I finally sold my Panther.

"Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo" (rustyvandura)
11/15/2015 at 17:59 • Filed to: None

The market for the P71 seems to have largely disappeared.

DISCUSSION (20)

CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
11/15/2015 at 18:06

At least now the super illegal Crown Vic police siren and flashers are at a all time low

MM54 > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
11/15/2015 at 18:06

They’re pretty much impossible to sell, yeah. Around here there’s always several for sale, of varying condition and mileage, for the same price. Naturally, the nice ones move, and the junky ones sit on craigslist for months.

Even if it weren’t for the moral “This car has too many problems for me to screw someone over by selling it to them” factor, I could never sell my ‘02 P71 because it’s in such awful condition - I’d have to give it away, or pay someone to take it.

It will eventually get parted out.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > MM54
11/15/2015 at 18:13

Several years ago I bought three of them at auction and made $3,500 on the project. I made about $100 this time, after all of my expenses.

E92M3 > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
11/15/2015 at 18:20

They used to be popular around here, but now that demographic drives Dodge Chargers with push bars.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > E92M3
11/15/2015 at 18:23

I figured that had a lot do to with it. Chargers, or SUVs or whatever the cops are driving nowadays. Nevertheless, I predict that long after the last Charger has rusted away to its basic elements, there will still be P71 Crown Vics on the road. I hear that the Chargers are fast, but unreliable.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > E92M3
11/15/2015 at 18:23

Where is “around here?”

E92M3 > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
11/15/2015 at 18:35

Atlanta

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > E92M3
11/15/2015 at 18:43

I also wonder whether it’s becoming less fashionable to look like a cop.

E92M3 > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
11/15/2015 at 18:53

It seems like it’s a growing trend around here. I think they are just choosing more current vehicles to look more like cops. When I see a crown vic’s headlights behind me these days I immediately think old person or a taxi from the 1 company nearby that hasn’t switched to prius or versas yet (they may never update their fleet if Uber keeps chopping away at their business).

Achtung > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
11/15/2015 at 18:54

Mmmm... I’ve always thought these things would be a great sleeper platform. RWD, V8, and looks like a grandpa-mobile.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > E92M3
11/15/2015 at 18:57

Uber is a good topic. The old taxi business needed distrupting. Now what we need is an Uber that will disrupt public education. I am curious: how old are you? I’m 51. I live, and sold my Panther, in the San Francisco Bay Area, Oakland side of the Bay.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Achtung
11/15/2015 at 18:58

Same. But they are not very fast and the transmission is kind of slushy, even with the cop-shift-kit. Nice driving car, though, if it’s in good shape.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
11/15/2015 at 19:05

I’m not surprised by that. A lot of police departments are phasing out their P71s, so now your “wants to look like a cop” demographic is migrating to Chargers.

I love my P71, one of my favorite cars I’ve ever owned, but I can’t imagine it’ll be an easy sell when I get to it: there’s a million of the things for sale at all times.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
11/15/2015 at 21:45

Kinja'd!!!

It’s missing it’s pushbar :(

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
11/15/2015 at 22:57

So you think the pushbar is what people really want?

E92M3 > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
11/15/2015 at 23:14

Yes it most certainly did. I resisted Uber at first, and then one day the Taxi company (that’s literally a block away and I’ve used for years) forgot to pick me up for a trip to the airport I scheduled 24 hrs in advance. I gave them 15 mins past the appointment before calling them, and they said sorry, but it would be 45 mins until a car could get there. I downloaded Uber’s app, created an account. and had a car there in 15 mins. I just narely made it to the airport in time. I enjoyed having a friendly english speaking driver, and riding in a nicer car (newish hyundai sonata) so much I’ve used Uber since. I’m 36. My Dad is 74 and drives an 89 Crown Vic. He refuses to upgrade to the newer generation because of the plastic bumpers.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > E92M3
11/16/2015 at 14:16

That’s a great story. I’ve toyed with the idea of registering as an Uber driver, but I’m afraid people would complain about my car, which is a ‘90 Corolla. The seats are good and I maintain it obsessively, but I think folks want nicer cars. Maybe I could cover some of the gap with my personality. I’m 51.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
11/16/2015 at 14:46

I know it’s what I want. But I also want a manual transmission, AND a heated leather spilt bench seat. Two things the PI doesn’t have, but can be added to it.

E92M3 > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
11/16/2015 at 17:41

I’ve thought about it too for some extra income. I think your car cannot be more than 6 years old to drive with Uber. It’s been a while since I looked at the requirements though. I mostly get picked up in Camry’s, Accords, or Prius.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > E92M3
11/16/2015 at 18:17

I bought my first car in 1985 and in the 30 years since, I have only owned one car that was less than six years old.