My department has bought them as the primary patrol car just about every year but 2, when we tried Caprice Classics and Tauruses, so I've got a lot of miles in them over the last 31 years.
In January 2008, my folks were in pretty bad shape and hadn't driven for years. They each needed wheelchairs to go any distance. I bought them. I was their primary care giver and took care of running them everywhere. I had a 2006 Mustang GT and a 3/4 ton 4WD pickup. They had real trouble getting in and out of the Mustang's front seat, never mind the back, and couldn't even try the truck. I sold the Mustang and went looking for a 2 or 3 year old Fusion or Taurus/500, something I could afford that they could ride in together and would fit both their light wheelchairs in the trunks.
First stop, the Ford dealer had a silver 2007 Crown Vic LX with 14,000 miles on it, new Michelins, a 100,000 mile extended factory warranty and looked brand new. Salesman (son of old friend) said they had it on the lot for several months, nobody had driven it or really looked at it, and he could make me a deal "if I wanted an old man's car!". Drove it, quiet (no wind noise without antennas, lightbars and spotlights), solid, leather, softer ride than my work Crown Vic. Went home, did on-line research, got a CarFax on the VIN. Had been owned by a rental fleet in Phoenix. People who rent these things are generally geezers and don't drive them hard.
They have very low resale value, so they are a great car to buy used. I went back the next day, took it to my mechanic and body shop and got a clean bill of health. I offered dealer $16,000 out-the-door, taxes any fees and plates included. (Sticker a year earlier when new was over $27,000.) No trade-in, didn't nead a loan. They took my offer and then beat my credit union car loan rate by 1-3/4%.
I don't drive it a lot, just turned over 29,000 miles after 4 years 8 months. 22 mpg. A minor climate control switch glitch was fixed under warranty, nothing since.
Yes it's boring but it sure is solid and has huge luggage space when company flies into town.
Mom and Dad both passed on within a year. I keep looking at new cars but this thing will last a few years and I like having no car payment.
Funny thing is, even though 5 of my last 8 cars have been new V-8 Mustangs, I feel funny looking at and test driving them now. Makes me feel like an old goat! I turn 60 next month.
A great, large transportation appliance, if you need such.
That's another issue she has to deal with for me, but to be fair, it's been that way all my life. I'm a Private Investigator and have done thousands of hours of surveillance, most of it in a vehicle. Wide mouth bottles are my friend, if you get my drift.
