Would you buy an ex police car or ex taxi?

[TURBOTAXI]

I have an AU ex taxi - couldnt be happier with it.

I am in the process of leasing an ex police car and when talking to people about it there are really varied thoughts.

Some people so no way wouldnt touch it. Others say that the cars are driven the way that they were intended to be driven, and spend plenty of time on the highway at legal limits. OR that average joe with a performance cars gives it the odd bootfull anyway.

What say you?

[banarcus]

If you buy an ex police vehicle, try and find out where it did its service. Generally metro vehicles are more tired than a country vehicle. If you get one from a smaller police station it will be better looked after.

[TURBOTAXI]

Originally Posted by banarcus

If you buy an ex police vehicle, try and find out where it did its service. Generally metro vehicles are more tired than a country vehicle. If you get one from a smaller police station it will be better looked after.

Mine was at the Byron Tweed LAC as an unmarked HWP car.

[Polyal]

If I had the choice then no, I wouldn't.

I understand that they are well looked after, etc etc, but the k's and the treatment to the car in general isn't something I would rave about.

I dont understand the hype with cop packs etc etc, most of the people that crap on about owning one are usually involved on the wrong side of the law anyway. There are always exceptions though

If you picked up a low k's cop car that wouldn't be so bad I guess.

Its the parts that you cant replace easily that would have me worried.

Is your taxi still yellow?

[TURBOTAXI]

Originally Posted by Polyal

Is your taxi still yellow?

Ha Ha Ha Sydney cab - white.

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by TURBOTAXI

Ha Ha Ha Sydney cab - white.

Thats alright then, nothing worse than seeing that. QLD has bright orange..LOL

I think the cop car situation is like lottery, some are absolute poo, some would be ok, and then some are probably tip top.

[tex]

It all depend on how much you pay for it.

If the price reflects the life it's had, then it's probably worth the risk.

I have two mates in traffic, they absolutely flog the **** out of the Falcodoors, they drive em literally like they are stolen in order to catch up with people. If thats ok with you, then go for it.

Personally Id rather by a "nursed" car, pay a little more for it, and kane the sucker myself.

Both my plod mates say they would not by an ex chaser. They WOULD buy however a Superintendants car or the like. They told me that one of the chaser cars recently was auctioned having only had one oil change............. ODO said 47600km. So the old myth that GOV cars are well maintained is bollocks........

Cheers

[LowEL2XR8]

I always wanted an EF EX-Chaser V8. I had a look at about 4 but they were all rusted out.

Find one with no rust and she shall be mine.

[Pedro]

Most cop cars are abused by the users who don't give a damn about them. As for taxis, every component has endured 1,000,000 kms or so and most have had more hits than Elvis. I wouldn't touch any of them.

[Schlimmeh]

The Bluesmobile was an ex Dodge Police Car and nothing beats the bluesmobile!

[banarcus]

Was it a turbo or 8? I hope it was a turbo.

[TURBOTAXI]

Originally Posted by banarcus

Was it a turbo or 8? I hope it was a turbo.

Sure was. July 05 built, sold to police in September 05.

[JAYBA]

Have owned many falcons some being ex pursuit and others nursed,
a vehicle that has been driven reasonably hard (not thrashed)
from new ive found will hold up better throughout its life being driven hard the whole time, in comparison to a car thats been grandpa'd from new for a few years then given to somebody who is gonna give it a flogging ive found they dont last long at all. my experience anyway. my ex pursuits consist of an EL 5L D car and a baxr8 and they are the cars that i have had for the longest amount of time without trouble 31/2 yrs and 2 yrs, all my other cars an xf with 90000km bought from my auntie an eb 110000km bought from an old bloke both with full maintenance history lasted with my driving approx 30000km before dying..and theres been some others,
The EL pursuit especially is a beutiful solid car and it seemed to go very hard for what it was..and it still does.(mind you both where country vehicles)
Would definately buy another ex pursuit if the condition is right.

[ESV80]

Originally Posted by JAYBA

... ive found will hold up better throughout its life being driven hard the whole time, in comparison to a car thats been grandpa'd from new for a few years then given to somebody who is gonna give it a flogging ive found they dont last long at all.

My dad's NC II was run in doin no less then 120 km/s the whole time. Gunnedah to Bourke every day for about 2 months, and I honestly don't think you could find a better car for what it is.

I'd go a HWP, cause they've been run in doin exactly what I'd do with 'em. It'd probally end up in a speedway event though.....

[Green X]

But that Cop pack had a 440CI Plant and was a model before catalytic converters so it will run Ok on regular Gas, LOL

[Schlimmeh]

Originally Posted by Green X

But that Cop pack had a 440CI Plant and was a model before catalytic converters so it will run Ok on regular Gas, LOL

Thank God our HWY Patrol doesn't have S[ch]MODS - State Municipal Offender Data System :P

[xr8man83]

Gee nobody said taxi supise that :

[Donny]

Ex-Taxis represent excellant value for money. Think about it, where else would you get such a later model car with gas allready installed so cheap. If you want a city basher or a car you dont have to be paraniod about anywhere you go, then an ex taxi is perfect. Sure they have all had more hits than elvis, and a million odd kays, but the repairs are usually done to a satisfactory level, and the Klms arent that big a worry, as plenty of things have usually been fixed and replaced anyway. Remember the people who own these cars when they are in service usually cannot afford them to be out of service for long, so usually fix issues fast and properly.

Police cars are a bit diffrent. There can be good ones or lemons. You need to be a bit more selective what you get here. Most will have had some minor accidents, all bar the high ranking officers cars will have alterations to wiring for lights etc, all metro cars are virtually running 24/7, and the police dont mind giving them a hard time any time. They are USUALLY well maintained and regularly serviced (we used to do them at our dealership), also all repairs done to them are done properly.

Personally I would buy either car if thats what I wanted.

A ex-taxi as a cheap I couldnt care about it hack for around town. Or an ex-filth car as somthing a bit more upmarket condition wise.

[AWD Chaser]

Police Cars with High K's? Well not mine. AU3 2002 Futura (Brought 2 years ago) with 36000 on the clock with 6 months Ford Warranty still left on it, with all the mods. Only cost me $15k.... would def do again, but next time around it would be an ex Police Territory I'm after....

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by xagt_coupe

Ex-Taxis represent excellant value for money. Think about it, where else would you get such a later model car with gas allready installed so cheap. If you want a city basher or a car you dont have to be paraniod about anywhere you go, then an ex taxi is perfect. Sure they have all had more hits than elvis, and a million odd kays, but the repairs are usually done to a satisfactory level, and the Klms arent that big a worry, as plenty of things have usually been fixed and replaced anyway. Remember the people who own these cars when they are in service usually cannot afford them to be out of service for long, so usually fix issues fast and properly.

Police cars are a bit diffrent. There can be good ones or lemons. You need to be a bit more selective what you get here. Most will have had some minor accidents, all bar the high ranking officers cars will have alterations to wiring for lights etc, all metro cars are virtually running 24/7, and the police dont mind giving them a hard time any time. They are USUALLY well maintained and regularly serviced (we used to do them at our dealership), also all repairs done to them are done properly.

Personally I would buy either car if thats what I wanted.

A ex-taxi as a cheap I couldnt care about it hack for around town. Or an ex-filth car as somthing a bit more upmarket condition wise.

I wouldn't touch a taxi with a barge pole. They would rattle and squeek and be so floppy in the body, driveline and suspension it would drive you nuts.

[TURBOTAXI]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

I wouldn't touch a taxi with a barge pole. They would rattle and squeek and be so floppy in the body, driveline and suspension it would drive you nuts.

Well if its all you know......

My AU was bought with 748,000k's in March 2004. It has covered 87,000k's since then, I replaced the engine at 800,000 with a 104k series 3 engine, and a 4 speed EB trans. I would drive it around Australia tomorrow.

The ex taxi engine gave good service for 32,000k's until I put a turbo on it. Then it only lasted another 10,000.

Since the new engine went it I have been sticking boost into it for 35,000 and it still runs really well. Parts are cheap, and I dont cry when I hit a roo. It has been great.

The car has a second hand front end fitted, it drives quite well and has done lots of big trips. The A/C is cold, the radio works, I cant complain.

I am now at a point where I can pour money into the AU (not worth it) or I can lease a car through work.

The XR6T was sold new in September 05 and has 79,000k's we got it for $20,750 at auction. Hunting around on the net this seems to be about 30% cheaper than advertised dealer prices for a similar non police car. It has 21,000 k's of factory warranty left so I will use it if needed.

[smoo]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

I wouldn't touch a taxi with a barge pole. They would rattle and squeek and be so floppy in the body, driveline and suspension it would drive you nuts.

Lets be honest though... Most Falcons do that from the factory anyway.
I bought my AU after 7 years of been a cab, never looked back. Cheap, reliable, comfortable and with a decent amount of grunt, its better than a 1.5l Jap POS for the same price.
Its not ideal for flogging the **** out of it, but no auto poverty pack Falcons are. You can't beat it for a run around car tho.

[Jason[98.EL]]

Originally Posted by xagt_coupe

A ex-taxi as a cheap I couldnt care about it hack for around town. Or an ex-filth car as somthing a bit more upmarket condition wise.

your right on on part an ex taxi would be a good i dont give a crap about it car

but what is a filth car i thought this was about ex taxi and police cars

by the way i take offence to that comment

jason

[whippet_zetec]

I owned and ex-cop Falcon before my Focus. Was an AU2 Futura, 32,000Km's on the clock, ex-Orange Station car, had all whole kit added including bull bar and driving lights. Picked it up for $20,500 and never had any issues, still had 16 months Ford Warranty on it and had only a few minor issues fixed til I traded it in. The best bit was when I traded it in after owning it for 2 years was I got $16,000 as a trade....I was happy.

Like everything there will be some good and some bad experiences, fortunately I had a good experience.

[LUXO_8]

i'd definatley buy an ex cop car......as mentioned anything that goes wrong they have to be fixed properly....... unlike a taxi where they're fixed with whatever parts will get them going again.....its common to find them right up to AU with a 3 speed auto fitted because they're cheap...
also, a cab needs to spend as much time on the road as possible....if the car has an issue its usually run untill that issue makes it unbearable to drive before being repaired......

im planning on going over to the states at the end of 07/begining of 08, and i intend to buy a cheap ex patrol car as transport instead of hiring a car...

[Falc'man]

I had an EF ex taxi. Used EL XR8 5sp running gear and dash. It was pretty solid even after 800,000km. Never missed a beat. Would've kept it hadn't it have been for the company car (VY Commy).
I enjoyed driving that thing more than what I currently have. My little brother didn't think twice about buying it off me.

[GlennBA]

I'd buy an ex police car, but not a cab. Cabs are usually in such **** condition. I understand they may run alright etc but every interior part is worn, all panels are dented... and lpg sux.

[dobz]

police maybe, cab no, unless alll the buses in perth crashed and all the trains derailed and i had to walk from gossnells to vic park.
Both of my folks work as taxi drivers and their 6 year old AU has done 700 000 k's. From the inside its good for the kays and from the outside too, but its been hit 12 times and the only thing of the body not changed is the driver door. My self working at swan taxis installing equipment and mentaining the cabs i have to say after seeing some off the cabs that are 8 years old and getting taken off the road i just wonted to puke while i was removing the equipment.



P.S. my folks car still has same engine, but has gone through endless radiators, 2 gearboxes and **** noes how many tyres.

[BeStRaFe]

i have had both...

auIII Wagon GAS - x-taxi
and i now have a
BA - XT EGAS

and my brother also has a BA-MK1 XR6-T
all are x-coppers and work great... never had an issue... well looked after...
would definatally go for x-cops again... but x-taxi... errm... if im looking for a cheep s*** box to last 50,000 yeah... ill get one... otherwise forggedabouit
unless its a a1 taxi

[LTDHO]

If i wanted a dirt cheap Falcon that I didn't want to maintain and just drive into the ground, then I would.

Otherwise, no.