1989 Ford Crown Victoria Country Squire 5.0
Summary:
Lots of room, good gas mileage, and reliable
Faults:
The fuel pump relay failed, so the fuel pump would continue to run after the car was shut off. A new relay was inexpensive and easy to replace in a spot next to the car battery.
I replaced the valve cover gaskets in an attempt to fix a chronic oil leak. The valve cover gaskets needed replacing, but were not the main source of the leak. It took a lot of time to replace the valve cover gaskets, because the upper intake manifold had to be removed first. Not a difficult job, but just a lot of time.
The oil pan gasket was the main source of the oil leak. The oil pan on this version of the Ford 5.0 is u-shaped and impossible to completely remove from the car without partially pulling the engine. Luckily, I was able to replace the oil pan gasket by removing all the oil pan bolts, lowering the oil pan the maximum 1.5 inches or so, pulling out the old gasket and sliding in a new gasket. The new gaskets I used for both the valve covers and oil pan were by Fel-Pro. I believe they were called Perma-Dry and I found them at www.rockauto.com. I highly recommend these particular gaskets, because they have a rigid metal core covered with some rubbery substance. I could never have successfully installed a flimsy cork gasket in the limited space I had with the oil pan.
General Comments:
I bought this inexpensive station wagon, thinking I would use it to haul the occasional load of lumber or visiting group of relatives (it holds eight).
It is so comfortable, roomy, and pleasant to drive, that I have ended up driving it more than my other two cars. It even gets over 20 MPG on the highway loaded up with people and gear.
The interior, upholstered in a red velour type fabric, has held up extremely well, and no one believes the car has over 200K miles on it.
I wish Ford was still making a Crown Victoria station wagon!
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 7th November, 2004
6th Nov 2005, 18:24
I am the sole owner of my 1989 Crown Wagon, the only car
I ever wanted. Opinion is still the same 16 years later with
189,000 miles. I too wish Ford Motor Co. would make the
Crown Victoria wagon again. Love, love, love this car!
2nd Oct 2008, 16:17
Just bought a 1989 crown vic for my son. I bought it from the original owner. It currently has 89.000 miles on it. I enjoy it so much that my new Ram is sitting in the garage and I drive the C/V every day.
26th May 2011, 22:03
I love my Crown Vic Country Squire too! The huge 351 V-8 provides plenty of power, great for merging on freeways.
Floats like a yacht at sea over any bumps, smooth as can be.
Rear wheel drive makes this car a real pleasure to drive.
All my friends love the large, spacious interior and abundant cargo space, making my car very popular for road trips and camping trips! Wish Ford still made cars like this, I am keeping mine until it dies, and it probably never will, has over 432000 and it still runs like new!
7th May 2005, 11:29
I have also owned this wagon which I bought used in 1992 at 52,000 miles. It now has over 210,000 miles and I keep it as a second vehicle for emergencies and hauling. I wish Ford still made this car, the ride is the smoothest of any car I've ever driven.