Spotting A Former Police Chaser

[avi8R]

Anyway, I have started a search for a BF II XR6T. Quite like them in white so stopped past a dealer on the way home to have a look at 1 which is the same as 1 I want to lok at tomorrow but thought to myself 30000 for 65km is a bit steep so wont be this 1. Looking at this car you can tell its a chaser just because you can see the Police logo on the door still and some small sticky patches were the markings were and still needed a buff. Anyway this thing was garbage. Just look rough on first glance and looked more like an 03 not an 07 model. Had faded paint with no shine. A rip in the passenger seat didn't help first impressions either.

When this car would be cleaned up you proberly wouldn't be able to tell of its former life until you looked in the book for first owner so was just wondering if there are ways of spotting former chaser cars. Its really easy with the ss commodores which have a few changes. Traction control removed which is standard feature as well as all black dash and not the silver trims. Again a standard feature and the interior light mod. But all these falcons look the same to me. Only thing I can tell is the some BFs have a clock and others dont.

The reason I want a BF is the better brakes which are equivelent to BA premium. 6speed auto and the motor upgrade with better looking front bar. Is there any other differences I should know.

I've tried searching but its hard to find anything that's definative. Plus im coming over from the lion and probably trading in my VX LS1 berlina wagon.

[discostig]

Mine's ex police highway patrol tow car.

3 holes in passenger side middle side of console - these were patched over by the vinyl repair guy at the dealer so you can barely tell anymore.

I have no clock on my dash, only on my stereo (stock standard sound system on mine :/ ). Have never noticed a clock on any XRs actually but I know they are supposed to have them.

under the bonnet, there are a bunch of holes that look like rivets were put through them or something. They are in the empty area right near the drivers side bonnet strut, if you would like a pic I can provide (car cover is on atm and I'm tired ). I don't know for SURE this is from the cops but I'd wager it is...extra electrics gear or something probably.

The highway patrol decals left bulk residue on mine...dealers may wash it off (I think I hurried mine to take delivery haha) but I'd say it will still be visible if you look close in the chrome strip (fairmonts) indent area on the rear skirt.

And of course, the sticker in the owner's manual

Oh yeah mine's lightning strike (silver)

Edited 09/08/09 01:42 PM by -SteveR-

[John_K]

If you pull back the rubber near the roof/above the B-pillar, you'll see the sillicone where the wiring had gone through for the roof lights.

Also several holes in the interior plastic and wear on the right bolster pad of the driver's seat, where the gun/holster would rub against.

[gregor]

also the roof usually has some rub marks just above the b pillar and the rubber seal always seemed to be squashed more than normal.

[avi8R]

Thanks for the cool info guys. I have owned former police cars which have proberly been the better cars we have owned, However for me to buy 1:

1) I must be able to drive it.

2) must be clean and good condition.

3) must be the right money.

4) perfect service history

Also some of the country ones seem to be better because its only the same couple of officers drive them and there a far fewer curbs and medium strips ready to jump out infront them. So a clean one of those is usually ok.

The service books usually tell you where the car has been.

Also thanks for moving this into the right section.

Not sure if the clock on top were the guages usually go might be a premium sound freebie.

[winstor]

Easiest way to see if it is an ex-cop car is to check the front or rear page of the log book. Also make sure they have repaired the hole in the roof where they mount the lights. They didnt on mine and the bog they used sunk!!! Luckily the dealer principlal didnt kick up a stick about it, unlike the sales person who told me too bad!

[RowdyBurns]

Clock on top of the dash comes with the dual zone digital climate control.

[our06t]

yep look for the marks on the rubbers above the b pillar where the lights are mounted

[robbo k]

imo I would rather go get one at auction still comes with warranty and half the price as the ford car yard will do ya for. also if u look at the auctions n can see on the bonnet where the stickers have been. plus all the usual holes n stuff that everyone else has pointed out. generally the police force dont buy the cars no more it all government lease. last time I was at the auctions (to give u a idea altho it was a holden) the had vz ss b4 ve came out goin thru for about 24000 we stopped in at a Expensive Daewoo dealer n had a ex chaser for 30000.

personally I wouldnt buy a ex chaser as I have heard some bad stories from my mate when he used to do the services and fixing of them. one good thing they had slotted rotors

[John_K]

Yep... my BFII came with the slotted PBR 325mm or 330mm rotors all round - Someone advise of the size.