Needed new front and rear brakes at 40K.
The screws that hold the front drivers and passengers door panel on have to be tightened every month or the door panels rattle.
The worst thing about this car is the dealer network. Ford/Lincoln/Mercury dealers absolutely stink. I've taken the car to a F/L/M dealer 3 times (different dealers) and each time they failed to preform the maintenance correctly AND tried to tell me that I needed to spend an additional $1500-$2000 for UNNEEDED repairs. I immediately took the car to a trusted mechanic and he said that none of the repairs that they told me about needed to be done.
This car is huge, but handles like a sports sedan.
The ride on the interstate is perfect and the passing power is more than adequate.
The car is very reliable. I have not had a single serious issue with this car.
Be sure to replace your trans fluid every 15k with Mercon V to avoid tranny shudder.
My car has traction control which is wonderful. I was able to get through the snows of Boston better than most of the FWD cars out there.
I'm 6'2" and find that the backs of the seats are a bit low. The seats in the newer (01 and up) cars are better. I've also found that the rear view mirror is very much in the way. I've relocted it higher on the windshield which has made forward vision much better.
The only car that even comes close (actually, slightly surpasses) to this one as far as driveability and joy of ownership was the 1990 Audi 100 that I owned for 3 years. But, the Crown Vic has been much more reliable.
Basically, this is the best car that I have owned. I've been driving for 20 years and have owned 9 cars and this one is by far the best.
Nice review.
I found a really easy solution to the door panel screw problem. Get some blue thread-locker. You can get it at any auto parts or hardware store. A few drops will do. Do not use to much.
I also own a Crown Vic and the only problem that I have with it that drives me crazy is that the door panels rattle. Which screws are you tightening. I have taken off the door panel and put it back on and it still rattles.
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