Belt Auction

Would you consider buying a former police car at auction without seeing it up close beforehand?

For a little more than $2k, a county near me is selling a number of former police cars on an online public auction site used by state and local agencies. The following is an example: Year: 2003 Make: Ford Model: Crown Victoria Mileage: 114,817 VIN: 2FAFP71W83X169857 Running Condition: yes Engine: 4.6L Transmission: A4 Tires: 225/60R16 Good Color - White Condition: GOOD The prices range from 2k to 3k right now, depending on mileage. The auction closes in the next hour or two, and I won't get to the physical site of the vehicles before the auction closes. At this price, is it worth putting down $2k for a former police car? I assume that the county has maintained the vehicles fairly well and that they are simply being retired. The pictures of the outside of the cars makes them all appear to be in decent condition and are listed as being in good condition, but there's no way to be absolutely sure. Thanks for your feedback.

Public Comments

1. No. I'd have it checked out first. The police drive those like stolen cars.
2. I wouldn't buy any car without seeing it first. Owner, Used Car Lot, Especially from an auction. I dunno its just me but I always want to see the car before buying.
3. I currently drive a former police car ('98). It runs very well and I haven't had any major problems with it, apart from the regular maintenance you'd have to keep up with on an older car. My grandparents have owned three of them over the years and all have been the same deal. They've been driven hard, but they're also well maintained, so for the price I've had good luck.
4. I bought one several years back that I did manage to inspect before the sale. I paid $200 for it, and it was a 1991 Crown Vic with a V-8. What you need to keep in mind is police cars are driven fast, stopped fast. Once they are no longer okay for patrol, they tend to become the one the chief uses, or the detective, or the DARE officer. Once they are completely used up, they sell them at auction. In my case, within a month the right front tire fell off, and shortly after that the transmission failed. So, beware, and never without checking them first, and sometimes even then you miss things.
5. Quite frankly, $2000 is way too much for a retired PI car. Granted, when my friend and I hit these auctions, we can grab a handful for $3000 total. I'd only go for them if they were detective, fire marshall, or other city worker cars. Those are the relative creampuffs. I had a 95 that was a supervisor car and it had cruise and the auto headlamp options...not bad at all.
6. I have bought 2 police cars and will buy again when i need to these cars are well maintained and are inspected once a week .my friend works on police cars , he is a certified mechanic so i trust his opinion and so far so good /by the way i never seen the ones i bought so go for it you will be happy you did happy motoring pd style