I think the problem is going to be finding something with the reliability of the Crown Vic. The CV has just become such an overall good fit for police fleets, mainly because of its durability. It has good enough performance, but the big thing is it tends to be there when you need it and not on the rack and has enough size to carry everything you need, as well as protect you in a crash.
We've bought a few Chargers and a handful of Impalas to test. The Chargers look nice when new and are fast but if they're like any other Dodge police package has been they'll outrun everything except a mechanic. The Intrepids were a disaster and everybody can't wait until those things are gone. Brake problems, piss poor paint jobs that bake off, one thing after another. Just like the Gran Furies and Diplomats were. My opinion of Chrysler in general has always been that they're Detroit's answer to junk food and their police cars aren't any different.
The Impalas are pretty popular so far but then again so was every other new type of car until it had been in service a year or two. They are surprisingly roomy inside for their size. Like most GM's they ride smooth. I just don't like the smaller amount of metal between myself and surrounding hard things that want to hurt me, and I wonder if they'll hold up. We had Luminas before that were marginal and they were okay until the long-term wear and tear started to set in. Had a lot of Tauruses back in the 90's too, same problem with them, no good once they started to wear, and very expensive to maintain. And there's usually not a lot of up-front savings buying the smaller cars to begin with.
I've seen it for almost 25 years now, the smaller cars and the Dodges just don't hold up. But if push comes to shove I think we'll probably end up with Chargers by default. Another idea being floated is more widespread use of SUV's like Durangos which are actually cheaper to buy and keep up than full-size police package sedans.
Ford was also saying they are coming out w/ a new Police Interceptor in 2011. Prototype pictured below. I just wonder how high they'll price it.
