Tell me about the Town Car (03-11)

[primuspilum]

My brother bought a low mileage Crown Vic LX last year and wants to upgrade to a Town Car. He's getting ready to retire and is sold on the Panther platform.

He wouldn't pass up a marauder, but performance is not his primary concern: he's looking for luxury.

Looks like last gen TC (03-11) can be had, inexpensively, and low mileage too.

(there are several low mileage <40k miles, Ultimate or Limited Signature within a hundred miles of here for under <$8k).

Any words of wisdom for the TC's of that era as the search begins?

[EricGrain]

I used to daily drive a Crown Vic LX too, my original plan was upgrading to a Town Car but rather amazingly, I found a Marauder before a Town Car.... The rest was obvious for me.

But I still did lots of research on the Town Cars, and still love them. My best advice would be to try and get as low mileage as you can because the car is mechanically very similar to a Crown Victoria (Identical), meaning there isn't a whole lot of things to worry about really unless it's older or high mileage. You will get the same quirks the Vic had, probably the same problems down the road as a Vic. Town Car will have Rear Air Suspension which is something a Vic doesn't have (Typically reliable, but check rear wheels clearance for sagging if cars level) Check all the fancy dash lights because they are time consuming and costly to fix.

One thing on panthers I do though, ALWAYS FULLY TEST Climate Control System if your looking to buy. (Heat,AC,Vent,Floor,Defrost,et c) Some parts like that got very minor updates over the years and for that reason I would look for newer model years.

Aside from that all I can really say is they are certainly luxurious reliable vehicles. Good luck on the search!

[primuspilum]

I used to daily drive a Crown Vic LX too, my original plan was upgrading to a Town Car but rather amazingly, I found a Marauder before a Town Car.... The rest was obvious for me.

But I still did lots of research on the Town Cars, and still love them. My best advice would be to try and get as low mileage as you can because the car is mechanically very similar to a Crown Victoria (Identical), meaning there isn't a whole lot of things to worry about really unless it's older or high mileage. You will get the same quirks the Vic had, probably the same problems down the road as a Vic. Town Car will have Rear Air Suspension which is something a Vic doesn't have (Typically reliable, but check rear wheels clearance for sagging if cars level) Check all the fancy dash lights because they are time consuming and costly to fix.

One thing on panthers I do though, ALWAYS FULLY TEST Climate Control System if your looking to buy. (Heat,AC,Vent,Floor,Defrost,et c) Some parts like that got very minor updates over the years and for that reason I would look for newer model years.

Aside from that all I can really say is they are certainly luxurious reliable vehicles. Good luck on the search!

good info. thanks!


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[gpfarrell]

The Signature Limited is "the nice one". The Executives were geared for fleet/livery use. Basically, find one with wood on the steering wheel and you're getting the other goodies too. Not many options... sunroofs ended in 2007 and the HID headlights seem very rare. Radio and wheel choice seems pretty inconsequential.

Carriage roofs are often in demand but they seem to age and wear very poorly.

Use Fords "ETIS" system to run various VIN numbers and you'll find a thorough (if cryptic) detail of the car's original equipment.

In pictures, the gray and tan (camel) interiors are hard to distinguish. But the Camel has a nearly color-matched dash while the gray has a two-tone dark part that is a very different shade.

Good luck!

[Bradley G]

May I have a 500 hp cartier L ?

[gpfarrell]

I'm giving serious thought to a 600 hp Signature Limited.

[Bradley G]

Crown Vics can't have self leveling rear suspension stock ? really ? Im slipping . I sold Fords for 25 years and I'm not sure LX Sport crown vics had air ride but I'll bet you a beer !

I used to daily drive a Crown Vic LX too, my original plan was upgrading to a Town Car but rather amazingly, I found a Marauder before a Town Car.... The rest was obvious for me.

But I still did lots of research on the Town Cars, and still love them. My best advice would be to try and get as low mileage as you can because the car is mechanically very similar to a Crown Victoria (Identical), meaning there isn't a whole lot of things to worry about really unless it's older or high mileage. You will get the same quirks the Vic had, probably the same problems down the road as a Vic. Town Car will have Rear Air Suspension which is something a Vic doesn't have (Typically reliable, but check rear wheels clearance for sagging if cars level) Check all the fancy dash lights because they are time consuming and costly to fix.

One thing on panthers I do though, ALWAYS FULLY TEST Climate Control System if your looking to buy. (Heat,AC,Vent,Floor,Defrost,et c) Some parts like that got very minor updates over the years and for that reason I would look for newer model years.

Aside from that all I can really say is they are certainly luxurious reliable vehicles. Good luck on the search!

[Ambitious1]

Crown Vics can't have self leveling rear suspension stock ? really ? Im slipping . I sold Fords for 25 years and I'm not sure LX Sport crown vics had air ride but I'll bet you a beer !

Yes, you're right. One of my panthers is a 04 CV HPP. The Handling and Performance Package came with the air ride system.

[Bradley G]

you can't beat 30 years of ownership ! and my livelyhood for long long time !

Yes, you're right. One of my panthers is a 04 CV HPP. The Handling and Performance Package came with the air ride system.

[Mr. Man]

Your going to have to out bid the limo companies that still seek out low mile newer Towncars. Sky's the limit on higher mileage older ones though.

[CoreyM75]

Crown Vics can't have self leveling rear suspension stock ? really ? Im slipping . I sold Fords for 25 years and I'm not sure LX Sport crown vics had air ride but I'll bet you a beer !

You are going to owe a lot of guys a beer. Crown Vic Sports had rear suspension as did the Handling and Performance Package Vic's. So did Grand Marquis LS with the HPP package and the Grand Marquis LSE which was the GM version of the Sport.

My Sport had the rear air suspension which failed and the original owner swapped to poverty coil springs.

[EricGrain]

I said Crown Victorias don't have Rear Air Suspension for the same reason I say EVERYONE has internet access.

I know the GMQ and TC had Air Suspension and that the CV had it AVAILABLE. But most of Crown Vics out there DON'T have RAS.

Last time I try saving time by skipping typing a story he didn't ask to hear.

[Bradley G]

then lets agree you are wrong on both accounts!

I said Crown Victorias don't have Rear Air Suspension for the same reason I say EVERYONE has internet access.

I know the GMQ and TC had Air Suspension and that the CV had it AVAILABLE. But most of Crown Vics out there DON'T have RAS.

Last time I try saving time by skipping typing a story he didn't ask to hear.

[1Marauder]

damn....

Back to the Justified mobile. Get one!

[Bradley G]

Vic's, GMQ's, & T/C 's all have rear air suspension available. (if equipped).
If you want a beer just show up.