2011 Ford Crown Victoria in Johnson City, TN - $2,995

With an exceptionally smooth ride, spacious interior and heavy-duty body-on-frame construction, the rear-drive Ford Crown Victoria remains popular with traditional large car buyers. Buyers should not be misled by its conservative good looks, however. This Ford is a rolling platform of technological advancements.

Built at the company's St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada, assembly plant, this modern rendition of the traditional large American rear-drive sedan is available in Standard, LX and LX Sport trim levels. The Crown Victoria is powered by a refined 4.6L V-8 engine mated to a smooth-shifting four-speed automatic transmission.

On the road, the large Ford is quick and responsive due in part to the Watt's linkage rear suspension with a stabilizer bar. This system is specifically designed to provide more direct, and therefore stiffer, lateral location of the rear wheels. On center, feel is good, with a minimum of steering corrections to maintain a straight, stable path

The large Ford sedan rides on a sophisticated body-on-frame construction, with hydroformed front rails and redesigned cross members. The robust frame is stiff with exceptional torsional rigidity and above average resistance to vertical bending.

Bolted to the foundation is an independent short- and long-arm front suspension hardware. Speed-sensitive variable-assist power rack and pinion steering replaces the former recirculating-ball system, offering more precision and road feel. As a result, the Crown Victoria exhibits world class handling and control -- even without the optional all speed traction control for slippery conditions.

The LX Sport model adds powertrain and chassis upgrades to get more performance out of the large Ford sedan. The list includes a dual exhaust system that increases both horsepower and torque; a 3.27 rear axle (in place of the standard 2.73 axle); a rear load-leveling air suspension system; revised springs; monotube shock absorbers and a heavy-duty rear stabilizer bar.

Inside the cabin, layout of displays and controls are excellent. The driver's view of the road is one of the best. At speed, the cabin is very, very quiet, coddling driver and passengers in a secure and safe environment. Seating front and rear is very comfortable as well, with plenty of room for all.

Quick vehicle stats

Wheelbase: 114.7; overall length: 212.0; width: 78.2; height: 56.3 --- measurements in inches.

Engine: 4.6L V8 -- (single exhaust) 224 hp at 4,800 rpm and 275 lbs-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm; 239 hp at 4,900 rpm and 287 lbs-ft of torque at 4,100 rpm (dual exhaust).

Transmission: four-speed automatic.

EPA fuel economy: 18 city/26 hwy., using regular unleaded gasoline.

Trunk capacity: 20.6 cu. ft.

Safety features

Dual front airbags, four-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock and automatic headlamp control. LX adds remote keyless entry. LX Sport adds conventional spare tire. Optional safety features include power adjustable pedals, laminated side glass and traction control.

Warranty

Basic: 3-year/36,000 mile, bumper-to-bumper.

Corrosion: 5-year/unlimited.

Roadside assistance: 3-year/36,000 mile, 24-hour.

Pricing

The base Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the 2005 Ford Crown Victoria sedan starts from $24,335 for the Standard model, $27,470 for the LX and $30,420 for the LX Sport. Destination charges add $725.

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