1988 Ford Crown Victoria LTD 5.0 EFI from North America

Summary:

Powerful, Respected, Great Ride

Faults:

Engine and transmission leaks.

Catalytic converter repaired.

Radiator leaked and overheated.

Radiator replaced at 278,000km.

Alternator caught on fire; replaced new.

Brake-line seizing, new brake shoes.

Power steering bracket broke.

General Comments:

My big blue boat was very quick before I made any modifications.

Put on a dual exhaust with Flowmaster mufflers and stainless steel tips. Sounds now almost like a Mustang with the rumble.

Tornado fuel saver in air intake.

K&N air filter.

Pioneer CD player and upgraded speakers.

Painted the grille and rear trunk panel black.

Police "dog dish" hubcaps.

5.0 Mustang badges on sides.

Replaced "LTD Crown Victoria" rear badge with present Crown Victoria style.

Antenna on trunk.

Horrible gas guzzler. Only get 350km/tank.

Interior is dark blue, but the seats are an ugly dark green. Excellent condition when purchased, however.

Virtually no rust. Previous owner (older gent) kept car in decent shape.

Could fit a body in the trunk. I'm over 6'4" and this car is very adequate and roomy.

Would like to have the navy vinyl half roof removed.

Car would look awesome painted black, dechromed, and tinted windows. I like the Police Interceptor's wheel center caps.

I'd like to improve it's performance with sportier shocks and rear tires. Offer me any suggestions to do under the hood that could boost the horsepower. Plan on keeping the Vic until it dies (it'll be a while).

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 3rd February, 2003

12th Dec 2003, 16:55

Hey can you tell me what you did for the dual exhaust I am lookin to put dual on my car, but I can't find the left side to match the right side.

Jamtgaard@hotmail.com.

Thanks.

2nd Jun 2006, 13:21

Doesn't sound like the "Tornado fuel saver" is working for squat.

1988 Ford Crown Victoria LTD V8 5.8 from North America

Summary:

A Diamond in the Rough

Faults:

Just need belt tightening and tune-up along with regular maintenance so far.

General Comments:

Careful with the gas if you wanna keep the tires for a while. They smoke like crazy with the littlest amount of gas.

Old police car, people see it on highway, They move the CRAP out the way, especially with spot light on it.

Burns gas fast.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 5th October, 2002

1988 Ford Crown Victoria LTD LX 5 liter from North America

Summary:

By far the best car I ever owned

Faults:

Regular maintenance items like exhaust and brakes.

Dome gasket (severe oil leaks)

I window motor.

General Comments:

I loved this car from the first time I drove it, until I sold it 7 years later

Wish I had it back now.

Good performance for highway driving

Very comfortable

Very quite

Extremely reliable

Good gas mileage for a car this size.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 18th August, 2002

1988 Ford Crown Victoria LTD LX 5.0L 302cid from North America

Summary:

Simply a wonderful vehicle

Faults:

The right front door hinge check spring was broken. I replaced it with a part from a junkyard.

There were some rust spots in various places around the body, but nothing bad considering the amount of road salt around here.

Factory cassette deck was worn out. I replaced it with an after-market CD/cassette player.

General Comments:

This was a beautiful car.

I purchased it from a man who had recently inherited it from his grandma, and it had been very well taken care of.

It was quiet, powerful, comfortable, and looked very good.

The gas mileage was awesome for a car of this size. Usually I would get around 18 miles per gallon in the city and between 20 and 25 on the highway.

The controls were easy to use. The instrumentation in general was very good and easy to read, however the position of the engine warning light made it hard to see when the tilt steering was down. Not that the light ever came on, however. I also wish there were more gauges than idiot lights.

I no longer own the vehicle because it was totaled when a Suburban ran a red light and hit the left front fender at about 40 MPH. I am glad I was driving this big car because although I was knocked out and sprained my shoulder, I have no lasting injuries. Had I been in anything smaller, I would most likely have been hurt badly. I was very sorry to lose this car; it will be hard to find another one like it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 23rd July, 2002

8th Aug 2002, 00:17

Yes I agree, this car has been great for me. I've owned it for about 2 years now and am very satisfied with it. although I made sum adjustments, the car alone is in my words a classic. it can be classified as a "granny" or "cop" car. but I have made mine into the first (hopefully) sports LTD. it has a custom cold air intake and dual flow-master exhaust with straight pipes. I like to think of this car as a luxurious monster. most kids these days want a "trans am" or a super sport camaro, but I wanted a 1988 LTD crown victoria. and now you know why.