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The car died because it was a dinosaur, because Ford let it become a dinosaur. It wouldn't have taken much investment on their part to refine the platform and keep it alive. There was nothing inherently wrong with the Panther cars, Ford just ignored them for too long and doesn't have the cash to update them while simultaneously saving Lincoln.
I agree with you on the dinosaur part. Police may want body on frame V8 sedans but the average car buyer does not. From Ford's perspective they make modern FWD unibody cars (like the Taurus) that would work just fine as police cars. The police may say they need RWD cars but they seem to manage just fine with FWD cars like the Impala.
Ford is also killing off the Ranger which is another vehicle they neglected to modernize.
I agree with you on the dinosaur part. Police may want body on frame V8 sedans but the average car buyer does not. From Ford's perspective they make modern FWD unibody cars (like the Taurus) that would work just fine as police cars. The police may say they need RWD cars but they seem to manage just fine with FWD cars like the Impala.
A couple local LEOS said they didn't like the previous Impala at all. Slow, unstable, too small, did not drive well.
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Ford is also killing off the Ranger which is another vehicle they neglected to modernize.
Not sure what your reference for this is but the 2010 I sat in at the dealer was much bigger, nice, quieter, and more solid than my '87 was. It was also nearly double the price.
I liked those cars, especially the big Town Car. Old, dated, low tech. That's OK though. They did a good job at what they did.
Something else will take its place as the next best thing. They were great cars, no doubt about it. But before the Panther vehicles were other great cars, and before those great cars were other great cars, and...
Not sure what your reference for this is but the 2010 I sat in at the dealer was much bigger, nice, quieter, and more solid than my '87 was. It was also nearly double the price.
The 2010 Ranger has the same exact dash that was in my '96 Explorer. The Escape is dated too, it hasn't changed much since '95.
A couple local LEOS said they didn't like the previous Impala at all. Slow, unstable, too small, did not drive well.
Ya, but what about a 263HP Taurus with an 8 speed automatic? Bigger inside, better driving dynamics, better fuel economy and no more expensive. Anyways, it looks like GM is reviving the RWD Caprice for police departments. I'm not sure the police need to be spending over $30k for their fleet vehicles.
Not sure what your reference for this is but the 2010 I sat in at the dealer was much bigger, nice, quieter, and more solid than my '87 was. It was also nearly double the price.
My dad owns an '04 Ranger and it feels and drives like an antiquated vehicle. The fuel economy of the V6 versions is awful for the size and weight and the 4-cyl is underpowered. The last major update was in 1993 and it has seen minor changes since.
Muleskinner;That sucks imo...I loved this car back when I was doing LEO work and have had a few with the P.I. tune that would embarrass a lot of cars on mpg and stop light to stop light.....guess my dream of owning a reasonably priced LX Sport.....
My 16 y/o son just bought himself an '02 LX Sport with 58,000 miles on it.
When I needed an a family type car back in '09 I picked up an '03 Grand marquis with only 48,000 miles on it.
It's roomy, burns regular and I've gotten anywhere from 25.1-26.1 mpg highway and cranked out a 16.74 at Island Dragway in NJ.
It's a great vehicle for people and luggage hauling purposes.
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