Best News Cars

[Guy Critique]

Serious question- What is the best, longest running, practical news car out there today.
Currently we have a fleet of Ford Windstars, Explorers, a Taurus and a Lumina. We had bad luck with Chrysler mini vans and Chevy Blazers. I have bought Crown Victoria's but those were for warmer climates. I have heard that Chevy Astro 4X4 vans work well, but do they last?
Let me know!
Dave Wertheimer
Photojournalism Manager
KSTP-TV

 

[kfatica]

Considering where you live, I might recommend Ford Explorers. We have a mix of Crown Vics, Grand Marqs and a couple Explorers for our guys that live in more remote areas in the Ohio Snow Belt.

I've managed to get along fine with my Crown Vic and I believe there is more room in the trunk for gear, but the Explorer does provide 4WD; a bonus for rugged terrain, mud and deep snow.

I had a Windstar and loved it. I removed the center aisle seat and used that section for easy-to-grab gear. It was fine in winter, too, but was like a sailboat on wheels when it got windy.

Good luck, Dave!

All the best,
Kim.

 

[mknisely]

DW,
We are currently in the same situation and are looking for at the Nissan Xtera 4x4 with power package. The cubic feet is comparable to the Ford Explorer and plus at fleet prices they run around 19,000 and is a nice ride. I'm with you on the Crown Vics though! Hope all is well.

Peace,
Matt

 

[PhrozenPhoto]

I don't know what your budget is looking like, or what they run fleet price, but the Chevy Tahoe might be worth looking at, I believe you can get the police package (ie heavy duty battery, custom wiring if you want to run juice to the back of the truck etc. I know they are probably at the upper end of any budget, but I think they would last a little longer than some of the other ones out there.

I have a 2000 Explorer now, and I have mixed reactions with it. It has already gone through a set of brakes, I need to replace the serpantine belt, the passenger side door had some really odd problem where it wouldn't really close correctly... and it has always made an odd hum in the winter when the engine "passes" through a certain temperature range. Ours are the 2 door Sport model, which are OK, I'd like to have the additional doors, but I got used to not having them pretty quick.

Good luck, don't know what your budget is, I also know one of the crosstown station has a mix of Jeep Grand Cherokees and now the new Trailblazers... those guys seem to like both of those rides better than the Explorers they previously had.

 

[2gigch1]

... and it has always made an odd hum in the winter when the engine "passes" through a certain temperature range.

Ahhhhh, the Ford Whoooooooooooooooooooooo!

Its normal, if not sad...

 

[Amanda Hugankiss]

Ive had everything at one point or the other currently driving a trail blazer which rides really nice $30,000 with tax not enough room for my liking I would say my favorite would be the windstar its not real macho which doesnt bother me but bothers some...I love to be able to carry tons of extras thats why the grocery getter/catholic cruzer gets my vote...

 

[amp]

I'm happy as long as it's not a Ford Escort Wagon. They are HORRIBLE! I killed two in one week covering a hurricane. My favorite news unit ever was a Toyota 4-runner, followed closely by ANY minivan. Yeah, they look like a mom-vehicle, but you can carry a ton of gear in them.

 

[flipflops]

At the station i am at we have a couple of Honda CRV's. I think they are the perfect news vehicle. They are very spacious, I like the way the back swings open sideways instead of the glass and the gate sepparate. Since we all always eat on the go, it has the perfect center council. And it's a Honda, it goes high miles and gets good gas milage, especialy for and suv. It also has automatic four wheel drive and gets around no problem here in Northern MN.

 

[Currentchief]

We currently have four different cars:

- Ford Escorts- slowly being replaced. They fell apart.

- Jeep Cherokees- Much loved, but not made anymore.

- Ford Escapes- Really zippy- My photogs like 'em.

- Suzuki XL-7- We have two of these. One is mine and I really like it alot, plenty of room, comfortable and well-built.

The other stations have 4runners, Highlanders and RAV4s. This raises an interesting discussion about buying American, but that's another topic for another time.

BTW, I'm no longer a formerchief, I am again a current chief, but I can't change the name.

 

[Tx]

Check out the Chevy Tahoe municipal package.Its the same thing the police buy. It comes with rubber flooring which is very easy to clean.Dual batteries under the hood.They give you a power drop into your passenger side,which has two power leads straight to the battery,and two thru the ignition,plus two ground wires. No center console which is nice for a custom radio bracket.The back of the truck has enough room for your gear. We mounted a new camera cage box in the back,and still had plenty of room left.You can have several choice`s on engine size. It does come with two doors in the back,no hatch back I was told. Thats one thing I would change if I could. Just for the rain. I mounted a 1200 watt inverter behind the back seat which works very well for lights and a battery charger.Then I mounted a cage between the back to keep things from flying foward. Special film on the windows to keep the bad guys out,and cages on the back windows.I took out the largest part of the back seat out to have more room for gear.As of yet no problems with the truck,and Im at 44k miles. Im sure Ford has something like this. Houston police use Ford expedition. Let me know if you would like to see some pictures.Good luck, Wally Crow/KPRC-TV

 

[Fisher]

Wally... post some pics. I would like to check out some of your modifications.

Charles Fisher
General Assignments Photojournalist
KXAN-TV

 

[shooter k]

Dave,

I'm not a chief, but I play one on tv... but seriously, I'm just a photog.. Anyway, our station has 3 Suburu Legacy's along with several Jeep Cherokees and a Toyota 4Runner and the new Jeep Eagle(I think that's the name of it). Getting to the point... I currently drive one of the Suburu's and find it to be a great ride. Compared to the Jeep's and the 4Runner, there is more room for gear in the back because it is a station wagon. It handled great this past winter(It's all-wheel drive.). It currently has over 110,000 miles and runs great.

Just a thought for you to ponder over.

Greg

 

[Cambot Mk. II]

Anybody have any experience with the Jeep Liberty?

 

[2gigch1]

Our pilot has one as a personal vehicle; a nice ride until the main wiring harness fried and put the car out for two weeks' of repairs, still don't know why.

Fortunately he had about 30 miles left on the warrenty....

 

[cameragod]

As a freelancer who has to run his own car I went with the Subaru Legacy. Value for money an amazing car. I send most of my time on tarseal but 4X4 enough when I need to go off road it will get me there. 200,000 K’s so far and the service bill is under $3,000. It is still a “tight” and comfortable ride. Next time I might go for a Subaru Outback for the higher ground clearance but I recommend them.

 

[DERF]

Here a new one for your list. A vehicle that has incredible interior space for passengers and more than plenty of storage space for those of us that carry a ton of gear. Good gas milage in town and on the highway. Comfortable driving in town and on the highway. Great wheel-base and ground hight and the ability to go off road. Are you ready? The Pontiac Aztec. We have two of them and the two guys that drive them love them. One is 6'6" and the other is 6'2" and they love the head and leg room and the travel comfort. And beleive it or not it actually looks good logo'd up (and we use a lot of logos). If you are looking for a really all-around vehicle laugh first and then check it out and don't be surprised if you decide to buy a few.

DERF

 

[dinosaur]

There is no better news car than this:

 

[micaelb]

I would second the vote for the Aztek, I have one as a family car and love it. Lots of room, economical for an SUV and it has 3 12v outlets, or at least mine does. It also has an air compressor so you can inflate stuff.....how often does that come up?
It has a real tailgate too, one you can sit on, with cupholders. If you've worked with a truck with a tailgate you know how handy it can be.
The bad news, I'm pretty sure that Pontiac has stopped making these or will stop in the near future.
Another SUV to look at is the Saturn VUE. We did get 2 of those and so far so good. Again, economical and the dent resistant panels have already paid off.

 

[PC148]

I would like to suggest a subaru outback or impreza. They are all wheel drive without that 4x4 insurance cost. No need for snow chains. If you get the wagon models there would be plenty of room in back. A little pricey though.

 

[texshooter]

What management would buy if they thought it would save money.

(Sorry, but I thought I would have some fun for my 100th post)