Time to find a cruiser

Well guys its time we find us a cruiser to take on road trips and let the truck go back to parts hauler and weekend trips to the mountain rig.

Basically we are looking for something on a challenge type budget,comfy cruiser for long road trips, big trunk, V8, bench seat (request from the girl friend for drive in nights). 4 doors with a decent size interior are a must as well. We both have family members with physical challenges we would drive around from time to time as well.

We are particularly interested in trying to find an ex police cruiser and at this point I'm almost leaning to the P71 though I would not say no to a 9C1. Is there a particular benefit of one over the other? I know there are newer P71s available, however which would be the best years to get? What is the best place to pick one up in the NW?

Any other suggestions? No Miata is not the answer.

While reading your post the only thing that came up in my head was a gigantic white convertible Cadillac from the '70s, not a P71,

RossD wrote: While reading your post the only thing that came up in my head was a gigantic white convertible Cadillac from the '70s, not a P71,

Alright not quite that big . Alright a full size car not a mid size or compact hows that?

Sounds like almost any mid 1970s US sedan would do, as long as you can find a base model (bench seat, right?) How about a 1976 Chevelle 4-door?

there is a mid 70's 4 door Nova around town that is alright we are just looking for something a bit newer we have enough projects lined up at the moment. So lets stick to 90's on up unless it is something ungodly cool.

I'm kind of pushing for the P71, I've been wanting an ex cop car for years, and the buckets could always be swapped for a bench if she really pushed the issue.

Never seen a '76 4 door chevelle, didn't even know such a beast existed.

Have you seen the behemoth that Lugnut has for sale?

edit: this one: http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/200x-classifieds/1977-chrysler-newport-il/17025/page1/

I know it's miles away, but...road trip?

I lust after Chevy II wagons. I'll take mine with a front bench, T56 LS1. "compact", great lines, cheap to purchase, scads of space....and SWMBO approved.

Buick Roadmonster.

You can sleep in it if necessary.

Shawn

Don't overlook the 94-96 Cadillac Fleetwood. Its technically a D-body, but that means its just a stretched Raodmaster/Impala/Caprice.

I do enjoy my 01 P71, great for road trips (our little trip from OH to NC amd back we were abble to get 22mpg's). You can score a bench seat for on the cheap as well.

We had a 93 Roadmaster wagon and a 99 Crown Vic police model. Both were before they got good (94 for the roadmaster, 01 for the vic'), but the Roadmaster was better than the Crown Vic, all other things being equal.

Im going to 2nd the roadmaster wagon in this case. I recently saw two on the local CL for a bit over 2k.

P71!!! You have to get an 01 or newer, the 00 and older were dogs (not the 01+'s are scorchers stock). Grand Marquis bench seats bolt right in (the wiring for power/heat are in every car so grab the switches too). It's a great cruiser!

my buddy just picked up a 92 eldorado(i think) for 750. N* is nioce.

Yeah I had thought of some 90's Caddy as well, oddly though with the number of old folks around here they are kinda sparse. The guy that ran the storage place I use to use had picked one up for something under $1000 that was quite nice. I remember being shocked at how nice it was for the money.

I don't think I could make myself buy a wagon at this point, I've already got a mini van in the garage I don't want there (that thing is uncomfortable and has no guts for driving on the freeway).

Appleseed wrote: Don't overlook the 94-96 Cadillac Fleetwood. Its technically a D-body, but that means its just a stretched Raodmaster/Impala/Caprice.

x2, LT1 , RWD, very big, very comfortable, very reliable (for a Caddy of this vintage)

ignorant wrote: my buddy just picked up a 92 eldorado(i think) for 750. N* is nioce.

92 Eldo is a 4.9, Nstar wasn't put in the standard lineup (non-Allante) until 94, that's an iron block, alum head motor 200HP, 290ft-lbs, very reliable, much moreso than the Nstar which due to it's die cast alum block and headbolt holes drilled directly in with finely pitched threaded headbolts had a propensity to strip out of the block leading to HG failure, ask me how I know...

probably easier to change the plugs on too

C'mon Rebel, you just described everything but the color.

914Driver wrote: C'mon Rebel, you just described everything but the color.

I don't think that thing would fit in my driveway, let alone my garage. I could park my truck in the trunk lol.

The reason why northstar cadillacs are cheap to buy is because they are expensive to fix. I have dropped many a northstar caddy transmission to replace a crank position sensor.. want to guess how fun that is?

on the other hand, everything about a roadmaster wagon is easy peasy. Dropping AND rebuilding the 4l60 trans is easier than just dropping the 4t80 in the caddys. Its a completely known quantity kind of car with plenty of support, cheap parts, and its easy to work on. It also fits your space requirements and your budget.