Faults:

At 175,250, replaced outer tie rod ends and shocks (police / taxi shocks). Other than routine maintenance (fluids /filters) have not needed to perform any repairs.

The intake was replaced at some point during it's years of police duty service, as were the spark plug wires.

Local dealer faxed complete fleet service maintenance / repair history to me when I purchased at county action (for $800). Love this vehicle.

General Comments:

Car is roomy, handles very well for a full size car.

Trunk is huge.

Even with relatively high mileage, vehicle is seriously reliable (unlike our 2000 and 2002 Impalas, whose Passlock Security system routinely, but randomly prevents cars from starting).

Fuel mileage acceptable for size of car: 21.3 MPG average, highway trips 25+ MPG.

A/C system is great. Have not talked to any other Crown Vic owners who have had any A/C problems, although they must be out there.

Love this car. $800 invested, totally reliable, no tailgaters (still have State Police two-tone paint scheme). Plan to keep it as an "extra" vehicle, although it is pretty much daily driven as our Impalas are not at all reliable. Will be at the upcoming county fleet sale to get a later model CV and then put the Impalas up for sale.

Faults:

No problems at all, except the starter has begun to make a grinding sound when I start it in the morning and it hasn't been warmed up yet.

General Comments:

Overall, it is probably one of the most consistently reliable vehicles made today by any manufacturer. It's no surprise that over 80% of all police crusiers are still Crown Victoria's. At close to 114,000 miles, its amazing that I have had no problems with it.

It's basically a luxury car at a non-luxury car price. Electronic everything and leather for under $30,000, if you were to buy it new today.

Handling is what you would expect from a large sedan, but acceleration is above average.

Faults:

Intake manifold left me stranded at 95,000 miles. This is a defect in original manufacturing. If you plan on buying one of these, make sure this has been swapped out. Otherwise, budget for expensive repairs.

Temperature blender motor in dash went at about 80,000 miles. (Only blew hot air, no cool air from the A/C.) It was a $65 dollar part, but a 6 hour job to fix it. I understand this to be another repair owners of these cars can expect to make at some point.

I spent $400 on a new steering gearbox at 90,000 miles. After much trouble diagnosing, this repair helped do-away with a shimmy in the steering wheel that was very obvious going over imperfections in the road at higher speeds.

I also had trouble with two of the four power window regulators between 75,000 and 85,000 miles.

All four brake rotors became warped and needed replaced within the past year.

One function of the power seat motors on the driver's side failed at about 80,000.

General Comments:

I bought this from a local dealership as a very clean 7-year-old car in 2004. It was to be a second car, but has since become my everyday driver.

I've read how great these cars are, and I think they can be. But if you have one of these or are in the market for one, you should beware that there are some expensive repairs that seem to come with the territory. I bought the car for $7000 and have likely spent another $2500 in repairs the past two years. Thanks to this car, I have me mechanic's phone number memorized. I don't think that's a good sign.

I still have lots of faith in the motor (I've seen some of these reach 300,000 miles in taxicabs, when heavier oil was used.) Tranny seems strong too.

The car is at its best on the interstate. Maximum fuel mileage (27-28 MPG) seems to occur at 70-75 MPH.

The seats are fairly comfortable, but the car has surprisingly little leg room in the front for a 6-2 driver.