Been thinking about a new Mercury Grand Marquis - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Fulcrum525 · #31 12-09-2008, 06:04 PM

True, but keep in mind that your still under budget then if you had bought a new car in the first place.

PaulC · #32 12-09-2008, 06:13 PM

THe Crown Vic/GM can be turned into respectable performers with the use of aftermarket/ OEM severe duty/ Mercury Marauder parts. It would be pretty funny to see a whitewall-shod Grand Marquis with a fake convertible top smoke a performance car.

SirNik84 · #33 12-09-2008, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim B.

It seems to be the oldest car on the highway usually, but it will be around awhile.

Its not that old, its got one of those new-fangled third break lights

mwood · #34 12-10-2008, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim B.

I also had an '88 Vic and it was the cheapest to run, most troublefree car I ever had. Took it to Mexico even, one time.

on finding used Police Interceptors:

These can be good because they have the heavy duty frames, alternators, batteries, cooling systems, transmission coolers, full size spare tires, dual exhausts and other heavy duty components.

Avoid the dog (K9) units, and regular patrol units ("Vomit Comets") that transported prisoners, and had a lot of idle time on the engines that won't show up on the odometers.

The smart money will go for the SAP ("Street Appearance Package") interceptors. Those are found painted in regular metallic and pastel colors, have normal hubcaps, chrome grilles, no spotlights or Go-Rhino pushbars or anything else that make them look different from a normal Crown Vic, but are still equipped as a full Police Interceptor.

SAP vehicles are often used by detectives, Lieutenants and Captains, and non-police agencies like water departments and DEQ agencies, and Federal Protective Agencies, like the secret service, FBI and US Marshall's service.

They have never been abused, driven in high speed chases, driven across medians or transported prisoners, had their engines idled for long periods of time, or driven in one shift after another.

They are rare, but can be found if you search long and hard. You can get an idea of prices by looking for CVPI cars on ebay and searching www.crownvic.net for information in their archives.

Failing to find a good interceptor, that was a SAP one, a retired Highway Patrol cruiser is a better deal than a regular patrol car, as it is less likely to be a 'Vomit comet" and to be damaged
and repaired.....

Traffic will part like the red sea for you on the highway in one, but if you have a white one with the pushbar and spotlights still on it (many are sold that way) don't be surprised if the REAL police profile you as a "Whacker" and harrass you.

The "Whackers" are molesters, psychos, police wannabes and other types who buy used Crown Vics cheap and drive them around pretending to be Police, and the real Police hate them, and give them no peace.

The used Police interceptors are bought cheap in wholsale lots by budget minded taxi companies who put them in service where they last 300,000 to 500,000 or more miles.

For reliable and very overall cheap transportation, they are hard to beat. I like the idea of them, especially a lightly used SAP interceptor with about 50,000 miles on it, a lot.

Like this one:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cars-Trucks___P71-Police-interceptor-crown-vic-ONE-OWNER-LOW-MILES_W0QQitemZ120345806028QQddnZCarsQ20Q26Q20TrucksQQddiZ2282QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Cars_Trucks?hash =item120345806028&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=65%3A7%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

wbain5280 · #35 12-11-2008, 01:35 AM

I have a Crown Vic and that car is no slouch at all. It engine is the 4.6 OHC. From what I understand, FORD looked at all sorts of engines when designing the 4.6, including the M116, M117 ebgines. They made an improvement, there are two seperate timing chains on each side not one long one as MB uses that can lead to engine failure. The Panther chassis is pretty simple but tough and reliable. Don't forget, FORD builds then to a low price. The engine has coil on plug and can be had with DOHC heads as on the Cobra. There are lots of aftermarket parts for them too.

One thing that bugs me is that the hood won't go vertical as in the W126. Another is the turning circle is rather large. The stock seats really suck. If you get pulled over and the cop is mad, his rear end probably hurts for those no support crappy seats.

My car is one step up from the taxi cab version, like the base cop car, in that it has carpets instead of rubber mats. I bought mine locally from a dealer that specializes in selling cop cars. It had 75K miles on it. It has HD everything. So far, I've really done nothing to it and it just keeps on going.
The cars you want have a P71 near the start of the VIN. It's easy to check on the dash. As far as bang for the buck, it's good value. My 300SE is much more solid but then again it cost twice or three times as much.