"anothermiatafanboy" (kvnkiley)
05/19/2014 at 09:00 • Filed to: CVPI
1
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"anothermiatafanboy" (kvnkiley)
05/19/2014 at 09:00 • Filed to: CVPI | 1
| 9 |
This is my first post, please be easy on me. I have been looking for a car to replace my Miata. I have thoroughly enjoyed the Miata life, but am looking to switch it up as variety is, after all, the spice of life.
When coming from a Miata, what could be more different, a better way to have a different car experience, than a Crown Victoria? Where the Miata is small, the CV is huge. Where the Miata has a tiny 4 banger the CV has a hulking V8. Where the Miata has a snick-snick manual transmission, the CV has an archaic 4 speed automatic. Where the Miata breaks my back on a road trip, the CV would be a cocoon from the outside world. Or at least that is the thinking.
So when looking for a Crown Victoria, a decision must be made: Civilian Vic or the Crown Victoria Police Interceptor (CVPI for short). The CVPI has myriad upgrades over the civilian version, the headlines being a shorter axle ratio (3.27 or 3.55 compared to the regular CV at 2.73), upgraded transmission and oil coolers, heavier duty suspension, slight chassis stiffening, slightly different air intake, harder and higher transmission shift points.
But the downside to the CVPI is the potential is has been beat to hell. The CVPI usually will come with detailed service records from the department it was used by (and being the government, they are serviced properly and on time). I would be looking for an example with lower miles (50,000 to 90,000) in hopes of not getting a hunk o junk, but still it is tough to compare to a regular Vic, which are usually owned by the mythical 'some old lady'.
The only real advantages the CVPI holds for me is the more advantageous axle ratio (to make this boat swim a little faster), and perhaps the suspension and chassis upgrades.
What say you, OPPO, is getting a CVPI a bad idea, are they all beat to hell? Or are they well serviced steals if you find the right one? It would be great to get any input from true Pantherphiles who have driven both. If you have made it this far I applaud you.
desertdog5051
> anothermiatafanboy
06/01/2014 at 19:48 |
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4.6 or 5.4, they both suck for gas mileage.
Unless you want a C.V. just because, I do not think it is a good decision.
On the other hand, if you are a cop wannabe, perfect. :)
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anothermiatafanboy
> desertdog5051
06/01/2014 at 23:04 |
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Well they both have the same motor, the SOHC 4.6 and for the record of course I do not want to be a cop wannabe! But gas prices are going up, and I will always be able to get a fun, manual, sporty car, but now may be the last time it is practical to get a V8, RWD, comfortable American boat. I think it has character.
Hammerdown
> anothermiatafanboy
06/03/2014 at 17:21 |
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I just bought a civilian model a half hour ago. Did a bunch of this research, none of it scientific.
Civilian models will be the all around better car I decided. Probably less wear and tear, leather, better Climate control, radio, etc. They have rear air suspension where the PI cars have spring rears.
PI cars have a little stiffer sway bar (I think) and some came with locking diffs.
Here's why I bought a civi model over an interceptor:
All the seats matched, no vinyl back/cloth front combo.
Bench seat instead of two buckets with nothing inbetween
Seems like there has been problems with the white interceptors losing their paint.
I can lower the rear of the civi model by adjusting the air suspension, which is free and easy to do.
No holes in the doors/dash/roof/floor for lights and things that are no longer there.
I can add all of the performance items from the PI to this car for cheap (especially if I can find one in a junkyard)
Really though, buy what you think is best for you. Like I said, I just bought mine and in fact, it's 4 hours away, gotta go get it this weekend.
Check crownvic.net Super helpful
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anothermiatafanboy
> Hammerdown
06/04/2014 at 00:35 |
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Thanks for the reply. I tried to create an account there to no avail. I hear they are incredibly backed up with people trying to sign up. And unfortunately, you must be a member to see the good stuff. The air suspension is something I didn't know about. Is it only on certain model years of the civilian model? I wonder about the reliability...seems air springs are always a failure point on older german luxobarges. A civilian Vic just came up on craigslist by me, I may go check it out. A 2004, looks straight off the showroom, just MINT, 55,000 miles and they are asking 6k.
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Hammerdown
> anothermiatafanboy
06/04/2014 at 09:35 |
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Yea I just tried to join last night and didn't get very far. Seems if you search for what you're looking for (i.e. crown victoria air suspension) and they are generally within the first five results.
As far as the air suspension goes, hard to say how long it will last, however I don't think it is too bad to replace if it's needed. There's always the junkyard for a new compressor if that goes and I don't think the bags are too expensive.
I speculate that the air suspension will ride a little better, it will level the car out if I put a bunch of people in it or pull a trailer, and as I said before if you move the sensor you can change where the bags shut off, changing the ride height.
I believe all civi's +03 are rear air suspension.
I paid 5500 for an 04 with 92000 on it from a dealer, so that guy is in the ballpark. I'd go take a look!
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anothermiatafanboy
> Hammerdown
06/04/2014 at 10:53 |
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http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/cto/4496024319…
07CVPI
> anothermiatafanboy
10/10/2014 at 13:24 |
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If you cant get into CV.net then go on Facebook and join the group crownvic.net or cvn:uncensored and they can probably help get your application finished.
Theres also crownvic.ca.... much easier to sign up but not as much info (also not as many donks so it evens out)
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07CVPI
> anothermiatafanboy
10/10/2014 at 13:24 |
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If you cant get into CV.net then go on Facebook and join the group crownvic.net or cvn:uncensored and they can probably help get your application finished.
Theres also crownvic.ca.... much easier to sign up but not as much info (also not as many donks so it evens out)
nrakers99
> anothermiatafanboy
01/28/2019 at 23:07 |
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Just got a base model 2002 crown vic with 75k miles for $2900, theres nothing like a full size american rwd v8 sedan with 5 extra seating in the trunk. Cant come accross them anymore there value will only go up, if you take care of them