its over.

Batt cars aren't really a realistic option right now IMHO. With our current level of technology there can't be a cost efficient and energy efficient straight battery powered car that can do little more than be used as a short distance, point A - B - A, in town/smaller city, no load, 1 - 2 passenger conveyance.

 

I'm with ya 100%. I'm hoping that Ford takes a serious hit in the fleet market with these gone and that all the old folks that buy Grand Marquis/Vics/Town Cars switch over to Buicks! To take away the one real car on the market is a got-dang travesty. I'm so fuming mad about it. My dad came to my house and woke me up today to tell me that they discontinued them. Granted, I already knew, but he knew that it was gonna be a hard hit for me. Though I'm typically a GM guy, I've got a soft spot for the Panther Platform. I believe it's the best built platform ever to roll out of any motor company.

 

Norman,
Your post is great and makes some decent points.
Personally I think electric cars are pretty neat..
BUT!
Currently as well as near future there is NO infrastructure to support them..
AND!
New York city and Los Angeles both have electric power outages every year. So now what happens when a few hundred thousand electric cars get plugged in to be recharged... ?
And where in the hell does that electricity come from.. A generator that is fueled by,, uhmm,, WHAT ??? Nuke power plants are expiring now.. So
that leaves coal and fossil fuel power plants..
In Iceland Shell opened hydrogen fuel station in 2003. Buss's were hydro powered. "Many international companies contributed to the project including Daimler Chrysler, who made the hydrogen fuel cell buses, and Shell which produced the hydrogen fuel station."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renewable_energy_in_Iceland


.

 

Why? At least Ford kept full size RWD sedans around fifteen years longer than GM did.

 

Yes, and it's a bitter spot for me with GM that they eliminated the Caprice/Roadmaster/Fleetwoods back in 96, but in 96, I was 6 so there was little I could do lol

 

Time marches on......

Sadly, I don't think you're going to see another body-on-frame vehicle like the CV again.

I'm of the opinion though that it wasn't necessarily the EPA, CAFE, safety regulations or buyer apathy (among other things) that killed the Panther platform.

Frankly, it was outdated.
Ford sucked as much money as it could, with only one major re-body and very few updates in its 32 year life span. It was heavy, got relatively poor fuel mileage from it's powertrain. Yes, it was easy to repair, yes it was reliable. It was tremendous as a heavy-service vehicle

Finally, modern vehicle technology and unitized construction have rendered the old girl obsolete. The replacement(s) for the Panther won't be as easy (or as cheap) to repair, but there will be benefits in going to a new unitized FWD platform - safety improvements, fuel ecomomy, platform versitility (you'll be able to have more than just a 4-door sedan..)

...................................................................
On a side note, now that the Crown Vic has been retired, it would be a good time for Ford or some other US vehicle manufacturer) to design a dedicated taxi vehicle. There certainly should be enough prospective sales in North America to warrant a clean-slate design. You could even use an existing FWD platform and design a new vehicle around it. I'm thinking a small minivan-sized unit with a high torque 4 or V6 to power it, with a diesel option. Sliding minivan doors, and some cargo space in the back for luggage. Short turning circle, good visbility.

 

We just bought one of the last 2011 Mercury Grand Marquis. We really didn't need another truck so we started looking at sedans. We wanted a real frame, full size, V8, RWD. The Mercury was the only one still available. We had trouble finding one. Every dealer we checked with was very disappointed that they couldn't get the Grand Marquis and Crown Vics anymore. They all said Ford was making a big mistake.

It is a great car, comfortable, and gets 24.5 MPG average. Not bad for a V8 full size car.

 

I'm a born and raised GM guy. The only non-GM's I've ever owned are Panther cars. I am PROUD to say so. They are wonderful vehicles that are durable, good on gas, and reliable. What more can you ask for out of a car that size? I'd buy another one in a heartbeat. FoMoCo is making a HUGE mistake.

 

I picked up my '04 Grand Marquis after torturing myself with two Chrysler LH cars. I've had it for three and a half years and about 30,000 miles, so far mostly trouble free.

If you're looking for one used, look for a 2002-04. From 1996-2001, Ford used a composite intake manifold that's prone to failure, dumping coolant into the engine. They started cheapening out on materials beginning in '05 (e.g., replacing the in-glass antenna with a flimsy whip stuck on the rear fender). The 2010 I rented last year felt cheaper and sloppier than mine. I also think the front end styling on the last few years is hideous.

 

Although I've known this was coming for some time now it still stings pretty bad. My agency will still have CVPI's for several years, but the '04 that is currently my office on wheels is an outstanding vehicle and my buddies with the newer ones say they're just not the same. I've already told the Mrs. that should the opportunity arise to get one of my own she should be prepared to have another car in the driveway.

 

There was a recall, though and most people took theirs in and got the intakes replaced. I had that on my 2000.

 

personally i think this was the best style they ever made the crown vic, i love em !!!

 

http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/...last-ford-crown-victoria-rolls-down-the-line/

 

Kinda sticks in my craw that the last one built is going to Saudi Arabia....

 

Hey if they are going to throw their money some way let it be towards us... Let the world buy our products that we made here instead of the other way around.