My Spy Car: Part 1: Let's start with the car itself.

[sirkai007]

So I've been pondering on what I could do if I had oodles and gobs of cash. I've settled on a "Spy car" because everything else seems to be somehow less fun.

So here are some guidelines for this.
First, I want this to be something that is possible with current real world tech. No cars that are fueled by the souls of the damned, no lightsabers, nothing that doesn't exist or couldn't be easily made as of October 2010.

Second, back up your suggestions with some evidence of practicality and value. Why would you want to put a particular weapon on over another?

So Let's start with the car itself. I want something with good handling. A good suspension and All Wheel Drive are certainly a must in my opinion. My thoughts are leaning towards a Subaru Impreza WRX. That may not be the best because my knowledge doesn't lie in cars but rather guns.

I turn it over to you. What would you choose to turn into my spy car?

 

[DefunctTheory]

The function of a spy is to be sneaky. So your car should be sneaky as well.

Therefor, screw the Impreza. Go with a Chevy Impala with a supercharged Interceptor engine (I believe the compression requires a Super charger... I could be wrong and it needs a turbo) and suspension. It may not be as fast and quick as a turbo'ed Impreza, but it will be tougher, a bit heavier, and has more space for the gadgets you will undoubtedly jam in the thing. That, and have you SEEN how many Impalas are out there? No one will notice you.

As for weapons... extensive testing has proved that vehicle mounted weapons on civilian models is... a bad idea. Either their too small caliber to make a difference, or require such radical redesign that everyone and their mother will know you've got something packing (Again, this is a SPY car). Your best shot is a buddy in the passenger seat with a sub machine gun.

Sorry to be a spoil sport, but you DO want this to be realistic, right?

 

[TheRightToArmBears]

I'd have an Aston Martin, just so the bad guys would think "Oh no he didn't" before the grill-mounted machine gun turrets shoot them down.

That or Austin Powers' Union Jack livery Jag E type.

 

[sirkai007]

I do think there are options available but I'd like to save that for later. And have there really been EXTENSIVE tests of weapons mounted on civilian vehicles?

 

[DefunctTheory]

I do think there are options available but I'd like to save that for later. And have there really been EXTENSIVE tests of weapons mounted on civilian vehicles?

Yeah.

Look at it this way: the lightest, most commonly used US military combat vehicle for the last decade has been the HMMWV. At full combat strength, with only ONE light machine gun, The M1114 (One of the most recent designs) weighs over 9820 POUNDS, and stands over 8 feet tall. And it STILL can't compare to the 'James Bond' cars you are undoubtedly wishing for.

And incase your wondering why you can't jam weapons into civilian vehicles, its a matter of space (Where are you going to put it where no one can see it), structural support (What can I strap it to that wont collapse during , before, or after firing), and safety (Will it blow up and kill me). Name one place in any care where you would put explosives and feel safe during a chase.

 

[L4hlborg]

The point of spying is to spy. Which kinda involves not attracting too much attention. Which means expensive looking cars with tinted windows are out of the question.

What we want is something relatively cheap, something your average citizen could afford. You don't want anybody stopping to stare at your car. Then you modify the car so, that it can actually get away from something. Also bullet proof glass wouldn't be such a bad idea either.

Not too many visible weapons either. You probably would want to have something to shoot people with inside, so maybe a small armory, containing some basic weaponry and explosives, hidden under your backseat. You also want a small computer to send stuff with. Maybe in the glove compartment.

 

[Vampire cat]

I agree with some previous statements. The Toyota Hilux. My uncle has one, it's very very robust and steady, the engine (at least in this one) is very powerful, and for a spy-car it can be upgraded anyway. 4WD, tough suspension and high ground-clearing. Armor-plate it, bullet-proof glas and puncture-proof wheels. Then build an HMG into the engine-bay itself (making it so that it fits in together with the engine), have a remote trigger on the steering wheel. Couple of AT-4's in the back for those nasty situations, some hi-tech navigation stuff, a gun-rack, box of grenades and a cup-holder and your ready to go ^^-

 

[Geekosaurus]

Big Fords and Chevys? This thing has to have movable front wheels. It's not really a spy car unless it's an Aston Martin, but I sense that might be a biased view that's been slowly hammered into me over my life time.

Besides, if you really were a spy, having a ridiculous car would just draw attention to yourself. If you wanted to remain anonymous you'd probably be better off with a Mondeo.

As for weapons, rocket launchers and machine guns are probably a little far-fetched. Possible, yes. But practical? You can't rocket a car on the motorway and make it look like an accident. You'd want GPS and mobile phone jammers, your own independent GPS and computer system, a weapons cache, armour plating, performance tuning, and if worse comes to worst, an EMP. They can't escape that.

And revolving number plates. ^.^

 

[blind_dead_mcjones]

i also agree with some of the previous statements, anything big and loud (which means pretty much anything american or australian, sorry but thems the brakes) is out of the question as being inconspicuous is the key, to which i suggest...a 20 year old volvo, those things are made from the same material black box flight recorders are made of, and can run on the smell of an oily rag

also, no weapons, the idea being spying is surveilance, and to avoid confrontation, the only modification i would suggest is to fit the hydropneumatic suspension system used on the citroen DS, that way even with 2 flat tires you could maintain reasonable control of the vehicle (fanfact: this very feature of the citroen DS' suspension saved charles du gaule's life from a would be assassin)