When the Pontiac G8 died with the brand, it left behind a following that had just formed. The G8 had a V8, six speed and four doors and was very popular. The last time GM had nailed that line was the 1994-1996 Impala SS. Then word came down that a V8 Holden would return, but only as a cop car, and would not be sold to the masses. After hearing “awwwww!”, “That sucks!” and a lot of other things that are unprintable from the GM faithful, Chevrolet relented and started importing a highly specialized version of the Commodore, simply called the SS. And while it’s a decent car, there is one glaring feature: a base price of about $44, 000 and an options list that easily pushes the car to well over $50K.
Not good. But there is a trick to get the SS performance without all of the price. Remember that cop car? The Caprice PPV has been on sale since 2011 for fleet orders only, and demand has been rather lackluster. Their loss, your gain. Granted, you can’t buy a new one, due to GM’s rules…but nothing is stopping you from buying a used one. The 6.0L L77 dual-fuel engine is available, most of the sound-deadening is gone, and most of the early 9C1 (patrol) and 9c3 (unmarked) cars had a floor shift for the automatic that looks like a factory version of a B&M shifter. These are stripper cars for the modern age: Basic seats. Rubber floor mats. Yeah, there’s A/C and power windows and door locks, but those are minor details. This is a stripper car that you could live with nicely.
This particular find is in New York. It’s the V8 car, it’s got the floor shifter and it’s not even 400 miles old as of the posting date. Finished in refrigerator white, with the basic black steel wheels with plastic caps, this is as basic as it gets. And we are hard pressed to find a better reason to like it than that.
eBay link: 2011 Chevrolet Caprice PPV
Ever since the Blues Brothers I have want a cop car. Almost bought a Bobbo Diplomat in 1986 and looked at a late 70s Saint Regis in 87. Kick myself for not buying a 77/78 Pontiac Bonneville. On a side note McTaggart if Bobbo is still around contact me I want to buy him some beers and tell some lies.
Brian Lohnes,that has your name written all over it, son of Buford. The Caprice sold in other countries is really nice.Equipped like a Benz with all the bells and whistles. SHould sell it here as a Buick or Caddy.
The reasons Cops ain’t buying them are.
1. They’re Chevys. Police department for the most part have avoided Chevys like the plague because Ford and Chrysler has always had cars that ran rings around them.
2. The Dodge Charger. More car, more power, more reliability. Maybe more money too.
3. I’ve noticed more departments going to SUVs.
Uhhhh….no. Maybe in the early 70’s?
All of the trooper’s I’ve talked to LOVED their LT1 equipped Caprices that would run CIRCLES around the current Crown Vic. And they were built back in the mid 90’s. Why Ford never upgraded the crown vics to at least that level of performance is beyond me.
Not to mention ALL of our state police SUV’s are Tahoes.
A guy named 440 6pac slamming Chevys. Gee, who’d have ever imagined that? The Dodge Charger is more car and more power? No, it’s really not. The LS engines are rock solid and reliability is in no way an issue. Besides that, if you think the Ford 4.6 liter ran circles around ANYTHING, you’re completely clueless. Until the Charger showed up, Chrysler didn’t even have a police cruiser available, it was primarily the Caprice and Crown Vic. Brand loyalty is one thing, ridiculous lies based in narrow minded bias is another.
Ditto Nytro’s comment. Some people just live to be bitches for their particular brand. Even brands owned by some half-assed company in Europe. Get a life dude!
Yeah your right. I ain’t seen a Chevy guy yet that ain’t a bitch for their brand.,
So how do you buy one?
My local Ford dealer had a cop Taurus , it sat for a long time till they could trade it.
And those SUVs are for the most part….Chevrolets.
I’ve owned a few mid-90’s LT1 equipped Caprice and they still outrun the Crown Vics even today!
Most LEO would rather have the older Caprices then the current crop of police cars.
The current Caprice PPV DOES run circles around both the Dodges and Fords.
For the record, I am and always will be an Oldsmobile fan. I just don’t automatically trash a car just cuz it has a pentastar, or a blue oval or an arrow head emblem. Get it?
holy shit!! 25 grand?? we wouldn’t pay that in Australia for a top of the line Statesman that’s been babied all its life! I looked at a VE Commy the other day ( same thing, slightly shorter and less heavy shell) that was an ex taxi – guy was asking 2 and a 1/2 thousand for it. I offered him 2 k and he’s considering it, just waiting for his call.
Heres one on a car yard under 10 k.. http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/south-plympton/cars-vans-utes/2008-holden-statesman-wm-my08-v6-silver-5-speed-auto-active-select-sedan/1051204714
Too bad the steering is on the wrong side!
Quite a few miles er KM’s on it but not bad. The US used car market stinks for more modern stuff, the prices are nuts.
Two more problems, 132000 miles versus nearly none, and v6.