Steering wheel leather wrap wore out after 10,000 miles, ash tray started squeaking at 9,000 and is there until today like a pest. Suspension started falling apart around 60,000 miles.
This is second Crown Vic I own and I must say that when treated nicely, the car is VERY RELIABLE. Aside from being far from luxury (even though classified as one) the car is a great day-to-day car - a workhorse.
Pros: Extremely reliable. Rear wheel drive (oh yeah, very handy for cornering in the winter in Chicago) makes up for it's size and turning radius. Big sized boat, mafia sized trunk to fit 6 bodies, smooth ride, enough torque to push any 4 cylinder car from your parking spot. Still plenty of power to punch it at 85 MPH and be pushed into your seat.
Cons: No resale value - once you buy it you better drive it to the ground. Cornering should not be attempted at more than 35 MPH due to over-powered power steering and suspension that barely holds this 2 ton monster. Brakes way underpowered -- every 10,000 miles a new set of pads is required. 4 door illusion -- despite it's size no back seat. Engine has no performance edge. Poor attention to details. Luxury price for an average bargain.
I currently own a 93 Crown Victoria. I believe these are great cars and I wrote a review of it on this site. I recently put in an order for the new Mercury Marauder and can't wait until it comes!
I have driven Ford police cars for years. The most unsafe car was a 1997 Ford, but you can get a bad from time to time. If you like the 97 you need to try the 2003, it's awesome. The handling of the car has been improved and take off has gotten better. For all around comfort and performance it's hard to beat the Crown Vic, and yes I have driven the Chevy with the LT 1 motor, in fact it was issued to me new in 96 and I gave it up in 98 with 42000 miles for a new ford. I must say again it's hard to beat a Ford.
I had a 93' Crown Vic. with 47,000 miles on it. The car was totaled after a stupid cheerleader from my school hit me in the back at 35 mph. The only body damage was on the bumper nd the body above the wheels began to crimp up a little, but not all the way. The main damage was to the frame. I had a trailer hitch and she pushed it into the frame and mashed it all up. Man am I glad I was in that car at the time. Imagine the results of the crash if I was in a Honda! O well, stuff happens. I'm looking at a 1997 used Crown Vic. with 58,000 miles. It doesn't have the air suspension and dual exhaust that I had, but oh well.
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