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Author Topic: Automakers' competition fierce for law-enforcement fleets Post a Reply Back to Topics
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Kimmunicate
Champion Author San Francisco

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 11:46:12 AM

I don't think criminals need the batmobile to be scared.
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REVLAW
Champion Author San Antonio

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 11:08:58 AM

I kind of like the police cars in the Benelux. Can you say "Porche"?
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POLELANE
Champion Author Ohio

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 11:03:00 AM

local guys say the Dodges' brakes make them the King; they just follow until the bad guys' brakes give up.
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VTROCK
Champion Author Detroit

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 10:57:55 AM

75,000 cars per year is a nice market, but when it gets split 4 ways there's not much there. Someone is going to have to lose in theis contest or everyone will lose.
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Italianman
Champion Author Twin Cities

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 10:43:00 AM

Police need to change with the times.
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BlueTucson
Champion Author Syracuse

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 10:36:49 AM

All look promising. The Carbon E7 is particularly intriguing.
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egd
Champion Author Twin Cities

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 10:36:41 AM

gee I want/need one, just like I needed a Hummer
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TopGunn
Champion Author Baltimore

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 10:33:21 AM

Don't really care who the 'winner' is. Law abiding people sweat no bullets.
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mmproteus
Veteran Author Ohio

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 10:31:15 AM

Nothing strikes terror into the heart like a Toyota Prius police cruiser!

With its patent-pending Unbridled Acceleration™ feature, no one will escape.
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kyrunner
Champion Author Lexington

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 10:30:45 AM

Capitalism and competition are great motivators.
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Helms
Champion Author Fort Worth

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 10:29:38 AM

Go Ford Go
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arnerator
Champion Author Seattle

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 10:29:27 AM

Gotta be a big hog out there somewhere.
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gagal31525
Veteran Author Georgia

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 10:26:49 AM

Interesting to see what will win.
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ljmatney
Champion Author Wichita

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 10:26:07 AM

Go Ford!!
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FBI2991
Champion Author Michigan

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 10:23:14 AM

We'll see
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twiper1
Champion Author San Diego

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 10:23:12 AM

Ford id the better idea
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must87searcher
Champion Author Maryland

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 10:22:57 AM

A number of police departments around here have made the switch from the Ford Crown Vic to the Chevrolet Impala. They probably replaced then for the same reasons.

I hope the police understand that when they use a specific auto, especially one that is not sold in private sales, that these partol cars are easy to identifiy.
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206awd250
Champion Author Seattle

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 10:21:16 AM

The Dodge Chargers looks nice.
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RetiredVP
Veteran Author New Hampshire

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 10:19:56 AM

Cops love their Crown Vic's
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afghaned
Champion Author Hamilton

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 10:18:32 AM

Repeat.
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JuliusRex
Champion Author Orlando

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 10:17:55 AM

I would love to see the start-up get a bit of this market.
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Pucked
Champion Author Fort Worth

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 10:15:00 AM

Wait till they drive the Ford SHO with all wheel drive - it will blow all the others away!
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LilRedWagonIN
Champion Author Indiana

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 10:09:50 AM

Dodge has already been taking market share and with problems with its new competition, will continue to do so.
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sleepyt
Champion Author Chicago

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 10:05:01 AM

I'm betting on another RWD car for a different reason... many officers have learned driving techniques that are applicable only to RWD. It is a very different experience driving aggressively in corners with FWD.

I have one of each, and I did some competition driving - and the techniques in corners are somewhat different. The hidden cost of conversion to FWD is that forces will have to retrain their officers.
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vlaz55
Veteran Author London

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 10:04:20 AM

Give them Smart cars! LOL
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dopster
Champion Author Toledo

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 10:03:33 AM

As I stated the other day, the Toledo Police Department switched to a fleet of Dodge Chargers that seems to be working out quite well.
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indyjim
Champion Author Indianapolis

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 10:02:55 AM

Yes, but which one has a secret compartment to hold the donuts?
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chemist74
Champion Author Cleveland

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 10:01:58 AM

State and local police have serious budget problems so price will be a real issue. From previous stories I have seen on the Carbon Motors vehicle, I think they will price themselves out of most of the market.
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gasman50
Champion Author Portland

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 9:58:45 AM

Time will tell I guess
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ModelWarships
Champion Author Missouri

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 9:57:18 AM

Sure would like to see a RWD Ford.
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ampinoy13
Champion Author Oregon

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 9:56:58 AM

The Carbon7 does sound interesting and, being designed by cops for cops, might be more functional.
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Maintroll
Champion Author Lexington

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 9:53:21 AM

Ford has ruled this market for years and I think that I would definitely stay with Ford on this one.
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Diesel_Ram
Champion Author Dallas

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 9:52:42 AM

The Crown Vic is long past it prime. The Taurus will do a better job.
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Cuzilla
Champion Author Indianapolis

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 9:52:11 AM

A lot of factors to consider. There are so many variables to consider: road conditions, weather, urban or country, maintenance considerations, etc.. It's hard to make a case for "one-size-fits-all!"
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esorsd
Champion Author St. Louis

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 9:51:48 AM

I'm putting my bets on RWD for long-term durability.
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AC-302
Champion Author Los Angeles

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 9:48:17 AM

It will be interesting to see who comes to the top. I'd be on the durability of RWD, and guess the GM or the Dodge will win out.

I wonder if Carbon Motors is going to use an existing chassis and engine, or design their own from scratch?
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clermont40miles
Champion Author Cincinnati

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 9:47:37 AM

Force them to drive TOYotas.

Maybe they will believe the cops.
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9C1
Champion Author Chicago

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 9:46:51 AM

It will be interesting to see how Chevrolet's Caprice compares to the Ford's Taurus. RWD v FWD.
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CptnCanada
Champion Author Saskatoon

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 9:45:47 AM

Front drive VS rear drive have very different handling qualities so if the police go to frond drive they will all have to reteach their officers in pursuit.
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TommyTraveler
Champion Author Cincinnati

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 9:44:49 AM

Ford's police car looks mean.
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bicycler
Champion Author Ontario

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 9:42:55 AM

ByGuy; And may the best buyer know which car to buy.
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BillHeatherL
Champion Author Alberta

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 9:42:49 AM

time will tell who will win
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bills55
Champion Author San Diego

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 9:42:36 AM

Not the tortise!
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Ticoman54
Champion Author Miami

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 9:42:33 AM

I agree with threewheeler.
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TXGasPriceSpy
Champion Author Fort Worth

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 9:42:29 AM

Interesting story. I'd like to see the Carbon car but not in my rear view mirror. It sounds good.
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njerald
Champion Author Seattle

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 9:42:23 AM

Go FORD.
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RochBear
Champion Author Minnesota

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 9:42:15 AM

And if Ford drops the Taurus SHO engine in it, it will be able to keep up with 99% of anything on the road. Plus Cops never NEED to go over 100 MPH anyhow. They use the radio for a high speed chase - tough to beat radio waves for speed. (just under the speed of light)

Cops have to drive in all kinds of crappy weather, so front wheel drive might be a real plus for them.
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eights
Champion Author Ohio

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 9:42:02 AM

dennisjk that funny
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ByGuy
Champion Author Dallas

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 9:39:30 AM

May the best vehicle win.
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Dennis783
Champion Author Wisconsin

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 9:37:04 AM

When I was in law enforcement I preferred the Caprice. Good to see some competition.
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Dennisjk
Champion Author Detroit

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 9:36:14 AM

Put all the cops in Toyotas. We already know you can't catch them. Toyota can get Tiger Woods as a new spokesman. They, Tiger and Toyota, can use the slogan, "We promise we can stop."
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