That's true. Now take the value of a free trash picker and compare that against what we pay for incarceration for 5 years + the cost of the car. One is way more expensive. I'm not even against someone having to pay for the car a few dollars for the rest of their life. But you're not getting repayment for the car while someone is in prison.

It's a deterrent for the next person that thinks about torching a police car

Very unlikely tbh, but let her work an pay it of would certainly also have that effect if it gets a bit media attention.

I don't live in the US but I know someone who spray painted trains at night for a few year. That eventually did cost him a decent car. Obviously not as much as he caused damage over the years but enough to make some teens think twice whether a nice car or temporary colored train are their short term goals.

Is it though? I’m willing to bet she put zero thought into the consequences of her actions before she (allegedly) picked up the burning piece of wood and stuck it in the back of a cop car.

If she knew what the cost was, I'd guess she wouldn't make the same mistake. In the same way we don't punish people for the crimes of their parents, should we then punish people for crimes yet to be committed?