Ok, I know this might make a few of you guys a little green with envy but I'm gonna tell ya anyhow because I think it might bear on department decisions in the future.

Back story: You already know that Ford discontinued the Crown Vic. But did you know that there are dealers out there that bought up hundreds of these 'NOS' Crown Vics for department and agency purchase in the future? I mean w--a--y into the future. Snoop around a little and you'll come up with a dealer willing to make a 'deal' on a new one.

But here's the real deal. Chevy and Dodge already have LEO vehicles to 'replace' the Crown Vic.

One is the Caprice and the other is the Charger.

And I got to test them both out on a pursuit course for evaluation.

Observations: Hands down, the Chevy Caprice out performed the Charger in all aspects except top end speed. For LEO work, tight-quick driving, hard continuous braking for pursuit or Code 3 driving, the Caprice will fit the bill nicely. It looks like crrap though. The Charger is much more 'tough' looking vehicle.

The Caprice police package harkens back to the Caprice of the early 1990's. Back then, a de-tuned LT1 Corvette powerplant was tucked under the hood. The hole shot and top end was pretty remarkable because the body style and suspension back then complimented a tuna boat. The new Caprice returns that detuned Corvette motor back to a LEO application in an ungainly looking sedan.  The brakes are wonderful. They made me very happy in full on ABS braking after getting up to speed.

The Charger is a growler with great knuckledragger appeal. It rumbles standing still and looks like an unfinished version of the Batmobile. Out of the pocket, it will pull back your face cheeks but lingers too long for maneuvers demanding a command of weight transfer. And I plowed through a set of cones trying to get the binders into a full ABS engagement.

Both vehicles I tested came with V8's. The Charger had a 5.7L Hemi (370 hp) and the Chevy had a 6.0L (355 hp). Both had speed limiting capabilities that your agency will want to spec to their own needs.

I am an EVOC instructor and have put many miles behind the wheel during pursuit training (including PIT training). For the work we do, the Chevy Caprice is my choice. I will just have to learn to avert my eyes when I see one or else I fear I will turn into a pillar of salt. 

rkb66 says ...

I too am an EVOC instructor in RI. My agency is pulling the plug on the Chargers. We have a fleet of 14, three HEMI's, the rest V-6's. I also have driven the Caprice V-8 and don't quite care for the location of the center console shifter. I see a few broken wiper control arms in the early stages of the transformation to the Chevy's. But it is fast. We are unfortunately going to the V-6's too.

+++++++++++++++++

If you have the moxy and horsepower, why don't you try to sell your agency on the Caprice with the larger V8 that can have speed limiting capabilities ? You'd have the best of all worlds with a strong motor to run that car on idle for hours with the A/C going, the radio blaring, the on-board computer pootering, etc.

During my test drive, I didn't pay much attention to the shifter.

Our agency is going with the new Ford concoction.  I sat in one at a dealership and did not like the extremely large blind spots.  I am not at all sold on the V6, with or without the supercharger.  Both versions will see more time in the maintenance garages for repairs than on the road with the additional high cost of supercharger replacements.  In the end, it will prove once again that a standard police vehicle which will have to have a V8 as you can not ask the V6 (which will labor) to do the the job that the V8 can do with little to no effort.

 My department uses a lot of different vehicles, and the Charger is one of them. Our Traffic Unit is the only unit that uses them and I really don't see any problems with them as far as handling. I've never seen any recks or control problems with them. Also the state donated a couple Chargers to the department so I wouldn't be picky with something donated. The only problem I see with the charger is fitting all your gear into the car. The space is very minimal and tiny. I have not seen or been in the Caprice, so I can't really say anything on that car. But i'll have to look into those. My department is actually looking into the Ford Taurus. Now those look pretty cool. Much different body style, looks like a sports car almost. Haven't really looked at those that much either. Anyone have info on the Taurus?

StrykerBrig21 says ...

 My department uses a lot of different vehicles, and the charger is one of them. Our Traffic Unit is the only unit that uses them and I really don't see any problems with them as far as handling. I've never seen any recks or control problems with them. Also the state donated a couple chargers to the department so I wouldn't be picky with something donated. The only problem I see with the charger is fitting all your gear into the car. The space is very minimal and tiny. I have not seen or been in the Caprice, so I can't really say anything on that car. But i'll have to look into those. My department is actually looking into the Ford Taurus. Now those look pretty cool. Much different body style, looks like a sports car almost. Haven't really looked at those that much either. Anyone have info on the Taurus?

StrykerBrig21, See my comment above.  Short story:  The Ford Taurus (Sho platform) only options a standard V6 and a supercharged V6.

PROBLEM #1:  It's still only a V6 and both will ultimately see more time in the shop than on the road.

PROBLEM #2:  Too many blind spots.

PROBLEM #3:  Let's face it.  It's a Taurus and while larger than the original Taurus, it's still too small inside to accommodate the cage, rifle / shotgun rack, radio console and computer systems we need to operate.

SkoolCop says ...

StrykerBrig21 says ...

 My department uses a lot of different vehicles, and the charger is one of them. Our Traffic Unit is the only unit that uses them and I really don't see any problems with them as far as handling. I've never seen any recks or control problems with them. Also the state donated a couple chargers to the department so I wouldn't be picky with something donated. The only problem I see with the charger is fitting all your gear into the car. The space is very minimal and tiny. I have not seen or been in the Caprice, so I can't really say anything on that car. But i'll have to look into those. My department is actually looking into the Ford Taurus. Now those look pretty cool. Much different body style, looks like a sports car almost. Haven't really looked at those that much either. Anyone have info on the Taurus?

StrykerBrig21, See my comment above.  Short story:  The Ford Taurus (Sho platform) only options a standard V6 and a supercharged V6.

PROBLEM #1:  It's still only a V6 and both will ultimately see more time in the shop than on the road.

PROBLEM #2:  Too many blind spots.

PROBLEM #3:  Let's face it.  It's a Taurus and while larger than the original Taurus, it's still too small inside to accommodate the cage, rifle / shotgun rack, radio console and computer systems we need to operate.

Okay, that's what I figured. My dad used to have a 90's model Ford Taurus and that thing was a piece of work everytime you looked under the hood. I do not want a car that is going to be in the shop more times than out. But my department is still looking at them for some reason. But the Sheriff is getting the new '12 Dodge Challengers . It will be for a certain unit though. Very nice under the hood. 

Now another department I used to do stuff with is looking at just switching to the Chevy Impala. Now I hate that car with a passion! 

PCSO_Explorer says ...

     We got some of the new chargers. They performed great until they were all totaled because of the crappy visibility. We now use Expeditions and Crown Vics and will soon be moving to Tahoes. I personally don't like either of the vehicles (Impalas, Chargers) but the impala would win if I had to choose.

    What you said about the dealers reminded me about the Cali. Highway Patrol. They're hoarding hundreds and hundreds of crown vics to roll into service instead of purchasing new vehicles.

That's because they don't want to do what happened some years back when they decided for some odd reason to test the VOLVO S70R with a supercgarged 5 cylinder engine.

Through the years I've driven the old Caprice, the Impala (thats the one I totaled) the Tarus, the Crown Vic and the Charger. Of all the cars, by far my fav was the Crown Vicky, that car was my baby LOL. When I took over the desk I gave up an 08 Charger. Now it was a sweet ride but you had to get used to the blind spots !

I drive the ol' workhorse Crown Vic.  It seems that the Chargers are in for service far more often.......they sure look nice though.  Our dept. command staff recently previewed the Caprice.  I haven't heard what else our department plans to go to once our inventory of Crown Vics is depleted.  We stocked up on them before Ford quit making them.

 Just saw a picture from a friend that was just at the garage. 10 brand new dodge challengers!! They are to go to one of the specialized units for use. But the good part is since us reserves only have one crown vic, we are getting the specialized units dodge magnums!! The magnums have some pretty good handling and have great room to put stuff. Can't wait to get my hands on those!