Ford Crown Victoria

[ECML180]

Seriously (perhaps too much so!) considering trying to get a crown vic as a car this summer, very much in love with the look of the machine and I watch too many cop shows so I have a fondness for the NYPD livery!

Question is...has anyone got any experience with these?
I understand finding parts can be an issue and fuel consumption is poor by modern UK standards, but they're usually bulletproof and you never know when the 'perp screen' will be useful to keep your passengers away from you!

 

[ExRes]

Just a thought, have you tried the Ford Owners Club or this forum

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rc...HSgJAI&usg=AFQjCNE73jNOpNX-BIN3yK13RUt0D1BnPQ

You might find a few like minded people on fordforums

 

[chuffchuff]

Parts are not a problem when you consider how many were made, plenty of suppliers in the States and some specialists here in the UK
depending how heavy you are with your right foot you should get mid to late 20's no problem
( Won't take long but you will leave two black lines and a cloud of burnt rubber behind, it's the law.)

 

[ECML180]

Just a thought, have you tried the Ford Owners Club or this forum

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rc...HSgJAI&usg=AFQjCNE73jNOpNX-BIN3yK13RUt0D1BnPQ

You might find a few like minded people on fordforums

Will have a look, thank you!

Parts are not a problem when you consider how many were made, plenty of suppliers in the States and some specialists here in the UK
depending how heavy you are with your right foot you should get mid to late 20's no problem
( Won't take long but you will leave two black lines and a cloud of burnt rubber behind, it's the law.)

Black lines and burnt rubber...sounds pretty enticing to me!

 

[Springs Branch]

......... very much in love with the look of the machine and I watch too many cop shows so I have a fondness for the NYPD livery!

I'm not normally a car person but I can certainly see the appeal of this one.

Having lived in several large US cities, for me the Crown Victoria police cruiser was as much a part of the day-to-day US streetscape as a Routemaster bus in London. And like buses, you wait ages for the cops to show up, then three arrive at once.

 

[deltic1989]

I'm not normally a car person but I can certainly see the appeal of this one.

Having lived in several large US cities, for me the Crown Victoria police cruiser was as much a part of the day-to-day US streetscape as a Routemaster bus in London. And like buses, you wait ages for the cops to show up, then three arrive at once.

I have heard it said by a few American friends that I have made via various gaming activities, that in the States a Pizza can get to your house faster than the Police.
They have also expressed a particular disdain for any ordinary person (i.e. not a cop) who drives a Crown Vic.
I have no particular experience with these cars, but they must be at least reasonably good and reliable. The last time I was in the States the most common car I saw was a Crown Vic,most of the Police cars and Taxis were this model. To be selected by the Police, means that they are unlikely to break down regularly as this would be most unhelpful in the type of pursuit situation that Television leads me to beleive is commonplace across the pond.
Also a Taxi driver depends on his vehicle for his livelihood so, a reliable vehicle that s/he can depend on to not let them down is a must.
Just my 2 Pence (or should it be Cents?)

 

[Springs Branch]

...... they are unlikely to break down regularly as this would be most unhelpful in the type of pursuit situation that Television leads me to beleive is commonplace across the pond.......

In my experience, the day-to-day duties of an average Crown Victoria police car in the US bear minimum resemblance to the sort of activities portrayed by Hollywood & TV cop shows (i.e. high speed chases, spectacular crashes & shoot-outs with bad guys). I've lived in big cities on both East & West coasts and never seen a police officer with his/her gun out of the holster. In fact the only time I've seen a gun at all was on sale in WalMart.

If not cruising the streets, the Crown Vics would most likely be parked up outside a Starbucks or a fast food joint (the police/donut shop urban myth has some factual basis). Or pulled over at the side of the road having a "chat" with some gangsta types or maybe homeless. Or, particularly in New York City, pulling over taxi drivers for some "violation" or other, involving much unecessary use of multiple flashing lights and whoop whoop sirens.

(In case this sounds negative, all my interactions with US police were reporting mundane & trivial matters - no murders or mayhem - and the cops were polite and helpful)

 

[ECML180]

In my experience, the day-to-day duties of an average Crown Victoria police car in the US bear minimum resemblance to the sort of activities portrayed by Hollywood & TV cop shows (i.e. high speed chases, spectacular crashes & shoot-outs with bad guys).

No being rammed into the Hudson either?

 

[DarloRich]

In my experience, the day-to-day duties of an average Crown Victoria police car in the US bear minimum resemblance to the sort of activities portrayed by Hollywood & TV cop shows (i.e. high speed chases, spectacular crashes & shoot-outs with bad guys). I've lived in big cities on both East & West coasts and never seen a police officer with his/her gun out of the holster. In fact the only time I've seen a gun at all was on sale in WalMart.

If not cruising the streets, the Crown Vics would most likely be parked up outside a Starbucks or a fast food joint (the police/donut shop urban myth has some factual basis). Or pulled over at the side of the road having a "chat" with some gangsta types or maybe homeless. Or, particularly in New York City, pulling over taxi drivers for some "violation" or other, involving much unecessary use of multiple flashing lights and whoop whoop sirens.

(In case this sounds negative, all my interactions with US police were reporting mundane & trivial matters - no murders or mayhem - and the cops were polite and helpful)

You mean American police officers don’t routinely barrel roll their police cruiser off a wharf into the river at high speed, get stuck in alleyways just too narrow for their car, become involved in car chases through shopping malls, get stuck in vast police car fender benders or seemingly randomly explode whilst driving along after being hit by a missile fired by the world’s greatest super villain who will be un masked as a shambling, incompetent, jumped up shop lifter by the all American average joe hero cop with a hangover, a lack attitude towards police procedure and an estranged wife whislt having a bad day?

I am quite disappointed actually

 

[mbonwick]

They have also expressed a particular disdain for any ordinary person (i.e. not a cop) who drives a Crown Vic.

Not surprising really given the Crown Vic is very much a cheap fleet car - any sensible person would go for the virtually identical Mercury Grand Marquis which came with far better base spec for a comparable price.

 

[Springs Branch]

....... the virtually identical Mercury Grand Marquis ......

Ah yes, memories of being handed the keys to these at many an Avis or Hertz desk at US airports. Used to love the naff burgundy velour upholstery!