Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Options
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
http://www.downsford.com/order_guides/2005%20Crown%20Victoria%20O- rder%20Guide.pdf
In fact, one out of five Crown Vics sold at retail during MY2005 are projected to have the floor shifter.
The a/c in my 94 Grand Marquis works flawlessly, and always had. My mechanic, who besides having worked on civilian Panther platforms, does the work on the Crown Vic fleet of a small local police dept, and I've asked him if he's seen any issues with the "Panther" platform a/c systems. He told me that other than fixing minor leaks on some of them, he's cannot recall ever doing a major repair on any of them.
I knew back in 2000 I should have bought another Grand Marquis, but I was seduced by the style of the Dodge. Luckily I kept my old one, as it is now my summer car, as well as my road trip car.
I only hope they keep building the Panther, as I'll always own one for at least a back-up car.
One other question on squeaks, I get some from the frame I can hear at low speeds. Any ideas or experience on what may be the cause? Dealer thought it may be the sway bar???
Would like to get these issues handled before the warranty expires.
Other then that I must say I love this car! Being my first I can say it will not be my last.....
Thanks in advance for your help and advise
2003 CV LX with 25k miles
As for the plastic noises under the dash, that could be heater/AC ducts expanding/contracting/twisting. Check to see if glove box is rubbing on something, too.
Finally, my driver's inside door panel was rubbing slightly against the end of the dash. I took a cloth with a little WD-40 on it, wiped that area, dried it off, and the squeak was gone.
Good luck!
As far as the a/c goes, see my post above, and just do a little surfing on the internet to see the mechanical quality of the Chrysler A/C on the LH cars has some higher than normal repair issues. An evaporator is 8-9 hours labor plus the parts to repair, as the dash has to be taken apart.
I'm hopeful the 2006 refresh/redesign will address many of your issues. The best rumor I've heard is the Crown Vic is going to a 6 speed auto in 2006, along with a redesigned interior and exterior. Thank the Chrysler 300 for that, or Ford may have continued to build this car without any changes until the stamping machines turned to dust.
Also, years prior to 2004 (don't know which ones. specifically), the Crown Vic taillights had amber signal lights on the bottom of the red lens... they made it all red in 2004...I have always believed that amber flashing signal/emergency lights are much more visible at night than all red...why did Ford make that change, when they already had the design, engineering and wiring for the amber/red lights???...it just seems to me that the vehicle was safer with amber, and they retrograde it to be all red...why???
On the CD player, not sure why they still go with a trunk-mounted one. Similar story on the tail light lenses. The only thing I can come up with is since the car has a huge fleet purchase percentage, maybe the decision has something to do with that.
Let's hope the interior has a major reworking for 2004. It is currently not bad, but some of the features are out of date.
But so are other brands doing. Example, the new GM minivans will have red lamps, and Toyota minivan got red lamps as well.
Seems that ford tries to match all rear signal lamps, to match the Explorer/Expeditions looks.
That was a lot of useful information! I have an appointment with Ford tomorrow to take it in along with my list. Hopefully they will be able to correct these things.
I will be sure to take in your note and suggestions with me as an FYI of some things to look for.
It is nice to have this source of experience the forum provides in dubugging issues that many owners have been through.
Thanks Again
I'm holding out to see what the 06 looks like, but to be honest, my 94 runs so well I cannot see me getting rid of it anytime soon.
I received no notice of such a recall being in effect and wonder why. Was the rear axle problem not consisdered dangerous? Is there such a thing as a "silent recall"?
wbright
wb
When a company discovers a problem that is not a serious safety problem, they can issue a "silent recall." This is spread to the dealers via Technical Service Bulletin (TSB), but is not otherwise publicized. Ford issues a lot of these, but I have heard of GM and DCX issueing them also.
In the case of the axle problem, I think the reasoning is that the axle will pit badly enough to damage the bearings and cause enough noise to alert the driver long before there is a big risk of the axle breaking. I don't know how true this is, but I think that's the logic.
Another thought...I realize EPA mileage stickers may not be accurate, but with 6000 miles, I am getting about 20 mpg on the highway...the sticker was 17/25, and I personally know of two Town Cars, much bigger, that get 27-28 mpg on the highway...does my engine have more break-in time, or am I hampered by the slightly different rear end ratio of the LX Sport???...
Lexus and his dealer wanted over $1000CDN! to repair it. I can't afford that kind of cash! Any opinions or previous experiences out there as to if it's necessary or how much it costs to fix? Also, the compressor for my Air Suspension seems to run all the time, even while driving down the street, which tells me that maybe the auto-level air suspension needs to be fixed and\or replaced. Does anyone know what that may cost and if it's worth it? I like this car and need to keep it for 3 more years and winter will be hear soon up in Canada, so I need to make some decisions. Thanks for your help, in advance.
On the air suspension, when you park the car, does one corner or the other of the rear of the car sag over time? That would indicate one of the rear air bags is leaking. It could also be the level position sensor is bad, or the a switch to turn it the compressor on and off is not working.
Check out this website:
http://www.arnottindustries.com
Any 93-94 Grand Marquis/Crown Vic tranny should be a plug and play swap. A 95-97 will work, but will require some modifications. A 98 or later will also work, but will require some rewiring as well.
Ron
My 00 Intrepid has the antenna on the rear fender, but I've never taken it through a car wash.
On my 94 Grand Marquis, it has a power antenna on the front passenger fender. It has a rocker switch on the dash to move it up or down. Reception is great.
Sorry, can't help you with the radio volume. Mine stays where it is put.
And about the radio volume, I have the same "feature" in my Windstar. The manual states that whenever you start the engine, the volume will be reset to a comfortable volume. in case you put your volume way too up, it shouldn't scare you or other people, and especially if you get a remote starter and your radio has been left in a very high volume position, it will not be good...
But I do agree that even the 'reset' feature should be at a higher volume. The current setting is too low for me. And maybe Ford should offer this feature "optional", so you can turn it on or off to your liking. (sweet dreams).
Most likely looking at a 1 or 2 year old model with low mileage. I'm From Toronto, Ontario Canada and we have alot of these cars around here,mostly older owners. I'm 40 but can see the value of having a big car to feel safe while
driving.Any Comments or caveats would be greatly
appreciated.
Many Thanks, BD Eyes
As to whether you should buy one, the only concern I might have is if you want to go back to RWD in the snow. That's the only thing I hate about having a Vic. But in the past I had a 4x4 to drive, and now this winter I have a Focus and a Taurus, so the Vic can stay in the garage when the snow flies...
Your wife should take a test drive in cars under consideration. (But a short test drive may not fully bring out the factors cited below.) A buddy and I alternate driving to visit places, with drive times ranging from 2 -10 hours. He has a '01 Accord. He absolutely loves my GM for these trips, because it is comfortable and quiet. His Accord has a stiff ride. It is noisy; you have to raise your voice when conversing at 70 mph. And its seats are lower, meaning your legs are practically straight when sitting rather than having more knee bend in my GM. (My lower back sometimes hurts after a long ride in his Accord.) When we get to our destination, I am happy, because his car is just plain uncomfortable for me. We have no such problems in my GM, and he fully admits that.
So - your wife may well find her desire for an Accord or Camry is trumped by creature comfort factors present in the CV/GM.
Good luck with the decisions.
she would get used to it.Maybe I'll Just Buy a Loaded Grand Marquis and be done with it! If she Doesn't feel comfortable driving, then that means I'll Get to drive it more!!
Thanks Guys,Merry Christmas To All
BD EYES
The safety systems and underlying chassis are all heavily influenced by Ford partner/susidiary Volvo. Under Nasser, this car was almost certainly going to replace the CV/GM. Now, thankfully, that isn't happening. But I did think well enough of the Five Hundred/Montego that I bought one!
I did, though, replace the Michelins with Bridgestones a few months ago, as payback for Chirac's anti-American drivel. Having run Bridgestones, including Blizzaks, on several cars, I'm confident they'll do as well as the Michelins.
Re: the CV/GM bulk - I find this GM easier to drive and park than a '99 Sable I had. You can see all four corners of the GM, and you do adjust to its bulk. That's four more corners than you could see on that Sable! And since walking is most of the exercise I get now, I generally park far away from other cars, which saves my car from the door dings that it inevitably would get from clods who don't think before flipping open a door in close quarters.
Tell your wife, too, that a 4200# CV/GM will protect her better than a lighter car should she ever be unlucky enough to get smacked.
Bulk ain't all bad, baby!
Good luck!