Power antenna mast is broken.
Speakers are all blown.
Leaking water pump.
My Vic is charcoal with the black top. This is probably the most reliable and solid car I have ever owned (and I have owned a few!). I bought it from a sweet old lady as a short term solution to my transportation problem (it is in wonderful condition). I am amazed at how sedate and comfortable it is with the combination of a seamless power-band.
The gas mileage is not that bad. I average between 16 and 20 on a tank with primarily city driving. The little computer lets you watch fuel economy so you can squeeze out the drops - and it is pretty accurate.
Some great things about this auto:
1) People tend to give lots space when when parked -they do not want those big chrome bumpers near their plastic bumper pride and joys!
2) The 302 has plenty of power when needed.
3) Dreamy bench seat comfort, climate control that works WELL - hot and cold.
4) Excellent cold weather performance (hot weather too). Think of Detroit, and Canada in the winter. These people made the Vic.
5) The trunk... you have to see it to believe it... we are not exaggerating. It is TREMENDOUS in size.
The bad stuff is really not so bad. If you use that V8 you will pay for it and she wallows like an old feather bed. So time to replace those speakers and get some sway bars.
Why would anyone buy a 17 Year Old Gas Guzzling V8 and then come on here moaning about the Single Digit Fuel Economy Figures?Come on now Guy give us all a break have you ever considered a Geo Metro?
The reviewer stated between 16 and 20 mpg in mostly city driving, which is pretty reasonable for a 302, and pretty good compared to a lot of new cars. It is certainly better than brand new mid and full size pickups and SUVs. Perhaps the first responder is angry about doing so badly on a recent math test, because both quoted values, "16" and "20" have two digits, and are not a single digit value as the first responder mistakenly believes. You just have to understand that two is more than one.
Exactly. I did say 16 to 20 mpg. This is not whining, it is a compliment. The statement says, "if you use that V8 you will pay for it". That means if you put your foot to the floor the mileage will adjust accordingly. Last time I checked that was not an option on a Geo Metro.
Update to this Crown Victoria:
I recently did a 300 mile road trip and averaged 23 miles to the gallon. This was about 80% highway with speeds in 75mph range and 20% stop and go traffic and slow dirt roads. This car continues to amaze me at how competent it is.
I was caught in a downpour earlier this summer and drove through 1 foot of water (no other option). She did fine. I highly recommend this car to anyone looking for cheap and reliable transportation. I do take good care of her, but by no means is she babied. As with any automobile, try to get one with a good service history.
I Now have a 1988 Crown Vic. It was purchased by my father brand new in 1988. He passed away in 2003, and I have had it ever since. I have to agree that it indeed a truly amazing automobile. It stays stored most of the time, though I do take it out on the road on occasion. It never fails to start right up, and run very smoothly to this day. It is in Remarkable condition. The air conditioning has recently stopped blowing cold. (more than likely due to drying of the seals)... Other than that. I have to say that the car is very solid, and will never stop amazing me, as to it's reliability. It is charcoal, with a black mid-vinyl top, as is indeed beautiful in and out.
Big old tanks like this are a dime a dozen now in these days of $4/gal gas, with no expectation that prices are going to continue going up...
I'm on my second 88 Crown Vicky. The first lasted over 165K and I accidentally dented the side and cannot drive a dented car. The car was very reliable but I always hated the gray colour and thought about finding another. I'm a Jersey boy and found a low mileage burgundy beauty in Florida a year ago while on vacation. Drove if home to Jersey with no problems. I've since ditched the factory wheels for steel ones and am sporting some cool seventies GM wire hubcaps and a continental kit salvaged from my old car. The bright work on this car makes it really stand out. They won't ever build them like this again and I'm glad to have it, I get compliments all the time.
I love these old 1980s boxy sedans - Fords and GMs. But it seems bizarre to me that someone who is unashamed to drive around in a 1988 Crown Vic would say 'I can't drive around in a dented car'.
Currently driving a 1988 Crown Vic Ltd. All white with white vinyl top. Bought it off my neighbor who bought it off a lot back in 88. Bought the car for only $1000 and had it for almost 2 years.. extremely comfortable car. Great for taking to the drive in.
But now going to trade it in for a 09 Ford Focus or Ranger with this whole new government $4500 rebate towards a downpayment on a new car.. She served me well and had some great memories that probably won't experience in a small dinky gas efficient car. And yes this car destroys gas. You guys must be driving extremely slow on the freeway or something cause I burn through $20 in about 2-3 days of just driving to work, my girlfriends house and home.
You'll save gas with the Focus, but you'll really miss the Crown Vic in the end...
My '88 Crown Vic is a lifelong West Texas car, garaged it's entire life. I bought it last year from the original 85 year old owner for $1600. It is obviously the very top of the line of its year because I don't know of any other option that was available that this car does not have.
It is flawless inside and out. Two tone pewter in color with the extended roofline at the rear and half vinyl roof. Turbine wheels, tan leather interior.
Its stereo was of course outdated and the speakers were tired, so I upgraded the tunes.
The only mechanical repairs and upgrades it needed have been tires, shocks, water pump, belts and hoses, alternator, plugs and wires, R-134 retrofit.
It had 112,000 miles on it, and I have put 16000 miles on it since Oct '08.
City driving runs around 19 mpg and a road trip back in December it averaged 22 highway mpg over 1200 miles. I recently entered it in a car show and got an "honorable mention". I could not be more pleased with this vehicle. It is just like brand new.
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