Yeah I was tempted a while back to pick up one of those at a government auto sale. $3000 for a 2005 Crown Vic with 90,000 miles, in perfect running and cosmetic condition.

But then I realized I didn't need yet another car.

__________________
'79 300SD
'82 Chevy Chevette diesel

Planning on taking my MB to college. Probably not a good idea. A better idea would to buy this $500 luxo-wagon 1991 Grand Marquis, wood paneling of course. 1991's get airbags and this is probably the cheapest thing for me to insure right now.

http://stlouis.craigslist.org/car/765341999.html
It's been on the market for a while. 38k Miles, 1991 Marquis.

__________________
1980 240d
1999 SL500

I'll probably get nailed for this, but I've never had a Ford V-6 or V-8 not start(even in -30F), also those grand marquis are a nice, powerful ride
Edit: At $500 JUMP ON THAT super cheap parts, high HP, cold resistance, RWD, roomy interior, what more could you want?(besides a diesel engine)

Am I the only one who doesn't have this problem?
PO abused it, let it sit for 6 months, and then sold it. I did the regular tun eups, now it starts first try(after cycling plugs 3-4times) in -15F weather....

__________________
$60 OM617 Blank Exhaust Flanges
$110 OM606 Blank Exhaust Flanges
No merc at the moment

dont take 300cd to college it will be ruined the first semester, some kids in college are wild, they like to put tape, spray paint, brake, vomit, etc in cars, stick to that marquis and you be good

I had a '99 Crown Vic and those things are just about bullet proof you can rag the S#!t out of em and they will keep on chuggin. I got about 150,000 miles on it before I got bit by the benz bug. Good speed, safe, and about 18 mpg with a lead foot, we called mine the Rocket Couch

__________________
'81 300D - swapped to a 617.951 turbo motor with a 150 amp alt.

Your car probably has good compression. Compression is king when its that cold.

__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Go for a big wagon- it'll fit 6 jammed into the bench seats, cost very little per passenger mile when the carload all chips in on gas, and you still have room for kegs in the back. The best part is you can sleep it off in comfort before going home and not be in the rain.

Or you could just go without a car and spend more time studying

__________________
95 E300D working out the kinks
77 300D, 227k, station car
83 300CD 370k, gone away
89 190E 2.6- 335k, no more
79 VW FI Bus- 145k miles, summer driver
59 VW Beetle ragtop- 175k miles
12 VW Jetta- 160k miles

Sure....

__________________
$60 OM617 Blank Exhaust Flanges
$110 OM606 Blank Exhaust Flanges
No merc at the moment

Called the guy with the 1991 Marquis. It has 40,000 Miles, the owner bought it from an old guy for $2000. There is a small crack in the windshield, not in driver's view, pass window doesn't roll down, A/C clutch just went out, he took it to a mechanic and that's what the mechanic thinks. Grille is broken from an elderly fender-bender. Solid Engine/brakes/suspension. He's asking $500 because of the things that need to be done. Some maint. records. New Michelin tires. Looks don't matter for me, dead reliability does. Although I do like wood paneled Wagons, I've always wanted a wagon.

I would want the A/C working. I could take care of the grille and window with junkyard parts. I don't think you have to take the compressor off to do the clutch. I have 3 cans of r12, and gauges and a vacuum pump if it comes to that. New A/C clutches are $100, I could get a junkyard one of course though. How difficult is the normal A/C clutch R&R for a car? Special tools required, right?

I do think it's a good idea to get this instead of my MB for college. It would mainly be used for highway trips and local runabouts, 3 hour highway trips mostly. I wouldn't bat an eye if this one is beat up, broken into or stolen. Who would steal the Family truckster? These get decent highway mileage. I rented a GrandMa Quis, a 2007 for a road trip, it got 26-28 MPG at 70-80 mph. This was the more aerodynamic one, though. Very comfortable.

I'll look at the car this weekend. What do you think, should I buy it? Have a local Mechanic inspect it? The MB will have a cozy climate controlled garage space because I don't want to sell it. Otherwise, the MB goes to college with me. At $500, that's near the scrap value for the wagon, can't go too wrong unless I pour money into it for some reason.

edit: Also, the insurance for this is much much lower than my MB is. I could get this insured as a daily driver, and put classic insurance on the MB.

__________________
1980 240d
1999 SL500

Buy it, buy it. Save the MB. Its cheaper to use this car for 4 years and throw it away, than to ruin your MB and have to buy another.

Driving beaters to school in the winter has saved me money, beleive it or not.

Look at it this way, scrap value is $250 if it runs. I don't see a reason why this car won't last 4 years in school since its in pretty decent shape. So for $250 how can you go wrong?

__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

bump, your opinion?

__________________
1980 240d
1999 SL500

It looks like you've found your "shaggin' wagon"!

__________________
1979 240D- 316K miles - VGT Turbo, Intercooler, Stick Shift, Many Other Mods - Daily Driver

1982 300SD - 232K miles - Wife's Daily Driver

1986 560SL - Wife's red speed machine

We'll see this weekend! Looks like an awesome wagon. The wood paneling is extra classy.

__________________
1980 240d
1999 SL500

I don't understand why you guys are obsessed with Crown Victoria's...LOL.

I'll be starting college in the fall, and guess what kind of car I have? LOL...W140. Am I a glutton for punishment? Yes I think so. O_O

__________________
Current cars:
2000 ML55 AMG, 174k miles
2003 C240 T-Modell, 202k miles
1995 S320, 207k Miles

If you say so...

__________________
1979 240D- 316K miles - VGT Turbo, Intercooler, Stick Shift, Many Other Mods - Daily Driver

1982 300SD - 232K miles - Wife's Daily Driver

1986 560SL - Wife's red speed machine