After years of being America's police car, Ford is discontinuing the model after 2011.

Richmond and Columbia county law enforcement agencies still haven't determined what its replacement will be.

Currently, there are three options: the Dodge Charger Pursuit, the Chevrolet Caprice Police Pursuit Vehicle or Ford's replacement option, a Taurus-based model.

Whatever it is, it has huge shoes to fill.

"The Crown Victoria is bulletproof," said Clayton Galloway, Columbia County's fleet manager. "It can be rode hard and put up wet. They're just like the Energizer Bunny. They just keep on running."

Ron Crowden, Richmond County's fleet manager, has seen deputies walk away from accidents of a "catastrophic nature" in the vehicles.

"From what I know, in any other car they would have been dead," Crowden said.

He is concerned about "operational anxiety" for officers in the new vehicles that haven't demonstrated the Crown Victoria's safety record.

Richmond and Columbia County typically retire their vehicles after four or five years or 125,000 miles, but they have seen the old reliables cruising on for second-duty police work without problems at up to 180,000 miles.

Columbia County started adding Dodge Chargers to its fleet several years ago in anticipation of the end of Crown Victoria, according to Capt. Steve Morris.

Although they have been "reliable performers," the county is still keeping its options open.

Crowden said his experience has shown that the Charger's replacement parts are "pretty pricey" compared to the Crown Victoria's.

Richmond County paid $27,000 for a fully outfitted Crown Victoria in 2010.

The Charger has been estimated at $24,000 and the Caprice at $28,000, both before emergency equipment, which can total up to $4,000, Crowden said.

Pricing has not yet been made available for Ford's new Taurus-based model

With the price of gas climbing and budgets shrinking, agencies know it's imperative to choose a model that will be not only the safest but also the most cost-effective to operate.

Richmond County currently receives funding to replace 40 vehicles out of the nearly 500 in all the divisions of the sheriff's office every year.

Columbia County is planning to replace 26 out of the 200 patrol vehicles after the new fiscal year begins in July, according to Pam Tucker, the emergency management director.

Neither agency can afford to cut its numbers.

Columbia County has already tested the Caprice but is still waiting to try out its final option.

Richmond County sheriff's Maj. Richard Weaver said he's planning a test-driving trip in May.

Because there will already be a change, Crowden said he's also using the time to urge the sheriff to invest in a few 4-by-4 vehicles for snow days and off-road use.