Reply With QuoteMy crap car (well, not this one, but the same model and color):
It was just a flippant remark.Originally Posted by Xav
I don't know anything about the Gendarmerie's specific Subarus, so I couldn't say.
My crap car (well, not this one, but the same model and color):
The Gendarmerie Subarus tend to be crashed from time to time.
They are WRX STI models (225 Bhp). Gendarmerie has 77 of them (well -1)
They also have two of these older model Evo
http://titi78.chez.com/photos/mondia...darmerie02.jpg
http://titi78.chez.com/photos/mondia...darmerie01.jpg
But they got them for Highway pursuits mostly, which many people argued they are not the best car for this specific role...
What Lancer model is British police getting and what are they using it for?
If it's 225hp I think it's just the WRX model. The STI should be near 280-300hp.
The Evos and STIs in the UK are only used in a few regions around the country. They are generally aimed at stopping drug transporting and persuing stolen cars but they also do a fair bit of general patrolling and normal police work (they are mostly fitted with ANPR cameras so they can instantly pull someone over it the car flashes up as uninsured, untaxed or stolen). There's a good show that's been on for a while here called 'Police interceptors' which shows what they do.
The Evo models they use vary because in the UK we have higher powered versions than the rest of the world (called FQ models), so there are 300, 320, 340, 360 and 400hp models of some Evos. On the police interceptors TV show they use a lower spec detuned 260hp Evo (because apparently they thought it was still quick enough and couldn't justify spending more money) and an Impreza STI (top spec model). But most police forces use the 300hp Evo 8, 9 and 10. There was a picture posted on an Evo owners forum of an unmarked black police Evo with an 'FQ-400' badge on the back, but the police were apparently pretty secretive about it.
They are mostly used in areas with either or both twisty inner-city roads and country lanes for the handling and acceleration. Essex, Yorkshire and South Wales police use them because they found people were taking stolen cars down those roads to lose the standard Volvos and Mondeos. They do a fair bit of work on the main roads and motorways but as you said, they're not really ideal for this and you may as well use a normal police car. Overall they've been pretty successful as they are ideal cars to do the job in any weather and on most roads. It is also said that attempted escapes have been reduced as people recognise the car behind them as fast and don't bother running. But whether it's worth the money of buying, maintaining and repairing them i'm not sure.
I had an Evo 8 stuck behind me in traffic on Friday, the driver with his baseball cap carefully angled to one side, gunning his engine hard as he could while we crawled along to the motorway onramp. Once we hit the ramp, he floored it and zoomed off at 140 or so leaving the biggest cloud of black smoke I have seen from any non-diesel. Of course 2 minutes later he hit the rush hour traffic and we both got off at the same offramp about 4 cars apart. I did think of Gypsum though, and hoped his Evo had a better looked after engine.
I was going to buy an STi until I got hit the other day with an unwanted and unexpected $33K bill. That's kind of ruined that idea for a year or three.
Thanks for the detailed info Gypsum.
Sounds like your police make a better use of them than the Gendarmes.
You are right about maintenance costs. I heard Gendarmerie budget went through the roof when they switched to WRX. But they were expecting it.
They also give strict instructions that they are not allowed "have fun" with the cars whatsoever. They can only "floor it" while on pursuit and such.
My engine is lovely, thank you. I think owning such cars has a certain level of natural selection to it. People who drive like morons will either die, get banned, destroy their car or at best be unable to afford the insurance. So guys like your cap-wearing friend tend not to hold on to their cars for too long. (Rabbit decapitations and gearbox explosions do not count.)
One thing though, if you think some drivers are cocks now, wait until you start driving an STi or similar car. Everybody wanting to race you in their ****ty little shopping cars and driving like maniacs to prove their manhood can quickly get irritating.
Yeah, I know in the UK Evo's are pretty rare. Here they get imported in bulk second hand from Japan, so every knob with a $20K bank loan can buy one. Same with WRX and Nissan Godzilla's.
Mitsi's in this country have two states:
Brand new and shiny and pretty; then they instantly go to state twoL
Unwashed, unmaintained and covered in primer where they hit a fence/pole/other car.
There seems to be no inbetween state at all.
As for driving an STi, well it ain't happening soon anymore that's for sure. I will continue to drive my 1.5 litre Impreza, where I have to book time in my calendar for acceleration.
Here (Toowoomba) plod has an unmarked XR6 turbo falcon utility, a 300C and various other unmarked stuff. They goad people into traffic light races then they pinch them. All of the 'hot' models are used for revenue raising with radar and such.
And what does she use that car for??
I really hate those cars, they are useless, all they do is take lots of space for no apparent reason.
Cant see **** what is in front of that car or when i am beside that car trying to turn left at a round about i cant see **** because of cars like that.
those cars really piss me off.
Last edited by Annihilator9112; 04-04-2009 at 11:30 PM.
. . . wat?
For an Aussie, you make a lot of sense.
- those cars piss me off
- those cars are big and useless for their size
- i hate them
does that make more sense??
I'm inclined to agree with you, mate. I would bundle all SUV-type vehicles into that pile - RAV4, Kluger, LandCruiser, Territory, Pajero, Patrol, Prado, Toureg, etc. They cost more to maintain (tyres, etc.) they are hard to see around, etc. Fair enough, if you need a 4x4 type vehicle because of where you live out in the bush or something but for city folk?
Where is the welder... I need to reseal a can of worms.
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