# I just got my private investigator license. What kind of car should I get? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 15, 2018, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-got-my-private-investigator-license-what-kind-of-car-should-i-get/817930 "2018-07-15T04:18:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Pork\_Rind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pork_rind/32/111_2.png) [@Pork\_Rind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pork_Rind)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2018, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-got-my-private-investigator-license-what-kind-of-car-should-i-get/817930/41 "2018-07-15T18:58:56Z")
Whatever you do, don’t forget the [houndstooth sport jacket](http://www.threadforthought.net/detectives-gumshoes/jim-rockford-in-houndstooth-jacket/). ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2018, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-got-my-private-investigator-license-what-kind-of-car-should-i-get/817930/42 "2018-07-15T19:12:43Z")
> [@Lord\_Feldon](#): > > A scuffed-up old Crown Vic with at least one mismatched part. Yep. Maybe with police spotlights. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2018, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-got-my-private-investigator-license-what-kind-of-car-should-i-get/817930/43 "2018-07-15T19:14:54Z")
…cop motor, cop tires, cop suspension, cop shocks… ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2018, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-got-my-private-investigator-license-what-kind-of-car-should-i-get/817930/44 "2018-07-15T19:16:09Z")
> [@E-DUB](#): > > The Crown Vic is a good choice. The trunk is big enough for two bodies, so I’ve heard. The 1980s Mark VIIs had a higher weight limit tho, much higher than most other similar size vehicles, with a suspension that wouldn’t even show the load until you got very near the limit. ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2018, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-got-my-private-investigator-license-what-kind-of-car-should-i-get/817930/45 "2018-07-15T20:58:08Z")
> [@Pork\_Rind](#): > > Whatever you do, don’t forget the [houndstooth sport jacket](http://www.threadforthought.net/detectives-gumshoes/jim-rockford-in-houndstooth-jacket/). Proof of how cool James Garner was: he could put on an ugly jacket like that, hang out with a slimeball like Angel, get beat up by some goon, and he **still** looked fucking awesome doing it. ETA: I figured the Rockford car would win the poll, but I’m surprised there isn’t more love for the Magnum car. It’s a small sample, but 80-20 in favor of Rockford is pretty lopsided. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2018, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-got-my-private-investigator-license-what-kind-of-car-should-i-get/817930/46 "2018-07-15T21:18:16Z")
> [@Defensive\_Indifference](#): > > Proof of how cool James Garner was: he could put on an ugly jacket like that, hang out with a slimeball like Angel, get beat up by some goon, and he **still** looked fucking awesome doing it. > > ETA: I figured the Rockford car would win the poll, but I’m surprised there isn’t more love for the Magnum car. It’s a small sample, but 80-20 in favor of Rockford is pretty lopsided. Well, you could’ve included Lance White’s '73 Cadillac convertible in the poll. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2018, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-got-my-private-investigator-license-what-kind-of-car-should-i-get/817930/47 "2018-07-15T21:29:32Z")
Jim Rockford is cooler than Magnum and he doesn’t come with an 80s pornstache. That, I’m sure, helped swing the electorate. ---
**Author:** ![seal\_cleaner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@seal\_cleaner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/seal_cleaner)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2018, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-got-my-private-investigator-license-what-kind-of-car-should-i-get/817930/48 "2018-07-15T23:09:36Z")
A Crown Vic, the year before Ford unveiled the Taurus. I visualize a room full of designers all saying, “Yeah, I got nothing.” ---
**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2018, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-got-my-private-investigator-license-what-kind-of-car-should-i-get/817930/49 "2018-07-15T23:35:08Z")
A powder-blue Lincoln Continental just like the one Frank Cannon had, complete with one of those newfangled car phones. ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2018, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-got-my-private-investigator-license-what-kind-of-car-should-i-get/817930/50 "2018-07-16T01:59:01Z")
> [@Pork\_Rind](#): > > Whatever you do, don’t forget the [houndstooth sport jacket](http://www.threadforthought.net/detectives-gumshoes/jim-rockford-in-houndstooth-jacket/). Needs elbow patches ---
**Author:** ![Dropo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce7236/32.png) [@Dropo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dropo)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2018, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-got-my-private-investigator-license-what-kind-of-car-should-i-get/817930/51 "2018-07-16T02:13:28Z")
A Ferrari SuperAmerica 1956 will get you around in style and impress anyone who needs impressing. It’s not exactly inconspicuous and will set you back $2-3 million, but it will distinguish you from all other PIs in your area. The importance of a cool car cannot be underestimated in your racket. [https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&biw=1440&bih=754&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=A\_1LW4zlEsiq\_Qb\_8IPYBw&q=ferrari+superamerica+1956&oq=Ferrari+SuperAmeric&gs\_l=img.1.5.0i67k1j0l7j0i30k1l2.12207.12207.0.15510.1.1.0.0.0.0.142.142.0j1.1.0....0...1c.1.64.img..0.1.141....0.piosfYOCkMc#imgrc=ua8slILdv9-pOM:](https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&biw=1440&bih=754&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=A_1LW4zlEsiq_Qb_8IPYBw&q=ferrari+superamerica+1956&oq=Ferrari+SuperAmeric&gs_l=img.1.5.0i67k1j0l7j0i30k1l2.12207.12207.0.15510.1.1.0.0.0.0.142.142.0j1.1.0....0...1c.1.64.img..0.1.141....0.piosfYOCkMc#imgrc=ua8slILdv9-pOM:) Or, if you insist on being TV-based: AC Cobra (like Honey West) [https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&biw=1440&bih=754&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=E\_1LW8jgJOSa\_QbP9q74BA&q=Honey+West+car&oq=Honey+West+car&gs\_l=img.3..0.76801.85403.0.85656.40.25.1.1.1.0.245.2743.0j18j2.20.0....0...1c.1.64.img..20.20.2504...0i67k1j0i30k1j0i10k1j0i8i30k1j0i24k1.0.sSzTu1h-2XQ#imgrc=rQ1UpgR3yik29M:](https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&biw=1440&bih=754&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=E_1LW8jgJOSa_QbP9q74BA&q=Honey+West+car&oq=Honey+West+car&gs_l=img.3..0.76801.85403.0.85656.40.25.1.1.1.0.245.2743.0j18j2.20.0....0...1c.1.64.img..20.20.2504...0i67k1j0i30k1j0i10k1j0i8i30k1j0i24k1.0.sSzTu1h-2XQ#imgrc=rQ1UpgR3yik29M:) Of course, safety is a concern as well, so you may want to consider something more practical: > **[Military Vehicles For Sale - Tanks, CVR(T), FV432, Chieftain Tank](https://tanks-alot.co.uk/military-vehicles-for-sale/)** > > Military Vehicles For Sale include British surplus CVR(T), Land Rovers, Chieftain Tank, Ferret, Stolly & Russian Self Propelled Guns. We sell deactived Guns ---
**Author:** ![chappachula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d2c977/32.png) [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2018, 10:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-got-my-private-investigator-license-what-kind-of-car-should-i-get/817930/52 "2018-07-16T10:26:07Z")
> [@ZonexandScout](#): > > As a former PI…I’ve spent many hours sitting in cars or lying on the ground near a subject’s house. This sounds fascinating! Please start a thread and tell us some stories. ---
**Author:** ![Oredigger77](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/oredigger77/32/3181_2.png) [@Oredigger77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oredigger77)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2018, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-got-my-private-investigator-license-what-kind-of-car-should-i-get/817930/53 "2018-07-16T12:21:16Z")
If we’re choosing who to handout with Rockford wins but if we’re choosing who to be I’ve got to go Magnum every time. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2018, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-got-my-private-investigator-license-what-kind-of-car-should-i-get/817930/54 "2018-07-16T13:56:35Z")
> [@chappachula](#): > > This sounds fascinating! > Please start a thread and tell us some stories. There was a pretty interesting episode of This American Life where Ira went on a stakeout with a PI: [The Real World](https://www.thisamericanlife.org/28/detectives/act-two) ---
**Author:** ![Suburban\_Plankton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suburban_plankton/32/219_2.png) [@Suburban\_Plankton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Suburban_Plankton)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2018, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-got-my-private-investigator-license-what-kind-of-car-should-i-get/817930/55 "2018-07-22T18:34:45Z")
My first thought upon seeing the thread title was “What kind of car was it that Jim Rockford drove?” I’m glad to see I’m not alone in this. ---
**Author:** ![ZonexandScout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zonexandscout/32/544_2.png) [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2018, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-got-my-private-investigator-license-what-kind-of-car-should-i-get/817930/56 "2018-07-23T14:01:44Z")
> [@chappachula](#): > > This sounds fascinating! > Please start a thread and tell us some stories. It was actually a combination of sheer boredom and weird (sometimes humorous) stories. I’ve mentioned a couple in previous posts. Our firm worked mostly with corporate clients and did not do any domestic work. On stakeouts, we were often watching a subject who had filed for Workmen’s Comp (disability or injury). In some cases, the settlements at stake could be well over $1M, so the attorneys could afford to give us $5K or $10K to make sure the disability/injury was real. For example, an individual might claim that he/she was permanently disabled, but we would observe him/her mowing the lawn using a push mower or bowling three times a week in league play. (In one instance, we had a concealed video camera that captured a “disabled” subject bowling a perfect game. When he learned about it from his attorneys, he was actually pretty pleased that he had a record of his only perfect game.) We also did internal investigations related to fraud or employee theft. Typical of this would be discovering that the cleaning person was stealing checks from the accounts receivable office and cashing them at a local grocery store. Many companies do NOT want the police involved in these types of investigations. Companies also try to avoid having the police investigate kickbacks to management. These things don’t look good in the papers. One thing you learn very quickly: the lawyers have to get paid. For example, we might investigate a guy claiming an injury who is suing for $2M. We then prove that he’s a malingerer (fake). Does he get prosecuted for fraud? Nope. The attorneys settle for $50K instead of $2M. Why? Because the plaintiff’s attorneys won’t accept any other deal. They will go to their client and say (roughly), “Take the $50K and be happy you won’t be prosecuted. You’ll pay us $49K for the time we’ve put in and you walk away with $1K. You’re an idiot and you should thank God you’re not going to jail.” Finally, in order to keep this from being a hijack, I’ll mention that I also did computer forensics and TSCM work and I drove a Blazer, a Trooper, and an old Chevy pick-up. You’ve got to have the room for your equipment and other property. ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2018, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-got-my-private-investigator-license-what-kind-of-car-should-i-get/817930/57 "2018-07-23T15:12:29Z")
> [@ZonexandScout](#): > > Finally, in order to keep this from being a hijack, I’ll mention that I also did computer forensics and TSCM work and I drove a Blazer, a Trooper, and an old Chevy pick-up. You’ve got to have the room for your equipment and other property. I’m not planning on moving anything bigger than a Pelican case and a few laptops. My Bolt with the seat folded down should do the trick. To be clear, the Firebird/Ferrari poll was intended in jest. For those not up to speed on classic TV, those were the iconic cars in _The Rockford Files_ and _Magnum PI_. If I were going to do traditional PI work (which I am in no way qualified for), I’d probably use some completely anonymous car like a Honda Civic or something. A modern Civic is probably faster than Rockford’s Firebird to boot. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2018, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-got-my-private-investigator-license-what-kind-of-car-should-i-get/817930/58 "2018-07-23T16:12:09Z")
> [@Defensive\_Indifference](#): > > I’m not a copper. I’m a private eye. > > 🙂 Zoid obviously means [Spenser (with an S, like the poet) For Hire.](https://www.imcdb.org/i099937.jpg) Not Frank Bullitt. Of course, [a green Cuda](https://www.quizz.biz/uploads/quizz/49721/22_dAZ89.jpg)works as well as a green fastback Mustang. And Mannix was a high-tech PI, at least in the first season. Of course, the trunk isn’t very big. Not much room for computers. Can’t even fit one body in there. (Don’t ask how I know.) ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2018, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-got-my-private-investigator-license-what-kind-of-car-should-i-get/817930/59 "2018-07-23T16:16:22Z")
> [@Defensive\_Indifference](#): > > And, just to be clear, I’m not actually going to be doing traditional PI stuff like skip tracing and following cheating spouses. My “investigating” will consist entirely of staring at computer screens. But Missouri, like a lot of other states, lumps computer forensics examiners in with traditional PIs for licensing purposes. I guess I’m legally allowed to do traditional PI stuff, I just don’t have the foggiest idea how, and computer forensics pays way better 🙂 I guessing you wouldn’t be dodging bullets a whole lot, either, so there’s that, too! ---
**Author:** ![CoastalMaineiac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e8c25b/32.png) [@CoastalMaineiac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CoastalMaineiac)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2018, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-got-my-private-investigator-license-what-kind-of-car-should-i-get/817930/60 "2018-07-23T16:17:48Z")
Wouldn’t some sort of work van be more practical for that kind of job? You could have your own mobile crime lab and work on-site, should the need arise. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-got-my-private-investigator-license-what-kind-of-car-should-i-get/817930.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-got-my-private-investigator-license-what-kind-of-car-should-i-get/817930.md?page=4)