Hemi Magnum/ MM/ Interceptor comparo

[Romo53]

Our last day at Texas Motor Speedway brought us a surprise from dodge. In an effort to expand the Hemi Magnum line to fleet patrol use, Diamler Chrysler let us test drive a hemi RT Magnum. We drove the vehicles on the in-field road course.

I drove the Magnum, then one of our brand new Interceptors, then my MM. The Hemi is a nice strong pulling motor. I was rather impressed.....with the motor. The suspension is....let me see....CRAP!!! The Magnum pitches and rolls more than the Titanic. It was so bad that the Interceptors were able to catch up in the corners. The brakes are not too bad, but not as good as the MM. I chased the Magnum in my MM. The Magnum pulled a little better in the straights, but I was able to climb all over it in the corners. I made the guy so nervous that he quit in the middle of a right hand hairpin. He thought I was going to run into him! :banana2: I told the rep that Dodge had better have a beefier suspension in the works, because that thing was not going to cut it. The other testers felt the same. One of the guys blew the radiator hose off of it as well. :coolman: The MM is a solid platform. I grow to appreciate more and more as I get to drive other "interceptor" platforms. The brakes, suspension, and the motor work very well with each other. We'll see what Dodge finally has to offer.

[ADE 1000]

We have a Magnum in the family, and I must agree that it is a lot softer than I would have expected. The ridiculously high profile tires they use don't help either. The Magnum rides very well, but when attacking off ramps the Marauder definetly has the edge.

[Bluerauder]

The suspension is....let me see....CRAP!!! The Magnum pitches and rolls more than the Titanic.
My impression also. Thanks for the ride-along. :D

[RCSignals]

Not to be picky, but only Ford makes "Interceptor" platforms.

Others only make "Patrol" vehicles ;)


I grow to appreciate more and more as I get to drive other "interceptor" platforms.

[Mike Poore]

[QUOTE=Romo53]Our last day at Texas Motor Speedway brought us a surprise from dodge. In an effort to expand the Hemi Magnum line to fleet patrol use, Diamler Chrysler let us test drive a hemi RT Magnum. QUOTE]

If folks like Dennis have a go at the suspension issues, how's the Magnum going to do as a patrol car? It seems to me, Ford was the only game in town, once GM quit the game. Now with Chrysler in the fray with these RWD Hemi's, Ford needs to do something ...quick. Can we envision a 5.4 or DOHC in a Crown Vic in the next year or two, or the reserection of the Marauder?
:duel:

[STAPrap]

........what about a new Chevy Impala...wonder how a Police Pack would have faired out there with the rest.They are heavily increasing in use I'd say.Here in Canada anyway.



DD

[mpearce]

Is an MM an Interceptor? I thought it was an MM.

-Mat

[STAPrap]

Is an MM an Interceptor? I thought it was an MM.

-Mat


MM is Mercury Marauder......I think the gentleman above was allowed to take his own personal car out onto the field.


DD ;)

[mpearce]

Oh ok. I didn't know there was an actual interceptor platform. I was aware of the panther platform. Is the MM actually part of the panther platform? I still get all this confused.

-Mat

[STAPrap]

Oh ok. I didn't know there was an actual interceptor platform. I was aware of the panther platform. Is the MM actually part of the panther platform? I still get all this confused.

-Mat


Yah,the Panther platform includes the Mercury Grand Marquis,Marauder....the Ford Crown Victoria,Crown Vic Police Interceptor,Crown Vic LX Sport,Crown Vic Taxi and Taxi Long Wheel Base.....plus the Lincoln Town Car and Town Car Long Wheel Base.
The LWB Long Wheel Base was or is,I believe available for Crown Vic civilian use.I also believe there is a LWB Police Pack available too.I have seen one or two of them go by on the line.
The LWB Town Car is fleet sales only.

How's that???



DD ;)

[STAPrap]

All this is basically,take an old mans Vic......and beef it up.....lots of different components installed....heavy duty type a thing.It is still a Panther!


DD



PS-2005 Police Interceptor: 250 Horsepower

2005 Crown Vic LX Sport: 239 Horsepower

2005 Crown Vic Base model: 224 Horsepower


Interesting stuff!!!!

[mpearce]

Learning as I go.

-Mat

[cruzer]

Now it can be told. Romo53 is a senior police driving instructor with the Fort Worth Police Department---he is also a Mercury Marauder owner---we bought our cars from the same dealer and have almost the same mileage (36,000)--he has an 300A---I have a crossover A/B with Traction Control. We met here on the net and he e-mailed me his training schedule at TMS. On Tuesday afternoon a friend of mine reported seeing a Marauder at TMS in the police training area---15 minutes later I met Romo and he invited me to come back on Thursday. Thursday afternoon I was welcomed into the TMS Police Training Area (SW parking lot) and had a great time watching the trainees get their feet wet----navigating a course set up with cones---precision forward and reverse and turns--etc. Then Iwas told it would be OK if I wanted to play on the far end of the area---well, I found out how really great the MM handles--high speed turns--power turns---drifts AND a 50+ foot burn-out !!! :burnout: He then invited me to bring out any NTM members from the meeting if they would be interested in playing a bit. Well, Bucwheat (with Logan's MM) and Miguel ('o4 silver MM) and myself arrived about 9:30 PM. While we were waiting to escorted into the test area-----a lights-off PI roared by and did a 360 spin-out while being pursued by a fully lighted PI with a student driving. We watched "fox and hound" chases til about 10 PM. We rode shotgun in the "fox" on a couple chases --man, these guys can DRIVE. Never knew a CV could perform like that.The cadets went home and then 3 instructors stayed behind and Buckwheat's and my Marauder (Miquel had to leave early) became the pursuit cars with FWPD drivers and us in shotgun. I'll tell you, it was one keckuvaride--it was great seeing and feeling the Marauder be put through it's paces . Then the MMs were turned over to the FWPD drivers and we watched them in full chase mode--WOW!!!!! what a sight on a blacked out track--only normal lights--the roar of the engines and the scream of tires--It was a night I will never forget. I think the LEOs really enjoyed themselves. I'll tell you, I have very deep respect for these men and was honored to have them drive my MM. I'll post the pic I got in the afternoon after I process it for download. Again , a BIG THANKS to Romo53 for setting this up. I hope all of you get to meet him--he's one fine gentleman. Maaury

[STAPrap]

.....now those are my kind of evenings....lol...cool!



DD

[Mike Poore]

Now it can be told. Thanks for the whole story cruzer, you don't get many days like that! I keep telling my friends how easy it is to pass up adventures, and how it's always a mistake to do so. Way to go! :bows:

[Romo53]

A grand thanks to all the MM guys who showed up on the "training deck". Like I told Cruzer, Buckwheat, and Miguel, any of the MM owners are more than welcome to entertain themselves during our training runs. We usually have the in-field road coarse on one of the nights for about 4 hours. Lot's of fun. I will be happy to set up some drive time next time we train at TMS. We like to give a little back to the public when we can. Cops just don't write tickets ya' know!!!! :D

Thanks again guys!!! The ride was great! :banana:

[Romo53]

Not to be picky, but only Ford makes "Interceptor" platforms.

Others only make "Patrol" vehicles ;)

Dodge had an "interceptor" platform in it's Diplomat in the 80's. And way back when....Mercury had an "interceptor" specifically used by the California Highway Patrol. Ford is....today, the only car maker who has a "interceptor" platform.

[Vortex]

As an LEO myself, I can attest to the crappiness of the Impala G-ride I drive everyday at work. Handles like a 63 Rambler American with recaps.

[Bigdogjim]

In my little town the Police use to love the "little" impala's till I let one of them take my Marauder for a ride...............

He has not stoped :):):) since:up:

[jgc61sr2002]

In my little town the Police use to love the "little" impala's till I let one of them take my Marauder for a ride...............

He has not stoped :):):) since:up:

Many Police Department's including NYPD use the new Impala's due to the lower cost and better gas mileage. Nassau County PD uses unmarked auto's for highway patrol.

[Romo53]

I sure can complain about alot of things my dept. has/has not done, but I sure am glad that they passed on the Impalas. Too small, too slow, and front wheel drive.....pooey.

[CRUZTAKER]

Aside from it's current pitfalls...you have to admit, it has an interesting look to it.:rolleyes:

[TripleTransAm]

Many Police Department's including NYPD use the new Impala's due to the lower cost and better gas mileage. Nassau County PD uses unmarked auto's for highway patrol.

Unmarked... guess they're ashamed to be seen driving FWD Impalas as well.

;)

[jgc61sr2002]

Unmarked... guess they're ashamed to be seen driving FWD Impalas as well.

;)
I don't think so. They are very covert. :D