What Did I see

[raygut3]

Please tell me I didn't see what I thought I saw.  We were driving north toward the courthouse Friday morning and as we approached the traffic circle I glanced to the right and thought I saw a Ford Mustang police car with Pittsboro Police on the side.  Please tell me I was mistaken.

[oneinsanecane]

I dont understand why this is a problem.

[snowcamper]

Money.  They sure do know how to spend money.  Within the town limits, do you think there is really a need for the power and speed of a Mustang?

[Silk_Hope]

Why not, a Charger and P71 (police) Crown Vic are powerful cars too.

Sometimes the performance cars are used for public appearances and school functions, and some of the cars are acquired through drug busts and seizures

[artymarty]

I wonder what the actual cost of that Mustang is compared to the powerful sedans you normally see police officers driving?  Maybe we're getting bent out of shape about nothing.

[Silk_Hope]

Police vehicles can be only fleet ordered new because of the modifications they have, everything from electrical upgrades to cooling systems and interior parts. Most likely if it was a fleet order it was ordered as part of another police departments order as a rider and cost ws probably the same or less than a sedan.

[bobsyouruncle]

Once again, we appreciate your automotive expertise, Silk Hope!

[raygut3]

On exactly which street in town can the car be used to a fraction of its potential.  Maybe East St. past the post office.  Certainly not West St. nor Sanford Rd. since there are stoplights near the city limits that the officer would have to slow down (I for one don't want them blasting through a red light at 150 mph.)  As small as the town is, it could be patrolled adequately with a segway or two.  Think of all the tax dollars that would save.  Don't try to tell me that they can take it to the schools - bet it would impress the heck out of elementary and middle school students.  And if the officer driving the car arrests anyone they will have to call for transportation since the car is too small to haul anyone off in.

[artymarty]

Police vehicles can be only fleet ordered new because of the modifications they have, everything from electrical upgrades to cooling systems and interior parts. Most likely if it was a fleet order it was ordered as part of another police departments order as a rider and cost ws probably the same or less than a sedan.

so if the cost is about the same who cares? thanks for the info.

[seitaer]

The red unmarked police mustang I've been seeing outside of town is more alarming to me.

[Spyder]

I don't understand why people believe the Mustangs, Chargers and other leadsleds are needed. These cars have decent speed and acceleration in a STRAIGHT line, but if you actually ever need to be involved in a chase then you need something that will handle much better than these sloppy straight-line cars. Just like the muscle cars of the past, fast in a straight line and that's all they had to offer, but our country roads are far from straight and this is where superior handling is needed. No "muscle" car can give this. I'd like to see car manufacturers develop something new and refreshing instead of dolling up these anemic dinosaurs of the past.

[Silk_Hope]

GM and Ford are developing police only vehicles.

I have been told that the PBO Mustang was purchased used from a dealer. If this is so the car is not pursuit rated, a true police unit has a rating to a certain speed.

As for cars being dinosaurs, a police officers office is his car. Many sheriff and HP can put over 500 miles on a car in a shift, they deserve a comfortable, big car to perform their duties. Also the Crown Vic is a durable car as in the Charger. Rear wheel drives hold up better because the front suspension is stronger and the transmissions are more durable. The big cars are also safer and can transport more people than small cars. Police do not worry about too many people getting away, you can't outrun a Motorola.

New technologies are being developed to remotely shut down a fleeing driver using the computer or electical charges in order to get rid of the risks of a high speed chase.

[Claude Bowles]

If this is so the car is not pursuit rated, a true police unit has a rating to a certain speed.

Raygut asked the question earlier about where in the city of Pittsboro pursuit speed could even be achieved. Is anyone aware if there is such a stretch of road?

[garboon]

I don't understand why people believe the Mustangs, Chargers and other leadsleds are needed. These cars have decent speed and acceleration in a STRAIGHT line, but if you actually ever need to be involved in a chase then you need something that will handle much better than these sloppy straight-line cars. Just like the muscle cars of the past, fast in a straight line and that's all they had to offer, but our country roads are far from straight and this is where superior handling is needed. No "muscle" car can give this. I'd like to see car manufacturers develop something new and refreshing instead of dolling up these anemic dinosaurs of the past.

Agreed, Ford went cheap with the Mustang rear suspension

Something like this perhaps:

[Spyder]

garboon, exactly! Something like that would leave that Rustang sitting still, especially in the curves and would have much better fuel efficiency as well.

I honestly think all these Mustangs, Chargers and even the new Camaros are still just washed up musclecars. The manufacturers brought these back out (except for the Mustang which never went away) to boost auto sales, but they still suffer from the same issues as the old school cars did. Not so great handling, body roll, etc.

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