Trade 2011 Focus for a Crown Vic / Marquis?

[SwampSurvivor]

Last year, I bought a Focus for work. I used to travel a lot and getting good gas mileage was imperative (and having a new car as I'm an apartment dweller and have no space to fix).

I like the focus's gas mileage, it's fun to toss around in corners and it's a 5 speed ... I really enjoy rowing the gears.

With that said, I don't particularly care for compact cars. I now drive significantly less (only put about 5500 miles on this year so far).

Payments on this car are on the high side at $220 a month. On top of that, I'm keeping full coverage on the car and that ads another $70 or so to the cost of this car.

Part of me wants to go to a dealer and trade it on a 2011 Marquis or Crown Vic. That way I'll have a *new* car that I'll like and I will be able to keep it from rusting out.

However, the sensible side of me says get rid of the Focus (it's worth more than I owe on it) and take that money and find a nice 10 year old crown vic.

Any suggestions?

For what it's worth, I've *always* wanted a crown vic. I was looking for one in 2010 when I got my Cherokee, but wasn't able to find a nice Crown Vic before my Taurus rusted in half.

 

[md_lucky_13]

I'm not sure you will be able to find a 2011 Crown Vic or Grand Marquis.

This is going completely off the top of my head, but I THINK the last year for a non Taxi or Cop Car Vic was 2008 (I was working for Ford at that time, so remember this is just from memory).

You would be looking at a used taxi or cop car if it was made after 2008, with the "newest" vic being around 2008. Once again, all from memory.

I get the dislike of compact cars. I'm currently driving 120 miles a day for my work commute, so I too had to bite the bullet and get a little commuter. I love my Focus for what it is, but I will always hop in my truck if I need to go anywhere but to work. I just can't beat the 32-33mpg I've been getting in the focus.

 

[dparm]

If you aren't driving much, why start over with a potentially "unknown" vehicle...that you aren't even sitting in very often?


I would stick with what you've already got.

 

[AuthorEditor]

I've owned old Crown Vics and now a '95 Grand Marquis, and I routinely get 26 mpg on the highway. Around town a lot less, but still not too bad. I still average all around over 20 mpg most of the time. Get a couple of years old Crown Vic and it will last you a long time at 5500 miles per year. There are also savings in that they are generally cheap to repair and insure, though I'm not sure they would be less than the Focus unless you go to liability only coverage.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: md_lucky_13
I'm not sure you will be able to find a 2011 Crown Vic or Grand Marquis.

This is going completely off the top of my head, but I THINK the last year for a non Taxi or Cop Car Vic was 2008 (I was working for Ford at that time, so remember this is just from memory).

From what I've gathered, 2007 was the last year for Crown Vic. 2009 was the last year for Grand Marquis.

 

[95busa]

I own a Marquis (see signature) and drove CVPIs on the job for years. They are tough, reliable and decent on gas with a light foot. I had 190K on a 1994 CVPI- it still ran very well. Take care of one and they will last a LONG time. 2011 was the last year for the Marquis and the CVPI. I don't know when they quit making the non-police Crown Vic. 2009ish?

 

[Quattro Pete]

How does one go about buying a CVPI? Police auction?

 

[bretfraz]

There are plenty of 2011 GrMa's out there but most came out of rental service. Expect to pay mid-teens and have miles in the 20-30k range.

You might find a 2010 or newer Crown Vic but most are 2008 and older.

 

[dparm]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
How does one go about buying a CVPI? Police auction?



Yes, or a taxi cab auction.

 

[Falcon_LS]

I've had the pleasure of owning four Panther platform vehicles, and I love them.

As far as the US market is concerned, starting in 2008, the Crown Victoria became fleet only. If you do find one, it's either going to be an ex rental or police/livery vehicle.

The Grand Marquis was still available to the public from 2008-2011. 2011 was the last year for the Crown Victoria for the US market, the 2012 is Middle East only and the last examples are being sold off as I type. IIRC, some safety mandates (which Ford refused to adhere to, considering they were killing the vehicle) prevented them from selling 2012 models in the US.

With that said, if you can find a certified used 2010/2011 Grand Marquis still under warranty, I say go for it. You cannot go wrong.

From a personal point of view however, my favorite still remains the early production (or Job 1) 2003 Grand Marquis LS or Crown Victoria LX. These will have been built from June - December 2002 if memory serves me right. The reason for this is, starting Job 2 2003, Ford started decontenting the heck out of these cars. The Job 1 2003 combines the features and luxury of 2002 and earlier models, whilst sporting the new frame, rack and pinion steering, etc. The easiest way to identify a Job 1 2003 are the black b-pillars. Here's an example of a Job 1 2003 Grand Marquis LS. Shame this, like the majority, is not equipped with the optional Handling and Performance Package.

Having said that, to add a little fun to the purchase, I would suggest looking at 2003-2004 Mercury Marauder. Or even rarer, a Job 1 2003 Grand Marquis LSE.

 

[Mud]

want an older one?

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2620049&page=1

 

[Falcon_LS]

Originally Posted By: Mud

want an older one?

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2620049&page=1


Highly recommended!

I may not have seen the vehicle in person, but Mud's Vic has been the subject of many how-to's on the Crown Vic forum we both frequent and it's certainly been very well looked after. Fingers crossed, it goes to a good home.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: Miller88
Last year, I bought a Focus for work. I used to travel a lot and getting good gas mileage was imperative (and having a new car as I'm an apartment dweller and have no space to fix).

I like the focus's gas mileage, it's fun to toss around in corners and it's a 5 speed ... I really enjoy rowing the gears.

With that said, I don't particularly care for compact cars. I now drive significantly less (only put about 5500 miles on this year so far).

Payments on this car are on the high side at $220 a month. On top of that, I'm keeping full coverage on the car and that ads another $70 or so to the cost of this car.

Part of me wants to go to a dealer and trade it on a 2011 Marquis or Crown Vic. That way I'll have a *new* car that I'll like and I will be able to keep it from rusting out.

However, the sensible side of me says get rid of the Focus (it's worth more than I owe on it) and take that money and find a nice 10 year old crown vic.



Let me get this straight. You bought a 2011 car, on payments, and now care less about MPGs (but still apparently care about insurance costs), so you are going to trade it for another 2011 car, notionally similarly depreciated?

Isnt a crown vic a more expensive car initially? That would imply that the follow on costs, unless they depreciate severely, would be higher. So you would have similar or higher payments.

It is a similarly aged car, so I would think you would want to keep the full coverage. So youre not gaining or loosing much there.

I personally wouldnt want a used police car or taxi. Yuck. Id want one that belonged to some old lady in someplace with a nice climate.

But if I was doing this, Id wait until I paid cash, saved the money, and bought one that has a few years and next to no miles for cash. No debt, slightly older so perhaps no full coverage, etc.

Id likely stick with what I had. The focus has a fair amount of space in it, and I doubt that the cabin actually has that much more space inside. The focus may also be rated safer than the CV.

IMO, it will cost you a lot of money to chace this, so Id be cautious and plan steps very carefully.

 

[johnachak]

Originally Posted By: dparm
If you aren't driving much, why start over with a potentially "unknown" vehicle...that you aren't even sitting in vkery often?

I would stick with what you've already got.


Maybe you don't realize the huge difference between a little car and a full size comfort car. The Crown Vic / Mercury Marquis is in a totally different class.
I am also one of those people that would only drive small cars for utility. I'm waiting till I move from NY to get a used Town Car or Marquis myself. I'm too worried about it being stolen for cab parts around here.

 

[johnachak]

Originally Posted By: dparm
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
How does one go about buying a CVPI? Police auction?



Yes, or a taxi cab auction.


I didn't know they put a PI drivetrain in cabs. I thought they were only for police or government contracts. I guess I was wrong.

 

[Falcon_LS]

Originally Posted By: johnachak
I didn't know they put a PI drivetrain in cabs. I thought they were only for police or government contracts. I guess I was wrong.


There's really no such thing as a "PI drivetrain" to be honest. The existing parts are just slightly upgraded, much of which formed the basis of features for export models. Off the top of my head:

- Different PCM programming with higher idle speed and shift patterns
- Anti-theft delete
- Power steering variable assist delete
- 11.25" torque converter (versus 12")
- 3.27 (or 3.55) rear axle ratio (versus 2.73 for standard or 3.27 for Handling Package equipped vehicles)
- Aluminum drive shaft
- Different airbox and 80 mm MAF (2004+)
- Engine oil, ATF and power steering fluid cooler
- 130 or 200 amp alternator depending on year (can't remember what the standard one is)
- Stiffer springs and shocks
- 18 mm rear sway bar

The interior is also decontented, available with rubber flooring, etc. depending on how the vehicle is optioned.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

5500 miles this year so far. This time last year I already drove 10k

I do like the police model. Comes with 3.27 or 3.55 gears and is decontented and missing stuff I don't want / need. With that said, I could buy an elderly-owned 'vic, have it regeared ($500), and grab a swaybar junkyard.

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Originally Posted By: Miller88
Last year, I bought a Focus for work. I used to travel a lot and getting good gas mileage was imperative (and having a new car as I'm an apartment dweller and have no space to fix).

I like the focus's gas mileage, it's fun to toss around in corners and it's a 5 speed ... I really enjoy rowing the gears.

With that said, I don't particularly care for compact cars. I now drive significantly less (only put about 5500 miles on this year so far).

Payments on this car are on the high side at $220 a month. On top of that, I'm keeping full coverage on the car and that ads another $70 or so to the cost of this car.

Part of me wants to go to a dealer and trade it on a 2011 Marquis or Crown Vic. That way I'll have a *new* car that I'll like and I will be able to keep it from rusting out.

However, the sensible side of me says get rid of the Focus (it's worth more than I owe on it) and take that money and find a nice 10 year old crown vic.



Let me get this straight. You bought a 2011 car, on payments, and now care less about MPGs (but still apparently care about insurance costs), so you are going to trade it for another 2011 car, notionally similarly depreciated?

Isnt a crown vic a more expensive car initially? That would imply that the follow on costs, unless they depreciate severely, would be higher. So you would have similar or higher payments.

It is a similarly aged car, so I would think you would want to keep the full coverage. So youre not gaining or loosing much there.

I personally wouldnt want a used police car or taxi. Yuck. Id want one that belonged to some old lady in someplace with a nice climate.

But if I was doing this, Id wait until I paid cash, saved the money, and bought one that has a few years and next to no miles for cash. No debt, slightly older so perhaps no full coverage, etc.

Id likely stick with what I had. The focus has a fair amount of space in it, and I doubt that the cabin actually has that much more space inside. The focus may also be rated safer than the CV.

IMO, it will cost you a lot of money to chace this, so Id be cautious and plan steps very carefully.


The difference in what the focus is worth (going by what I was offered in trade last week) and what I owe is enough to buy an old lady owned crown vic.

I want to go the slightly older route to get something that I could pay cash for (after getting rid of the focus) and I'd lose a car payment.

 

[The_Jeff]

The taxi Crown vics at least some years have 6 inch longer wheelbases.

Gas just dropped a dime and you've got money burning a hole in your pocket and you think you can live with 25 MPG now. I understand that, when life is going good you want to make it a little more complicated in the name of being interesting/ challenging. You should try to "snipe" one of these cars when gas goes up 50 cents in two weeks.

When it comes to buying used, don't overlook town cars. They aren't much more expensive and come with go fast goodies like steeper rear gears and dual exhausts always.

If you think you want RWD handling, how about the new Toyota/Subaru 86? That'd be good on gas.

I had a 97 GM and it had some good points and bad. While it took roundabouts quite well, the bench seat had no support and my butt/back hurt from always clinching to keep from falling out of the seat. 24.5 MPG was what I saw.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

The increase in gas cost would be negated by going from a car payment of $220 a month to nothing.

A rear drive "performance" car isn't appealing to me. I want full frame and solid axle. I really like the simplicity and over-built-ness of this car.

I was looking at a Town car 2 years ago ... but the thought of all of the extra electronics and rear airbags kind of scared me.

 

[TFB1]

Originally Posted By: Miller88

I do like the police model. Comes with 3.27 or 3.55 gears and is decontented and missing stuff I don't want / need. With that said, I could buy an elderly-owned 'vic, have it regeared ($500), and grab a swaybar junkyard.



There ya go, I bought a one owner, garage kept, 33K mi '98 Grand Marquis two years ago and after catching up the maintenance, haven't haven't any problems... While it doesn't have the handling of the '03-up models, it isn't terrible and at $4500, I got a car that's every bit as nice as my '07 MGM(and more options as well)...

As far as Job 1 '03 CV & MGM, those were prone to have soft rear axles and usually require replacement by 50-60K mi... The '00-'03 also have timing chain issues, you'll be less likely to have a problem with a '04 up...