Author Topic: Looking to buy a Crown Vic in Colorado... where to start? (Read 5358 times)

PTK · « **on:** May 30, 2009, 03:59:51 AM »

I've searched around on eBay, craigslist, and local papers, but I've yet to find what I'm looking for: a Crown Victoria from 1990 or later, less than 250k miles, either 4.6 or 5.0L engine (preference toward the 5.0), any color as long as it runs, and less than 500 miles or so drive from Denver.

Where should I start looking? I'm hoping to buy one in the next four to six weeks.

Ryan in Maine · « **Reply #1 on:** May 30, 2009, 05:37:17 AM »

http://www.motortrend.com/used_cars/11/ford/crown_victoria/index.html

There's an '02 with under 79,000 miles going for $8500 in Englewood (VIN# 2FAFP74W72X145995). An '01 with under 70,000 miles going for $7000 in Dacono (VIN# 2FAFP74W81X102961). And an '03 with under 62,000 miles going for $9000 in Littleton (VIN# 2FAFP73W43X174311). Those were the first 5 pages I looked through.

You missed out on a really good deal here in Maine. I'm not sure of the story behind this, but last month a dealership downstate sold a whole mess of Crown Vics from '03, '05, and '07 in less than a week. A few of them even came in AWD which had to have been special orders (those were all '07 models going for over $20,000 though!), but the rest of the group were great buys.

I wish I could afford to gas up a Crown Vic. :|

Ex-MA Hole · « **Reply #2 on:** May 30, 2009, 05:55:25 AM »

I've had good luck with cars.com....also, maybe look at Grand Marquis too....same car with the Mercury badge...

PTK · « **Reply #3 on:** May 30, 2009, 06:38:56 AM »

Forgot to mention, I'm really trying to keep the purchase at less than $2k. My budget is $3k, and that includes the first 6mo of insurance, new brakes, new spark plugs, that sort of thing.

Declaration Day · « **Reply #4 on:** May 30, 2009, 08:29:21 AM »

How about this one?

http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/1181803054.html

PTK · « **Reply #5 on:** May 30, 2009, 08:31:41 AM »

How do I manage to miss things like that?

I'll have to call him up and take a test drive, methinks...

EDIT: Also, just noticed that there are now a few listings for things less than 10 miles from me for decent cars. Might have found one, 1999 for about $2k. I'll have to see how the interior is, how the engine is, etc., but that may be the one.

roo_ster · « **Reply #6 on:** May 30, 2009, 09:46:25 AM »

If you don't mind utilitatian, the Crown Vic Police Interceptors aer a neat option. Lots of old cop cars out there.

castle key · « **Reply #7 on:** May 30, 2009, 09:57:53 AM »

Quote from: PTK on May 30, 2009, 03:59:51 AM

and less than 500 miles or so drive from Denver.

...and less than 20 miles from a gas station at all times!

Balog · « **Reply #8 on:** May 30, 2009, 12:05:44 PM »

What are the telltale signs it is a Interceptor model when you're looking at it?

roo_ster · « **Reply #9 on:** May 30, 2009, 01:59:00 PM »

Quote from: Balog on May 30, 2009, 12:05:44 PM

What are the telltale signs it is a Interceptor model when you're looking at it?

The starting off point is the Ford Crown Vic LX, the CV with a better suspension than the other variant, which has some other two-letter moniker.

Other differences:
Rear vinyl upholstery
Front buckets with cloth
Bigger radiator
Bigger alternator
Modified tranny: supposedly more robust & shifts are more abrupt, less squooshy.
Rubber floors

The CVPI moves out pretty well and handles well.

The MPG is not bad at all, for the size & power. F0r 2009, they get 16/24.

https://www.fleet.ford.com/showroom/2009fleetshowroom/2009-CrVicPoliceInt.asp

PTK · « **Reply #10 on:** May 30, 2009, 03:40:06 PM »

Well, here I go to check out the prime contender for my new car... less than $2k, 1999 with a load of miles on it, jet black, tinted windows, Interceptor package 5.0L.

Wish me luck. Anything I should remember, other than bring cash and make a deal if I like it?

go_bang · « **Reply #11 on:** May 30, 2009, 04:30:28 PM »

I think most states sell off their decommissioned vehicles to the public somehow. Find out how Colorado disposes of their old state police cars and see what they sell for. I know that out my way old state police CV's sell within your budget.

Another option is to look for a used Mercury Grand Marquee. They are still sold directly to the public at the dealers whereas the CV has been a fleet only car for a few years now.

PTK · « **Reply #12 on:** May 30, 2009, 06:04:31 PM »

Just got a '99 for $1800.

Balog · « **Reply #13 on:** May 30, 2009, 08:12:14 PM »

Quote from: PTK on May 30, 2009, 06:04:31 PM

Just got a '99 for $1800.

Congrats! :)

Quote from: go_bang on May 30, 2009, 04:30:28 PM

I think most states sell off their decommissioned vehicles to the public somehow. Find out how Colorado disposes of their old state police cars and see what they sell for. I know that out my way old state police CV's sell within your budget.

How would one go about finding this out?

go_bang · « **Reply #14 on:** May 30, 2009, 08:28:10 PM »

Maybe find out what department of your state handles surplus property and see if they handle surplus vehicles. Failing that you could probably always call your local state police station and asked them.

never_retreat · « **Reply #15 on:** May 30, 2009, 08:39:54 PM »

The more important question is why do you want a crown vic?

Are you thinking about becoming a mall cop?

Boomhauer · « **Reply #16 on:** May 30, 2009, 08:44:08 PM »

Quote from: never_retreat on May 30, 2009, 08:39:54 PM

The more important question is why do you want a crown vic?

Are you thinking about becoming a mall cop?

Crown Vics are generally noted as being pretty reliable, not too bad to work own, durable, and pretty affordable (not many want a big old car that's viewed as a gas guzzler)

Notice PTK picked it up for $1800. He's looking to replace his truck which got taken by some unsavory people and I figure he's looking for something decent and affordable.

PTK · « **Reply #17 on:** May 30, 2009, 09:51:22 PM »

I'm happy with this. REALLY happy. The worst problem is that there's a hairline crack on the windshield - the only other major problem is a rear seal transmission leak, that really isn't much of an issue. If it becomes an issue I'll spring to fix it.

roo_ster · « **Reply #18 on:** May 30, 2009, 10:24:18 PM »

Good work!

Get ready to see everyone else on the freeway slow down when you are around.

41magsnub · « **Reply #19 on:** May 30, 2009, 10:46:29 PM »

Quote from: jfruser on May 30, 2009, 10:24:18 PM

Good work!

Get ready to see everyone else on the freeway slow down when you are around.

I strongly recommend one of those older style ski racks that look exactly like a light rack from the front and rear.

PTK · « **Reply #20 on:** May 30, 2009, 10:50:15 PM »

A friend is getting me the pusher bar for $75.

What's great is that the car so far seems just as great as it looks! So far I've changed the oil, replaced the oil and air filters, and put a new battery in. Tomorrow it's the sparkplugs and plug wires.

go_bang · « **Reply #21 on:** May 30, 2009, 10:52:20 PM »

What's not to like about a Crown Vic Police Interceptor? Cop motor, cop springs, cop shocks, and everyone gets out of your way when your in the left lane.

Years back I had a civilian 92 Caprice in one of the colors that were commonly used by the cops for their unmarked cars. The cops were still using Caprices at the time. People were always clearing out of my way with that car. The big CB and 2M ham antennas on the trunk lid only added to the effect.

grampster · « **Reply #22 on:** May 30, 2009, 11:20:16 PM »

Former police buggies will usually have broken down driver's seats. Might be able to switch it out from a junk yard.

PTK · « **Reply #23 on:** May 30, 2009, 11:20:50 PM »

Yeah, the driver's seat is REALLY worn. I'm already looking into getting a replacement.

cfabe · « **Reply #24 on:** June 01, 2009, 12:21:24 PM »

For a few years I drove a 95 Caprice 9C1 (police pkg) former Ohio Highway Patrol car and it was really a fun ride, lots of power and good handling. I sold it when I started to do a lot of long trips and gas was getting expensive. People definately got out of the way on the freeway. I still miss the car but I'm close to paying off the new car I replaced it with so I'm gonna be sticking with this one for a while I think.

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Author Topic: Looking to buy a Crown Vic in Colorado... where to start? (Read 5358 times)