Buyers Marked Unit Advice

jpargo · #1 03-04-2010, 11:51 PM

I was wondering what everyone thought about a city marked unit verses a state marked unit? I mean if I was considering two cars both 5 speeds one with less than 100K and good documentation but a city car and the with 150K little documentation but a two color unit and not just white...which would you buy? Does mileage matter with these cars? I not sure which is more desirable but appreciate everyone's opinions on what car each of you would purchase.

ssp91ssp · #2 03-05-2010, 12:15 AM

Dear Friend ,
As you know i picked up the blue USPS car out of cali , DSO 83 Gov car .
I love the car and daily drive it in our Tx weather .

But when i heard of a state patrol car for sale i stopped the world to make the purchase !!! mamma ok or NOT ....LOL

John , i'm very new to the SSP world but i think that when a person hears the word STATE it automatically sounds and has more authority ...I think ...

if i had to start from scratch it would be all state cars for me .. they also seem to have some tough stories behind them !
this is just my opinion .

ssp91ssp

Texaspony87 · #3 03-05-2010, 12:37 AM

Personally, I feel "state" cars hold a certain mystique. It conjures up visions of a hawk sitting in the median of an interstate waiting for the unsuspecting prey to stumble into the trap. Just the SSP sitting there waiting, had a great psychological affect on speeders.

BTW, I have a car just like that for sale with tons of documentation. Perhaps we could work a deal on your current SSP. Just a thought.

MOstang · #4 03-05-2010, 08:20 AM

John - Thanks for asking...here's my 2 cents. I would first need to know if you have any "connection" with the City or State in question. For instance I grew up in Missouri and was able to observe the MSHP SSP's the whole time they were in-service (darn I didn't take photos). Having that "connection" to those is a huge draw for me. If the City that I grew up in used SSP's I'm sure that would be a draw for me as well.

Normally for the reasons that Joe and Hector mentioned above I would probably lean to a State car as more people relate to them and therefore appeal to more people. That being said I would suspect with a City car, they probably didn't purchase many of them so that level of rarity might be of interest to have something unique. You mentioned it being 2 tone versus a solid color as well. Most people tend to prefer the 2 tone.

It really boils down to personal preference. I'm not sure that I have found an SSP that I don't like. Well actually I don't like the SSP's hacked up by Ricky Racer.

ssp91ssp · #5 03-05-2010, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Texaspony87

Personally, I feel "state" cars hold a certain mystique. It conjures up visions of a hawk sitting in the median of an interstate waiting for the unsuspecting prey to stumble into the trap. Just the SSP sitting there waiting, had a great psychological affect on speeders.

BTW, I have a car just like that for sale with tons of documentation. Perhaps we could work a deal on your current SSP. Just a thought.

John , There you go ! Joe's DPS is Killer !
I have to ask you Joe , that deal offer only with Mr Pargo's SSP ???

ssp91ssp

28HopUp · #6 03-05-2010, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpargo

I was wondering what everyone thought about a city marked unit verses a state marked unit? I mean if I was considering two cars both 5 speeds one with less than 100K and good documentation but a city car and the with 150K little documentation but a two color unit and not just white...which would you buy? Does mileage matter with these cars? I not sure which is more desirable but appreciate everyone's opinions on what car each of you would purchase.

All excellent replies so far. I would tend to favor a car with more documentation, regardless of where it served. Although it is still possible to unearth information about an SSP's usage after all this time, you cannot count on being able to document a car after you purchase it.

As noted, having a personal connection to a particular jurisdiction is also important IMO. That's not to say that you cannot fall in love with a car after you bring it home.

Another point to consider - What is your plan for the car after you buy it? Will it be a driver to enjoy? Planning a full-on showcar restoration? Your answer is important, cuz you may have difficulty putting a car back to in-service condition if there is little information about what equipment was used originally.

Personally, I recommend that you buy BOTH of them!

NoDrama43 · #7 03-05-2010, 10:23 AM

I wanted all marked state agencies for my collection. I also wanted to have a representation of cars from all different areas of the country, not just the east, or west etc. Along the way i have tweaked the collection some and included a couple of unmarked cars. I even tried to get different paint colors and a combination of interior colors to mix things up some. I realize my situation is different but the key to it all is I bought what I wanted and liked.

For the person that doesn't have the time, skill, or place to work on the cars then look for the car that meets your financial parameters that doesn't need much work. If you have a full on restoration shop or access to one and have th skill to do the work, then what you buy really doesn't matter as long as you like it. All that matters is that YOU like what YOU are buying.

Joes car is probably the most documented car out there for sale. Jon's low mile car is pristine and needs nothing. Either one would be a great car to own !!!! You two ought to trade

ImEvil1 · #8 03-05-2010, 10:55 AM

Great discussion thus far.

My actions a few years ago pretty much give away my opinion...I had an AOD (in white) that I drove in-service and later bought at auction. It was a traffic car originally, but the city painted it blue and issued it to me when I worked in narcotics. It still only had 40k miles on it when I bought it, but it had been hit twice before I got it. I sold it when I found the '83 TX car, as I had (have) only room for 4 out in storage, and I've always wanted a TX car.

I'll echo some of the other comments...go for what you like and don't worry too much about the rest.

jpargo · #9 03-05-2010, 11:15 AM

I appreciate the responses from everyone that has offered one. I passed on a PA SSP, which was one of 11 when I got my car...I went the route of condition and mileage over how rare the PA car was eventhough I'm in PA and both cars were unmarked. The blue car over a grey one was also a factor, I'm very happy with the decision I made. I have a used car business with my dad that's very small and more of a hobby for us to do together and enjoy please note I have no intentions of buying and selling these cars for profit, with that said I would like a 5 speed marked unit. It doesn't see like mileage matters all that much with these...Joe I would trade you for the TX car. I'm looking to show the car locally and have my current car registed with my local police and state PA Troop R. I was told a marked unit driving around may be a different story but if you act respectful and register the car. I do not see any issues but have seen other fellow hobby members (WHR44) followed and questioned by local police. No problems after we explained what the car was...the box of Dunkin's Bill offered helped as well

. In any event I think the State car is the way to go but the city car is very nice and has paperwork (Lots of it) but is white...I would like both but cannot swing that. Thanks again for all those that offered a response.

ajstoys63 · #10 03-06-2010, 05:55 PM

I have to admit that I remember when me and my girlfriend would drive to Florida and we would see the '85 and '86 Mustangs that the Highway Patrol and Sheriff's Dept would use to patrol with and we were driving a bright red '86 GT and we stopped to get gas and this unmarked black LX came in and the Trooper/or Sheriff's Officer stopped and talked to us about our car and I was intrigued about his... So I can see the stigma of the "State Trooper" cars.... Thats probobly why I like the black SSP that I have..