On 15000 KM the fuel pump had failed and replaced by local dealer under the warranty.
Despite the hot climate in my country (Dubai), and besides my heavy usage of this car (350 KM daily travel), in my view it's the most reliable car, and the most attractive stuff are the V8 engine + rear wheel drive.
Finally I say to Ford, "keep on the good work".
Sorry to disappoint you - Ford will stop making these in 2011 - the St Thomas, Ontario, Canada, factory is to close down putting many workers out of a job. Ford want the public to buy the new Taurus - an ugly bulbous thing with a hideous interior. This marks the end of an era - rock solid body on frame construction. The Aussies might rescue us yet when they export the Caprice to North America (I think you already have this one in the U.A.E) - so there's hope yet!
To the previous comment, slow down, that is not confirmed yet. Ford still doesn't know if they are going to use the Taurus as a possible police car replacement.
It's a sad thing indeed. I am only twenty, yet I wish all cars were still built body-on-frame rear-wheel-drive with a north south engine layout. I have a beautiful Crown Vic: a 98'LX with the cloth top and many other extras, and I worship this car. It is swept once a week, waxed every two, and every so often I coat the entire under body in heavy oil. As far as reliability goes this car beats anything domestic and especially ANYTHING Japanese!
Sadly, the Holden Caprice is a unibody vehicle. Also, the North American captive import will be sold to police services only.
As a very satisfied owner of a 2002 Grand Marquis, I'm disgusted that Ford would turn their back on us loyal customers. I've driven the 2008 Taurus, it's just another FWD V6 econobox with lousy engine response and poor ergonomics.
The Chrysler 300 is in my opinion not competitive in terms of interior space and comfort when compared to the Panther platform cars. The visibility, especially from the rear blind spot is very poor.
While I loved my previous 1993 Buick LeSabre, Buick's newest offerings no longer offer the rock-solid 3800 engine nor the interior comfort of the older generation cars.
It's a shame more people don't buy the Panther platform Fords, but I guess we have oil prices and automotive columnists to thank for that.
Here in New England we are thankful for FWD & AWD cars.
I agree with the above comment. Crown Vics are nice cars, but dreadful in New England winters. I've seen plenty of them stuck on hills just spinning their rear wheels. I would like to help them, but couldn't really do much with the car I have. So I just cruise effortlessly by them in my FWD Civic.
I've never gotten stuck in my Grand Marquis, and I live in Canada where half a foot of snow on the roads is not uncommon. For the most part, the cars I see stuck on the side of the road here are small FWD cars like your Civic. I think it's mostly up to driver experience and habits, but you can't beat AWD in the winter.
Keeping a full tank of gas helps with traction in the winter with a RWD car, also snow tires and traction control are a big plus too. I haven't really noticed that big of a difference between the Grand Marquis and my previous FWD Buick LeSabre in the winter.
I don't recall our large, rear-wheel drive cars getting stuck in Wisconsin winters. It's like people think everything came to a standstill before the invention of precious front-wheel drive when it snowed a lousy six inches. I doubt the original review has much to worry about getting stuck in snow, where he lives.
The Ford Crown Victoria is STILL Ford's Flagship, regardless of what anyone says. The new 2010 Taurus is a nice looking car, but it's front wheel drive, and it's overpriced, too.
Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis, and Lincoln Town Car are ALL WINNERS IN THEIR CLASS. My family has owned these cars before, and we love them for their safety record, excellent fuel economy (up to 31 on the open road for the Crown Victoria and Grand Marquis, up to 25 for the Town Car), and their reliability. These cars are hardly ever in the shop except for routine service and maintenance, and that's a sign of a great car.
The factory in St. Thomas, Ontario has been building this car for the last 25 years, and the factory, tooling, and everything's paid for. These cars are nothing but pure profit for Ford. I doubt Ford will quit building this car, for Ford has 90% of the Police market; Ford doesn't want to lose that market. Once you've lost a market, it's very difficult to regain it. Besides, all 3 of these are the highest owner loyalty cars for their divisions (Ford, Lincoln, Mercury).
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