In addition to junk vehicles, some Lubbock auto salvage yards have a nice inventory of used vehicles that are still drivable. Every once in while, you’ll find a car in the used vehicle section that you’ve probably seen before… in your rearview mirror… with excessively bright, blue and red lights flashing. Yes, we’re talking about used police cars.
Police Cars in Junkyards
Retired police cruisers have most of their distinguishing features removed. Decals on the body, gun holders, the plastic back seat cover — almost everything that identifies the car as police — is gone. Almost.
Still screaming “law enforcement” are the spotlight on the driver’s side door, the metal brush guard on the car’s nose, and — often times — the make and model of the vehicle. When you see a Mercury Crown Victoria with a spotlight and brush catcher, you can bet plenty of people sat in the back seat, pondering uncertain legal futures.
Dodge Charger, Chevy Caprice, and Ford models Taurus, Explorer, Expedition, and Excursion are also common among used police cars.
Why Buy Used Police Cars?
Most police cars in Lubbock auto salvage yards have two strong points: low mileage and recent model year. The cars frequently have less than 100,000 miles on the odometer, and some are less than two years old. Looks aren’t a strong point; after most police hardware is removed, the cars are pretty plain. But they look pretty good on paper. You get a relatively new, relatively low mileage car for what seems to be a good price.
Why Avoid Used Police Cars?
Remember how Bo and Luke Duke drove the General Lee, taking it airborne as they sped too fast on treacherous roads? Police cars aren’t treated so harshly, but it can come close. Repeatedly gunning the engine, drifting to tire screeching stops, and ramming getaway vehicles with the brush catcher is all in a day’s work. The car that looks good on paper might tell you a different story if it could talk.
But there are also used squad cars in Lubbock auto salvage yards that have years of reliability left. The problem is, it’s hard to say exactly what you’ll get. Perhaps the best advice is to target buying a used detective car instead of a patrol car. Patrol cars tend to be driven more and harder than detective cars.
About Wrench-A-Part
Wrench-A-Part is a professionally operated salvage yard with Texas locations in Austin, Belton, Holland, and Lubbock. We buy end-of-life automobiles and used vehicles that drive. To inquire about selling a used car, call us today at (806) 748-5865. To inquire about buying, visit our sister site at Phoenix Auto Group.
