Ford Crown Victoria - advice/opinions
Discussion
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SheriffAds said:
I don't see why you would want a P71 otherwise...
P71 has lots of goodies including dual exhaust system (somewhat more power), more usable rear drive ratio, limited slip differential, stronger frame and suspension, stronger brakes.At least for me, these were pretty good reasons to choose a P71.
optimal909 said:
P71 has lots of goodies including dual exhaust system (somewhat more power), more usable rear drive ratio, limited slip differential, stronger frame and suspension, stronger brakes.
At least for me, these were pretty good reasons to choose a P71.
All good points but then it also lacks a lot of comforts. You get more in general on a Mercury Marauder and they shift very well At least for me, these were pretty good reasons to choose a P71.
SheriffAds said:
All good points but then it also lacks a lot of comforts. You get more in general on a Mercury Marauder and they shift very well
But those are pretty rare and damn expensive. I wanted a good compromise and also I'd fear those rear air suspensions... the P71 still rides well by European standards, although the chassis gets alive with speed - when slow it can be a bit unsettled. In any case, it corners quite good and with less body roll than expected.
Having said that, I admit that the sofa-on-wheels feeling must be fantastic!
I thought it could be time for an update what has been and being done on the car.
I expected the first year to be like going through all the neglected bits, most of these are necessary as the car spent years in a rustbelt backyard – I want this car to be a bullet-proof daily driver afterall.
Done:
- engine/transmission/lsd oil change, coolant change, obviously with bits like oil filter (a pleasant surprise was, that it is the very same part number as for my Mondeo V6)
- new water pump, belt and tensioner
- renewing the the starter which has failed shortly afterwards the car arrived
- another oil change as I’ve already covered 5000 miles
- cleaning the brakes to stop squealing, cleaning the secondaries which caused stalling
- cleaning the frame and adding some kind of plastic-based coating (now again in the workshop to fix the stone chips and other parts where the coating didn't hold)
Planned:
- new steering column as the old one is rusty and I definitely don’t want it to fail on me
- renewing the alternator as it doesn’t spin as freely as it should
- new camshaft position sensor as the old one is sending check engine signal since I’ve had that stalling problem
- new front suspension bushings (there are no suspension noises, but these items look quite worn)
- will order renewed police steel rims, also I will get another set of plastic caps
- new set of winter/summer tyres, these all-weather ones are a bit hapless
- finally it will need a round at the body shop
- oh, I almost forgot the 30 $ Walmart center console that needs to be put into the car and the missing police interceptor badge
Quite a long list, but luckily costs can be kept down here in Hungary!
I expected the first year to be like going through all the neglected bits, most of these are necessary as the car spent years in a rustbelt backyard – I want this car to be a bullet-proof daily driver afterall.
Done:
- engine/transmission/lsd oil change, coolant change, obviously with bits like oil filter (a pleasant surprise was, that it is the very same part number as for my Mondeo V6)
- new water pump, belt and tensioner
- renewing the the starter which has failed shortly afterwards the car arrived
- another oil change as I’ve already covered 5000 miles
- cleaning the brakes to stop squealing, cleaning the secondaries which caused stalling
- cleaning the frame and adding some kind of plastic-based coating (now again in the workshop to fix the stone chips and other parts where the coating didn't hold)
Planned:
- new steering column as the old one is rusty and I definitely don’t want it to fail on me
- renewing the alternator as it doesn’t spin as freely as it should
- new camshaft position sensor as the old one is sending check engine signal since I’ve had that stalling problem
- new front suspension bushings (there are no suspension noises, but these items look quite worn)
- will order renewed police steel rims, also I will get another set of plastic caps
- new set of winter/summer tyres, these all-weather ones are a bit hapless
- finally it will need a round at the body shop
- oh, I almost forgot the 30 $ Walmart center console that needs to be put into the car and the missing police interceptor badge
Quite a long list, but luckily costs can be kept down here in Hungary!
I snapped this video up from crownvic.net.
Angry Panther
Doesn't really match the character of the car, but it does sound very well indeed. Tt begs for a manual transmission this way!
Angry Panther
Doesn't really match the character of the car, but it does sound very well indeed. Tt begs for a manual transmission this way!
optimal909 said:
I snapped this video up from crownvic.net.
Angry Panther
Doesn't really match the character of the car, but it does sound very well indeed. Tt begs for a manual transmission this way!
has that got an upgraded cam? sounds good Angry Panther
Doesn't really match the character of the car, but it does sound very well indeed. Tt begs for a manual transmission this way!
I lived in Florida for about 20 years and owned five P71's...they are fun for cruising around but not fast and very thirsty! No real frills the P71 has trans/oil cooler 11" rotors, true duel exhaust and two less catalytic converters ( civie) has 4.! The interior has no carpet just rubber matting, the rear doors don't work so you have to let your passengers out lol and there is a big goofy domelight that runs off the headlight switch..you can make them fast but not with the 4.6 sohc. I'm looking for a used one to put hydraulics on here in Scotland.
Years ago on Discovery, there was a shoot out programme between UK and US cop cars. They had a T5 estate and a Crown Vic and there was very little between them on the slalom, braking and acceleration courses, so I imagine the CV cop version is something special if it can take on a T5.
These cars aren't fast by modern standards, but I'd say still brisk and more than enough to be entertaining. Where can you drive fast these days anyway.
I have the MY2002 which doesn't have the updated chassis (reworked suspension for better handling, rock and pinion steering rack, etc.), still it is competent. The steering is light and doesn't offer much of a feedback, but the chassis is communicative and with long wheelbase I always know what the car is doing, pretty reassuring. Also, it doesn't have TCS, but a limited slip differential (in mine it requires a rebuild though), which adds to the satisfaction.
The basic interior is just right to haul the 2 year old twins and it can swallow all the stuff the family 'needs'. Fuel economy is something I can live with and in return the cars feels like it can last forever.
To wrap it up: it is quick enough, it has a V8 and it is properly oldschool which is a win in my book. I love this car so much that I don't want to anything else, perhaps another cop car with civilian, plush interior.
I have the MY2002 which doesn't have the updated chassis (reworked suspension for better handling, rock and pinion steering rack, etc.), still it is competent. The steering is light and doesn't offer much of a feedback, but the chassis is communicative and with long wheelbase I always know what the car is doing, pretty reassuring. Also, it doesn't have TCS, but a limited slip differential (in mine it requires a rebuild though), which adds to the satisfaction.
The basic interior is just right to haul the 2 year old twins and it can swallow all the stuff the family 'needs'. Fuel economy is something I can live with and in return the cars feels like it can last forever.
To wrap it up: it is quick enough, it has a V8 and it is properly oldschool which is a win in my book. I love this car so much that I don't want to anything else, perhaps another cop car with civilian, plush interior.
Ewanph said:
I've never driven one, but watched quite a few videos of them on Youtube. I still want one as a play thing.
Ford kinda spoiled the steering when in 2003 they replaced the recirculating ball system with rack and pinion, it was fun to throw it round corners with hardly any effort.
These cars have some road presence because they are police cars but they're not as much fun to drive as you would think. They were really designed for the older crowd of people who were middle aged in the 60's and 70's when every car was built like this (think that a typical buyer would have been 65 when they came out in 1998) who liked full frame American cars with lazy V8's and super soft suspension.
In the US, you can live with them because they'll turn 1700 RPM at 70MPH on a straight road from Michigan to Florida when the snow birds make their pilgrimage. They're also very basic in design and therefore cheap to run if you can stomach the fuel bills.
I suspect that the UK will be the wrong course for this horse. I just got back from London and could not imagine driving one there every day because they don't particularly go well, they don't stop that well either, they handle like an elephant on roller skates and they're going to be pretty thirsty in stop / go traffic. Combine that with narrow zig zaggy streets and it will wear you out.
The segment of the market that they occupied has now gone to truck based SUV's which are basically the same concept. Think of driving a suburban around London and you'll get the idea. But if you must have one, find a grand marquis that was driven by a blue hair old lady in Florida.
In the US, you can live with them because they'll turn 1700 RPM at 70MPH on a straight road from Michigan to Florida when the snow birds make their pilgrimage. They're also very basic in design and therefore cheap to run if you can stomach the fuel bills.
I suspect that the UK will be the wrong course for this horse. I just got back from London and could not imagine driving one there every day because they don't particularly go well, they don't stop that well either, they handle like an elephant on roller skates and they're going to be pretty thirsty in stop / go traffic. Combine that with narrow zig zaggy streets and it will wear you out.
The segment of the market that they occupied has now gone to truck based SUV's which are basically the same concept. Think of driving a suburban around London and you'll get the idea. But if you must have one, find a grand marquis that was driven by a blue hair old lady in Florida.
Edited by alabbasi on Saturday 25th May 04:14
kapiteinlangzaam said:
Ford USA Crown Victoria Police Interceptor 2001 V8
€ 6.450,00
http://link.marktplaats.nl/m1503411684?utm_source=...
For sale here in NL, doesnt seem too badly priced.
Save up your pennies and go for this beauty€ 6.450,00
http://link.marktplaats.nl/m1503411684?utm_source=...
For sale here in NL, doesnt seem too badly priced.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2006-Lincoln-Towncar-Si...
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