# Why don't cops drive foreign cars? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 22, 2006, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-cops-drive-foreign-cars/341112 "2006-01-22T15:16:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![gazpacho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/6f9a4e/32.png) [@gazpacho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gazpacho)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2006, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-cops-drive-foreign-cars/341112/41 "2006-01-22T23:02:48Z")
CNN seems to be taking cues from the SD. They have an article discussing just the question on the front page. [http://www.cnn.com/2006/AUTOS/funonwheels/01/19/best\_cars\_for\_cops/index.html](http://www.cnn.com/2006/AUTOS/funonwheels/01/19/best_cars_for_cops/index.html) ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2006, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-cops-drive-foreign-cars/341112/42 "2006-01-22T23:04:51Z")
> [@gazpacho](#): > > CNN seems to be taking cues from the SD. They have an article discussing just the question on the front page. > > [CNN.com - Michigan Police driving team: Best cars for cops - Jan 20, 2006](http://www.cnn.com/2006/AUTOS/funonwheels/01/19/best_cars_for_cops/index.html) This is the link in the OP, btw. ---
**Author:** ![gazpacho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/6f9a4e/32.png) [@gazpacho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gazpacho)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2006, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-cops-drive-foreign-cars/341112/43 "2006-01-22T23:05:48Z")
I guess that means I am an idiot. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Harmonix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonix)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2006, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-cops-drive-foreign-cars/341112/44 "2006-01-22T23:11:30Z")
> [@scr4](#): > > The Subaru Outback 2.5i Wagon seems to exceed all of the above except interior room, and I’d think the 50% larger cargo space would make up for that, no? working on the engine of my 2.2L 99 Outback sport(manual) is a dream, but I wouldn’t want to touch the drive train. Theres 3 differentials to worry about and I bet repairs can be pretty expensive on them. The rides pretty harsh( I like it!) too compared to the american cars i’ve been in. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2006, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-cops-drive-foreign-cars/341112/45 "2006-01-22T23:11:53Z")
> [@gazpacho](#): > > I guess that means I am an idiot. Nah. Happens to everybody. ---
**Author:** ![St.Urho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8e7dd6/32.png) [@St.Urho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/St.Urho)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2006, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-cops-drive-foreign-cars/341112/46 "2006-01-22T23:39:48Z")
> [@scr4](#): > > The Subaru Outback 2.5i Wagon seems to exceed all of the above except interior room, and I’d think the 50% larger cargo space would make up for that, no? Not really, it still doesn’t give you enough room for radios, lights and siren controls, paperwork/clipboard, and MDT (computer); all of which need to be accessible from the driver’s seat. ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2006, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-cops-drive-foreign-cars/341112/47 "2006-01-22T23:46:47Z")
> [@St. Urho](#): > > Not really, it still doesn’t give you enough room for radios, lights and siren controls, paperwork/clipboard, and MDT (computer); all of which need to be accessible from the driver’s seat. I’ve already linked to an example of apparently-successful use of a Subaru Outback, so without an explanation of what they omitted from the equipment, I don’t think your argument holds much weight. ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2006, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-cops-drive-foreign-cars/341112/48 "2006-01-23T00:15:12Z")
> [@tschild](#): > > What’s so extraordinary about that? VW Bugs widerly served as patrol cars. > > [Photograph of unit with call sign Isar 10, served Munich police 1973-1987](http://www.polizeiautos.de/show_one.php?id=979). > [Another one, from Hessen state police](http://www.polizeiautos.de/show_one.php?id=1052) > > Hessen state police used [a still smaller model](http://www.polizeiautos.de/show_one.php?id=819) (BMW Isetta 250). > > Hamburg police have [more modern small car](http://www.polizeiautos.de/show_one.php?id=1794) in their fleet (Smart Fortwo) But not in the US. VW did a similar ad campaign in the 80s with the Rabbit, IIRC. Apparently the town was so poor that that was the only kind of car they could afford for their lone police officer. (Brazil uses them as police cars and they _stuff_ the arresttee in the hatch.) One of the reasons not yet mentioned why cops like to use big American cars as patrol vehicles, are the psychological factors. Not only is the car intimidating to look at, but also given that we Americans have spent decades looking at large police cars, if we’re in a situation where we’re loooking for cops (say a fight breaking out in a parking lot or something) to flag down, we’re naturally going to pay attention to large sedans. This is helpful for people on both sides of the law. And as people have pointed out, police departments have switched to different vehicles, but those are almost always for specialized operations: speed traps, drug enforcement, surveilance, etc. In Nashville, the police routinely use unmarked Impalas and GM SUVs to catch speeders. The police department in Murfreesboro, TN used to have a maroon Sixties-era Camaro that they used for police work. Finally, I don’t think that the “US makers are used to doing fleet sales and foreign companies aren’t” holds any weight. When I worked in the Nissan plant, I saw many vehicles which were tagged “government,” and given that they were built with left-hand drive, I can’t imagine that they were being shipped to Japan. ---
**Author:** ![GrizzRich](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7ba0ec/32.png) [@GrizzRich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrizzRich)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2006, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-cops-drive-foreign-cars/341112/49 "2006-01-23T00:59:03Z")
As I recall, when I lived in Falls Church VA (just outside of DC), their patrol cars were _Volvos_. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Slant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c57346/32.png) [@Mr.Slant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Slant)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2006, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-cops-drive-foreign-cars/341112/50 "2006-01-23T01:23:20Z")
> [@scr4](#): > > The Subaru Outback 2.5i Wagon seems to exceed all of the above except interior room, and I’d think the 50% larger cargo space would make up for that, no? I’m uncertain about the interior room really being negotiable, but auotmatic tranny isn’t, and in automatic form it appears to invoice above the cut-off of $23250. In ‘05 it invoiced at $23479 [1] . In ‘06 it invoices at $23809 [2]. Actually, I’ll bet you it would depreciate hella’ slower than a Crown Vic, so it isn’t a bad idea moneywise. Dunno’ about the interior space or the complicated transaxle/diff hooha. Wow. After looking at that vehicle, I dunno if cops want it, but I’d like one… [1] [http://www.edmunds.com/new/2005/subaru/outback/100397752/prices.html](http://www.edmunds.com/new/2005/subaru/outback/100397752/prices.html) [2] [http://www.edmunds.com/new/2006/subaru/outback/100565921/prices.html](http://www.edmunds.com/new/2006/subaru/outback/100565921/prices.html) ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2006, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-cops-drive-foreign-cars/341112/51 "2006-01-23T01:25:35Z")
Part of me wonders, if price is such a non-negotiable issue, how difficult it is to teach police officers how to use a clutch… ---
**Author:** ![Raguleader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/258eb7/32.png) [@Raguleader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raguleader)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2006, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-cops-drive-foreign-cars/341112/52 "2006-01-23T03:33:06Z")
> [@GorillaMan](#): > > Part of me wonders, if price is such a non-negotiable issue, how difficult it is to teach police officers how to use a clutch… Dunno about the clutch thing, but I can see the cop wanting to keep a hand free to use the radio (assuming they still use the ones with the handheld mike, as opposed to something like a headset or a lapel mike). I’d imagine using radios to coordinate their efforts, especially during high-speed persuits, would be very important to cops. ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2006, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-cops-drive-foreign-cars/341112/53 "2006-01-23T04:09:12Z")
> [@Raguleader](#): > > Dunno about the clutch thing, but I can see the cop wanting to keep a hand free to use the radio (assuming they still use the ones with the handheld mike, as opposed to something like a headset or a lapel mike). I’d imagine using radios to coordinate their efforts, especially during high-speed persuits, would be very important to cops. Nowadays it would be childs play to mount police radio controls on the steering wheel like many cars do, could even be arranged where he would not have to remove a hand from the wheel. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2006, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-cops-drive-foreign-cars/341112/54 "2006-01-23T04:12:13Z")
No cop wants to have to be concerned about shifting during a pursuit. AT is a given. They have too much to do already…a clutch is just too much. Besides, most cops i know would burn out a clutch inside of 12000 miles. ---
**Author:** ![meanoldman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@meanoldman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/meanoldman)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2006, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-cops-drive-foreign-cars/341112/55 "2006-01-23T04:18:14Z")
> [@Mr. Slant](#): > > I’m uncertain about the interior room really being negotiable, but auotmatic tranny isn’t, and in automatic form it appears to invoice above the cut-off of $23250. > In ‘05 it invoiced at $23479 [1] . In ‘06 it invoices at $23809 [2]. > Actually, I’ll bet you it would depreciate hella’ slower than a Crown Vic, so it isn’t a bad idea moneywise. Dunno’ about the interior space or the complicated transaxle/diff hooha. > Wow. After looking at that vehicle, I dunno if cops want it, but I’d like one… > > [1] [http://www.edmunds.com/new/2005/subaru/outback/100397752/prices.html](http://www.edmunds.com/new/2005/subaru/outback/100397752/prices.html) > > [2] [http://www.edmunds.com/new/2006/subaru/outback/100565921/prices.html](http://www.edmunds.com/new/2006/subaru/outback/100565921/prices.html) I own the '05 Legacy GT, and my only complaint is that I can’t think of enough excuses to drive it. 🆒 From the interior pics on the links above, it looks like the center console of the Outback is very similar to the Legacy. If that is indeed the case, there is almost no way they could fit in the required electronic gear for a police vehicle. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2006, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-cops-drive-foreign-cars/341112/56 "2006-01-23T05:36:15Z")
I’m one of those Subaru-lovers that can’t imagine why anyone would buy anything but a Subie–but even I can admit that my beloved Outback wouldn’t make a great cruiser, mainly for the lack of interior space. It might have a lot of cubic feet on paper, and your average citizen like me might find it pleasantly roomy, but there is no way there is even close to enough room for all the instruments and stuff that the cops have. There is also a lot less elbow room in general than a Crown Vic. It also lacks that “big comfy couch” feeling of the Crown Vics. I personally don’t care to drive a car with that feeling, but I also don’t spend my entire workday in my car. If I did, I might feel differently. ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2006, 10:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-cops-drive-foreign-cars/341112/57 "2006-01-23T10:06:03Z")
> [@Raguleader](#): > > Dunno about the clutch thing, but I can see the cop wanting to keep a hand free to use the radio (assuming they still use the ones with the handheld mike, as opposed to something like a headset or a lapel mike). I’d imagine using radios to coordinate their efforts, especially during high-speed persuits, would be very important to cops. > [@silenus](#): > > No cop wants to have to be concerned about shifting during a pursuit. AT is a given. They have too much to do already…a clutch is just too much. Besides, most cops i know would burn out a clutch inside of 12000 miles. I can only raise one very obvious point - police in other countries cope fine with a clutch in such situations. And as a single example, the clutch in [this car](http://www.ipswichtransportmuseum.co.uk/x428lgv.htm) coped far better than **silenus** ’s predictions. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2006, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-cops-drive-foreign-cars/341112/58 "2006-01-23T12:58:04Z")
Most of the points regarding full-size, “American” cars are spot on, but one thing notably missing is **comfort**. Patrol cars are officers’ homes for more than eight hours every single day. I loved my two Honda Civics when I was younger, and you can say they were “comfortable,” but what’s comfortable for daily commute or the very occassional road trip is _not_ comfortable for living your life in. These big, huge, body-on-frame vehicles are the most comfortable in the world. Yeah, the Germans can _approach_ the feel of a BoF vehicle with fancy electronics and resolvers and actuators (well, yeah, we do that too), but there’s no comparison to the real thing. The frame isn’t everything – the interior space is massive compared to a Suburu. Screw the gear and equipment – officers want and _need_ to be able to move about their cockpits. Yeah, it also means that police in other countries aren’t as comfortable. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Goob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c77e96/32.png) [@Mr.Goob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Goob)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2006, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-cops-drive-foreign-cars/341112/59 "2006-01-23T13:59:54Z")
> [@Balthisar](#): > > Most of the points regarding full-size, “American” cars are spot on, but one thing notably missing is **comfort**. Patrol cars are officers’ homes for more than eight hours every single day. > > -snip- Can I get an Amen. I drove a taxi for a while. Spent 12 hours at a time in a giant Impala, this is a big point. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2006, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-cops-drive-foreign-cars/341112/60 "2006-01-23T14:00:21Z")
some other factors which puts the Subbie at a disadvantage / C.Vic at a advantage is shear mass of the cars, and the ability to take a licking and keep on ticking. Like using the pit (pitt?) manuver and not causing your radiator to bust, and have enough momentum on your side so that you transfer enough of a jolt to cause the ‘bad’ guys to loose control and not you. Though I might even give the subbie greater crash worthness/survivability in certain situations, when it hits anything it would be dead in the water, while the C.V. has a better chance of continued opperations. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-cops-drive-foreign-cars/341112.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-cops-drive-foreign-cars/341112.md?page=4)