Problem with Working Explorers- Police and Fire (paid) Stupid Idea

[poconosms1]

When you see these pretty vehicles think of all the money falling out of your pockets into the hands of your politicians

Local finance laws are very strict about financing passengers vehicles - police cruisers etc. Generally, You may not finance them beyond the useful life of the vehicle. Most police cruisers are good for 3-4 (less in urban areas) years. In general, then, financing is usually for three years. Ok a 22K police special runs 300-400 a month.

Ford Ex and SUV are not classified as passenger vehicles and are therefore exempted. Average life is still 3-4 years. But, instead of financing through conventional methods, local governments can finance them as part of a larger finance package called long term debt.

Hence, a 35K police explorer is finance with a 5-10 year (sometimes 20+ year) bond note and then costs tax payers over 50K - maintenance is also more expensive. In the end, the taxpayers are paying for a vehicle that has been recycled into the empty beer cans on our workshops.

I use to review police depts. Most hated driving the SUVs except in snow. The felt safer in the low profile cruisers w/police suspension and modifications.

I don’t mind vol. Fire depts. having them as long as they pay for them with cash.

Any police officers here feel different?

 

[Crankcase]

The police departments here use them for dog handling cars.
It is much better to use an Explorer than some cramped little backseat in a car for a full size dog.

Also, the police force kept 2 of our X's for 4 years before selling them, and the other two for 8....So they got their money's worth.

Now a Suburban, that is a little too expensive to use.....

 

[mrboyle]

Not sure how they do it back east, but out here (were cars wear out, not rust out) most municipal vehicles are used until they have 100K minimum, then they are generally sold or donated to smaller comunities that can't afford "new" vehicles and they are then run into the ground.
I use to work for a shop in a small town in Arizona and untill 1993 every car used by the police (actually marshall) were used Arizona DPS cars that the town bought at auction. All had over 100K miles and were worn out, but that was all the town could afford. It wasn't untill 1993, when Ford started their lease program, that the town ever got any new cruisers. Believe it or not. they still have and opperate them to this day.