Advice requested

[1Marauder]

I think I finally found a car for my teenager in SO CAL!

Have been looking for some time for a CV SPORT or Explorer for my 16 year old son.

Found a custom ordered 2004 CV that has everything custom ordered except the bucket seats and floor shifter.

It has the "rear air suspension," "upgraded suspension and roll bars", "dual exhaust," "sport gearing," and 16 inch (ugly) cross spoke wheels --not fan blades... again everything except just not the bucket seats and floor shifter, but has the silver/chrome grill.

Was thinking I'd buy it, add the front black mustang/mach 1 spoiler, the SB tail spoiler/fin, and paint the front grill SB.

85000 miles. 1 owner, new tires, all records, serviced at Ford dealer. Guy wants $4,500 firm.

Thoughts?


PS I had found a trashed CV sport that had 85,000 miles-for $4,500-but it was dented and scratched and needed over $1,000 to bring it back to snuff, AND I found a perfect 1 owner 2004 explorer but it has the 6 cy vs. the tried and true 8 cy... and that 6 is known to be problematic.

I am liking the old guy who owns the CV--and the CV it is like the LSC GMQ.

Should I JUST DO IT?

Another Q. How hard is it to convert to the floor shifter?

[MERCURY 2003LSE]

If it is a good clean car and 1 owner price seems ok to me.:)
Hard to find a clean car that is taken care of .
Crown Vic sport and LSE Grand marq are hard to find :beer:
I am sure you teenager will just be happy dad bought a car for them:beer:

LSE is better than a Crown Vic Sport

[Turbov6Bryan]

Well it's not a sport

Have you priced a black on black 08 mgm in your area? They look pretty nice, dash is nice

If he is 16, might just find a mgm and let him wreck it a few times,... They are cheap to replace

[Mr. Man]

Go with the Panther, CV, GM, TC. A lot of kids wreck their first car and the Panther is a proven 5 Star car. Not saying yours will, but if he does he should fair better in a Panther over the Explorer.

They don't call them "Exploders" for nothing.;)

[crownvic97]

My dad bought me a 97 Vic for my first car. Loved it!

[lji372]

Throw some marauder wheels on that puppy!

[Ambitious1]

The 2004 sounds like a Crown Victoria LX HPP. HPP stands for Handling & Performance Package. You can check the VIN to see if it is truly the HPP. It has everything you mentioned, air suspension, upgraded sway bars, dual exhaust, 3.27 gears, 16" Y-spoke wheels. The 2004 CV LX HPP is solid and a great car for a teenager. Although not a MM, it is definitely near the top of the panther list. I would say if it is in good shape and no rust, go for it. If your teenager doesn't abuse it, and only 85,000 original miles, the CV will last him 10+ years.

I'm curious, does it have the digital dash and leather seats?

[CoreyM75]

The 2004 sounds like a Crown Victoria LX HPP. HPP stands for Handling & Performance Package. You can check the VIN to see if it is truly the HPP. It has everything you mentioned, air suspension, upgraded sway bars, dual exhaust, 3.27 gears, 16" Y-spoke wheels. The 2004 CV LX HPP is solid and a great car for a teenager. Although not a MM, it is definitely near the top of the panther list. I would say if it is in good shape and no rust, go for it. If your teenager doesn't abuse it, and only 85,000 original miles, the CV will last him 10+ years.

I'm curious, does it have the digital dash and leather seats?
This. I would get it if there aren't any issues with the car. The price isn't that bad, I'd aim for 3500 or so.

[DrZ]

All Marauders have side airbags! 2004 Crown Vic side airbags were an additional cost which is easy to spot with the front seat label. Get a Crown Vic with side airbags and spend time with that new driver teaching them a very important aspect of life which is safe driving. No distractions in a safe car is a happy life for all.

[Catfish]

Sounds like a decent price but I'd still try to haggle. Firm doesn't always mean firm depending on how long it's been on the market. If you buy it post some pics. Good luck!

[1Marauder]

The 2004 sounds like a Crown Victoria LX HPP. HPP stands for Handling & Performance Package. You can check the VIN to see if it is truly the HPP. It has everything you mentioned, air suspension, upgraded sway bars, dual exhaust, 3.27 gears, 16" Y-spoke wheels. The 2004 CV LX HPP is solid and a great car for a teenager. Although not a MM, it is definitely near the top of the panther list. I would say if it is in good shape and no rust, go for it. If your teenager doesn't abuse it, and only 85,000 original miles, the CV will last him 10+ years.

I'm curious, does it have the digital dash and leather seats?


GREAT QUESTIONS.... YES TO BOOTH!

IS THIS A GOOD THING?

[CoreyM75]

Yes, it confirms that the car is a Handling and Performance Package car. The HPP was the precursor to the Sport and LSE packages. It has most of the Sport equipment except for the interior bits like the floor shift console and buckets and color matched grille and trim. They are harder to find than standard Vics, but not as hard to find as Sport packages.

[Ambitious1]

Yes, it confirms that the car is a Handling and Performance Package car. The HPP was the precursor to the Sport and LSE packages. It has most of the Sport equipment except for the interior bits like the floor shift console and buckets and color matched grille and trim. They are harder to find than standard Vics, but not as hard to find as Sport packages.

Yes, that's right. If I am correct, the LX HPP also came with the side airbags. There should be a tag on the side of the upper front seats confirming this. You can get a tune on the LX HPP and your teenager should be quite happy.

[MERCURY 2003LSE]

Yes, that's right. If I am correct, the LX HPP also came with the side airbags. There should be a tag on the side of the upper front seats confirming this. You can get a tune on the LX HPP and your teenager should be quite happy.

Side airbags were an option , HPP all did not have side airbags.
If the OP runs the VIN in Ford Etis site he can find all the build info and options the car has :beer:

[1Marauder]

I've got the Marrone Sticker and build sheet!

Price is still a little high at $4500--but cannot find any SPORT for under $7000 this clean.

I will paint the front grill, add the front chin spoiler and the painted tail spoiler, and hope to find some fan blade or charger wheels later...

[MERCURY 2003LSE]

Pics , Pics :D:D :beer:
You got it home yet ?

[1Marauder]

Picking it up next Thursday.

[CoreyM75]

Congrats on the Vic. They are great cars, especially for new drivers.

[Spectragod]

Picking it up next Thursday.

Get me the VIN, I can run it through OASIS and get the actual build off Ford's site.

[1Marauder]

Can anyone run a car fax for me?

[jay87lx]

Can anyone run a car fax for me?
I can on Monday- I inbox u my number, text me Monday at 11am

[1Marauder]

Thanks. My inbox is not working. I had to clean/move PM's and something is now wrong. Not sending nor receiving. UE not doubt.

[1Marauder]

Well it's not a sport

Have you priced a black on black 08 mgm in your area? They look pretty nice, dash is nice

If he is 16, might just find a mgm and let him wreck it a few times,... They are cheap to replace

Yes... Said it wasn't. Interestingly, comes as CVLXSPRT on DMV and INsuracne due to vin.

[1Marauder]

Thanks all.

New to family!