chada75
New Reader
11/11/14 5:00 a.m.
Hi, everyone! I have a odd issue for next year's Autocross season. I currently own Two P71 Crown Vics (One's a Taxi and another is the parts/personal/Auto-x car). I'm working the Taxi full-time now but planning on doing it part-time for 2015 and go back into Auto repair work full-time. Since one of the smart things to do when owning a Taxi is to have a spare, I'm limited to what I can auto-x, Since Miatas, Mustangs, and Scion FR-S are not allow as Taxis :-(. I'm considering a 06+ V-6 Impala as a replacement. Which car would be a better Stock car for Autocrossing? Thanks for any advice.
Not to sound negative, but I don't think either one is going to be exceptionally good in stock form. So honestly, I'd chose the car that suits your business needs first then go hoon it and have fun regardless of what class your in or times you run.
Klayfish wrote:
Not to sound negative, but I don't think either one is going to be exceptionally good in stock form. So honestly, I'd chose the car that suits your business needs first then go hoon it and have fun regardless of what class your in or times you run.
+1 to that, if your going to run a uncompetitive car just have fun with it, and if your looking to just have fun get which ever car you like driving more
P71 will be better for sure. I literally did nothing to my 99 grand marquis other than a 21mm rear swaybar and some 17" mustang wheels and tires. stock 2.73 open rear end, shift it down to 1st and leave it there. it was fun. Came in mid-pack overall several times. As big of a pig as it was it handled predictably. Just remember to brake enough before turning in, use the throttle if you need a little more rotation mid turn.
I would not want to do the same with a full size FWD sedan. you'd probably destroy front tires in no time.
I spent some time on a track in both of these. They would have been 2004 or 2003 models. While they obviously drove very differently, they were pretty equally matched as far as lap times. The Impala was lighter, but under-powered compared to the p71.
Niether. 88-90 9C1 Caprice. better chassis control than either of those.
I currently own an 06 Malibu.. if it is anything like that car... it's going to be terrible. I only have it because my very elderly grandmother stopped driving (at age 94) and gave it to me as I am the only grandchild who kept in contact. It is -everything- I have ever despised in American cars.
Floaty suspension, numb/overboosted steering, over boosted brakes, and only goes good in a straight line
I wanted to share a video of an FWD police car on an autocross course, but there's no way to imbed a video and you need Quicktime to view it. But I'll put it up here anyway and if you can see it, it shows what understeering pigs they are.
Police car on course
Which is better, standing and watching an autocross wishing you had a certain car, or running in the autocross in the car you have?
I have auto crossed a W-body. Besides the fact that it's a big heavy FWD family car it wasn't bad. I was consistently faster than a Volvo V70R on star specs, even with my all season tires. Check it out in my garage if you want to, it was an 05 GTP Comp G. I'm pretty sure suspension wise the only difference to the 9C1 Imp was I had a slightly larger rear sway bar. Of course the Imp will have taller springs.
That being said I'd still go P71. RWD for the win.
P71. You already know the car. You already know hoe to fix it. Canibalize it to keep the work vehicle running.
P71. You already know the car. You already know how to fix it. Canibalize it to keep the work vehicle running.
I would guess that the Impala would be slightly faster because it's lighter, but it's probably less fun because it's a full sized FWD sedan.
