Comments: 1-15, 16-17
This is a city police car. I am a City Police officer (Medium/Large city)
The car is ran 24/7 and driven by 3-teams.
Nothing has gone wrong.
The rear bumper drug and busted as I pulled out of a ditch.
Windshield got cracked from angry landlord.
Front bumper busted from hitting high sidewalk when parking (too low to ground)
Already on 2nd set of tires and brakes.
Gets about 12mpg the way we drive it (Not bad our Impala V-6 FWD actually got about the same)
Vandals kicked in left side sheet metal on car. Cosmetic.
Left side headlamp busted (Un-Known how) New one put in by Ford, now it vibrates at night when I hit rough roads.
While in pursuit we drive this car very hard and ramp over sidewalks at 40mph etc.-does not seem to hurt it.
This is the extended wheelbase version of the Crown Victoria. I would recommend to all departments to go ahead and opt for the extended wheelbase. The regular wheelbase is a bit tight on space with all the protective cage gear in the car.
These cars are very solid performers and durable.
Our Impala fleet that we bought into in 2001 are all already gone. (All 30 of them) None held up and they proved to be more costly to operate due to no savings in fuel and high frequencies of mechanical failures. We still have some pre 2001 CVPI in our fleet. We even have one 96-RWD Impala left. We just keep it for memories I guess. It is not in use.
The added traction of FWD during snow just didn't out weigh the other benefits of the Crown Vics. We switched back and only a few officers prefer the Impalas, mainly the women.
Bottom line is to stick to the CVPI and go for extended wheelbase models only.
It is interesting to hear that the police are happy with the Crown Vic now. I know when the Caprice was discontinued many police officers felt the Crown Vic was a step down. I used to drive a taxi around 1997-2000, and we were driving mostly second-hand police Caprices. The police used to make remarks about how they wished they still had them.
About the 'extended wheelbase' version of the Crown Vic - I can't find anything about that on Ford's web site. Would love to learn more.
What a neat review. Who doesn't want to know what cops think of their cars. They practically live in them, drive them like there is no tomorrow and probably have to write a report when one breaks. Thanks Mr. Policeman. Makes me want to get down to the next police auction.
A long-wheelbase Crown Victoria was announced for the 2002 model that featured a six-inch wheelbase stretch thanks to a new frame and extended body. The stretched Crown Vic was intended for the taxicab and livery market and not offered to the general public. Mainly police and taxi and airports.
I inadvertently placed the current miles that this particular 2004 CVPI had on it, at the time I added this comment, in the distance when acquired box.
When our department took delivery of this 2004 CVPI (Crown Vic Police Interceptor), it had 92-miles on the odometer.
It currently has 19,095 miles of severe duty abuse and has performed flawlessly in situations that would have shattered the underpinnings of any FWD car.
Once again I say that the Crown Vic is the only way to go. Solid, durable, heavy, safe, affordable, comfortable, and unbreakable. I do think that the old 96 Caprices did handle better, but they have since been discontinued.
Thanks for reading and watch your speed as I assure you that my CVPI will catch you and you will get a ticket. Kidding, speeding tickets are the least of our worries in this city.
I had a 96 CVPI and I don't watch my speed. It will outrun every single CVPI in the county! It could go super fast all the way to the next fuel station. Make sure you use Z rated tires, though. I had absolutely no modifications done, just kept a clean air filter, changed the synthetic oil every 3,000, and used 93 octane fuel. The car rocked and I miss the raw power it had, but not the cost to operate with today's higher fuel costs. One thing the deputy sheriff told me, don't use the O/D in town because the gearing is different than the civilian use version and you can end up shifting in and out of overdrive very often and wear the system out. Good maintenance tip, have your tranny fluid changed every time you do the radiator fluid, and your differential serviced regularly. Great vehicle!
I know the Extended Wheelbase (P70) Crown Victoria was offered to Taxi/Livery services, but I never knew they would use it for Police use. That's a new one to me. I own a 1997 Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor (P71) and its tough. I just slapped some Goodyear RS-A tires on it and its better then ever. I will never own anything other than a Police Interceptor.
Great to see a review from a law enforcement officer about what he thinks about his cruiser. The Caprice had a bigger, faster engine (LT1) but was heavy and the Police Intrepid and Police Impala don't stand up to the Crown Victoria Police Interceptor. Honestly though, if you put a LT1-like engine in the body of a Police Interceptor, the majority of officers will tell ya that would make an ultimate police cruiser.
This is anecdotal, but I use a 9C1/LT1 Caprice (retired from the Saginaw PD in 2001) as a daily driver. I picked it up with 75,000 on the clock and its now at 107k with many miles to go.
Among other things, my company sells police vehicles on eBay. I agree with the poster that the new FWD Impalas are near end of life by the time we get them (around 75k). Crown Vics hold up better, but by the time most of then get over 100 or 105 they are pretty ragged out. Overall, the caprice is a better car if you can find one. The Crown Vic P71 is a good second choice.
Try to find one that's not been a squad rotated among shifts. The better ones are police adminstrative vehicles or single-officer-assignments. The best cars come from universities, public schools, etc.
Good hunting :-)
Yea, those trips to the do-nut shop really wear out those police cars fast!
I grew up in police cars-highway patrol cars-maroon and white Minnesoata. This was back during the 195o's and 60's and they were Ford's.My Father would buy them from a used car lot that sold only used Patrol cars. My Father has since passed away, but I have never forgotten my memories of riding in the Patrol car and seeing the amount of respect the public would show just by seeing you around. I always thought my Dad enjoyed the attention, but never abused the attention. I am in the process of buying a 2005 Ford Crown Vic Police car dark blue, double spot light's and will only light tint the windows and leave the rest for the public to see and enjoy.
My dad bought a couple unmarked detective 440's in the seventies before the Chrysler 318's. He bought them as I recall at an auction around $700 each.
Pass me the keys I'll show you how to break one.
I also have a CV PI 2003 and I will agree with you on everything you stated, you just can't break them and I don't get pulled over when I meet the cops, they just wave like I am one of them.
I drive a buick regal with the supercharged 3800 and tonight a state trooper driving a CROWN VIC intercepter. Attempted to turn around and follow me. He started to turn around and he just couldn't follow me through some back country windy roads.
My buick just simply handles a lot better.
July 17, 2007.
I fail to see the point of your post, Why would you brag about your Regal out handling a Crown Vic? (a police Crown Vic at that)
I bought a 2000 P-71, and it handles like a dream. The stiff suspension is a little rough at times (They're working on fixing the roads here), but other than that, not a problem. Every Police officer in town knows me, and has commented that I got a great deal on this car. The only problem I have with it, is that I have a none working left bright beam (the mechanic is going to be looking at the wiring soon), that was non-working after they took the Police lighting out. I would definitely recommend buying one these to anyone.