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Crown Vic Police Interceptor- What do you think about them?

#44
Well, I worked for Ford at the St. Thomas Assembly plant in the late 80's. This is the only plant these cars were and have been assembled at. We built the Crown Vic and the Mercury Marquise. (PS... this plant is rumoured to be closed on 2011!)
The assembly line on a typical day was every forth car on the line, was either a Cop car or a taxi. The Cop cars had heavy duty suspension, more powerful engine and transmission, special order tires and probably a few other bells and whistles I can't recall anymore.
They are I believe the last car Ford makes that is based on a frame, rather than a uni-body. They are also one of the few cars Ford still makes that has rear wheel drive.
They have proven to be work horses for commercial users. As some have mentioned, you could drag around as much in that trunk as you could in a small truck... and yes, Cops think your a cop when they see you driving one.
If your not an experienced driver, I would not look at the Crown Vic, given your climate issues and the significant difference driving a rear wheel drive vehicle in the snow, vs front wheel drive.
Personally, it's not for me anyway, about looks... it's about reliability and the vehicles ability to meet my demands of it. Will it carry what I need? Do I have room to park it? These are the questions I would ask myself when considering a vehicle.
I bet your Mom would like you in a crown Vic, simply because of all the metal it will surround you with... bigger is sometimes better.
Fishheadjoe
 
#45
Fishheadjoe said:
Well, I worked for Ford at the St. Thomas Assembly plant in the late 80's. This is the only plant these cars were and have been assembled at. We built the Crown Vic and the Mercury Marquise. (PS... this plant is rumoured to be closed on 2011!)
The assembly line on a typical day was every forth car on the line, was either a Cop car or a taxi. The Cop cars had heavy duty suspension, more powerful engine and transmission, special order tires and probably a few other bells and whistles I can't recall anymore.
They are I believe the last car Ford makes that is based on a frame, rather than a uni-body. They are also one of the few cars Ford still makes that has rear wheel drive.
They have proven to be work horses for commercial users. As some have mentioned, you could drag around as much in that trunk as you could in a small truck... and yes, Cops think your a cop when they see you driving one.
If your not an experienced driver, I would not look at the Crown Vic, given your climate issues and the significant difference driving a rear wheel drive vehicle in the snow, vs front wheel drive.
Personally, it's not for me anyway, about looks... it's about reliability and the vehicles ability to meet my demands of it. Will it carry what I need? Do I have room to park it? These are the questions I would ask myself when considering a vehicle.
I bet your Mom would like you in a crown Vic, simply because of all the metal it will surround you with... bigger is sometimes better.
Fishheadjoe
Click to expand...

I thought they announced another car for St Thomas, so that it would be open for good.

lowsound
 
#46
greekorican said:
The fact that the cars are surprisingly young, despite having lots of miles on them is what caught my attention. I've always heard that crown vics are tough as nails and that they are made to last. I thought it might be a great deal for the price. I've also heard that Canadians love them, because they are great for the winter, though my dad says its because snow tires are legal in canada, and that they probably don't do as well in the US.
Click to expand...

Sorry for the offtopic but I got to ask about this. I've always wondered why so many americans say that you need a 4x4 for winter conditions until I saw this. Snow tires illegal?? WHY???? I know they eat the road but that's why you change to summer tires when winter is over.. I'm not trying to be provocative but it makes no sense and seems like it would lead to unnecessary accidents. Or is it just some states that don't get that much snow? Do people in the rocky mountains have to get along with summer tires in the winter? I know that a 4x4 is better but I've been driving a 2wd all my life and never have I been stuck or had any real problems steering even though the winter conditions get quite tricky over here.
 
#47
Thing to remember about any ex-patrol car is that they spend a lot of time idling - like 3 or 4 times as much as any standard passenger car. A police vehicle with 70,000 miles on it has been idling at traffic stops and various events for as much time as a mom and pop car with 250,000 miles or more on it. That's not all bad, as it means the car has been thoroughly warmed up every time it has been driven, but it does add up to more engine wear.

That said, the transmission is often the weak point. They get slammed around a LOT. If you want to buy one, have a mechanic check it with particular attention to the transmission.

I still think you should be looking at a small to mid-size SUV. Resale values are down, and you can get them right. There is no reason that your ONLY options should be a Crown Vic or a truck. A pickup is worthless for what you want to do...don't even consider it.

The issue about snow tires is mis-characterized above. AFAIK snow tires are legal in all states. It's studded tires that aren't legal in all places, because the studs accelerate pavement wear. Studs don't do anything for you except on ice in any case.
 
#48
My brother actually bought one of cheezewiz's ex 95 crown vics. He had it about 10 years, never even changed the oil I don't think. He changed a tire once, when the valve stem rotted out. He only sold it since he didn't feel like replacing the passenger window....it broke after using a shovel for an ice scraper.

I still see it out and about, and to this day he regrets selling it.
 
#50
A bow bow

Heere odda hilldidda hildhiruhah
Juuuyr adda hilldadida jigguwah
Hieere odda hittomamma jizzowazzah
Hoow bawlda hiwowiwa hiwiwah
Heere odda hilldeninne hilldennine
Hiiire odda hillimoney hilluwowahwah
Dwiire odda higgunama shuppobup
Deare odda hildumama hithuivha
Puurr onna hillimona hillduwiva

..Mmmm… Do that again!

Bow bow bow…

Heere odda hilldunonne Hiduwippa
Tearrr outta numbanumba numbadaba
Luurre odna hithumama chigowazzah
Hiirre udda hithooupee hithuippa
Feure udda Heyynonne hithuipha
Daarr onna hilloonumme hithuomma
Feure ofthe Heyynomme hinuimma
Du-ur udda hauathuama hithua
Hiiire odda hithoomumme hithuim

Have you ever heard of a wish sandwich? A wish sandwich is the kind of a sandwich where you have two slices of bread and you, hee hee hee, wish you had some meat...

Bow bow bow...

Heere odda hithunomme hithuipha
Eaarr odda hithunahmah himoowah
Baare odda nummanumma numballama
Daahr udda hilunomme hidoyohwah
Dooyr udda Heyynomme hithuipha
Sheer udda hidunomme hithua
Tiire udda hidanumme hithuwahwah
Huoy momma hommamomma shubowuppa
Bayy momma boyit momma bubbowah


Hmmm... the other day I had a ricochet biscuit. a ricochet biscuit is the kind of a biscuit thats supposed to bounce back off the wall into your mouth. if it dont bounce back... heeheehee you go hungry!

Bow bow bow...

Hearr odda henunomme hithuipha
Huoy momma hommamomma shupabobba
Baerr odda Heyynomma kithuopha
Daire odda himmonomma shipowubba
Kool odda Heyynomma jiggowazzah
Hiire odda henunomma jiggowah
Haar odda hinunimme hithuipha
Bayr odda henunomme hithuiph
Shove bubba bom bubbashuppa bom

Hmmmm... the other day I had a cool water sandwich and a sunday-go-to-meetin bun...

Bow bow bow...

Heere udda hidunonne githuwatha
Diire odda Heyynomme hithuwah
Huoy momma hummamomma shipobobba
Duoy dada Heyydaddadadda dang
Bayy bobba boyit bobbabobba booah
Huoy rodda hittomomma hittobobba
Daree odda Heyynonna hithuitha
Hiire odda henunonna hidduah
Hiire olda hildumomma hidduawah

Huuy ronna Hommumma shuppa bom
Duuy romma Hommbuppa chiggowah
Hiire rodda hinununa Hiduiwithah
Saare odda Laymumma huhmumumah
Heere odda hinunomma Hiduwdth
Heere odda Hullnunna Hiduwabbah
Huere momma hummabubba shuppabobbah
Gaare odda Heyynumma chiggowah
Hiiire odda Heyynumma chickoowuthah
Heere odda hillunumme hithuwah
Zuuyl momma Homm momma chippahooah


HmHmHmhm(heeeeh)…. Whaddayou want fuh nothin’. A rrrrrubber biscuit?

Bow Bow OoOooo
 
#51
Haven't driven an interceptor package, but had a late model Crown Vic (oxymoron?) as a rental and it was the most frightening car I've driven in terms of handling. It floated, drifted, and just plain ignored most subtle driving controls. They're called "boats" for a reason. Beefier suspension should help, but the general design of these things is ancient, and there's certainly going to be some more modern options available for the price.
 
#53
2000 CVPI P71 Here. Got ito a hit and run. Front end slammed into a trialer on I-94.

I had no seatbelt on..only got a sore shoulder. replaced, front fender, bumper cover, grille, and header. Car is back to almost new. Trailer?......GONE. Trailer was carrying a 27foot boat...boat took damage as well. Smaller car and I would not be here.

In newish comdition, the PI can out BMW some BMW's. Be prepared to pay cop prices as chocks, springs, tires, exhaust, etc are heavier duty.

Do NOT buy a taxi....with a police car, you can get a detailed report, and most repairs and anything more than normal scheduled maintenance is done at a ford dealership.

Gas mileage aint the best, but you do get a lot of car for the money. Invalid Link Removed
 
#54
Don't go thinking you are bullet proof in a crown vic. Last winter a co-worker of my wife got hit head on by a jerk in a pickup passing a snowplow on the highway. Her co-worker survived but was messed up. His mother, father and sister all died in the wreck - his mother died waiting for the ambulance. He was a 40 something experienced driver on a familiar stretch of road. Physically he is still in a bit of pain, but his mind has not recovered, the dude is still messed up. 4wd didn't save the driver of the pickup either.

Pass on the RWD V8. Get yourself a Cherokee with selectrac, anti lock brakes and air bags.
 
#56
I was talking to a cop at school today about the crown vic police interceptors, and he suggested against it. He explained to me that even though the cars are still pretty young, most police cars will see 2-3 shifts a day. So he drives his car from 7-4ish, and when he gets back to the station, someone takes his car for their shift right away, and sometimes, someone takes it out for another shift after that. He said they literally run 24-7. He did say that they are pretty sweet cars though, and they are tough as nails when they are still in good condition. I'm gonna talk to him some more about them tomorrow. He says the biggest problem is that they are completely beat to hell when you buy them used.

carl h. said:
Don't go thinking you are bullet proof in a crown vic. Last winter a co-worker of my wife got hit head on by a jerk in a pickup passing a snowplow on the highway. Her co-worker survived but was messed up. His mother, father and sister all died in the wreck - his mother died waiting for the ambulance. He was a 40 something experienced driver on a familiar stretch of road. Physically he is still in a bit of pain, but his mind has not recovered, the dude is still messed up. 4wd didn't save the driver of the pickup either.

Pass on the RWD V8. Get yourself a Cherokee with selectrac, anti lock brakes and air bags.
Click to expand...

Well a head on accident with a pickup truck will mess you up in any car. If anything, being in a huge boat like that could have saved the drivers life, the extra size gives some extra material to absorb the impact. 4WD isn't supposed to save you in an accident either, its for traction.

I know vics are kinda archaic, but I love vintage stuff. I have heard lots of good things about a crown vic, and I am a huge fan of big american boats. The fact that they are archaic is not really gonna scare me away. I plan on owning some vintage cars when I can afford it. I'd love to get an old mustang or a camaro, and especially a big ol' caddy. They don't make 'em like they used to, I'm not a fan of the little japanese made cars that they make nowadays. I'd also love to get a car with a stick shift, it would make my car more like an expensive toy. I think I'd love to drive a stick shift, and knowing how to drive stick will be a must when I restore my caddy/mustang/camaro in the future, an automatic in one of those will ruin the vibe.

Chances are, I will not end up getting a CVPI when all is said and done. I do think it would be cool though, if I could find one that is in good condition. Its probably gonna be the most horsepower I could get at this price, and there is something cool about driving a police car. They look pretty badass too, in my opinion, though the ladies definitely won't appreciate it. I don't mean to be racist, but I know that black people love them, atleast in chicago. Black people seem to be the last fans of the big american boats, everyone else loves the little foreign made cars.

chicago_mike said:
2000 CVPI P71 Here. Got ito a hit and run. Front end slammed into a trialer on I-94.

I had no seatbelt on..only got a sore shoulder. replaced, front fender, bumper cover, grille, and header. Car is back to almost new. Trailer?......GONE. Trailer was carrying a 27foot boat...boat took damage as well. Smaller car and I would not be here.

In newish comdition, the PI can out BMW some BMW's. Be prepared to pay cop prices as chocks, springs, tires, exhaust, etc are heavier duty.

Do NOT buy a taxi....with a police car, you can get a detailed report, and most repairs and anything more than normal scheduled maintenance is done at a ford dealership.

Gas mileage aint the best, but you do get a lot of car for the money. Invalid Link Removed
Click to expand...

I'm terrified of getting into an accident on the highway, good to hear that you did ok. I've heard alot about how well they do in accidents, except for the fireball when they get rear ended. Apparantly the new ones come with a fire prevention package in the trunk to put out a fire if the fuel tank gets punctured. Also, I've read that the way the body/frame are made, its a pretty easy fix when you have to any body work. I was talking to one of the guys at a taxi company that shares a parking lot with a LAN center I go to once in a while. He was telling me how reliable and well made crown vics are, especially the frame. This company will buy just the frame from some car that was totaled, and rebuild the car from there. It seemed like a shady company, but he seemed to know what he was talking about.
 
#57
I have considered buying one of those off and on for a few years. Yes they are high-mileage and the cops don't baby them but if you're lucky enough to get a decent one, it should last you and you could tune it to get decent gas mileage. I wouldn't pay more than $500 bucks for one around here. They are rear-wheel drive and man I can't tell you how much I miss having a RWD car. If you feel like looking, try and get an old detective's car. They have the exact same driveline but they don't have all the hard miles and won't have all the stickers and holes for lights that the standard cars have. And you might be able to find one in Black. The trunks in those cars are big enough to haul any bass player's gear that I know of.....short of an 8x10 SVT cab. )=(
 
#58
doktorfeelgood said:
I have considered buying one of those off and on for a few years. Yes they are high-mileage and the cops don't baby them but if you're lucky enough to get a decent one, it should last you and you could tune it to get decent gas mileage. I wouldn't pay more than $500 bucks for one around here. They are rear-wheel drive and man I can't tell you how much I miss having a RWD car. If you feel like looking, try and get an old detective's car. They have the exact same driveline but they don't have all the hard miles and won't have all the stickers and holes for lights that the standard cars have. And you might be able to find one in Black. The trunks in those cars are big enough to haul any bass player's gear that I know of.....short of an 8x10 SVT cab. )=(
Click to expand...

My mom's buick is FWD, and while its kind of a boat (atleast all my friends say its a boat), my dad's RWD truck is definitely much longer. If you have the space, the truck will turn much tighter. I've always heard RWD handles better, except in bad weather, and that FWD has a crappy turn radius alot of times. With the buick, that is definitely the case, a sharp right turn is tough alot of times, I have to stop, and put it in reverse before I can make some turns, when i know that my dad's truck would have made the turn no problem. I do know some people who swear their FWD car can turn on a dime though, so I guess it varies a lot from car to car.
 
#59
If you are really into speed In CT I have peronally seen crown vic R's. It's a supercharged cobra motor (400hp 400tq) thrown into a P71 vic. I saw it when I bought a mustang and my eyes dropped, I had no idea that even existed. Back when I was younger a raced a P71 crown vic(know a cop lol) against my dads marauder and he couldnt keep up with me at all, he gained a bit in top end but thats about it.

Anyway back to reality here your living in Chicago so you have to deal with winter. I would go for something with AWD or 4WD. Maybe a crossover? I used to take speed over comfort but now its the other way.
 
#60
I'm replying to your thread, because I have alot of experience with your subject. I worked at Ford dealers for over 30 years. The Crown Vic, with the 4.6, cop car version is a great car. I have seen them with over 300,000 miles on the orginal engine. Cop cars see alot of maintainence, and parts replacement, however some are driven harder than others. I'd say you could probably even get a copy of the maintainence records of the vehicle from the city garage. 4.6 is a 289cu in. Same as the great old design of Fords, only better. A very good running, low maint. vehicle! Buy one, you'll be happy!

I also can tell you about a Ford crash. February 20th of 2000, I found out I had diabetes, the hard way. I was in a Ford Festiva( another great car, made by Kia, of which our family owned 5 of them) and I fell asleep, crossed the line, and hit a Ford F250 with a snowplow on it, head on. They peeled me out of the car, with the jaws thing, and I got my first helicopter ride. Thank God , the other guy was OK, but I was not. I almost died. After the third day, when I finally could hear people talking to me, they asked me if I knew I had diabetes, I told them no, and the doctor said I was in a diabetic coma, when I hit the other guy. Broke my neck at C2 vert., broke my right arm in two places, and my wrist. 7 ribs were broken, and my left leg was in 67 pieces, that they could count. I spent 3 years in a wheelchair, wore an external fixature halo set-up on my leg for over a year, had 14 surguries,and while I was in the nursing home, my old band mates brought me a new bass, and told me to start playing again. I had plenty of practice time, as I had to re-learn how to use my right picking hand again, as it was in pretty rough shape. I had quit playing for several years, during my heavy racing of the Harleys. Now almost 10 years later, I finally have most of my licks back again. I have a hell of a time getting on and off bar stages though. I have to bring a small ladder, type thing.
I'm so glad when the good Lord lets me wake up every day. I love playing bass. I have spent way too much money on equipment though. My wife gets mad at me, and she's right most of the time. I will be selling off 3 basses real soon.
 

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