why are P71's so cheap?

three grand for an unmarked white '04 P71 with 135k miles? cheap '04 P71

or $3500 for an unmarked black '04 P71 with 90k? another cheap '04 P71

are those typical prices?

Yes.

Sounds about right. Now you see why they are so attractive!

I suspect that they're so cheap because the average Crown Vic buyer is more interested in the comfort and power options of the civilian version than an enthusiast who wants the "cop tires, cop suspension, cop shocks" of the P71.

they're cheap because supply outstrips demand.

buyer wins.

I hope I haven't missed too much by not owning the PI version; I kinda like the carpeted interior and lack of holes in the dash and roof among other things. I do think I would have liked the stiffer suspension of the CVPI but that`s not too hard to improve on. I just ordered Addco bars for starters.

I paid $3500 for my base model Vickey with 170,000km on the clock back in 2004 and it`s paid for itself easily (298,000km).

In reply to Moving_Target:

That's the beauty of the Panther platform though, it's like Lego's. I bought new carpet for mine for $99, found NEW seats locally, grabbed a nice dash out of the JY, and had a mint interior in a few hours. Even added power seats! You can swap in the whole-hog Grand Ma interior if so inclined.

(And visa-versa, swap the P71 suspension onto a civvie, etc).

Well, they do go up for bidding once in a while at the auction and I have been tempted after my good experience with this car. I will fight the urge for a little longer until I have less on my plate.

The weird thing is I never thought I`d like these boats but they have something...cool(?) about them once you get used to them. They are definitely better put together than my Fox Mustang (big shock there).

(sigh) I'm getting old. It's gotta be an age thing.

Next up, Depends.

I'd like some been there-done that numbers on fuel mileage on these cars (specifically a P71). Not, "fuelmileage.gov says..." or "my unreliable ex brother-in-law had one and..." anectdotal stuff.

Anyone care to share in-town, mixed, and highway MPG numbers for a PI P71? Ok...I take that back...I don't care about in-town...just the others ;). I know there are a few owners or past owners on the board.

Thanks!
Clem

in mixed driving i saw 19-20.

hiway anywhere from 23-26, based on lot of factors.

14.5 towing an E30 from Nebraska to Texas.

19.5 pulling an empty trailer back.

with a 5.4 swapped in, a 3.73 gearset in the back, and all city driving, i get 17.

any of these spit the plugs out? if so, which years do i avoid?

Timeormoney wrote: any of these spit the plugs out? if so, which years do i avoid?

All of them do, so it doesn't matter. 01+ has the PI heads/intake. 03+ has the vastly improved frame, suspension, brakes, and steering. I had an 01. If I was buying again, it would be an 03+. The 00-'s aren't even worth looking at IMO.

My anecdotal mileage from however many years I owned mine: 18 average in town, 24-25 highway, 7 drag racing / HPDE. With tune, CAI, cat-back.

AngryCorvair wrote: three grand for an unmarked white '04 P71 with 135k miles? cheap '04 P71 or $3500 for an unmarked black '04 P71 with 90k? another cheap '04 P71 are those typical prices?

Man. That black one is tempting.

no plug spitting here

No problems with plug spitting here either. Plug wires on the other hand...

why wouldn't they be cheap? Ford sold millions of the things- and most of those were sold to police departments that beat the ever loving crap out of them for a few years and then threw them away when they got a new one to replace it.. used cop cars have always been cheap.

In reply to ClemSparks:

My wife's uncle has a 2000 or so grand mark an gets really close to 30 MPG on the highway. Grant it that is with the civie 2.73 rear and 70 year old man driving. Still good.

It's a really good thing I don't have $2900 right now, because if I did that one in Silver Spring would be spoken for. That's only about a 2 hour drive

In reply to ClemSparks:

18 average in a 99.

Twin_Cam wrote: It's a really good thing I don't have $2900 right now, because if I did that one in Silver Spring would be spoken for. That's only about a 2 hour drive

i'm flying to DC in a few weeks to meet up with some high school buddies for the Van Halen show. i'm thinking about taking some $ with me and driving home...

In reply to AngryCorvair:

You can drive one home to me.

In retrospect, that sounded much less dirty the first time.