I do agree that we as Tax Payers are footing the bill for the "Gas Guzzeling Boats", but I think the differences are neglegible between the models typically used for Police/Municipal Use:
Magnum:
6 cyl, 3.5 L, Auto(4), Regular 19/27
8 cyl, 5.7 L, Auto(5), Regular 17/25
Crown Victoria:
8 cyl, 4.6 L, Auto(4), Regular 18/25
Impala:
6 cyl, 3.8 L, Auto(4), Regular 20/30
Granted all of the statistics are from
www.fueleconomy.gov, but they are level, fair and from the same source. I'd want the Police to have a fairly level playing field when it came to HP, general vehicle mass, and capability. Without these I don't think it is fair to Law Enforcement officers to question safety over fuel consumption. I have several good friends that are Police Officers (one in a CV, and the other in an Impala) and wouldn't want to see them in any other vehicle, and I don't think the Stratus is up to the task for equipment and officer space...let alone if defensive measure have to be used.
I'm not bashing smaller cars, but we also have to realize that there are many pieces of equipment - Mobile Data Terminals/Laptops, Radio, Siren Controller, Light Controller, Camera, Radar to name a few -that have to occupy the same space for day to day use.
But that's my $.02
Tom