Ford Taurus vs crown victoria

[FirstNissan]

Hi, I had posted earlier about buying a cheap car for short trips to the dog park. I've upped my budget to $2500, i am researching 2005-2009 Taurus vs crown Vic. I will put approx 4k miles per year so fuel economy isn't much of a worry. Which car is the preferred choice and why?
Thanks

 

[horse123]

Can I ask why you're only looking at those cars and nothing else? Or are you open to other suggestions?

 

[Wolf359]

I'd only say Taurus because I have one. They probably made a lot more of them than crown vics so parts are cheap on rockauto or advance auto. Last year of the 4th gen Duratec engine was 2005.

 

[bdcardinal]

Crown vic hands down. Way more Vics on the road than Taurus still with a longer production cycle.

 

[ram_man]

My vote is look for both and buy whatever you find the best deal on. The vic is on avg a longer lasting car though. And you may check out police auctions.

 

[FirstNissan]

I've narrowed it down to these models since I have read multiple car blogs about good reliability and cheap spares. The large interior space is also nice with my two dogs

 

[ExMachina]

Since you're in Kansas, get the front wheel drive Taurus, better in the snow.

 

[FirstNissan]

ExMachina- I actually moved to Kentucky last month. Just updated my profile! The fwd comment is very good though since we get a decent amount of rain in KY

 

[aquariuscsm]

If I were to own a Taurus,it's have to be the SHO. If I had a Crown Vic,It'd have to be the po-po interceptor complete with the po-po appearance package :^)

When did Ford stop calling Crown Vics *LTD's"?

 

[The_Jeff]

Get a PT Cruiser, HHR, or Volvo V70 and fold the seats down.

 

[ExMachina]

Better yet, get a cheap mini-van and take the back seat out. Its like a big car station wagon really. Not a bigger footprint than a taurus, or crown vic for sure.

 

[spk2000]

Depends on if you drive in much snow or not. I see KY and most KY gets light snow for the most part except when a major dumping comes. If it were me the Crown Vic did not change much since early 90's making parts especially from junkyard readily available. Also the engine is the same as mustang, F-150, etc. Also the drive quality is much better unless you are sport driving. My Grand Marquis is my choice vehicle over my Sable except in snow or if I am going to be driving in the twisty mountains or backroads. The seats are much cushier and suspension is softer than my Sable.

 

[Wolf359]

Originally Posted By: bdcardinal
Crown vic hands down. Way more Vics on the road than Taurus still with a longer production cycle.


They made a lot more Taurus cars than Crown Vics. In 2005, 196k vs 64k. When the 2000 model came out, they sold 382k of them. At one point the Taurus did compete with the Camry and Accord as one of the top selling mid size sedans.

 

[Nick1994]

Originally Posted By: bdcardinal
Crown vic hands down. Way more Vics on the road than Taurus still with a longer production cycle.
Yup

Also look for the Mercury Grand Marquis

 

[Wolf359]

Originally Posted By: Nick1994
Originally Posted By: bdcardinal
Crown vic hands down. Way more Vics on the road than Taurus still with a longer production cycle.
Yup

Also look for the Mercury Grand Marquis


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Crown_Victoria

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Taurus

The Taurus also had the Sable twin.

 

[Hokiefyd]

Originally Posted By: FirstNissan
Hi, I had posted earlier about buying a cheap car for short trips to the dog park. I've upped my budget to $2500, i am researching 2005-2009 Taurus vs crown Vic. I will put approx 4k miles per year so fuel economy isn't much of a worry. Which car is the preferred choice and why?


Interesting model year restriction.

The Taurus' 4th generation spanned from 2000-2007. 2008 and 2009 will be part of the 5th generation, and I highly doubt you're going to find a 5th generation Taurus worth buying for $2,500. Frankly, $2,500 won't buy much of a 4th generation one, either. You'll likely find Vulcans (the OHV V-6) needing headgaskets or transmissions needing replaced at that kind of money. You might get lucky and score gramma's old Taurus at an estate sale or something.

The Crown Victoria's Panther frame was redesigned in 2003, so I'd look for a 2003+ model of that car.

To be honest, I certainly wouldn't be on the hunt for a sedan for dog transport duty. At the least, I'd be looking for a small wagon or an older small pickup with a shell on the back. Neither the Taurus or Crown Vic will be optimal for your intended use here. Maybe you can get lucky and find a retired K9 Crown Vic without the back seat and with the dog cage.

 

[Jarlaxle]

Dog car? P71 vic with the police divider & plastuc rear seat.

 

[Andrew1972]

Honda actually sells a seat cover for 2015 Honda Accord LX that likely will protect the seat. Not sure if your dogs are out of control and will eat the interior though.

http://automobiles.honda.com/accord-sedan/accessory-detail.aspx?Accessory=ACCOR15034

A friend of mine has these in his Accord sport for his dogs and its is very durable material. I'd throw a blanket on top for good measure and get this done for $250 and not have to deal with a junk heap car that will cost your far more then purchase price.

 

[Benzadmiral]

Originally Posted By: aquariuscsm
. . . When did Ford stop calling Crown Vics *LTD's"?

I seem to recall a downsized model called the "LTD II" in the late '70s. Then by the early '80s it was the Crown Victoria. (I think.)

 

[SwampSurvivor]

Crown Victoria was a trim package of the LTD. Eventually they just dropped the LTD name in the early 80s when the Panther was introduced.

I'd probably shoot for 02 and older to get the steering box setup instead of rack and pinion.