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[TheGeeker]

Please Remove

[HelplmChoking]

They're slow, soft, roll badly, badly made, ugly and thirsty. I'd suggest something European or Japanese if you want something small, and good for a first car.

I just did a quick CG search, and my God... You guys have to deal with some absolute crap cars in America. There's nothing small, lots of heavy bleh American stuff. What you really want is something small, manual and Euro but eh. Here's a few I found;

 

http://palmsprings.craigslist.org/cto/5507799325.html

http://palmsprings.craigslist.org/cto/5507895671.html

http://palmsprings.craigslist.org/cto/5499726272.html

http://palmsprings.craigslist.org/cto/5508778499.html

http://palmsprings.craigslist.org/cto/5497980415.html (its a 180sx, the dude doesn't know what he's saying).

http://palmsprings.craigslist.org/cto/5507150946.html

Edit:

http://palmsprings.craigslist.org/cto/5497820334.html is a really awesome grab.

[GlassBomb]

Oh, man. RegularCar did a video on the P71 once. And I agree so much with it, and with how people only want it because they ooze authority. I would personally look at something else. Unless you're after the "Don't mess with me, I might be undercover"-look.

 

Edit: And as far as being harassed by the police for owning and driving one. As long as you don't do stupid shit and have all of your papers in order, then there would be no reason for them to do anything. Cops are people too. So never get railed up if you are stopped. That's more or less the best advice I can give for anyone who gets stopped by police. If you know that you did something wrong, then acknowledge that and take whatever fine you get without making a fuzz.

 

 

[Fetzie]

Get something small and European or Japanese. They are cheap, reliable, safe, don't guzzle fuel and are easy to drive.

 

Unless you actually want a car that handles like a cruise liner, drinks fuel like a cruise liner and rolls like a dinghy in a storm when you make it go round a corner. Then buy one of those pieces of shite. The only American cars worth buying are the ones where they did what the Japanese or Europeans do (for example the Ford Focus or Mondeo (Fusion) or the Corvette C7 (probably a bit out of your price league)).

[vetali]

They're honestly terrible cars. Incredibly inefficient all while making crap for power. Local PD went to Charger R/Ts after Ford stopped making crown vics and they have a ton more power and are more fuel efficient. 

 

Thing to remember is that retired police cars are idled a ton, driven extremely hard, and have the stigma of being a police car. Imagine trying to pass in the left lane but can't because someone in front of you thinks you're a cop so they gotta go 5 under now.

 

Highly recommend a Japanese car, especially Toyota or Honda if you want something reliable. 

[maulemall]

On ‎3‎/‎26‎/‎2016 at 4:11 AM, GlassBomb said:

Oh, man. RegularCar did a video on the P71 once. And I agree so much with it, and with how people only want it because they ooze authority. I would personally look at something else. Unless you're after the "Don't mess with me, I might be undercover"-look.

 

Edit: And as far as being harassed by the police for owning and driving one. As long as you don't do stupid shit and have all of your papers in order, then there would be no reason for them to do anything. Cops are people too. So never get railed up if you are stopped. That's more or less the best advice I can give for anyone who gets stopped by police. If you know that you did something wrong, then acknowledge that and take whatever fine you get without making a fuzz.

 

 

Do you actually listen to that crap or was that meant as humor?

[maulemall]

Not a bad car basically a Ford F150 with a car body

http://www.nadaguides.com/Cars/2011/Ford/Crown-Victoria-V8/Sedan-4D-Police-Interceptor/Values

[Omon_Ra]

Don't. Most used police cars are pretty beat by the time they get to the private market. The V8 sounds cool, but not so much when you can't afford to fill it up. If you're doing a LOT of highway driving (meaning, driving cross country) it's not the worst thing ever. I have a friend who did a cross country road trip in one and said it was perfect for that. But as a daily, don't do it. Find an unmolested Civic/Accord, nearly any Toyota, or a pickup truck and you'll be fine.

[TopDollar]

Hell yeah, I'd rock a P71. American cars are just fine. Reliability is fine (despite what people like to say), they are easy to work on (great if you wan't to learn to work on cars yourself), and they are cheap. Good recipe for a first car.

 

What would steer me away from a Crown Vic for a first car is the gas mileage due to that 4.6L V8. If this doesn't bother you, then no problem. Can always offload the car if it ends up not working out or becomes too much. If I had to suggest a first car, I would probably say something like a Chevy Cobalt. I'd even rock something like a Saturn Ion too. Either way, drive whatever interests you. There's an online community for every single type of car out there.

 

I haven't driven a P71 myself, but I have driven a dark colored 2013 Taurus SHO; another car that made people think I was a cop (especially at night). You can cruise down the highway in the left lane at speed and everyone just gets out of your way. It's great haha. 

 

On 3/26/2016 at 3:20 AM, Rangaman42 said:

They're slow, soft, roll badly, badly made, ugly and thirsty. I'd suggest something European or Japanese if you want something small, and good for a first car.

I just did a quick CG search, and my God... You guys have to deal with some absolute crap cars in America. There's nothing small, lots of heavy bleh American stuff. What you really want is something small, manual and Euro but eh. Here's a few I found;

 

http://palmsprings.craigslist.org/cto/5507799325.html

http://palmsprings.craigslist.org/cto/5507895671.html

http://palmsprings.craigslist.org/cto/5499726272.html

http://palmsprings.craigslist.org/cto/5508778499.html

http://palmsprings.craigslist.org/cto/5497980415.html (its a 180sx, the dude doesn't know what he's saying).

http://palmsprings.craigslist.org/cto/5507150946.html

Edit:

http://palmsprings.craigslist.org/cto/5497820334.html is a really awesome grab.

That 2011 P71 OP linked looks to be in better condition than any of those cars. Also, no it isn't a 180sx. It's a 240sx. It has a KA24DE motor in it. The 180 wasn't sold in North America. We also have plenty of small cars, especially within the last few years. This isn't the 1970s any more.

[maulemall]

8 minutes ago, TopDollar said:

Hell yeah, I'd rock a P71. American cars are just fine. Reliability is fine (despite what people like to say), they are easy to work on (great if you wan't to learn to work on cars yourself), and they are cheap. Good recipe for a first car.

 

What would steer me away from a Crown Vic for a first car is the gas mileage due to that 4.6L V8. If this doesn't bother you, then no problem. Can always offload the car if it ends up not working out or becomes too much. If I had to suggest a first car, I would probably say something like a Chevy Cobalt. I'd even rock something like a Saturn Ion too. Either way, drive whatever interests you. There's an online community for every single type of car out there.

 

I haven't driven a P71 myself, but I have driven a dark colored 2013 Taurus SHO; another car that made people think I was a cop (especially at night). You can cruise down the highway in the left lane at speed and everyone just gets out of your way. It's great haha. 

 

That 2011 P71 OP linked looks to be in better condition than any of those cars. Also, no it isn't a 180sx. It's a 240sx. It has a KA24DE motor in it. The 180 wasn't sold in North America. We also have plenty of small cars, especially within the last few years. This isn't the 1970s any more.

I love how everyone says Get a Honda or a Toyota... It's Cali and the only Honda or Toyota you are going to get for 5k is something from 2001 or 2... With 250.000 miles on it.

http://www.carfax.com/vehicles/Used--92182/price-under-5000

[vetali]

6 minutes ago, maulemall said:

I love how everyone says Get a Honda or a Toyota... It's Cali and the only Honda or Toyota you are going to get for 5k is something from 2001 or 2... With 250.000 miles on it.

http://www.carfax.com/vehicles/Used--92182/price-under-5000

There is a reason why Honda and Toyota hold their values more. 

[pinksnowmanshandle]

My mom had a '97 Mercury Grand Marquis which is basically a re branded Crown Vic and that thing was a boat and went through so much gas. We've got a 2011 Kia Soul ! now, much better...
I'd add to the recommendation of Japan, Korean and German cars.

Newer Kia and Hyundai cars and CUV/SUVs are pretty good and then you have Audi, Volkswagen, Mercedes and BMW.

 

Whenever I have the money and decide to go for my provisional or full license I'd probably get a Hyundai Sonata from like 2011 or 2012.

(I've been unable to drive because I broke my ankle back at the end of January and I just recently was give the okay to bear weight again, and I'm also cheap and I don't have a job (yet).)

[GlassBomb]

Just now, vetali said:

There is a reason why Honda and Toyota hold their values more. 

And there is very likely that any ex-police car have been beaten to crap and back. Hence the low price they go for. And TBH, that Ford Focus looks really temping on that list he linked. Me being a fan of manual transmissions and all.

[TopDollar]

31 minutes ago, maulemall said:

I love how everyone says Get a Honda or a Toyota... It's Cali and the only Honda or Toyota you are going to get for 5k is something from 2001 or 2... With 250.000 miles on it.

http://www.carfax.com/vehicles/Used--92182/price-under-5000

Probably because Hondas and Toyotas are the "go to" cars for the perception of reliability among your average person. Reliability of any used car is more akin to the previous owners than anything else. Unless it's car that's a known lemon. Get a P71 that was owned by a Police or Fire Chief, and you'll be golden.

 

22 minutes ago, vetali said:

There is a reason why Honda and Toyota hold their values more. 

Because they're imported. The market value of a particular vehicle is more related to people's perception of the car and what they're willing to pay for it. Not necessarily the actual value. For example, here in Virginia I could get a 140hp 2006 Honda Civic EX with roughly 100,000 miles on it for between $7-8k. Even Civic's with 150k+ miles on them are going for over $7,000.

 

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/663197106/overview/

 

Or I could get a 200hp supercharged Cobalt SS with similar mileage for $5-6k.

 

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/663989166/overview/

 

Both cars are similarly sized, have similar mileage, and similar reliability. The Cobalt is a lot more car for the money though.

[vetali]

28 minutes ago, GlassBomb said:

And there is very likely that any ex-police car have been beaten to crap and back. Hence the low price they go for. And TBH, that Ford Focus looks really temping on that list he linked. Me being a fan of manual transmissions and all.

Beware of motor mounts with a Focus. I've posted about that a lot on the car thread. The automatic Focus may as well make the car a lemon. Avoid the autos like the plague.

 

13 minutes ago, TopDollar said:

Because they're imported. The market value of a particular vehicle is more related to people's perception of the car and what they're willing to pay for it. Not necessarily the actual value. For example, here in Virginia I could get a 140hp 2006 Honda Civic EX with roughly 100,000 miles on it for between $7-8k. Even Civic's with 150k+ miles on them are going for over $7,000.

 

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/663197106/overview/

 

Or I could get a 200hp supercharged Cobalt SS with similar mileage for $5-6k.

 

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/663989166/overview/

 

Both cars are similarly sized, have similar mileage, and similar reliability. The Cobalt is a lot more car for the money though.

That civic you linked is imported... from Canada. Toyota and Honda makes their cars in NA now to avoid import fees and have been for a while. The main point is that the cars are reliable. 

[TopDollar]

Just now, vetali said:

Beware of motor mounts with a Focus. I've posted about that a lot on the car thread. The automatic Focus may as well make the car a lemon. Avoid the autos like the plague.

 

That civic you linked is imported... from Canada. Toyota and Honda makes their cars in NA now to avoid import fees and have been for a while. The main point is that the cars are reliable. 

Location of assembly facilities is unrelated to where the R&D happens. By the same logic many "American" cars are Mexican or Korean, Subaru Legacies & Outbacks are "American", but Imprezas are Japanese. Cars country of origin aren't referred to by the assembly location. If we want to get real technical, our cars are mostly a collection of parts sourced from OEM Vendors.

 

But getting away from straw man arguments here. The point is that these cars are perceived as reliable, therefore they fetch a higher price tag.

[maulemall]

46 minutes ago, vetali said:

There is a reason why Honda and Toyota hold their values more. 

So you are saying that a reliable car from 2001 or17 years ago is preferred to a Reliable car from 6 years ago..

Just as an aside Police cars are strictly monitored within their motor pools and are strictly kept to within manufacturers specs.

Their maintenance and logs are kept up to date as well by professionals who have all the special tools required to do the tasks.

say what you want it's apples to oranges.

 

[Talamakara]

@TheGeeker

Don't. They are trash, and because the car communities hate people who buy them. We honestly wish they were all off the road.

 

What are you wanting to do with this first car?

[maulemall]

3 minutes ago, Talamakara said:

Don't. They are trash, and because the car communities hate people who buy them. We honestly wish they were all off the road.

 

What are you wanting to do with this first car?

after the first part of your reply I feel it necessary to answer the second part..

 

DRIVE IT

[Talamakara]

11 minutes ago, maulemall said:

after the first part of your reply I feel it necessary to answer the second part..

 

DRIVE IT

There is far more to the car communities, than "driving it".  

When someone is asking about a specific car as a "first" car, they have more intentions than just "Driving It". They want to get into the car community, they want to do stuff with their car that the average person does not want to do.

There are people who build cars for the sole point of racing.

 

There are people who want to build super stereos.

 

There are some who simply want to show off.

 

There is more to cars than just driving them. Personally I enjoy power and the ability to cruise.

[vetali]

12 minutes ago, maulemall said:

So you are saying that a reliable car from 2001 or17 years ago is preferred to a Reliable car from 6 years ago..

Just as an aside Police cars are strictly monitored within their motor pools and are strictly kept to within manufacturers specs.

Their maintenance and logs are kept up to date as well by professionals who have all the special tools required to do the tasks.

say what you want it's apples to oranges.

 

Not sure what cars we're comparing, but assuming a honda/toyota to a newer p71... yes. For sure. I work in the trade of auto repair. American cars are mostly solid from the powertrain standpoint, however suspension parts are a different story. I see a lot of American made vehicles eating through suspension parts such as: ball joints, tie rods, wheel bearings (pressed in and sealed hub), sway bar links, and bushings by about 140k. Hondas and Toyotas you can get to the mid 200k before seeing that kind of wear in a non salt area. 

 

As for maintenance, not always correct. Local PDs around here have the dealers work on their vehicles. State patrol has the DOT shop work on their fleet, which are state paid. My old instructor from college used to work at a fleet shop like this. They'd give 3 guys 3 hours to do an oil change. 2 and 1/2 hours of that is a BS session while 1/2 and hour is actual work. 

[maulemall]

Just now, Talamakara said:

There is far more to the car communities, than "driving it".  

When someone is asking about a specific car as a "first" car, they have more intentions than just "Driving It". They want to get into the car community, they want to do stuff with their car that the average person does not want to do.

There are people who build cars for the sole point of racing.

 

There are people who want to build super stereos.

 

There are some who simply want to show off.

 

There is more to cars than just driving them.

This was posted ,

"Don't. They are trash, and because the car communities hate people who buy them. We honestly wish they were all off the road".

 

Not trying to be rude but with that response and reasoning it would be hard to imagine the poster could actually use the rest room by themselves much less understand a coherent answer.

 "Drive it" is all you deserved.

 

Also I have an Airframe and Powerplant License from the FAA to certify that I am allowed to work on (As in dismantle and repair and even build)  ANYTHING (From complete teardown of main rotor heads to complete repair of any types of Jet Engine as well as any Hydrolic and metel work and even fabrication etc. etc.) that is allowed into the air and for flight so don't feel as though you will be able to talk above me ..

 

[maulemall]

6 minutes ago, vetali said:

Not sure what cars we're comparing, but assuming a honda/toyota to a newer p71... yes. For sure. I work in the trade of auto repair. American cars are mostly solid from the powertrain standpoint, however suspension parts are a different story. I see a lot of American made vehicles eating through suspension parts such as: ball joints, tie rods, wheel bearings (pressed in and sealed hub), sway bar links, and bushings by about 140k. Hondas and Toyotas you can get to the mid 200k before seeing that kind of wear in a non salt area. 

 

As for maintenance, not always correct. Local PDs around here have the dealers work on their vehicles. State patrol has the DOT shop work on their fleet, which are state paid. My old instructor from college used to work at a fleet shop like this. They'd give 3 guys 3 hours to do an oil change. 2 and 1/2 hours of that is a BS session while 1/2 and hour is actual work. 

Well then your instructor is wrong and I can tell you that you are also incorrect about the maintenance and schedules. If you don't have any actual facts about maintenance shops and motor pools then I can assure you that your instructor doesn't as well.

as far as parts go why don't you tell us how much a brake job for a BMW  costs as in comparison to a Car in this grade today and why.

[Talamakara]

4 minutes ago, maulemall said:

 "Drive it" is all you deserved.

Also I have an Airframe and Powerplant License from the FAA to certify that I am allowed to work on (As in dismantle and repair and even build)  ANYTHING (From complete teardown of main rotor heads to complete repair of any types of Jet Engine as well as any Hydrolic and metel work and even fabrication etc. etc.) that is allowed into the air and for flight so don't feel as though you will be able to talk above me ..

 

I made the sentence a simple straight to the point because i had no need to repeat all the stuff everyone had already said about them.

And really, if you feel like whipping it out and comparing epeen, on my business card where most people put their credentials, I put PTO because there isn't enough room for all the credentials i've attained on the front. No worries about being rude, it's the internet, i won't lose a bit of sleep.

[TopDollar]

43 minutes ago, maulemall said:

So you are saying that a reliable car from 2001 or17 years ago is preferred to a Reliable car from 6 years ago..

Just as an aside Police cars are strictly monitored within their motor pools and are strictly kept to within manufacturers specs.

Their maintenance and logs are kept up to date as well by professionals who have all the special tools required to do the tasks.

say what you want it's apples to oranges.

 

Where can I get a horse that tall?