I will provide you with a Copy and Paste of someone's post in a Ford Automotive Advice forum, dated April 18th 2007 @ 7:05AM on www.flatratetech.com as follows:
"Not a tech, but recently traded in a 95 Grand Marquis that I bought new. Truly the best car I ever owned. After 12 years and 155k miles, it never saw a dealer after warranty ran out in 98 and only had one repair I didn't do myself (ball joints) in that time. It was never on the hook and ran perfectly when I sold it. The only check engine light ever was the infamous P0401 egr code (cleaning the passages in the intake took care of that) and one misfire code at 90k that a fresh set of plugs and wires took care of. The tranny fluid was changed (pan & filter) every 35-40k, oil every 3-4k, air filter every year, fuel filter every other,and that was it. The ball joints (lower) went dry due to no fittings at 100k and I was too busy at the time to change them. The brake rotors are undersized and tend to warp. Other than these issues the cars are solid and very dependable. They may be problematic in police service but for a typical driver they will run forever. The oil burning was reduced in Mid 95 I think by a new design valve stem seal that my car did not have. However, I never had them replaced as a couple quarts between changes was cheaper than having it done. If I had decided to keep the car longer I probably would have had it done or bought the tool and did it myself. If you can get your hands on a late build 95 you would get an all aluminum intake and not have to worry about the Intake cracking. If not, there are aftermarket alternatives that are reasonably priced if the intake has not already been done on the one you are looking at. If the front of the intake around the thermostat housing is aluminum yours has been done. If not, do it before it breaks so you have no latent damage from overheating and or having the alternator washed out with antifreeze. The only reason I got rid of mine is that after 12 years with the same car, I was bored with it!"
With that said, I would like to add that I have 355,000 kilometers on my own 1995 Crown Vic, with no intentions of getting rid of it anytime soon. I have consistently managed 28 mpg on the highway, and about 20 mpg in the city which I think is excellent for a 4000 lb car with a V8. Hope this helps.
2007-06-23 08:23:37
·
answer #1
·
answered by Ford Goddess 6
·
2⤊
1⤋
They're very reliable.
Highway miles are pretty good. If you know what you're doing and set the cruise right, you can get in the high 20s.
City fuel economy is something different. EPA says 17. That is about right. It's not so great.
An ex cop car might need a lot of work, but engines and transmissions for these cars are cheap and plentiful. People usually recommend looking for a former unmarked cop car. They've usually seen less use. Also, a civilian "sport" model is probably the best.
Also consider the Ford Thunderbird/Mercury Cougar/Lincoln Mark VIII (same powertrain, or related powertrain in the case of the lincoln), the Mercury Grand Marquis/Lincoln Towncar (same platform and powertrain), and the Mercury Marauder (same platform and similar powertrain, but with 100 percent more badassness)
2007-06-23 08:04:17
·
answer #2
·
answered by Anonymous
·
1⤊
0⤋
The Ford Crown Victoria is a very reliable vehicle. This is one (of many reasons) that they are used (among other things) as taxicabs. Their weak point is their transmissions. The "Interceptor" model, used by law enforcement, is quite peppy. (the taxi spec'd models use a smaller engine but have a reinforced frame)
While the engine on these cars rarely wears out, the interiors of these vehicles are of very low quality. (Any Korean car has a higher quality interior than this Ford)
As a former San Francisco taxi driver, I am all too familiar with these vehicles. When I would "baby" it, I would get 12 mpg city on the "taxi special" model, slightly higher on a Interceptor model.
If you don't mind the fuel consumption, then yes, buy a used State Police model. Do not, under any circumstances, buy a City Police model, as the "stop and go" city driving destroys them.
Oh, and be prepared for drivers to clear out of your way when you are in the #1 lane!
2007-06-23 08:06:01
·
answer #3
·
answered by SeamAllowance 2
·
0⤊
0⤋
Ive had 2 crown vics...one wasa a p71,,,,i have an lx now....both are great cars....yes, reliable cars...and tghey have that Limp Home Mode.....when they break down, so u always get home!...maybe 40 mph when that happens, but they always get u home...unless a battery is dead, u will most probably get the car home or to the shop....they run great...powerfull(not really quick), but powerfull rear drive V8 engine...all American family or full size muscle/type vehicle...(although not really a muscle car), they behave as such and there is an aftermarket that can turn a crownvic into an actual muscle car.
2015-06-12 10:06:47
·
answer #4
·
answered by Inge 2
·
0⤊
0⤋
buying a used car is like buying a used CD blind, it would work well for the first little while and then what? i have a 86 crown vic with the 351w 2bbl and i get awsome milage out of it but i also keep it clean and tuned, so in the end the choice is yours. and yes i would but the police model after an extensive tune up and check up because remember that the police only need to keep up with basic maintinace and don't fix anything unless needed
2007-06-23 17:34:03
·
answer #5
·
answered by scotch 2
·
0⤊
0⤋
Great Car,s . I have two ex- interceptors . One is 1995 The other is a 2001 . State Police models can be a good buy as I have two .I carefully checked them out and they are both good car,s . You do need a person who has knowledge of these cars as you can end up with one that is thrashed .
2007-06-23 18:57:47
·
answer #6
·
answered by dave.30120 3
·
0⤊
0⤋
I have owned several Crown Victorias, and they are a joy to drive. They handle and ride smooth. They have a lot of room. (the only full size auto today that is still rear wheel drive((along with it`s cousin, the Mercury Marqui)).It it the car of choice of the baby boomer generation. Mine got around 24 - 25 mpg with 350 c.i. V8. Although the police package(factory) beefs the car up, giving it more re-inforcement, etc., I wouldn`t purchase one used as most departments don`t get rid of them until they are worn out. Also, they are subjected to a lot more abuse than a civilian automobile.
2007-06-23 08:08:45
·
answer #7
·
answered by srmm 5
·
2⤊
1⤋
Don't waist your money on an American Car. If you are talking about getting a classic car that's one thing, but new American cars are cheaply built. For the same price as an American car you can get a Japanese car or Korean car that is just as reliable without all the crappy plastic interior.
2007-06-23 18:08:15
·
answer #8
·
answered by clarkp81 1
·
0⤊
2⤋
I had one brand new in 95 and I put 210k miles on it before it blew up. They are awesome cars. Good gas mileage, comfortable, and fast.
I would try to find one that wasn't used by police. I'm sure they have taken alot of abuse.
2007-06-23 07:57:25
·
answer #9
·
answered by Metal 4
·
0⤊
0⤋
No, it's a ford. Ever heard "Found on roadside dead", "Fix or repair daily" or "For our retarded daughter"? Any car manufacturer with these kind of names isn't something you should be buying. The crown vic is no exception. Crown vics are notorious for their cracking intake manifold. Ford's brilliant design team made the intake manifold out of plastic. Naturally, plastic that sits directly above a several hundred degree engine is bound to crack. And that's exactly what happens. How much will the repair run you? About $900. Now, for fuel mileage, don't even bother. The engine is a 4.6L V8. V8s are gas guzzlers. You will be paying hundreds a week just to fill that massive car up. Go with something smaller. If you're looking for V8 power with fuel efficency, go with the new chevy Impala SS. It comes with a 5.3 V8 but it's DOD (displacement on demand) which means that when you're not flooring it, runs on only 4 cylinders, thus greatly improving gas mileage. On top of that, the new impala is in the same class as the crown vic, but much much MUCH nicer. Hope this helps.
2007-06-23 08:01:23
·
answer #10
·
answered by Anonymous
·
0⤊
8⤋