Bye Bye BMW Hello Columbo

Tony Shelton

Tony Shelton

BS Detector, Esquire
Well, it's the end of an era. It's the Obama generation. It's all Ron's fault. I knew I would be in the market for a new car soon and Ron messed me up with that cross country tour in the Grand Marquis rental. That thing rode like a dream. As a matter of fact, I dreamed a lot while riding in it!

It made me look into Ford again.

Just for some background info I've always been a performance/handling guy with some variance.

In the 80's I had a Fiero because I was young and I could.
I had an 86 Mustang.
Honda Box.
Then an 87 Shelby Charger! 175 hp and weighed about 200 lbs (give or take)
86 Camaro Z28
300 zx
Then I settled into the married life and bought an Audi 5000 Quattro That changed everything.

Then Audi 90.

Tried Jaguar (junk)

Mercedes (I thought they rode too rough)

Then Toyota! Reliable, quiet, BUT GUTLESS! Had a few of those.

Then came a test drive in a BMW. Big mistake. The ultimate driving machine is NOT an exaggeration.

Had a couple of those. Was looking forward to an M5 in 2010, but alas, the economy kicked me in the N*ts!

So once I got in a position to get rid of the massive payments (and because the 100k free maintenance and warranty was up) I had to look at what was available that would not make me puke, but would be easy to buy for cash.

Thanks to Ron and the trip we made across the US, I found it!!!!!

FORD! CROWN VIC! A DYING (now dead) BREED that runs forever in comfort, yet still has a little bit of nards!

After checking reliability I found that the Crown Vic/ Grand Marquis has about the highest rating of any REAL American Car (PS A pontiac vibe is NOT American)

It's get n*ts too. It's a little more HP than the BMW with only a couple of hundred pounds more weight. It feels good on the pedal.

It rides better than the BMW.
It holds 6 adults easily. (good for pickups at the airport - this is VEGAS!)
It's QUIETER than the BMW.
It's leathered up with (sortof) luxury.
Parts and repairs are CHEAP! VS $800 front brakes on the BMW!!!

But.......on the other hand.......after the BMW it handles like a pig. (no pun intended)
The brakes are ........great for an American car......crap compared to the BMW.
I miss my MEMORY SEATS and radio stations linked to my remote and her radio stations linked to hers!!!!!
I miss 155 mph rev limiter - yes, I've hit it....(no lectures please - this is the freaking desert man! We live looser out here!!!)

But I have no regrets. I don't miss the $1000/ month payments and insurance and $500.00/yr registration fees.

(I also have a good idea that I lost a bid for rolling up in the BMW after my competitor made a comment about it to the customer)

Anyway. I'm happy to have a FORD at this point. I was also looking at a Cadillac or a Buick, but since they took the Obama bribe I had to pass.

Thanks Ron. You ruined my taste in cars!

JUST KIDDING - It is a great car! I get 3 mpg better than the BMW and it drives just fine.

 
Hope you have good luck with it!!!

The only time I rode in a crown Vic was in the back seat, And them seats were hard.

Does yours have a radar gun on the dash??.....This one did!!!!!
 
Tony... You have redeemable qualities afterall. My "Lottery" Car will be a BMW M5 Dinan Stage 3

We have had a few BMW's. Always looking for a deal on one. Just driving trucks right now because they're paid for. LOL

Good luck with the new ride.
 
If only Mercury had kept making the Marauder....
 
You rememeber I want to squeeze you Matt & Brenda in a Honda because the gas was 5.00 a gallon. YOu talked me into that Gas guzzler, I did agree it was the right choice even though Matt pussed out in coming with us.

Its a nice ride, my BMV and Mercedes days are gone. I'm not so lucky the first BMW i had literally blew up. Rolled up to a light after a fuel injection recall repair and shortly after the stop the hood was accross the intersection. I said to the firemen thats my hood in that ladys bushes over there accross the street. The entire car was in flames as we watch from around three hundred or so feet away.

Mercedes was breakin me from oil changes and brake jobs. 1200 for breaks>LOL 300 for oil....forget that !!!!



Tony Shelton said:
Well, it's the end of an era. It's the Obama generation. It's all Ron's fault. I knew I would be in the market for a new car soon and Ron messed me up with that cross country tour in the Grand Marquis rental. That thing rode like a dream. As a matter of fact, I dreamed a lot while riding in it!

It made me look into Ford again.

Just for some background info I've always been a performance/handling guy with some variance.

In the 80's I had a Fiero because I was young and I could.
I had an 86 Mustang.
Honda Box.
Then an 87 Shelby Charger! 175 hp and weighed about 200 lbs (give or take)
86 Camaro Z28
300 zx
Then I settled into the married life and bought an Audi 5000 Quattro That changed everything.

Then Audi 90.

Tried Jaguar (junk)

Mercedes (I thought they rode too rough)

Then Toyota! Reliable, quiet, BUT GUTLESS! Had a few of those.

Then came a test drive in a BMW. Big mistake. The ultimate driving machine is NOT an exaggeration.

Had a couple of those. Was looking forward to an M5 in 2010, but alas, the economy kicked me in the N*ts!

So once I got in a position to get rid of the massive payments (and because the 100k free maintenance and warranty was up) I had to look at what was available that would not make me puke, but would be easy to buy for cash.

Thanks to Ron and the trip we made across the US, I found it!!!!!

FORD! CROWN VIC! A DYING (now dead) BREED that runs forever in comfort, yet still has a little bit of nards!

After checking reliability I found that the Crown Vic/ Grand Marquis has about the highest rating of any REAL American Car (PS A pontiac vibe is NOT American)

It's get n*ts too. It's a little more HP than the BMW with only a couple of hundred pounds more weight. It feels good on the pedal.

It rides better than the BMW.
It holds 6 adults easily. (good for pickups at the airport - this is VEGAS!)
It's QUIETER than the BMW.
It's leathered up with (sortof) luxury.
Parts and repairs are CHEAP! VS $800 front brakes on the BMW!!!

But.......on the other hand.......after the BMW it handles like a pig. (no pun intended)
The brakes are ........great for an American car......crap compared to the BMW.
I miss my MEMORY SEATS and radio stations linked to my remote and her radio stations linked to hers!!!!!
I miss 155 mph rev limiter - yes, I've hit it....(no lectures please - this is the freaking desert man! We live looser out here!!!)

But I have no regrets. I don't miss the $1000/ month payments and insurance and $500.00/yr registration fees.

(I also have a good idea that I lost a bid for rolling up in the BMW after my competitor made a comment about it to the customer)

Anyway. I'm happy to have a FORD at this point. I was also looking at a Cadillac or a Buick, but since they took the Obama bribe I had to pass.

Thanks Ron. You ruined my taste in cars!

JUST KIDDING - It is a great car! I get 3 mpg better than the BMW and it drives just fine.

Click to expand...
 
Welcome to the Ford life. Get some lights in the windshield, and a little tinting in the back, maybe a plexiglass barrier to keep Fayth in check, and you will be set. I will buy the key ring and flashlight holder after you do it.
 
In the BMW I had to constantly keep passing left lane "speed monitors" on the right. They'd see me coming up behind them like a cheetah and would tighten their shoulders and hold their ground in the left lane. UGGGGG!

Now when I come up behind anyone in the fast lane, they get over quick! It's funny to watch the fear in their eyes till they see it isn't an undercover cop car..then comes the hate....the pure disdain because they just gave up their fast lane spot for an old geezer in a fake cop car! I'm going to see if I can get a license plate that says "NOTPORK" just to make it worse.

I can drive as fast as I want now!!! :happydance: (Limited to about 112 by Ford - UGGGGGG! My chipped F450 was faster than that!!!!!):speechless:
 
great Ill call my 95 year old granmother and tell her you recovered her car.

it was reported missing back in 1996 :wave2:

Next you will start posting your getting early bird special at Luby's liver and onions :nanner:
 
Was it a cop car or just a regular car?

I was thinking of one of those as they do hold up good with all the miles and rough roads around here with the police driving them.

I did not see the spot lights on the sides of the windshield. Here when the car is sold they leave those lights on the car.
 
i just detailed a crown vic police interceptor the other day. With the upgraded suspension and exhuast they can be fun to drive. and very comfy
 
offdutyfireman said:
My car history is shorter than that.
1986- '78 king cobra
1989- 89 F150 Lariat
1992- 92 F20 crew cab 4x4
1994- 94 F250 crew cab 4x4


Still have all of the above. Have a lot of work trucks and cars I kept for a few months here and there, but have hung onto my mustang and personal pick ups.
Click to expand...

Ever thought of trying Fords? :jester:
 
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