4th Oct 2019, 21:22
These were also used as anemic police cars. My dad and I went and bought a couple of retired police 440 Fury Interceptors for a quick flip just before these 318s came out. OK for inner city work. Hard to outrun the 440s though back then. They were plain detective unmarks. Actually ran well and appeared maintained. They didn’t grace our driveways though for long. Ugly.
6th Oct 2019, 13:32
Flipping a former police car that more than likely has been beat on with high mileage isn't going to bring much profit to the table.
6th Oct 2019, 13:50
Sure it does. It provides more reviews of cars on this web site. Why you kept, why you sold. Provides insight on vehicles that increase in value. Otherwise you do a single review on a car you bought in 1996 as an example.
Lastly, if I owned 4 Impalas as an example, any comment provides some real life experience for a potential same era buyer. Reading a comment on not mentioning a flip, what many do, provides zero information. Becomes just a filler comment.
One of my friends has had over 200 cars in the collectible area. Vintage, classic and sports cars. His knowledge has proven invaluable to collectors and even first time buyers of past and present. When I bought my new 911 as an example, he was the first I contacted. It was a big check. Then I research web sites. Guys that have owned more than one know good and bad. My family had an auto repair facility and also told me what to watch for; even models that are currently available. And restored and flipped. Even everyday cars like a Honda. I think most people on here are here to learn about their cars. Many I have personally owned. Not just a few that you discuss and it’s completely over with. I like reading reviews on here to both buy more new and some used cars with actual owners' insight. Not bias on a car manufacturer. I’ve even sat in service departments picking owners brains. And club meetings. Then I buy. So far 3 cars this year. Doing no research is being a fool. Not good.
6th Oct 2019, 16:39
Actually the unmarked detective ones ran well. And I am sure they were maintained well as part of the fleet. Heavy Duty package cooling, trans cooler, larger alternator etc. Mine was all white. Not a marked. The state police went from the previous Fury to the Diplomats as an economy measure. 318 V8 vs gas thirsty 440s, which by the way are a great donor engine for Mopar enthusiasts for street or racing at the strip. This is a Dodge Diplomat review isn’t it? They made police cars as an interesting piece of trivia staying on topic with the review. They were underpowered however. Next the police went to Mustangs and later even Camaros. Then Chargers. Now we see big all black unmarked SUVs like the Explorer or even Suburbans. Flashing lights in the grilles or back window area behind the dark tint. I think the Diplomat was fine then, but other cars gained more HP.
6th Oct 2019, 17:51
Speaking of "flippers", you can always recognize when you are dealing with one when you have a car for sale.
First, they will offer you 1/3 of your asking price (and act like they are being generous).
Second, (if you are dumb enough to take their lowball offer), they will want to leave the space for buyer's name on the title transfer blank (unless you are in one of the handful of states that still require a title transfer be notarized). They don't want to put a name there because they want to resell the car without having to pay title fees.
Unless you are a licensed dealer, selling a car with open title is illegal. Even worse, if you sign off on the title without specifying a buyer, YOU are still the owner of the car as far as the state is concerned. If that car is later involved in a hit and run or some other nefarious activities, guess whose door the police will be knocking on? Always insist on a buyer's name and signature on the title (and preferably on a bill of sale as well) before turning over possession. Flippers won't like it, but who cares?
6th Oct 2019, 20:16
You sound like quite the collector. Maybe, if you can find them, pick up four 1974 Dodge Monaco 440 x-police cars, put an oversized megaphone on the roofs and flip them as "Blues Mobile" replicas.
7th Oct 2019, 14:03
Well said and I agree. All reviews on here have value, old and new. Myself I have a 2019 Honda Civic for everyday driving, and a 1989 BMW 540i for weekend fun. So a new review on the Civic with its pros and cons is always nice to hear what other people think. And for older cars, parts and restoration advice is always good to hear as well. I hate the short, less than 100 word reviews though. Around 300+ words is best for a bit of insight.
7th Oct 2019, 14:17
* meant to say 1992 BMW 540i (my old 89 was a 535i). Anyways, to add, this site is still the best, looking at Autotrader and some others their reviews seem pretty empty as well with some having ratings only, which does not tell you much. Carsurvey is way better and more in depth.
7th Oct 2019, 18:03
And a review that is written after a week of ownership and putting 300 miles on the car is pretty much useless.
7th Oct 2019, 18:04
You forgot take your tag off when you sell. With EZ pass lanes you can rack up tickets. You must have had an incredibly bad experience. That’s totally illegal and dumb as a buyer. Know who you are buying from. And hit a notary before paying cash. I have never sold a car with an open title. I go to Motor Vehicle after going to the notary to report the sale with buyers. I get my tag off if it's an out of state buyer; it’s called wisdom, and have them get a transport 30 day white paper tag. Smartest move to protect the seller. No way are they driving off with my license plate unless we changed title. Applies to in state only. Also I tag a car to the maximum expiration when I take to the inspection lane. That is worth it again for both sides. The car sells easier in any ad as it’s freshly inspected.
Also I highly recommend pulling and paying for a Carfax as a buyer. I do not buy or sell cars unless no accident. It’s not illegal to sell cars. There are limits a year. Do what I wrote and meet in person at the seller's home. Make sure you see their license to confirm they own it. And vice versa. I even write the time on bill of sale, in front of a notary. Then go to your state motor vehicles. That’s what they get paid for. They will also check clear title with no liens or encumbrances.
4th Oct 2019, 13:47
"it's a rare sight nowadays"
Pretty much any car that is 35 years old is going to be a rare sight... even in junkyards.