My Crown Vic rental experience

I had to drive into the Bronx today and haul 3 co-workers as well. This being the case, I decided the TDI might not be the best car for the job nor did I really want to drive my own car deep into NYC during the heart of the morning rush hour. So I asked for a rental.

Enterprise drops off a white 2011 Crown Vic. Nice.

The car was pretty well otpioned for a rental: leather interior, climate control, power driver's seat.

I've never really driven one of these before and I have to say, I can now understand why the car stayed in production for so long. When the goal is to get from point A to point B with more than two people and in comfort, I can't imagine many cars doing the job as well. The mpg wasn't too bad either - about 20 mpg over about 96 miles of NJ Hwy and NYC stop & go traffic.

I'm glad I got to drive one of these while they are still fairly new (this car had 28K miles). RIP Panther. You will be missed.

Oh... and while sitting in traffic on the Cross-Bronx Expressway, I was reminded of why I didn't drive my car. We're sitting in traffic and I hear a loud "Whack!!". I look in the mirror and see a nearly new Subaru in the left lane behind me with the passenger side of the windshield smashed in and the passenger door glass gone. Apparently, something flew across the barrier from the other lane, but we couldn't see what it was. Fortunately, she wasn't hurt and the car was still driving, so she put her flashers on and kept going to the next exit.

I considered buying a year old rental car with 15,000 miles on it from my local dealer. (clearly a rental).

At the time I was driving my Dad's 1999 Grand Marquis and was always watching how fast the gas gauge was moving. I usually got 19mpg highway. Instead I bought a 5-speed Accord; but I still wonder about that Crown Vic and the comfort factor when pushing 500 miles in one day.

Last of the big V8's, mate.

I had a rental of the exact same over this weekend... put almost 1200 miles on it...

was a nice car... big n cushy... getting into the 745 was a little of a shock... much smaller, stiffer suspension and much more steering input required...

the big ol v8 had no prob rolling at 80+ mph for extended periods... and produced almost 23mpg for the duration while blowing super cold air from FL to TX and back

I understand why people want the p71 version or even install bigger engines though... while it's enough tires with traction control off it just doesn't feel that powerful... my volvo feels much quicker... even on insterstate speed overtaking...

was amazed at the space... fit 6 of us in it for a bit 4 large adults and 2 average sized 10-12 y/o kids (my kids are quite big for their age)

also that trunk is awesome... fit so much crap in it :)

i want a p71...

My dad has had P71s since 1987. I've had plenty of seat time behind the wheel of these. I dig em.

I really want a Maurader though.

donalson wrote: the big ol v8 had no prob rolling at 80+ mph for extended periods.....while blowing super cold air........was amazed at the space............fit 6 of us in it for a bit 4 large adults and 2 average sized 10-12 y/o kids.........also that trunk is awesome... fit so much crap in it

This is what I am talking about.

A Vic has been on my short list for a very long time. I drove my friends, and although his was stock and nothing special, it was still a very pleasant, very easy to drive car. I think his had some sort of thrush muffler so it had a little tone, but I didn't really drive it in anger either.

The biggest hold back I've had on one is my current fleet. I can't afford much, I've got the Camaro project car (someday) and the Sentra DD. According to fuelly I'm getting an average of about 24 in it. Of course I'm not nice to it, and there are times I can't stand to see the boss' face, so I sit in the car with the air on during my lunch breaks.

Then I find cars like this. All it needs is a locker, J mod and exhaust and it'd make a very fun car. Or so that's what I keep reading on here. That and John McGann from Car Craft has one and has featured it in that rag several times.

My wife's escape does most of the kid hauling, but when I do haul her around, it's a freaking pain to load her in the car seat. A Crown Vic ticks a lot of the right boxes.

Sorry for the threadjack, I'm going to watch The Blues Brothers.

Resistance is futile, you will be assimilated!

Traveling to a funeral this weekend, 8 adults in total, so my dad booked 2 full size "impala sized" rental cars for a few days...... I'm hoping one is a panther so I can snag the keys. Miss my 99.

I would also accept a new Sonata, or maybe a Ford Taurus or something. I might die a little bit inside if somehow I get a Camry. Its painful enough to borrow the company car at work.

Actually scratch that. I dont feel anything.

Crown Vics are a heck of a car, plus the price is usually right. I have debated about getting one vs getting a 89-97 Tbird to play with.

I may be a bit old school, but 281 cid (4.6L for metric types) isn't a "big" V8. But it does get decent gas mileage. I got 24 mpg out of a 06 Town Car rental, not bad for that heavy tank.

Javelin wrote: Resistance is futile, you will be assimilated!

Says the guy who used to be called P71 - but changed...