1989 Ford Crown Victoria LTD 5.0L 302 from North America

Summary:

Great car. If they still made the '89, I would definitely buy it again

Faults:

Well the first thing that has gone wrong is that my thermostat broke. I also have had to get a new alternator (bad alternators are common in this car). The inside interior and the outside are in pristine condition. Could not be better. She also shines up like a beaut.

Car cost, depending on where you go, is fairly cheap. If you know anything about this car, you can do most repairs yourself. I've flushed the radiator and changed out the thermostat myself. The thermostat is extremely hard to change in this car though, because of where the bottom bolt on the housing is located.

General Comments:

This car can be a good first car for most people if you get it in good running condition. For me, it wasn't too reliable to start out with, but I got it fixed up and she won't stop running.

The interior has a few small stains, but still looks very very nice.

If you get the car in good outside condition, then she will always shine up and look amazing. Once a month I wash and wax Frankenford (that's her name).

The engine needs to be scrubbed and cleaned badly, but it's not nearly as hard as some cars are.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 25th May, 2011

27th May 2011, 07:55

"if they still made the '89" -- you bought yours when it was 20 years old. What difference would it make whether they still made it?

6th Dec 2011, 19:47

The styling. They changed the exterior styling in 1991.

1989 Ford Crown Victoria LTD 5.0 V8 from North America

Summary:

It's great and reliable

Faults:

The oil pan replaced in 2000 (11 years); the drain was striped.

2003 (14 years) gas line rusted out.

Replaced original alternator in 2008 (19 years).

General Comments:

Full V8 power, smooth ride at 22 years old, just like when I bought new back in '89.

I've had her now for 22 years. People tell me you can't buy today's junk and get 22 years out of it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 19th February, 2011

1989 Ford Crown Victoria LTD LX 5.0 EFI V8 from North America

Summary:

Land yacht

Faults:

At 110K miles the A/C went out, had it converted to R134a.

At 111K miles the heater core blew. You have to take the dash out of the car; that's why the part is still in the box, and will go with it to its next owner in June 2010.

The top has a tear in it; no problem, fixed it with some super glue.

It needed a new exhaust system put on. 800 bucks gone.

Front rotors needed to be replaced. Thank god for junk yards; 20 bucks.

Other than that, the car has been great.

Oh I forgot, the back windows don't work LOL, plus the tranny slams into overdrive at 65 mph.

General Comments:

The car is HUGE, almost 17 feet long. The car is white with a red top. Very clean for its age.

For her size she will get up and move with the 5.0

It has red velor interior. No rips or tears. Very roomy and the ride is great.

POOR gas mileage; 10 in the city and about 22 on the highway.

The car still has a lot of life in her, but I'm selling it due to its size and living in the city. Good car for a teen to learn with. It's a very heavy car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 13th April, 2010

14th Apr 2010, 21:29

Only 10 mpg city?? You must drive with a lead foot! These cars should get at least 15 mpg city... When was the last time you gave the car a good tune-up??

15th Apr 2010, 23:44

10 MPG is definitely an exaggeration. I had an '88 Grand Marquis (Same car, same engine, different name) and mine was always pretty decent on gas for its size. At 135k it had problems shifting in and out of overdrive too, so I kept it in "regular" drive (miss those old cars where you're given the choice!).

Oh yeah and I "crash-tested" mine head-on unfortunately, but walked away from the accident unharmed. Who needs curtain airbags and all that crap when you're surrounded in a couple tons of American steel??

14th Jan 2012, 09:27

I know what my car got. The car ran out of gas in the middle of Philadelphia (Center City). My friend bought me a gallon of gas. I made it 10 miles, then it ran out again, and yes my car was running great too.

17th Jan 2012, 22:34

Fuel gauge stopped working?

5th Feb 2012, 12:26

Yup.