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While neither feature is an absolute necessity, they have already deleted the remote fuel filler release and other nice touches previously. I also think the base fabric has been downgraded.
They are still bargains, only makes one wonder what they are taking out that you cannot see.
The best thing for tire life, however, is to ignore the car maker's reccomendations, and fill your tires according to the tire maker's specifications. Of course, I just take the lazy man's approach and fill 'em all to 35, regardless of tire or car make.
Your point about front tire pressure would seem to apply to rear tires almost as well inasmuch as the rear tires usually follow the front tires over the road. If a softer ride is desired, it would make sense to lower the tire pressure in all 4 tires. I agree with you that it is probably just as well to keep all 4 tires at the same pressure. My guess is that result of differentiating front and rear pressures is not significant.
As far as a softer ride, the reason (this being my theory. Ford Engineers may have other reasons) that the front tires are cranked down a little lower than the back is because the front tires are directly connected to the steering wheel, and the driver feels road vibrations through that. The back tires have no suce direct connection to the driver, and can have the pressure cranked up a bit higher without affecting ride quality as much. It's not a matter of keeping the front tires from shaking the whole car, the suspension can handle that, it's a matter of keeping the front tires from shaking the steering wheel, and dropping the air pressure just a bit, at least in theory, helps.
My complaint with the 2002, (the LSE) has to do with the steering and handling package...I do notice a slightly better hiway steering action...the car seems to need less attention to keep it in the middle of a lane..However, this seems to be at a sacrifice to both ride and gas mileage...I have found about a twenty percent reduction in both hiway and city mileage and at low speeds, (across RR tracks and city potholes), their is a more pronounced jolt..
My favorite of all these Grand Marquis was the 87..The engine was the 5 liter model which was subsequently reduced to 4.6...I thought that the five litre was a quieter and better sounding engine..
I've always thought that firmer suspensions cause more rattles in a car, and is harder on the car in general, but I don't know if that can be proved.
Am I the only one who is waiting, or would others like to buy a CV/GM station wagon?
CD player is being removed from the radio, will be cassette only. Don't see it on the option list, though it is standard on the GS Convenience.
Cargo net in trunk is gone.
Automatic brake release is gone.
Pockets on front of seat is gone.
Good news, is antilock brakes and traction control is still standard, but if you want the CD player, you have to spend the $800 for the Convenience model. The appearance package on the Convenience model will be a different two tone combination and include two tone leather, but will set you back an extra $900 over the current one.
Don't know about the Crown Vic, yet.
Ted
OR the replacement tire is a different size...
OR the ABS sensor is damaged.
In any event, you need a repair, but it is likely one of those three things.
Also, Daimler-Chrysler is bringing out the 2005 Chrysler Pacifica and Dodge Magnum. Based on the RWD LX platform.
I have a 1987 Merc wagon for fun and some go "eeww" while most others go "wow!"
Back in the 60's & 70's, NYC had always used 6 cylinder versions of police vehicles for the same reasons.
The CV explosions have been extremely rare, but in a society run by sensationalist journalists and lawyers, they smell a buck may be able to be made from it. Some say the newer more environmentally friendly gasolines are more volatile, as the events seem to take place in hot western states.
One reason may be the newly adapted police policies of not going into those long auto chases as in the past. I do notice, though that State Police units still have the CV's.
Rear ends breaking away? Most law enforcement officers just don't like front wheel drive vehicles. I suppose any reason not to drive one is as good as any other.
The Impala is a fine vehicle, purpose built to be a police car. That being said, it is no CV/GM: no body on frame, no V-8, no rear wheel drive, much less heavy. Durability in police service has been good so far, notwithstanding what is clearly abuse by some of the drivers who do not want to be in a FWD V-6 unibody car.
One last thing. Impala rear end breaks away in high speed chase. Think about it, the media would be all over that. So would Ford. And you couldn't blame them. The fact this hasn't made the national news is reason enough to realize it isn't true.
Most were sorry to see GM discontinue their big RWD cars. The Caprice was very popular.
There's a learning curve involved in switching to FWD - especially in high performance or pursuit driving. Some cops just don't want to learn, and some just don't like the way a FWD car handles and drives.
Also, I've had some cops tell me that the new Crown Victorias have problems with the rear ends "breaking loose." I just figured they weren't used to the new variable assist rack and pinion Ford has switched to. It's happening - and no media outlet that I know of is reporting on it.
Could be something similar involving the Impalas...
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Also, does this happen to 2003 CV only or earlier models too? I also thought that the stability & traction control package on Police CV won't let you rear wheels spin in this situation. Of course I'm not sure at what speeds it spins out of control, most poeple won't ever turn faster than 40mph on any short 90 degree turn.
Is this why Cops don't drive SUVs ?
One minor problem was I was reclining back in the nice leather seat and went to change the radio station via the steering wheel controls, and surprise ... no radio controls on the wheel. I was in the GS w/convenience pkg. So I thought, not a show stopper, and reached for the radio button and found out, EVEN with my long arms, those buttons might as well be in the glove compartment.
Does anyone that already owns a GM find this annoying or do you just get used to it ?
I was told the controls are on the top of the line LS Ultimate.
I would like to gain some MPG with my next ride. Obviously, a drawback in the CV/GM, but the safety and value weigh in well.
Now I'm curious, what new cars do you consider engine worthy ?
Marauder engine, Aviator, Mustang HO, Jaguar 4.2, Lincoln LS V8 has a lot of snap from the line. A mfg rep advises the 04 Towncar will have the engine currently in the Aviator. We'll see.
And I don't blame Ford for drunks going 80.
And who says that would solve fires in rear end collisions?
Still, any car is apt to explode if hit in the rear at speeds of 60-80 MPH. Then again, many of the law enforcement crashes where fire and resultant death has occurred have not involved speeds that high, though some have.
We are talking about the deaths of law enforcement officers here, some of whose brothers and sisters in the profession read this group. This is about far more than a car. It is about making the vehicle as safe as practical for a cost point. The local and state Governments are in this boat, too. Ford no doubt could build a far safer vehicle were it able to charge, say, $40,000 per cruiser. And all these pols who are banging the drum against the Vic cruisers would NOT be buying them. That's a guarantee. The trial lawyers will have a field day with the fact that of the few vehicles left with gas tanks aft of the rear wheels, most are Fords.
http://www.cvpi.com/safety_video.htm