TOP 5 REASONS THE NYPD SHOULD AND SHOULD NOT SWITCH FROM THE FORD CROWN VICTORIA TO THE NISSAN ALTIMA HYBRID

Reports from the New York Post declare "getting arrested" in New York City "will soon be good for the environment". Of course, they're not serious about that part. But, the New York Police Department, which you may know as the NYPD, is going to begin a pilot project wiht 40 Nissan Altima Hybrids, vehicles which are built in Tennessee by the French/Japanese conglomerate of Nissan-Renault. The Good Car Guy has delved into police issues before (more about which you ought to read) but this is a serious development, one which merits a closer look. 

In true Tuesday fashion then, keep reading for the Top 5 Reasons To Switch Police Crown Victorias To Altima Hybrids and the Top 5 Reasons Not To Switch Crown Victorias To Altima Hybrids. Keep in mind, the NYPD has some hybrids in its fleet of 3,000+ cars. These new Altima Hybrids are intended for genuine police duty, however, not as parking enforcement vehicles or for duty captains.

TOP 5 REASONS TO SWITCH TO THE NISSAN ALTIMA HYBRID

#5 - Carbon Motors says the average fully-equipped police car package works out to $55,000. The NYPD is paying Nissan $25,595 - $30,752 for these Altima Hybrids.

#4 - Cops can say what they want about some strange love/hate relationship with the rear-wheel drive Crown Victoria - nobody can deny a front-wheel drive Altima Hybrid will be better in the snow and slush.

#3 - The IIHS rates the Ford Crown Victoria as "marginal" in side and rear impacts. The Altima is rated one better in rear impacts (acceptable) and two better in side impacts (good).

#2 - At 189.8 inches long, the Altima is almost two feet shorter than the Crown Victoria. Don't tell me that ain't more maneuverable.

#1 - NYPD vehicles must be capable of running 24/7 in New York City. That's c-i-t-y, a place where the Altima Hybrid should achieve somewhere close to 35mpg, more than twice the efficiency of a Crown Vic in the city.

TOP 5 REASONS NOT TO SWITCH TO THE NISSAN ALTIMA HYBRID

#5 - Sure, so Ford Crown Victoria Interceptors aren't the coolest car for a tough cop to step out of; but an Altima Hybrid? All of a sudden, the NYPD doesn't look quite so menacing.

#4 - Audatex has found that hybrids cost more to repair than conventional vehicles. Not mentioning the Altima specifically, the study shows the Toyota Prius costs 8.4% more to repair while the similar-to-Altima Camry Hybrid costs 3.8% more tha a regular Camry.

#3 - With batons, guns, radios, cuffs, spray, and a winter jacket, cops surely enjoy the 5 extra inches of shoulder room available in the Crown Victoria.

#2 - Sometimes. police personnel find themselves irritated with arrestees. Having them bump their knees into the back of your Altima's seat because of the 4 inches of legroom they've lost won't help tone down the irritation.

#1 - Rushing into the Altima Hybrid when a more distinctly made-in-America solution, the Ford Fusion Hybrid, a roomier and more fuel efficient alternative, will be available with the 2010 model year seems unnecessary.