Car Shopping, Cool or Not Cool?

RuSsMaN

I'm keeping the truck, always good to have a spare vehicle - plus I still plan to 'jack' with it a bit for autocross.

I need something with more than 2 doors. A trunk is an added bonus too. Yes, to have more than ONE person in the vehicle with me, and to maybe be able to haul gear in bad weather.

Driving this sunday, a 2003 Dodge Intrepid Police Interceptor. Cop motor, cop tires, cop suspension (the jury is still out on whether or not the push bar stays on).

Cool or not cool?

PolkThug

I like the cow catcher, but I'm sure that car's been rode hard and put away wet.

RuSsMaN

That's what I'm concerned about also.

(per the dealer) It hasn't, and has complete maint. records. 57K, high mileage for the year, but not high mileage overall. Priced just under 10K, I'm sure I could jew em' down a bit.

F1nut

Russ, don't take this wrong, but it's not you bro.

RuSsMaN

Not at all man, that's why I'm asking for feedback.

dragon1952

Probably a badass car but for some reason the styling of the Intrepids leave me kind of cold. Plus white is a drag. Why not a nice BMW 3 series sedan with the sports package or an M3 in black metalic. Surprisingly large trunk and back seat and you can find them with fold down back seats. Not sure about hauling though.

RuSsMaN

Yeah, they have that 'bar of soap' look to them, but I figured it would be a little more reliable, and take a beating better than a German counterpart (at twice the price).

I AM still looking at certain Germans, don't read that wrong.

Schris22

i like autocross

Yeah, i mean mileage seems ok. I'm a fan of non-domestics anyway. Those miles must have been tough on the car despite the maint. though =(



Chris

dragon1952

I think the BMW's get kind of a bad rap. I've got a '98 328i with 103K, and granted I have replaced a transmission, radiator and water pump and the electronics can be potentially flakey but the sucker has never burned or leaked a drop of oil. And it still drives like new and is built like a brick shithouse. I also have a '88 Mercedes that has over 270K on it and is just now needing major repairs. I've owned several BMW's though and they are just the coolest cars. Besides, you can afford a little extra potential maintenance.

cmy330go

I am with Dragon. I have owned many, many cars both domestic and foreign, and the one I miss by far the most is my BMW. Once you have one...you are hooked. They really live up to their claim of "Ultimate Driving Machine". I am an aggressive and spirited driver, and when I traded that car with 80K miles it still looked and felt new. If our 1 and only BMW dealer didn't suck @ss I would still be driving it. GOD I MISS THAT CAR!!!!:mad:

Just my $0.02 worth.

Enjoy the hunt!
Dave

hoosier21

There is no way you'll be happy with that car, is there?
Is a Dodge Intrepid cool or not cool? Not
Is the "cop car" the cool ot not cool question? barely kind of cool, more like a little interesting
My sister had the 01 model of that car, hated it, it sucked her dry on repairs, maybe a just a bad car?
Question, cop motor, suspension and all, will that make getting it worked on and finding/getting the right parts hard?
There has got to be a better choice for you in the 10K used market,
What's a Texan without a Suburban anyway?

karpiel666

subaru legacy or impreza.

nebborjk

that car's been rode hard and put away wet.

Probably true

Pablo

It's kinda cool, but like everyone said, it's probably been rode pretty hard. Plus the idleing outside the doughnut shop for 60 minutes a day with the AC running probably doesn't help.

I'm an Acura fan myself for an everyday driver (I also own a BMW 850i, but wouldn't recommend it as a daily driver).

ND13

Russ,
You should be able to pick that Intrepid up for $6-7k.

Just make sure it's a 3.5V6 and not the 2.7. The rest of the "COP" stuff is straight from the R/T Intrepid with minor if any tweaks. Nothing wrong with the cars if they were properly maintained and most cop cars are, even if rode hard. Intrepids are mostly used by Detectives and plain clothes cops. Very rarily used as patrol cars. Most patrol cars would have at least twice that many miles on them. 57K on a 2003 model isn't WAY too many, especially for a cop car.

If you like the Intrepids, go out and find a clean 02-03 R/T, ES, or SXT and be done with it. They can easlily be found for under $10K.

TroyD

I think it's astronomically cool in a Blues Brothers sort of way....

If it WAS a police car, rode hard fo sho'...

BDT

audiobliss

I personally like the way the Intrepid looks, and then with a cop motor? Assuming it'll get up and go...I think it's wicked!

But then, everybody has made a lot of good points about reliability and how hard it has most likely been driven. Sounds like it probably isn't the smartest move.

Early B.

Buy it.

It's an inexpensive, low mileage cop car, so it's been taken care of. So what if it's been ridden hard? That's what the car has been designed for. Keep the push bar, too. Everyone on the highway will think you're a cop and get the hell out of your way. A car doesn't need to match your personality. Mine doesn't, but I got over it real quick because it was a good deal.

I'd paint it a darker color, though.

bobman1235

My uncle had an Intrepid from like '98 and around 75K the thing just started falling apart with problems. Different model style, but it always left me with a bad taste in my mouth.

Of course, despite that, i bought a Dodge truck... so...

The car looks to be in good shape, it's big, it's got power, if you like it go for it, who gives what people think about its looks?

hoosier21

Russman, on a mission from God? don't see it

okiepolkie

I had a 96 Intrepid with the 3.5 engine. My parents have it now with probably 130,000 miles. Overall, it has been a good car. The only major problem is that every few thousand miles, it goes through a fuel system sensor problem, and the car smells like gas. Dodge took care of twice, but this last time it ruined the fuel pump as well, costing them around $1000 to get everything fixed.

ohskigod

I think the car is badass! get him down to like 7 or 8 (people wont line up to buy that car, so exploit that. tats gotta have the 3.5, cant see the police package having the 2.7, but Noel is right. If it does have the 2.7, run away, dont walk

fireshoes

cmy330go wrote:

I am with Dragon. I have owned many, many cars both domestic and foreign, and the one I miss by far the most is my BMW. Once you have one...you are hooked. They really live up to their claim of "Ultimate Driving Machine". I am an aggressive and spirited driver, and when I traded that car with 80K miles it still looked and felt new. If our 1 and only BMW dealer didn't suck @ss I would still be driving it. GOD I MISS THAT CAR!!!!:mad:

Just my $0.02 worth.

Enjoy the hunt!
Dave

I didn't know you got rid of the BMW. What did you get?

Russ, Not Cool, man...

disneyjoe7

Don't like it if it's not rode hard put away wet, then why are they selling it.

Get a 4runner 4 doors and can haul **** all day. Got one and love it.

audiobliss

Oh, and about the push bar...if they take it off...make yourself one! That adds to it!!

It should really come in handy when you're taking down stores in the local mall, too!

wingnut4772

I gotta tell you if that is a cop car that engine has seen major abuse. I would not want to buy my patrol car after it is put to pasture! Have you seen how we drive?

If you get it though, keep the bar.

hoosier21

Russ needs to be like everyother person Texas and get a Suburban, haul most anything you want in it rain or shine, great comfortable ride.

I have had a 4 different models and loved everyone of them, the 01 I got now is great.

DollarDave

Butt ugly. Not cool. Not a good car. There is a radio show in the DFW area by a guy named Ed Wallace - he would tell you Toyota Camry V-6.

dorokusai

I suggest a 1964 Lincoln Convertible....you can guess the rest.

dorokusai

I would say this would be a cool "Police" care to own.....

amulford

The only cop motor I'd consider having is the old Mopar 440 Police Interceptors. Talk about badass...