Should I buy a Panther?

"whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU" (whiskey-business)
03/07/2016 at 16:02 • Filed to: None

Oppo, the time has come in my life to rid myself of a bothersome, problematic car. For reasons unknown to me, my Ford Focus wagon has been plagued with electrical and mechanical demons since the day I got it, and they have never relented. My parents and I are tired of putting money into it, and are considering selling it to be replaced with something more reliable.

As a car owner, the obvious question is what to buy. As a car enthusiast, the obvious question is what color should my RX7 be. However, an aging rotary does not fit the bill for reliability, so the happy medium between fun and sane seems to me to be a Crown Victoria/P71 Police Interceptor. They seem largely on board with this, and there are several in good condition within my budget and nearby. My question to you all, is are they a good choice? I need to transport up to 4 people, move a fair amount of gear, and want something reliable and cheap to maintain. Is the praise they are given warranted?

Have an awesome P71 for your time.

DISCUSSION (59)

BeaterGT > whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU
03/07/2016 at 16:08

Only if it’s a Marauder.

AkursedX > whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU
03/07/2016 at 16:08

Used p71's are pretty bulletproof and working on them is a breeze while the parts are cheap.

As long as the rather poor gas mileage won’t be an issue for you, Id say that they are a good buy.

JGrabowMSt > BeaterGT
03/07/2016 at 16:13

I would consider a 2008+ Town Car. I think they look fantastic, and they’re comfortable and carry the Panther reliability. No one will look twice at you if you wear a tucked in Polo or a button down shirt.

Steve in Manhattan > whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU
03/07/2016 at 16:13

Depending on where you live, the answer might be Subaru.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU
03/07/2016 at 16:13

MARAUDER

Actually people talk about the gas mileage, it’s really not that bad for being a big ass car with a V8. 20 mpg + is pretty nice.

jkm7680 > whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU
03/07/2016 at 16:14

Yes, next question...

Party-vi > whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU
03/07/2016 at 16:14

Trade in your headache of a car for something that ended production half a decade ago?

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Party-vi
03/07/2016 at 16:17

Seems crazy, and yet...

Future next gen S2000 owner > Party-vi
03/07/2016 at 16:17

I would think most of the kinks were sorted out in the first 15 years of the production run.

CalzoneGolem > whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU
03/07/2016 at 16:18

I’d like to propose an alternative:

Kinja'd!!!

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU
03/07/2016 at 16:22

I don’t know. I hear they are rather high-maintenance. And, can be dangerous if not treated properly.

And anyway, I would be worried that my pet could actually kill me in my sleep versus just plotting to do so. I guess I am just saying try getting a normal house cat first before trying to get an enormous alpha-predator that is also completely illegal to own...

Sweet Trav > whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU
03/07/2016 at 16:22

But why? There are so many better alternatives. Though V8 RWD on a budget is hard.

TheOnelectronic > whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU
03/07/2016 at 16:24

I know they have their fans here, but nobody who I’ve talked to who has owned one has EVER described them as “fun to drive.”

gawdzillla > whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU
03/07/2016 at 16:29

you can always swap an LS1 in the RX7 for maximum reliability, power and milage

V8Demon - Prefers Autos for drag racing. Fite me! > whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU
03/07/2016 at 16:35

http://www.copcarsonline.com/2006_Ford_Crow…

Kinja'd!!!

You’re welcome.....

Noah - Now with more boost. > whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU
03/07/2016 at 16:47

Gas mileage is presumably no better than my Q45 - expect 15 combined. That adds up quickly! Old V8 boats struggle to get more than 20 MPG highway on the best of days

whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)
03/07/2016 at 17:07

You, sir, had me going. I applaud your wit.

whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU > Party-vi
03/07/2016 at 17:08

If you recall, the MK1 Focus went out of production over a decade ago. . .

whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU > Noah - Now with more boost.
03/07/2016 at 17:09

True, but the way it’s running my Focus isn’t that much better.

whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU > JGrabowMSt
03/07/2016 at 17:10

Wasn’t on my radar, but I’ll keep my eye out for them.

whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU > V8Demon - Prefers Autos for drag racing. Fite me!
03/07/2016 at 17:10

Exactly what I’m looking for!

whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU > AkursedX
03/07/2016 at 17:10

Thanks for the input, I’m glad to hear they’re reliable.

whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
03/07/2016 at 17:11

I wish I had Marauder money to spend on one. . .

whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU > Sweet Trav
03/07/2016 at 17:11

Doesn’t necessarily have to be either, just relatively fun and in budget.

whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU > TheOnelectronic
03/07/2016 at 17:12

They’re not doing it right! But I know what you mean, they are boats. Not performance cars.

whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU > gawdzillla
03/07/2016 at 17:12

If I had time and money and space, I would.

whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU > Steve in Manhattan
03/07/2016 at 17:12

Too expensive. Only thing in my price range is made of exclusively iron oxide and has 200+k miles.

whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU > CalzoneGolem
03/07/2016 at 17:14

I would in a heartbeat, but too old for my parent’s taste.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU
03/07/2016 at 17:20

No. They are dependable and indestructable, but they are boring and significantly underpowered. I’ve owned four of them. And the Panther market is currently in free fall.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU
03/07/2016 at 17:23

The Town Car — I’ve owned one of those, too — has too many gadgets and a rear air ride suspension that is problem prone. If you’re going that route, stick with the Vic.

whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
03/07/2016 at 17:23

I don’t need powerful or exciting, as I am a broke ass college kid, but something with potential would be nice.

whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
03/07/2016 at 17:24

Good advice, simple is better to me.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU
03/07/2016 at 17:25

Potential... There ain’t much of potential there. Good car for a broke-ass college kid, though. No doubt about that.

whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
03/07/2016 at 17:29

Sure there’s potential: manual swap, some suspension work, and sticky rubber would make it a hoot.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU
03/07/2016 at 17:41

Yes, and so would 150 more horsepower, which it should have had in the first place. Even David Freiberger says the 4.6L V-8 is a “turd.”

Steve in Manhattan > whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU
03/07/2016 at 17:51

Agreed - not advisable.

Darkshoe (With Straight 6) > whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU
03/07/2016 at 17:58

Buy one if you’re willing to keep it until the wheels fall off. You’re broke and in college and they’re cheap to maintain. When/if you graduate you should keep it and drive it every day. When/if you get a job you should still keep it and maintain it. One day you will be able to afford a “fun” car. On that day do not sell your panther, keep it and maintain it and drive it to work. And pray for cheap gasoline.

MM54 > whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU
03/07/2016 at 18:09

Drive one and see what you think. Some people have an irrationally strong hatred for them, some love them. There’s enough of them out there and they’re cheap enough it shouldn’t be too hard to find an inexpensive one in good shape. ‘03 and up is the ‘modern’ chassis and ‘04 and up had the most power they made.

Lots of bolt-on performance parts if you start to get bored, but don’t think that it will magically be some super-fast agile sedan, it’s still a panther.

(Source: I’ve daily driven my beater ‘02 P71 for a while)

Nymphicus Hollandicus > whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU
03/07/2016 at 18:26

Well... Yes and no. Yes because they’re comfortable and reliable but I think a Mercury Grand Marquis would be a better buy as they weren’t cop cars. Personally, I wouldn’t get a Panther since they get lousy gas mileage and I don’t like floaty cars.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU
03/07/2016 at 18:39

It’s cheap to buy used, cheap to maintain, but it isn’t an enthusiasts car... not even if you want to customize it.

If you want to buy it, leave it stock and just use as a reliable daily driver while gas is cheap, then it’ll be fine.

If you want a fun, cheap performance car, look elsewhere.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU
03/07/2016 at 19:03

You know, for a college kid on a budget, a Panther is probably in the Top Five choices. And on a trip, if you keep your foot out of it, you can get 20 mpg or even slightly better, if it’s running properly. Maybe top two or three choices. But there is a wide range of them out there and some aren’t worth $500. They can be beaten all to Hell and back. So if you have any mechanic friends, you might ask them to test drive the car with you or for you. But a Panther would be a very solid, dependable choice. The one I just sold was older, 2000 model year, 83k miles, new tires and brakes, straight body, albeit with the paint falling off, and it was all I could do to get $1500 for it.

whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
03/07/2016 at 19:34

I’m fairly competent with cars, and I’ve shopped enough to know what to look for. And the diving market is perfect for me, if I could pocket cash from switching cars that would be ideal.

whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
03/07/2016 at 19:35

What would you recommend then? Preferably manual, hopefully rear -wheel drive, reliable and practical?

whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU > Nymphicus Hollandicus
03/07/2016 at 19:36

Then what would you buy over one?

ranwhenparked > whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU
03/07/2016 at 19:52

Sure. I’ve had two - a 2009 Grand Marquis that was my first car purchase after graduating college and starting a real job, and a 1984 Town Car that’s presently my second car and kind of a rolling project.

Great cars. Not much rear seat legroom (although the ‘84 seems better in that department than the Mercury, for some reason), but very comfortable otherwise. Big trunks, extremely durable, reliable, cheap to fix, and fairly economical for what they are.

I don’t know that I’d want a used police car, though, they tend to get beat on and departments are really holding on to their Crown Vics now, so the ones they do discard have to be pretty used up at this point. Maybe look for a more lightly used Grand Marquis or a civilian Crown Victoria LX. If you do go the Police Interceptor route, find one that hasn’t been abused - lower mileage, maybe a secondary/backup car or an unmarked detective’s vehicle.

Nymphicus Hollandicus > whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU
03/07/2016 at 19:53

I’m not sure of your budget, but I would get a mid-sized sedan or a crossover. That said, if you test drive one and like the way it drives, than I’d say go for it.

whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU > Nymphicus Hollandicus
03/07/2016 at 20:26

Not the biggest fan of crossovers, have disliked every one I’ve driven. Budget is sub-5000.

Nymphicus Hollandicus > whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU
03/07/2016 at 20:43

I dislike crossovers as well, I drive one and if it caught fire I wouldn’t be mad. Anyways, for that budget, I would say a Honda Accord or Toyota Camry would work well since well, they’re reliable. A panther body for 5000 is quite a good value though.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU
03/07/2016 at 23:35

Need to know what your purchase and operating budget is.

Party-vi > whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU
03/08/2016 at 07:16

Which was a decade overdue if we’re honest.

CalzoneGolem > whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU
03/08/2016 at 08:14

That’s a shame. Town Car it is.

Captain of the Enterprise > whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU
03/08/2016 at 09:42

I daily drove one for 3 years. It is big and it has a huge trunk but I found it to be really uncomfortable personally. It won’t carve up roads very well and it will roll a lot in the corners but you can do some burnouts and the engine sounds pretty good when you get it going. That said if you understand that going in and think it’s comfortable it could be right for you. I just replaced it with an 05 Corolla.

whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU > Captain of the Enterprise
03/08/2016 at 14:12

The handling of the car is the only thing preventing me from going ahead with it right away. . .

whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU > Party-vi
03/08/2016 at 14:13

I couldn’t agree more. Bunch of rattleboxes they are now.

whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
03/08/2016 at 14:14

Trying to stay under 5000, less is better as always. Operating budget is less specific, as long as its not unreasonable it should be ok.

Captain of the Enterprise > whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU
03/08/2016 at 14:37

Some guys over on CrownVic.net do a lot to their suspension but it won’t be cheap to do a lot of suspension upgrades and it’s hard to get around the 4000+ pounds of body on frame boatness

whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU > Captain of the Enterprise
03/08/2016 at 15:09

Fair point, are there any good RWD sedans that would be a better starting point? For the same price, roughly?

Captain of the Enterprise > whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU
03/08/2016 at 18:31

I couldn’t really find any, there are mustangs but they will probably be pretty rough, I was worried about maintenance costs on Bmws, IS300s are pretty rare. It’s very hard to find cheap reliable and rwd. Everything at that price range is a compromise I had $4000 saved up for my replacement and I ended up putting reliability and fuel economy and comfort over a lot of enthusiast qualities. But I also have to drive about 50 miles per day to go to class and work(I work on campus) and I needed a reliable daily so I bought this:

Kinja'd!!!

And love it so far. If I lived a lot closer or made more money I probably would have bought something more fun but this is what I needed for now. Your situation may be different or maybe your parents would help with buying it or repairing it so you could afford a riskier choice. It tough but a more “boring” car like mine could surprise you like mine has.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU
03/08/2016 at 23:55

Fun for under $5000?

PT Cruiser GT with the 215-230HP turbo engine:

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/…

Was also going to suggest a Dodge Neon/Caliber SRT4, but those have actually been going up in value.

And if you’re fine with less power, then consider a 2004+ Ford Focus ZX3 Hatchback.

These will be more fun, have better performance in every way, but likely won’t be as durable.

But really... if you’re a ‘cheaper is better’ type of buyer, you should forget about performance/fun and just focus on reliability and low operating costs... and get something like a cheap/manual Toyota Echo or Yaris:

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/…