast]

Nice tailpipe.

[Cecily]

The cops need a cool sports car like this one.

[Big Red Badger]

Cuff Her ,Dan0!

put Her in the Van.

[A Formerly Proud Canadian]

How about these for acceleration, strength and roominess? ;>0

In an effort to save money (???), various Quebec police forces bought K-cars in the 1980s. While they were good, basic CHEAP transportation, a 'K-car' as a police cruiser really made me laugh back then, and now.

[GeronL]

we got this, unless they run (or walk really fast), then we need air support

[JimRed]

Fuel efficiency (or in the Crown Vic’s case, inefficiency) played a role.

Didn't bother the cops; they weren't filling the gas tanks out of their own wallets.

[GeronL]

[EveningStar]

Was that also the car Moses drove across the Red Sea.

[central_va]

I love that pic

[Feckless]

Seems to be a favorite "ride" fo' de Brothas....

My guess is, after spending so much time in the back of them they have an un-natural urge to sit in the front.

I wonder how many times the average thug gets in the back automatically before it wears off?