Any difference between a retired P71 and Crown Vic LX?

[someguy]

I want to buy a 2000 or 2001 Ford Crown Vic and the P71 seems to be the cheapest Crown Vic around here. But I doubt they have all the police equipment (performance chip, high power alternator, etc.). I've seen the stats on the Crown Vic LX at this website and I like the18 mpg city and 25 mpg highway fuel economy: http://www.edmunds.com/used/2000/ford/crownvictoria/8338/specs.html And so I was wondering is there any difference between a retired interceptor (P71) and a normal LX (such as more power, more weight, less fuel economy, etc.)? Also what should I expect from a 2000 police interceptor with 56,000 miles? Should I expect engine wear and tear and a bunch of holes inside? Well, thanks.

[k_loper2002]

My two 96 Crown Victoria Interceptors got 20 mpg in town and 27 on the highway. So much for the, "You'll lose mileage with a V-8" theory.

As far as "the performance parts are removed", I would have to say this is an urban legend from someone who has never owned one! BOTH of mine had the 200 amp alternators, blue Goodyear hoses, larger sway bars, four wheel discs, and ALUMINUM drive shaft. OH YEAH! How do you feel about full throttle overdrive? These cars will stay in OD past 110 mph, been there, done that to 120 before I lifted (it was still pulling)!!

The primary difference is that Interceptors are regularly serviced and anything that can't be handled in house is farmed out to a local mech shop (nice to know a cop or two). So a 56K Interceptor is a car I would check out further (in person).

[Interceptor]

I want to buy a 2000 or 2001 Ford Crown Vic and the P71 seems to be the cheapest Crown Vic around here. But I doubt they have all the police equipment (performance chip, high power alternator, etc.). I've seen the stats on the Crown Vic LX at this website and I like the18 mpg city and 25 mpg highway fuel economy: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] And so I was wondering is there any difference between a retired interceptor (P71) and a normal LX (such as more power, more weight, less fuel economy, etc.)? Also what should I expect from a 2000 police interceptor with 56,000 miles? Should I expect engine wear and tear and a bunch of holes inside? Well, thanks.

LOL @ Performance Chip!
Are you serious... you think a P71 has a "cop chip"?? LMAO!
If you're gullible enough to think that then I would like to sell you some magic beans.
As k_loper2002 said... the only differences between a p71 and a civilian crown victoria are...

Slightly higher stance.
Dual exhaust standard, resonators removed,
200 amp Alternators.
Heavy-Duty Battery.
Blue Goodyear silicone hoses. (sometimes swapped out)
Thicker sway bars.
Larger breaks.
Beefed up suspension.
Aluminum drive-shaft.
140mph speedo, firmer shifts, higher idle speed, also altered spark tables and other tweaks
Wiring/lighting options. (i.e) Radio suppression. Auxiliary fuse block.
Side impact support.
Reinforced frame.

and more... but you get the picture. The number one thing to remember.... THERE IS NO COP CHIP! lol.

[mrroach]

I have yet to find the topout speed on my 03 p71 it is some where above 150 according to radar at that speed i let out of it thats fast enough for me

[Wheelman91]

This is probably the stupid question of the day but ive been wondering, ive got a 01' LX with the 4.6. Is there a way to adapt the shocks and ride of the Interceptor to the LX or am i up shit creek without a paddle? My goal is to give my Vic the bigger stance and all around look of the P71's

[Pecos Slick]

As far as P71s getting regular service, mostly that is a JOKE. Hardly anything gets done until something breaks. Most all of the ones I see need brake fluid changed, transmission service, P/S fluid changed, cooling system service, rear end oil serviced, fuel and air filters, belts and hoses changed. But some do get a oil change every now and then.

[dennistruckdriver]

As far as P71s getting regular service, mostly that is a JOKE. Hardly anything gets done until something breaks....

I bought a 2006 Interceptor last year with a deep pile of service tickets for oil changes EVERY 3,000 miles, regular brake pad and rotor changes, and two new batteries. My car was more highly maintained by the department than most civilian-owned cars!

[Pecos Slick]

You're lucky. On mine ,the 1st had 97,000 on it the cooling system was plain water, the trans fluid was dark and stinky, the P/S fluid was like black syrup and smelled burnt, the brake fluid was black. #2 80,000 Trans fluid needs changing-doubt it has ever been done, P/S fluid needed changing as does the brake fluid. These are some of the ones in better shape that I have found, that's why I have them.

[snyper94z28]

as stated above:

Slightly higher stance.
Dual exhaust standard, resonators removed,
200 amp Alternators.
Heavy-Duty Battery.
Blue Goodyear silicone hoses. (sometimes swapped out)
Thicker sway bars.
Larger brakes.
Beefed up suspension.
Aluminum drive-shaft. - or composite..depends the year of car
140mph speedo, firmer shifts, higher idle speed, also altered spark tables and other tweaks
Wiring/lighting options. (i.e) Radio suppression. Auxiliary fuse block.
Side impact support.
Reinforced frame.

the only thing i will add is when floored the P71's have a more aggresive shift pattern then civilian cv's. you will shift about 300-500 rpm's higher depending on the gear and you will kick down into the passing gear 5-12 mph sooner. the transmission will also have a firmer shift under WOT acceleration. ford use to advertise a more aggresive spark curve only under WOT also. that is where i beleive the "urban legend" of a cop chip came from.
also these cars are NOW rated 75 mph rear impack certified. crown vics have a 5 star rating for front end collisions. thats the highest rating possible.

[Tonioj]

The one thing to bear in mind when buying a P71 is the agency that it was in service to, with that I mean the odds are better with a unit that was service with the state police or county sheriff. Reason being these units are more likely to be assigned to one officer, so they are normally better maintained as the the officer assigned to the unit will be on top of any maintainence issues, with units in service to local agencies, those are normally turned in at the end of the shift and seated by another officer, and in those cases they may be more lax with repairs due to downtime and in some cases shortage of available units, city units normally suffer more wear due to long idle, potholes, lots of stop and go driving, as with most state and county units there is more miles on the highway, less idle and less road damages and generally are in better condition when they are taken out of service.