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Ford Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis

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What is this discussion about? Ford Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis, Exterior, Sedan

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#1582 of 3244 by rea98d Sep 30, 2002 (3:44 pm)
You have to be hit at about 70 MPH to cause it to blow up. And if you get hit that hard, you're screwed whether the tank blows up or not. The reason the recall is just for police cars is that police cars spend a lot of time sitting on the side of busy interstates while cops write people tickets. Knuckleheads hit the cars at high rates of speeds, which ruptures the tanks, and demolishes the car. Statisticly, cop cars spend a heck of a lot more time sitting on the side of the interstate than civilian cars, so they are the ones to get hit. I've yet to hear of a civilian car who's tank exploded after getting rear-ended.
#1583 of 3244 Shoot this tired old dog... by dch36 Oct 04, 2002 (2:13 pm)
#1584 of 3244 by johnclineii Oct 04, 2002 (5:03 pm)
Well, the Government shot the tired, old dog, and closed the investigation of fuel tanks on the Crown Vics, finding no fault with FORD.
#1585 of 3244 I love my panther, I was referring to how slow TH's been lately. by dch36 Oct 08, 2002 (9:27 pm)
#1586 of 3244 Feelback from '03 Owners by dbc123 Oct 09, 2002 (5:08 am)
Has anyone had enough experience with the new cars to comment on the new steering, improved frame stiffness, and revised suspension? My 300 mile drive of a rental left me with mixed feelings on the frame stiffness issue. I did like the better steering feel and did not like the firmed up ride. New seats and door panels seemed an improvment also. Anyone with more comments?
#1587 of 3244 Feedback from a 03 GM owner. by james130 Oct 09, 2002 (11:34 am)
dbc123:I have done some 3700 miles in my 03 GM since July and the car has performed faultlessly.(Hope I am not pushing my luck)Although not in a position to compare previous models,the last similar car being a 79 LTD Landau which I had for 5 years,I have driven many American cars from the 60s and 70s,so have a good idea of what the suspension and handling of a traditional automobile feels like.I can understand your concerns.However,the new frame seems to be exeptionally strong,allowing no flexing or twisting even when manovering over very uneven surfaces.Most impressive.The steering is a delight.On Motorways the car holds its line effortlessly,without constant correction,and is light enough at parking speeds.The handling,thanks to the steering,and rigidity of the frame,allows full throttle exits from busy intersections without drama.This would have been unheard of at one time,the car understeering to such an extent,that you would no doubt have finished up in the field opposite with the front wheels on full lock. The other notable feature is the braking,this too is exeptionally good.The seats are very comfortable on long journeys(If you consider 250 mile a long journey.Suppose its just around the corner to you)All in all the car is a very fine machine.Which just leaves the ride.I like to think that this is softening off somewhat,or I am getting more used to it.Its only in town at low speeds over small bumps when its really a problem,but no car is perfect,and whilst ride is top of my list of requirements,given the overall exellence of the vehicle,and the hope that with use,the damping will soften off,its a small price to pay.Hope this info.,is of some use to you.Kind regards.
#1588 of 3244 the 03 Gm by genex1 Oct 09, 2002 (5:06 pm)
I am also a happy owner of the 2003 GM LS. My previous car was a 1996 GM so I am able to make some comparisons. Overall, the 03 is a significantly improved model. The '96 had a larger gas tank (20 gals), lights on the front doors, and, I think, a softer ride. The ride issue is diminishing in sensation as I drive the car more and more. The firmness and stability of the 03 along with the excellent steering improvement coupled with the increase in power from 190hp to 224hp, more than compensate for the seemingly slightly harder ride. I am probably getting used to it to the point where I no longer think of the ride as less soft. I continue to appreciate the firm and secure handling of the 03. Other features such as the overhead console, the very accurate compass, the CD and tape radio combination etc. add up to avery satisfactory package for me.
#1589 of 3244 Feedback from 03 Owners by dbc123 Oct 10, 2002 (5:29 am)
Thanks to both of you for your thoughtful comments on your new cars. In retrospect, I'm not so sure that it is the ride firmness that bothers me but more the increased impact harshness. The new cars just transmit more noise and jolts on sharp bumps than than my 94 GM. Less of a sense of riding over the bumps and more a sense of slamming into them. Do the 03 owners sense this or is it just me?
#1590 of 3244 More feedback on 03s by james130 Oct 10, 2002 (10:17 am)
dbc123: My car seems to be quiet enough over the the bumps,but I can understand your comments about the suspension jolting rather than absorbing the bumps.This is no doubt due to the overdamping and roll stiffness built into the system to prevent any roll(leaning) on curves.The anti-roll(sway) bars which restrict roll on cornering,can also restrict individual wheel movements when traversing uneven surfaces.So that unless both front or rear wheels hit the same bump at the same time,the anti-roll bar will act against the upward or downward movement of an individual wheel,and the body of the car will tend to rock, rather than the wheels absorbing the bump by themselves.Likewise the shocks which have alot of resistance to extending, and use this to prevent leaning on corners,unfortunately, also tend to prevent the wheels from dropping into dips in the road,and indeed tend to pull the whole car down with them, or, on severe dips may cause the wheels to leave the road for a second or two before impacting at the other side.Possibly the jolting you are referring to.So your comments,I feel, are a result of suspension design rather than the new frame.Again with use,these characteristics usually tend to become less severe.Hope all that made some sort of sense.
#1591 of 3244 03 Changes by dbc123 Oct 10, 2002 (1:44 pm)
I concur that roll stiffness is somewhat responsible for the ride issues, however, I do not think roll stiffness has changed that much in the new cars, the real issue is tighter dampening in the shocks and higher spring rates. The car feel more tied down and perhaps more "solid" but gives up smoothness and isolation. These two traits were world class before the redesign and now are merely OK. It's a shame to give up traits that mean so much to most GM/CV/TC buyers only to be able to go around a corner a little faster. As I've said before, If I wanted that suspension tuning I would have bought a BMW, Audi, Mercedes, etc.

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