1998 Ford Crown Victoria Review

Some may feel that the Ford Crown Victoria is old-fashioned because it's a full-size sedan with rear-wheel drive. But nobody throws rocks at prestigious BMW and Mercedes-Benz, which sell many large cars with rear-drive.
A rear-drive auto has more balanced handling than does a nose-heavy front-drive car. Otherwise, automakers such as Ferrari and Jaguar would have gone to front-drive decades ago. While it's not a performance sedan such as a BMW, the ``Crown Vic'' has serene handling during typical U.S. driving conditions.

Those who worry about the lack of a front-drive car's traction on slippery roads can order the $775 anti-lock brakes, which come with a traction-assist system.

That system helps maintain stability and the ability to steer the car on such roads at all speeds by limiting engine torque when wheel spin is detected.

The 1998 Crown Victoria retains its solid body-on-frame design, but has been updated to keep it contemporary--although its only U.S. rival is Ford Motor's similar Mercury Grand Marquis.

The Crown Victoria comes as a well-equipped, $20,935 base model with items such as a new anti-theft system, air conditioning and many power accessories--and as the $23,135 LX, which adds things such as a power driver's seat, cassette player and remote keyless entry.

The power seat is a $360 option for the base model. It has a handy Mercedes-style control shaped like a seat and located on the door panel.

The first thing one might notice about the latest Crown Victoria is its revised appearance. Up front, there is a new chrome grille flanked by larger headlights and a new hood, fenders and bumper.

New aerodynamic mirrors reduce wind noise and new wraparound taillights highlight the rear end and quarter panels.

The Crown Victoria also gets larger 16-inch wheels and--most important--a new Watt's linkage rear suspension to improve steering feel and directional stability.

This Ford now feels more secure during sudden lane changes at highway speeds and when sweeping through curves.

However, the power steering feels rather dead at lower speeds, and the ride becomes bouncy over large dips--despite the rather firm suspension.

Handling is enhanced by the $935 Handling and Performance package. It contains a performance-tuned suspension with rear air springs, special axle ratio for slightly quicker acceleration and performance tires on special alloy wheels.

The package also has dual exhausts, which increase horsepower from 200 to 215 and improve the torque rating.

The Crown Victoria has a smooth, single-overhead-camshaft V-8. However, the rather small 4.6-liter engine must work hard to give this heavy, 3,917-pound sedan spirited acceleration and thus isn't as quiet as old larger V-8s that once powered big Ford sedans.

If coolant is lost with the new ``fail-safe'' cooling system, individual cylinder firing is shut off electronically to keep the motor running at reduced power without overheating--the idea being to allow the car to be driven to a service facility before engine shutdown occurs.

Spark plug wires are eliminated with coil-on-plug ignition, which improves resistance to voltage leaks in wet weather and improves spark delivery reliability.

A dual-speed electric fan replaces an engine-driven fan, resulting in less engine noise and improving air conditioning performance when the engine is idling.

The V-8 works with an efficient four-speed automatic transmission, which has a cooler to improve hot and cold operation. The transmission's new shift schedule and calibration stragegy help allow smoother shifts.

Estimated fuel economy is 17 m.p.g. in the city and 24 on highways.

Stopping distances are short, thanks partly to larger front brakes and an easily modulated pedal. The Crown Victoria's dual-piston brake calipers provide quicker response and more even pad pressure to improve brake performance and reduce premature wear.

My test car had optional digital instrumentation that was easy to read. But it sometimes became distracting--compared to the Crown Victoria's conventional instrumentation, which includes a voltmeter and oil pressure and coolant temperature gauges.

There is new green backlighting of instrument gauges and controls and a new two-spoke steering wheel, along with a wider, longer center rear armrest.

But there is a long reach to the sound system controls, and the ignition switch on the steering wheel column has a large collar that forces a driver to take exra time to fit the key precisely in it to start the engine.

One might expect the Crown Victoria to easily accommodate six tall adults, but the center of the front and rear seats are for kids and short trips. Only four tall occupants fit comfortably, and there isn't a surplus of rear leg room behind a tall driver.

Rear windows roll down all the way, but smokers should note that rear ashtrays only handle one cigarette.

While large, the trunk has a round, deep well that makes it awkward to load or unload cargo. It's a curiously shaped trunk for a traditional family sedan.

The average age of Crown Victoria buyers is 65, but Ford says it has broadened the car's appeal to attract more--and younger--buyers.