Daily driver

[Warrlord]

I've been thinking about a car for my daily driver instead of a truck. Something roomy, cushy, that cruises right along.

Anyone ever own a Crown Vic? (http://denver.craigslist.org/car/225718659.html) Know of any problem areas?

Richard? Since you work for Adams County garage, anything I should look out for on these? I'd favor a police unit over grandpa's Crown Vic because I kinda like the looks of 'em better. Problem is, all cop cars get beat to hell.

[Cricketbug]

My ma had a Crown Vic for about 8-ish years, cop car silver even! :) It ran like a dream, but it was a cushy, steriotypical "old-person" type car (no offense meant). It was like driving a couch!

As it got older, I think it had some hiccups, but nothing horrendous that I recall.

[JuBean]

The only thing I have heard about them is the auto tranny having issues with shifting or just crapping out but that might just be the retired cop cars.

[Walking Eagle]

Matt may have an Explorer for sale. :D

[Pb ft]

They seem like nice cars. Can you get a lift kit for it??:D

(sorry bout that)

My brother has one for work. He said it gets up and hauls! He also said it's pretty cushy and he hasn't had any problems driving all over the county.

[rwmorrisonjr]

I have a Crown Vic as my daily and I love it. Big, roomy, comfy but firm ride, good handling, decent mileage and enough power to go 70 over the hogback on I-70! I haven't had any problems with the engine or tranny, just minor things dealing with the automatic door locks and those have been fixed under warrany. I have the LX Sport model which gives it a floor shifter & console, front "bucket" seats with lumbar, climate control leather, better rims, 17" tires, air handling suspension, traction control, adjustable pedals and a 3.27 TractionLok rear. Best part about them is that they haven't been changed much since 1999, and this current style is scheduled to run through 2009, so the bugs are gone and they're reliable.

The only thing I've found is that I have to run premium gas at our altitude. The engine tends to knock slightly with regular and Ford doesn't recommend using our lower octane regular, only 87 octane minimum. Not a big deal to me, but just want you to be aware of this.

You can probably find them new out here for a steal since a big rear drive car isn't popular in this ares, esp. in the winter. I got mine new for $24k out the door 18 months ago in Virginia, so you can probably find a simliar deal. A used one should set you back about $12-15k at the most, and you can probably get a new one for close to that since they tend to languish on dealer lots. You can also find them all over Ebay, including used police models. There's a dealer in Texas that I think does nothing but sell CVs on Ebay, they're always on there selling several of them.

Bonus factor, once you get out of Metro Denver, you can speed with a degree of impunity since you look like a cop coming up on people. Cops always wave at me and I haven't gotten a ticket yet in mine.

EDIT: I looked at the car you linked to and it looks good, looks like it was a supervisors car since its in good shape and doesn't appear to have a cage in it. Low mileage for a P71 (cop model) as well. If you can get the VIN, run a CarFax or simliar to see what department had it originally, that way you know the history of the car. $6500 is a decent price for one in that condition, but I'd offer him $6k cash and see if he bites.

One more thing, if you get one check out www.crownvic.net (http://www.crownvic.net), lots of good CV info over there.

[Warrlord]

Thanks for the info everyone.

It sounds like it'd be like any other car. A few quirks to be expected & dealt with when they come up. It's good to hear they're not plagued with problems.

I wouldn't be able to buy a new one so I have to buy a used one. A purchase like this will rely on a friend of mine buying my '02 Yamaha. If he actually comes through & buys it, I'll use that money to purchase a daily driver.

[mattadams]

Larry, though it would require going to another brand, I'd like to recommend the Park Avenue. I had one for about a year and it was an awesome ride. More than enough room for me in the front AND the back, the trunk can hold AT LEAST four bodies, and it drove like a dream. The resale on them sucks too so you can usually get em dirt cheap... I bought mine for $3200 and sold it about a year later $3300. LOL.

[Warrlord]

Yeah, beings I work on Buicks everyday, the Park Ave is the best out of the bunch & I like 'em. They ride nice & are cushy & roomy plus, you can get 'em with a supercharger too. The downfall for me is................I'd feel like I'm road testing a customers car everytime I drive it.

I wish the Chargers came out about 6-7 years ago so I could afford a used one now. I think they're the best looking 4 door family car out there right now IMO.

[Walking Eagle]

If you're looking for something to hold bodies. A mid 90's Lincoln Town Car can hold about 9 normal people or 4 fat people in the trunk. I know from experience. Also has pretty good power.

[Starkman]

My experience with Crown Vics is with Police Interceptors. I can tell you these things are tough!

If you are looking at a PI car they tend to be pretty used up by the time they are sold. The good thing is that the regular CVs are the same car as the PI just without all the HD parts and cooling/charging system upgrades. And, they all can be upfitted (more or less).

Timing chain tensioners can be issues. Usually this is a oil change or overheat issue.

If the car has been bottomed out the cats will probibly need to be replaced (they will rattle, it sounds like a bottom end bearing) they are $500 a set (two cats per side). If the heat sheild is damaged this is a sign.

FYI, this is the only car that is rated for a 75 MPH rear impact!!!!

[MMPC]

I crashed a Crown Vic once in Florida - rental - back when I was about 17 years old. Tough car! lol

[BLOODBANE]

Theres no way any of those choices will even come close to making it over Chinamans Larry......LOL. Looking to do a little long distant driving or are you just getting ready for Indy?

[Warrlord]

Theres no way any of those choices will even come close to making it over Chinamans Larry......LOL. Looking to do a little long distant driving or are you just getting ready for Indy?

Just getting old........................ I want a decent, comfy, DD that I can fit the family in, in comfort. :o

[Starkman]

I understand the comfort thing.

Last summer I went back to PA to visit the family and rented a Towncar (Same size as a CV) and it was soooooooo nice to have the room and quite. At one point I was on the PA Turnpike and the kid, wife and my Mom where all asleep and I could hear my Mom in the back breathing.

I said the same thing a few months ago and started to look for a luxo cruizer and found a 2000 Mustang GT with 38K miles and bought it. Don't get me wrong I like the Mustang but I sometimes would like to drive down the road and relax. :o

[thesoundmaster]

I wish the Chargers came out about 6-7 years ago so I could afford a used one now. I think they're the best looking 4 door family car out there right now IMO.

I went out and drove a 2007 Charger RT today (cause i can) and i must say, while it isnt a Ford, it was the nicest, fastest car i have ever driven. the quickest jump from 0-60 i have taken in a long time and the response around corners is like a dream. I would have traded the Bronco in for it had the price tag on it not been $31,000

[Warrlord]

I would have traded the Bronco in for it

Yeah....................but then.......................what would take to Chinamans? :D

[Hypoid]

I sometimes would like to drive down the road and relax. :oComfort good...mostly. When I worked graveyard shift I used to head home at sunrise, set the cruise, point the old Merc East. As the adrenelin wore off I was looking for the button that said "auto pilot". I can't count the times I woke up on the side of the road with someone in law enforcement knocking on the window. Some even laughed when I said that I work nights.

I got to ride in a CV when I was broke down in Nebraska last year. Wicked-quick car! He didn't show me the fast button, just shot across the median and up the ramp.

[thesoundmaster]

Yeah....................but then.......................what would take to Chinamans? :D

this is true