1996 Ford Crown Victoria LX review from North America

When I got the car, it was due for the 50,000 mile maintenance, things like the antifreeze needed flushed and filled, oil needed changed, the generally fun stuff. I needed new brakes, and tires will be next.

I was initially leery about buying such a large car, especially since I sold my truck because of gas costs. I am quite amazed at my mileage being around 22 MPG.

The exterior is smooth and shaped nicely, and the light gray of my car looks fairly clean no matter what.

The engine has plenty of pep for getting onto the freeway, and it never seems to be at a loss for power when passing other cars at speed.

The smoothness is unbelievable, the car steers effortlessly and drives like it's floating on a cloud. Even on rough ground, over railroad tracks, gravel, anything, it's like it's just floating.

The interior is completely comfortable, with the power seats and lumbar adjustments. It's very roomy and plush.

The trunk is deep and has more than enough room for anything I've put in there so far.

A lot of my friends tell me that my car is an old person's car. This may be partially true, but it is also the choice patrol car of many law enforcement groups across the country.

I only have two complaints about the Crown Victoria.

1. The radio is just far enough from me that I have to lean to change the channels. Maybe that's just because I have short arms or something, but if I really wanted to I could get an aftermarket radio with a remote.

2. On the analog climate control model, the off position isn't located on the blower knob, it is located on the directional air flow knob, right between dash vents and floor vents. So you can't switch between dash and floor without shutting the ventilation system off.