Well my POV is Toast! Time for a new one! Install ideas!

[Fast LT1]

Well my 96 impala is on its last leg and i just cant keep spending $100 a week to fix crap that keeps breaking so my broke ass is gunna take out a loan for a 03-05 Impala LS. I'll probably take out an extra $1200 or so to do an install on it. Most equipment will be second hand, i should be able to get the console locally, not taking bids on equipment yet, as i want to have the car in hand.


Thinking


Interior lightbar? The one with the least amount of flashback, Inner edge?


Halogen par36 grille lights- Maybe tir6 pods if budget allows


HLF


2/40 watt strobe pack or 2/50 if possible


Rear


Some kind of traffic stick in amber- Thinking ELS or TAM85 tir6


OR


1 A/A talon and 2 single Amber talons


Tir 4 Pods on an LP


And a TLF or a 4 head strobe pack, which one will pull less amps? Want each strobe to be at least 20 watts for maximum punch


Two whelen 100 watt sirens


Two speakers- undecided on brand yet


Ram mount Laptop stand


Undecided on console too

 

[bfd740]

Impalas are crap. I owned a 2004, I drive a 2003 and 2004 at work. If you don't want to spend $100 a week on fixing your car, don't get one.

 

[Fast LT1]

My parents have hadd one since 03 and its only ever been in the shop once for mechanical problems. And my dad runs it into the ground and i just keeps going. I've already replaced over $10,000 worth of stuff on my 96 so i'm not going to keep doing it. I'll garage it and make it my weekend project and car show car. The 3.4's are strong motors, not powerful but they take a beating. I use to drive an 04 for a couple years and loved it until it was replaced by a tahoe!

 

[kadetklapp]

I drive a 2002 Impala 9C1 and it's a heap of junk. Less than 98,000 miles so far.

 

[Fast LT1]

Well what else is there that's a medium/large sedan that's affordable (under 10k) that gets good gas millage, and is an easy mounting platform for all my equipment?


I drive 90 miles a day so i'd like at last 25=-30 MPG, the impala's do pretty good, around 26-30


Marquis? Crappy gas millage 23 MPG highway


Crown vic- I'll look like a whacker, i don't wanna stick out


Malibu- Too small


Charger- Too expensive, plus no console for civilian models- 26 MPG highway, so acceptable


I really don't want a ford but i was thinking ford 500? Never driven one though.

 

[cpdchief]

I had a 2001 Impala. Total heap of junk. I was always a chevy man until owning that car. Now I will never own another GM product. The final straw was when the wrecker was DRAGGING the car out of my garage because it would not start, nor would it come out of park. At work right now, guys driving 2006 impalas are fighting over who gets the 1999 Crown Vic.


BTW, my mother owns a 2005 Ford 500. GREAT car. On a road trip to Florida, we got 30+ MPG.

 

[kadetklapp]

Well what else is there that's a medium/large sedan that's affordable (under 10k) that gets good gas millage, and is an easy mounting platform for all my equipment?
I drive 90 miles a day so i'd like at last 25=-30 MPG, the impala's do pretty good, around 26-30


Marquis? Crappy gas millage 23 MPG highway


Crown vic- I'll look like a whacker, i don't wanna stick out


Malibu- Too small


Charger- Too expensive, plus no console for civilian models- 26 MPG highway, so acceptable


I really don't want a ford but i was thinking ford 500? Never driven one though.

If you don't wanna look like a wacker, why drive an Impala?


I say find an 04 Taurus. Always thought that body style was a clean platform for installing equipment in and still be "under the radar."

 

[911]

whats your budget? you can get a 2006 police package charger for like $6,000 if you look around

 

[Abacus]

" My POV is Toast"....next time fuse as close to the battery as you can. Otherwise your next vehicle will end up the same.

 

[Fast LT1]

If you don't wanna look like a wacker, why drive an Impala?

I say find an 04 Taurus. Always thought that body style was a clean platform for installing equipment in and still be "under the radar."

HELLLLLL NO! Taurus's are GAY! No departments use impala's around here so no one really thinks their pd cars. Every department in my county uses crown vics, charges, tahoes, and explorers.


Don't really want a Police package charger, it sticks out too much. I guess i could throw Hemi badges on it and R/T rims. I might start looking for one.

 

[Icepuck72]

So you don't want to stick out like a whacker, yet you want an Impala....and these cars are junk, you're pouring $$$ into the current one, and now you want to get the same model/brand.


BRILLIANCE!!!

 

[Fast LT1]

I love how the entirety of this conversation has strayed off topic!

 

[ibby]

I love how the entirety of this conversation has strayed off topic!

+1 Stay on topic people!


I like the charger with badges and rims idea, it fits within budget, and mounts/lighting options are easy. Also, its got balls, yet still pretty fuel efficient.

 

[kadetklapp]

Dodge Avenger?

 

[Fast LT1]

+1 Stay on topic people!

I like the charger with badges and rims idea, it fits within budget, and mounts/lighting options are easy. Also, its got balls, yet still pretty fuel efficient.

I think i'm going to go this route! Avengers are too small, plus i'm not a fan of dodges, that don't have Police packages since they have a lack of mounting space in the console!

 

[cpdchief]

So you don't want to stick out like a whacker, yet you want an Impala....and these cars are junk, you're pouring $$$ into the current one, and now you want to get the same model/brand.

BRILLIANCE!!!

In his defense, he is putting money into a 1996 Impala. NOT the same car. Nothing even close. Those 94-96 caprice/impala's were some bad @$$ cars! And look at my post above, I am no longer a chevy fan.

 

[aberfitchguy2472]

Most of the vehicle specific lightbars have very little flashback. We have had a lot of luck with the Interior Pinnacle not having flashback. If you can I'd go with LED everything if electric load is a concern. You might also consider doing LAWs because the cost may be the same once you consider getting a power supply, tubes, and cables. For the rear go with a TDWL24 from 911EP in amber. They are pretty good lights and while you can still get them they aren't too harsh on the bank. For the year Impala you are considering, I'd go with the TLF just because of the design of the rear lightheads.


PM me when you are ready for some quotes on equipment if your plan moves forward.

 

[gman021]

Go with a charger. A charger is better than an impala in just about every category. And it looks a million times better

 

[Tom]

Don't get an Impala. Fords would probably be the most cost effective road to go down. My vote is for an old cvpi, they are great work horses. Put hubcaps on it and take off the push bumper if it has one, then you won't look like a whacker.


http://k41.pbase.com/v3/30/132230/2/48088666.RED.jpg


Perfect example of a non-whacker looking cv

 

[ibby]

Don't get an Impala. Fords would probably be the most cost effective road to go down. My vote is for an old cvpi, they are great work horses. Put hubcaps on it and take off the push bumper if it has one, then you won't look like a whacker.

http://k41.pbase.com/v3/30/132230/2/48088666.RED.jpg


Perfect example of a non-whacker looking cv

Forbidden


You don't have permission to access /v3/30/132230/2/48088666.RED.jpg on this server.

 

[PC Comms]

Everybody is jumping in his crap about him getting an Impala but not wanting to look like a whacker. Read his posting on WHY he is looking for one. He wants a vehicle that is an easy upfit platform where vehicle specific items are readily (and inexpensively) available. Unfortunately there are really only 3 vehicles that fit that bill. The Charger, the Crown Vic and the Impala. Out of these three vehicles, the Impala is the least likely to look like like a "whacker" car, ESPECIALLY an LS civilian model which will likely have alloy wheels a wing, etc.

 

[Fast LT1]

If i go the crown vic route, i will get a Crown vic sport, or mod a p71 to look exactly like a sport. Throw on after market grille, take off spotlights, alloy wheels ect.. But i prefer to stay way from them all together.


And yes PC Comms you are correct i would get the model with the alloy wheels though i probably would take the spoiler off.