Talk me out of it...

"Decay buys too many beaters" (decay)
10/11/2014 at 18:22 • Filed to: None

As a new daily driver

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Note, I drive little enough that fuel economy is not a concern.

DISCUSSION (30)

offroadkarter > Decay buys too many beaters
10/11/2014 at 18:22

Get an LX, don't buy a P71

Decay buys too many beaters > offroadkarter
10/11/2014 at 18:23

And why is that?

Viggen > Decay buys too many beaters
10/11/2014 at 18:26

If you're really thinking about it, do a very, very thorough check of EVERYTHING.

If you find a car that wasn't abused, I say go for it. If it was abused, STAY THE FUCK AWAY.

Mine was thrashed to within an inch of its life. I had no mechanical knowledge when I bought it, so I didn't realize until I had steam coming from the hood and enough coolant leaking from below to make Exxon Valdez look tame.

offroadkarter > Decay buys too many beaters
10/11/2014 at 18:26

Why buy a beat to shit old cop car with zero options when you can get the same car, better ride, better life and more options for maybe a grand more? These cars are so cheap and the prices overlap so much that the only people who buy P71's are either totally poor, whackers, or "just want to have a cop car because its a cop car bro".

I've been in basically every panther on the panther hierarchy, I speak my words of wisdom from way up the top.

jkm7680 > Decay buys too many beaters
10/11/2014 at 18:26

Go and buy this now, just watch for mystery stains and odors.

Decay buys too many beaters > offroadkarter
10/11/2014 at 18:31

Right on, I'll look in to it.

Viggen > offroadkarter
10/11/2014 at 18:32

that the only people who buy P71's are either totally poor, whackers, or "just want to have a cop car because its a cop car bro".

Funny, I bought one, and I don't meet any of that criteria.

Decay buys too many beaters > Viggen
10/11/2014 at 18:33

Oh, if I do go I'll give it a very thorough check.

offroadkarter > Viggen
10/11/2014 at 18:35

Then why didn't you buy a civilian car, why go for the second worst type of panther you can buy?

offroadkarter > Decay buys too many beaters
10/11/2014 at 18:36

1 imporant question, whats your budget you want to spend on one of these?

Viggen > offroadkarter
10/11/2014 at 18:36

Because I gave myself a very limited budget because I would only need the car for three to four months at most, and compared to the rest of the competition, it was the most practical option.

offroadkarter > Viggen
10/11/2014 at 18:40

Miles / Year?

Decay buys too many beaters > offroadkarter
10/11/2014 at 18:40

My budget is right around $3K this will be my (snowless) winter beater and daily driver for the wet months. I outlined some of my contenders here

http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/daily-driver-w…

Viggen > offroadkarter
10/11/2014 at 18:42

Did you mean to reply to Decay?

If not, my P71 was a 2001 with 102,000.

offroadkarter > Viggen
10/11/2014 at 18:45

nope, meant you. Did you pay under 3000 at least since yours is a "lower mile" car?

feather-throttle-not-hair > Decay buys too many beaters
10/11/2014 at 18:46

One of my good friends on here has owned 2 of these recently. They have uncomfortable seats.

OTOH its kinda fun to drive in that "i'm going to treat this bitch like its my first car" sort of way.

Edit: Oh yeah, check to make sure you can open the rear doors from the inside and that the rear windows do the same. They probably wont. Use as negotiating tactic.

offroadkarter > Decay buys too many beaters
10/11/2014 at 18:47

It doesn't have to be snowless, throw some winter tires on the thing and you'll go anywhere. I drove my marauder threw a few snow storms on street tires and never got stuck thanks to the L/S rear.

Are you committed to buying a 03+ car? the -02 and older cars have the older chassis and still have a steering gear but if you're looking for a winter beater I'm not sure that you would care so much.

Viggen > offroadkarter
10/11/2014 at 18:47

I payed like $2000 for it.

offroadkarter > Viggen
10/11/2014 at 18:50

well I can't fault you on the price then since 2000 dollars is the official crownvic.net "what is my p71 worth" universal value.

Jonee > Decay buys too many beaters
10/11/2014 at 18:51

He has a point. You can probably find a civilian Vic or a Grand Marquis for not much more, but I see nothing wrong with this car. People will get out of your way on the highway, and, the push bar and spotlight are fun.

Decay buys too many beaters > offroadkarter
10/11/2014 at 18:56

Not totally committed to the 03+, it just seems like $2.5- 3K is the bottom dollar right now, so I looked for how new I could get for that range.

Not even totally set on a panther.

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Decay buys too many beaters
10/11/2014 at 19:02

Do it. No need to talk you out of it

Decay buys too many beaters > Jonee
10/11/2014 at 19:04

If i was going Mercury, I'd have to go with this for a bit more...

http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/cto/471026…

M54B30 > Decay buys too many beaters
10/11/2014 at 19:05

2003s had Kevlar doors, in case you want to troll shady types in the hood.

Takuro Spirit > Decay buys too many beaters
10/11/2014 at 19:09

Don't buy a city car. No no. Especially one that has a bumper like that. Do what the other guy said and find a LX, but Imma go LX Sport. Sexier. Like a Marauder with a less potent engine. I was happy enough with a P71 that had carpet and power seat, and I added cruise and a radio/speakers and that was enough for me, but the gas mileage and questionable snow handling made me get rid of it.

ranwhenparked > Decay buys too many beaters
10/11/2014 at 19:19

The fuel economy isn't terrible anyway, I averaged in the low 20s with my Grand Marquis.

Still, with the way police departments run these things, you would be better off looking for a nicely maintained civilian model. If price is a factor and you really want one though, go for it, since you probably won't find a civilian version with that age and mileage for under $3k.

Tohru > Decay buys too many beaters
10/11/2014 at 19:36

I kinda want it as my winter car.

V8Demon - Prefers Autos for drag racing. Fite me! > Decay buys too many beaters
10/11/2014 at 19:44

Buy it.

Kinja'd!!!

Corey > Decay buys too many beaters
10/11/2014 at 19:51

The only negative I would point out is that people ahead of you on single-lane roads won't likely exceed the speed limit. Pretty annoying when you want to go faster and there are no actual cops around. Otherwise, why not?

Plus you get an extra light that you can point as you wish. That's kind of neat.

boobytrapsandtreasure > Decay buys too many beaters
10/13/2014 at 09:03

If you can get a Chief's or Detective's car that would be better than getting a patrol car. They have better options and interiors with all the goodies that make a P71 attractive.