Ford Crown Victoria - advice/opinions

[g3org3y]

My housemate is very keen to invest in one of these, specifially one in Police 'persuit spec' complete with black/white paint job, decals, lights etc.

My understanding of these is that they are a 4.6 litre V8 (16 valve, SOHC). Neither quick (heavy), nor economical and I suspect a damn sight more expensive to run than his current car (Volvo estate 2.4 diesel).

He's looking at a 2009-2010 example.

Any ideas in terms of estimated costs for:
- purchase
- genuine running costs

Also any advice in terms of:
- where to purchase from
- where to service

I'm assuming expensive parts (US specific) and not much more than 15mpg in town.

Opinions/experiences gladly appreciated so I can pass on.

[g3org3y]

tuffer said:

I can only imagine that the Police spec ones have serious modifications to the suspension

That's what my housemate has been quoted.

Apparently (iirc):
- persuit tyres (runflats which can run to 100mph allegedly)
- Reworked suspension (not sure what/how)
- bullet proof bodywork
- not sure if any engine mods
- car will have decals/paint + lightbar, PA system etc

I think the mods take it up to 2 tonnes!

Ballpark figures being quoted are in the region of 13-15k for a ready to go fully loaded examples.

Are suspension components shared with other Ford models (and thus available from UK dealer) or will it be import parts only?

[g3org3y]

Just come across this useful thread

Seems like a waste of money to get the 'premium' police spec version. Lots of extra cash for not much actual useful stuff.

Perhaps better to buy a regular example and get it wrapped with the police colours/decals and add the light bar?

zubair said:

My friend has very good ford crown victoria P171 for sale it on ebay at the moment item no 230815578051 the best one are 03 to 07.the parts for these carsare very cheap the 4.6 v8 is the best engine out there .

Who supplies parts for such cars?

[g3org3y]

Matt Harper said:

P71 "Police Interceptor" is nothing like as trick as many make it out to be.
Motor is boggo 4.6 modular + C4 column shift (and a bit puny for a car of this size). Has an oil cooler and trans cooler though.

Suspension is still dire, but has larger poly-bushed sway bars and 'heavy duty' shocks. Steel wheels and slightly more cooling efficient brake discs. Good Year 'police spec' non-run-flat tires.

Interior is carpetless and pleather and invariably smells of puke and piss. Perp-screen severely limits otherwise good rear legroom.

Underpinnings shared with Mercury Grand Marquis and (partially) Lincoln Town Car.

I just do not get the PH allure of this car.

I didn't expect it to be (technically) any good, especially compared with other equivalent Europeans.

Independent rear suspension or not? Column shift I assume is (4 speed)) auto?

Seems like a better option is a visually tarted up standard model?

Mpg is potentially scary (with no actual trade off of good performance!).

[g3org3y]

zubair said:

What makes a euro car superior i hear and read about it everwhere do they have a better engine better transmission or a better rear axle better components or they better engineered i really would like to know because in my own experiance most of them are preety ste.

All of the above. HTH

[g3org3y]

Thanks Roo, v helpful.

[g3org3y]

300bhp/ton said:

To an extent I agree and can see the point. But what you need to remember is most Brits in the UK have probably never even driven a V8 powered vehicle, let alone owned one. And if they have its likely to have been a wheezy Range Rover or Discovery. Also the average Brit won't likely have owned or driven anything bigger than a Focus. So a large rwd V8 powered yank appeals on those levels alone. And while for you or anyone in America they are a common regular sight, in the UK they are rarer than supercars.

And if you go for. Non Police example you actually end up with a large well equipped semi luxury car too that likely rides a lot better than your average SEAT Ibiza.

Or you could go for an E39 540i (only 2-3k) and get something that is:
- faster
- more economical
- better handling
- not floaty as fk
- better interior
- more to service/fix however

I suspect the novelty of the US tank would wear off very quickly.

[g3org3y]

g3org3y said:

Or you could go for an E38 740i (only 2-3k) and get something that is:
- faster
- more economical
- better handling
- not floaty as fk
- better interior
- more to service/fix however

I suspect the novelty of the US tank would wear off very quickly.

There you go

As a second hand buy, imvho there's not a huge amount to recommend the Ford over the 5er or 7er in the 2-5k second hand market bracket except the novelty. I suspect the fuel bills in a 4.6 litre V8 mated to a 4 speed auto are on the scary side.

Engine easy to work on for routine servicing?

Anyway, we digress. Seems to me the P71 spec isn't worth the (heavy) premium. Better to go for the standard model and wrap it in police colours/decals and add bits as required.

I've linked this thread to my housemate (Hi Louis! ), hope it has been informative!