# Crown Vic Discontinued what does this mean for the police and taxicabs **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 8, 2013, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crown-vic-discontinued-what-does-this-mean-for-the-police-and-taxicabs/646428 "2013-01-08T01:22:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![sweat209](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9fc348/32.png) [@sweat209](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweat209)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2013, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crown-vic-discontinued-what-does-this-mean-for-the-police-and-taxicabs/646428/121 "2013-01-12T01:47:05Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > the Crown Vic was designed in 1996. If Ford were to release a “new Crown Vic,” thanks to current standards it would look nothing like the old Crown Vic, and would probably look a lot like the (wait for it) Taurus. Why is that ? ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Slant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c57346/32.png) [@Mr.Slant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Slant)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2013, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crown-vic-discontinued-what-does-this-mean-for-the-police-and-taxicabs/646428/122 "2013-01-12T01:50:01Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > the Crown Vic was designed in 1996. If Ford were to release a “new Crown Vic,” thanks to current standards it would look nothing like the old Crown Vic, and would probably look a lot like the (wait for it) Taurus. It was released in 1992. [1] [1] Popular Science (June 1991): pp. 99–102 [2] [http://www.edmunds.com/ford/crown-victoria/1992/](http://www.edmunds.com/ford/crown-victoria/1992/) ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Slant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c57346/32.png) [@Mr.Slant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Slant)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2013, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crown-vic-discontinued-what-does-this-mean-for-the-police-and-taxicabs/646428/123 "2013-01-12T01:52:33Z")
> [@sweat209](#): > > Why is that ? The modern market for ‘full-sized’ cars equivalent to the 1992 Crown Vic demands… good use of space, modern engine, modern transmission, an upright seating position. None of that described the final version Crown Vic. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2013, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crown-vic-discontinued-what-does-this-mean-for-the-police-and-taxicabs/646428/124 "2013-01-12T01:55:51Z")
> [@Mr.Slant](#): > > It was released in 1992. [1] > > [1] Popular Science (June 1991): pp. 99–102 yes, the EN53 was released in '92, but the last version (EN114) was released for MY1998 which means basic design was done in 1996. > [@sweat209](#): > > Why is that ? Because when the last generation of the Crown Vic was designed, crash and occupant protection standards weren’t what they are today. The last Crown Vic did well on frontal and offset frontal crash tests, but they did poorly on side impact and wouldn’t have a chance in hell of doing well on modern roof crush tests. Side impact and roof crush standards are a big reason for the poor visibility of a lot of modern cars; airbags can do so much but at the end of the day you need strong metal structure to protect you. long story short, if Ford were to redesign the Crown Vic for MY2013, it would have to look a lot more like the Taurus than the old Crown Vic. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Slant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c57346/32.png) [@Mr.Slant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Slant)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2013, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crown-vic-discontinued-what-does-this-mean-for-the-police-and-taxicabs/646428/125 "2013-01-12T02:06:37Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > yes, the EN53 was released in '92, but the last version (EN114) was released for MY1998 which means basic design was done in 1996. > SNIP I stand corrected. The part of your post I SNIPped above was an interesting read as well. Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![sweat209](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9fc348/32.png) [@sweat209](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweat209)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2013, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crown-vic-discontinued-what-does-this-mean-for-the-police-and-taxicabs/646428/126 "2013-01-12T02:08:27Z")
> [@Mr.Slant](#): > > The modern market for ‘full-sized’ cars equivalent to the 1992 Crown Vic demands… good use of space, modern engine, modern transmission, an upright seating position. > None of that described the final version Crown Vic. I’m not sure what you mean . Big cars are long gone for public :o may be not the police but for public big cars are gone. If they had new Crown Vic it would be for police only . Has sales on Crown Vic for public is very bad now with most people that what small cars for price of gas. Even big SUV;s are not doing well like 6 years ago. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Slant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c57346/32.png) [@Mr.Slant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Slant)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2013, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crown-vic-discontinued-what-does-this-mean-for-the-police-and-taxicabs/646428/127 "2013-01-12T02:15:52Z")
> [@sweat209](#): > > I’m not sure what you mean . Big cars are long gone for public :o may be not the police but for public big cars are gone. > > If they had new Crown Vic it would be for police only . > > Has sales on Crown Vic for public is very bad now with most people that what small cars for price of gas. > > Even big SUV;s are not doing well like 6 years ago. What do you see as the dividing line for ‘big car’ vs not? ---
**Author:** ![sweat209](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9fc348/32.png) [@sweat209](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweat209)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2013, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crown-vic-discontinued-what-does-this-mean-for-the-police-and-taxicabs/646428/128 "2013-01-12T02:27:22Z")
> [@Mr.Slant](#): > > What do you see as the dividing line for ‘big car’ vs not? Cars in the 80s and 90s and before are much bigger than 2000s . ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Slant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c57346/32.png) [@Mr.Slant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Slant)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2013, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crown-vic-discontinued-what-does-this-mean-for-the-police-and-taxicabs/646428/129 "2013-01-12T02:33:45Z")
> [@sweat209](#): > > Cars in the 80s and 90s and before are much bigger than 2000s . I’m aware of this. You stated that there’s no market for ‘big cars’ right now. In your mind, what size would a ‘big car’ be if produced today? ---
**Author:** ![sweat209](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9fc348/32.png) [@sweat209](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweat209)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2013, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crown-vic-discontinued-what-does-this-mean-for-the-police-and-taxicabs/646428/130 "2013-01-12T02:45:30Z")
> [@Mr.Slant](#): > > I’m aware of this. > You stated that there’s no market for ‘big cars’ right now. > In your mind, what size would a ‘big car’ be if produced today? If some day the price of gas becomes very cheap than the big cars of 80s and 90s may make come back. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Slant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c57346/32.png) [@Mr.Slant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Slant)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2013, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crown-vic-discontinued-what-does-this-mean-for-the-police-and-taxicabs/646428/131 "2013-01-12T02:47:19Z")
I’m asking a question so that I can use the answer to understand how to answer your questions. Please tell me what you feel the dividing line between ‘big car’ and ‘not big car’ is. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2013, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crown-vic-discontinued-what-does-this-mean-for-the-police-and-taxicabs/646428/132 "2013-01-12T03:24:50Z")
> [@Mr.Slant](#): > > I’m asking a question so that I can use the answer to understand how to answer your questions. > Please tell me what you feel the dividing line between ‘big car’ and ‘not big car’ is. Your question sums up the thread. I didn’t realize the Lincoln town car was gone too. I understand why the Crown Vic required a replacement but I think it was a mistake to take out the last full sized car line. They’re all gone the way of the station wagon. SUV’s have replaced them. I think there’s a market for people who don’t like to climb up into a vehicle but obviously nobody else does. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Slant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c57346/32.png) [@Mr.Slant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Slant)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2013, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crown-vic-discontinued-what-does-this-mean-for-the-police-and-taxicabs/646428/133 "2013-01-12T04:25:58Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > Your question sums up the thread. I didn’t realize the Lincoln town car was gone too. I understand why the Crown Vic required a replacement but I think it was a mistake to take out the last full sized car line. They’re all gone the way of the station wagon. SUV’s have replaced them. I think there’s a market for people who don’t like to climb up into a vehicle but obviously nobody else does. I actually fail to agree with his contention that big cars are gone. The new large unibody vehicles are less than a foot shorter than the now-absent Marquis/Town Car/Crown Vic. The big car ride is still there in a stock Taurus or Impala. The interior room is still there as well [1]. The new big cars are no lighter than the CV was either. Big cars are still there, they’re just a little taller, and I don’t think any of them have the ridiculously long hood the CV did. I’m a big car guy; my first car was a 70s-era LTD. After that I had a Grand Marquis and a Caprice Classic, among other vehicles. I don’t see how a modern Taurus is missing anything the old guys that bought civilian CVs in the past will miss. The new Taurus MIGHT downshift a little more than the old CV did, but that’s a minor detail. [1] Compare #6 here [http://www.edmunds.com/car-reviews/top-10/top-10-sedans-for-driverfront-passenger-space-for-2007.html](http://www.edmunds.com/car-reviews/top-10/top-10-sedans-for-driverfront-passenger-space-for-2007.html) to #7 here [http://www.edmunds.com/car-reviews/top-10/top-10-sedans-with-the-most-front-passenger-room-for-2012.html](http://www.edmunds.com/car-reviews/top-10/top-10-sedans-with-the-most-front-passenger-room-for-2012.html) ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2013, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crown-vic-discontinued-what-does-this-mean-for-the-police-and-taxicabs/646428/134 "2013-01-12T05:06:17Z")
> [@Mr.Slant](#): > > [1] Compare #6 here [http://www.edmunds.com/car-reviews/top-10/top-10-sedans-for-driverfront-passenger-space-for-2007.html](http://www.edmunds.com/car-reviews/top-10/top-10-sedans-for-driverfront-passenger-space-for-2007.html) to #7 here [http://www.edmunds.com/car-reviews/top-10/top-10-sedans-with-the-most-front-passenger-room-for-2012.html](http://www.edmunds.com/car-reviews/top-10/top-10-sedans-with-the-most-front-passenger-room-for-2012.html) Your lists are front seat measurements. [Here is the back seat top 10](http://www.edmunds.com/car-reviews/top-10/top-12-sedans-under-50000-with-the-most-rear-legroom-for-2012.html). I guess the world is changing. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2013, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crown-vic-discontinued-what-does-this-mean-for-the-police-and-taxicabs/646428/135 "2013-01-12T15:59:50Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > Side impact and roof crush standards are a big reason for the poor visibility of a lot of modern cars; airbags can do so much but at the end of the day you need strong metal structure to protect you. FWIW, thanks for this. It never occurred to me that the high waistline of cars today was related to rollover protection, but it makes perfect sense. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2013, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crown-vic-discontinued-what-does-this-mean-for-the-police-and-taxicabs/646428/136 "2013-01-12T16:19:44Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > Your lists are front seat measurements. [Here is the back seat top 10](http://www.edmunds.com/car-reviews/top-10/top-12-sedans-under-50000-with-the-most-rear-legroom-for-2012.html). I guess the world is changing. When it comes to a police car the backseat room is very important. Remember that the cage that is put in the back cuts down on the room. Although we are not overly concerned with the comfort of the customers that ride back there, it is important that they can fit. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Slant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c57346/32.png) [@Mr.Slant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Slant)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2013, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crown-vic-discontinued-what-does-this-mean-for-the-police-and-taxicabs/646428/137 "2013-01-12T17:46:26Z")
FTR, the Crown Vic’s rear legroom is 38 inches [1]. So, on Magiver’s list several FWD/AWD modern cars beat it, including the Taurus chassis used in the Police Interceptor. Post-Crown Vic ‘big cars’ are missing nothing useful except for ease of repair. [1] [Edmunds Article](http://www.edmunds.com/ford/crown-victoria/2008/features-specs.html) ---
**Author:** ![sweat209](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9fc348/32.png) [@sweat209](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweat209)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2013, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crown-vic-discontinued-what-does-this-mean-for-the-police-and-taxicabs/646428/138 "2013-01-12T18:10:51Z")
So if I understand what you saying those new police cars they have now are just has big has the Crown Vic it just illusions it smaller because it is taller? > [@](#): > > When it comes to a police car the backseat room is very important. Remember that the cage that is put in the back cuts down on the room. Although we are not overly concerned with the comfort of the customers that ride back there, it is important that they can fit. Try getting 250 or 300 pound guy in back seat may be impossible with new cars. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Slant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c57346/32.png) [@Mr.Slant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Slant)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2013, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crown-vic-discontinued-what-does-this-mean-for-the-police-and-taxicabs/646428/139 "2013-01-12T18:17:31Z")
> [@sweat209](#): > > So if I understand what you saying those new police cars they have now are just has big has the Crown Vic it just illusions it smaller because it is taller? > Try getting 250 or 300 pound guy in back seat may be impossible with new cars. What is smaller about the back seat in the new cars? ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2013, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crown-vic-discontinued-what-does-this-mean-for-the-police-and-taxicabs/646428/140 "2013-01-13T01:15:05Z")
> [@Mr.Slant](#): > > FTR, the Crown Vic’s rear legroom is 38 inches [1]. > So, on Magiver’s list several FWD/AWD modern cars beat it, including the Taurus chassis used in the Police Interceptor. > Post-Crown Vic ‘big cars’ are missing nothing useful except for ease of repair. > > [1] [Edmunds Article](http://www.edmunds.com/ford/crown-victoria/2008/features-specs.html) [rear leg room in a CV is 39.6](http://www.edmunds.com/ford/crown-victoria/2011/features-specs.html). The Charger is larger with 40 inches of leg room and the same hip room with a little less headroom. I’m not sure how the restroked engine is going to work but if the Taurus is price competitive then from a driving standpoint the AWD setup should be looked on favorably by the user. Not sure about the maintenance side of that. If I was a fleet buyer I’d want the simplest car I could get and would listen closely to what mechanics tell me. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crown-vic-discontinued-what-does-this-mean-for-the-police-and-taxicabs/646428.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crown-vic-discontinued-what-does-this-mean-for-the-police-and-taxicabs/646428.md?page=8)