Did The Pre-98's Do Anything Better>? | 4.6L Based Powertrains (2024)

I want a NEW PONY! But...every once in the while, I find a cop, that asks me about my ride, and tells me he misses his ol' "Interceptor" Mine has been a good car! But I lust after the post-2000's. It just won't die yet!!! So, I areo-body on...

Seriously, did these heaps do anything better???

they are faster than a 98-00 (stock for stock, thanks to the weight advantage)

They have a stronger rear suspension setup/linkage

9005/6 headlamps vs crappy 9007s

More reliable mechanical fan.

Pre-96's wont ahve their intake KabOOM!

That is likely about it.

This is probably better for the lounge

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-Derek

Former owner of a Grand Marquis with a few mods, Grand Marquis "LSE S/C"

dont forget aerodynamics,hehe..(I'm assuming)

although I think the electrical fan is a +

Most officers that I've talked to regarding the aero vics compared to '98+, just seems they agreed the aero vic didn't break down compared to the newer ones.

Personally, I agree to a degree as almost all newer vehicles seem to have more problems than the older ones, from what I've seen in my experience.

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they are faster than a 98-00 (stock for stock, thanks to the weight advantage)

The pre-98s were pretty much dogs. The 99-00 were faster due to the 3.55s, and the 01-up were much faster due to the PI 4.6 V8. The better aerodynamics and reduced weight of the pre-98s contributed to better gas mileage though.

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They have a stronger rear suspension setup/linkage

Good point. Towing capacity is rated higher as well.

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9005/6 headlamps vs crappy 9007s

Crappy 9005/9006 vs crappy 9007s. I'd say we don't have a clear winner here unless it is E-Code H4 or HIDs, or a combination of driving lamps and headlamps.

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More reliable mechanical fan.

DIdn't they have an e-fan as well? Regardless, mechanical fans have clutches that can wear out. The E-fan makes belt changes easier and has less clutter in front of the engine. The E-fan also doesn't consume as much hp to operate.

Here's one more:
Better interior and exterior fit/finish and build quality. I know Russ still says he misses his 95 CVPI and his 97 CVPI and thinks the 98-up were crap.

I had a '96 and two '97s, and now have a '99. I think the newer Aeros look better than the '98 up. I also agree, fuel economy is a little better. The rear suspension may be a little tougher on the Aeros, but I prefer the '99's ride by a wide margin. It handles MUCH better IMO than the two Aeros I had. I have heard some folks talk about the '98 and newer Panthers being more prone to break down, but in the year that I have had this '99, it has been totally reliable. It's in the shop today getting an alignment, fresh gear oil, and the brake fluid and power steering fluid flushed. I drive it hard at times, but I do NOT do burn-outs. Maybe that's where some of the break downs come from.

From what I have heard, the '01 and '02 models are probably the best built cars since the '96s and '97s.

VMM

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2004 silver unmarked P71 Lieutenant's car from NCSHP, purchased 060208 with 90,247 easy miles. Geared 3.27. Accufab 70MM throttle body. Accufab plenum, ported and polished. NGK TR55IX plugs. Magnaflow direct fit high flow cat pipes. Magnaflow 12255 mufflers. Steeda underdrives. Goodyear Assurance TripleTred 225/60/16. Drilled/slotted rotors with ceramic pads. UHaul trans pan with a STINKING drain plug that should have come from the factory.

Hmm the Watts linkage rear was supposed to be an IMPROVMENT vs the old 4 link. Vastly better lateral stability.

Ford downgraded the towing capacity in 97 the last of the Aero's this has been exposed as marketing crap to push you towards buying POS exploders

I may be biased to my 01 as my 93 is in much rougher shape.

The Aero also has less leg room and my knee hits the dash

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2004 MarauderM79 155K miles Jmod!! Rockin Stock tune Daily, Muscle Merc tune for track 14.85 @95.63
2004 Crown Vic LX SOLD!!

New Daily 2016 Dodge Charger R/T Road and track, purchase with 16K now 23K after 3 months. 5.7 Hemi, 8 speed ZF trans 3.06 open rear 13.98 @ 99.2 mph 4740 lbs with driver!!

R.I.P Photobucket 10 years of hosting down the drain

Project car 74 Chevy Laguna type S-3, # match 400 SBC
Previous rides
93 P-71 2001 P-73, 94 TC Exec, 96 TC Signature, 04 LX

There ain't no denying my '99 rides and handles a whole lot better than the three Aeros I owned.

VMM

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Hmm the Watts linkage rear was supposed to be an IMPROVMENT vs the old 4 link. Vastly better lateral stability.

Ford downgraded the towing capacity in 97 the last of the Aero's this has been exposed as marketing crap to push you towards buying POS exploders

I may be biased to my 01 as my 93 is in much rougher shape.

The Aero also has less leg room and my knee hits the dash

_________________________
2004 silver unmarked P71 Lieutenant's car from NCSHP, purchased 060208 with 90,247 easy miles. Geared 3.27. Accufab 70MM throttle body. Accufab plenum, ported and polished. NGK TR55IX plugs. Magnaflow direct fit high flow cat pipes. Magnaflow 12255 mufflers. Steeda underdrives. Goodyear Assurance TripleTred 225/60/16. Drilled/slotted rotors with ceramic pads. UHaul trans pan with a STINKING drain plug that should have come from the factory.

One more thing: While I have no regrets at all about buying this '99, if you want the most bang for the buck, find a NICE unmarked '96 or '97, catch up on all the maintenance, and go first class on your ongoing maintenance. I doubt that it would lay down on you before you finally get tired of it.

I passed up a dark blue '97 a while back with 40,000 miles. It was a tough decision.

VMM

_________________________
2004 silver unmarked P71 Lieutenant's car from NCSHP, purchased 060208 with 90,247 easy miles. Geared 3.27. Accufab 70MM throttle body. Accufab plenum, ported and polished. NGK TR55IX plugs. Magnaflow direct fit high flow cat pipes. Magnaflow 12255 mufflers. Steeda underdrives. Goodyear Assurance TripleTred 225/60/16. Drilled/slotted rotors with ceramic pads. UHaul trans pan with a STINKING drain plug that should have come from the factory.

"They have a stronger rear suspension setup/linkage"
"Good point. Towing capacity is rated higher as well. "

i have noticed alot of yellow 98+ cabs here have the older (upto 97)non watts link rear end. (Yes I can easily see it when following behind.) i even mentioned it to a friend in the pass seat who knew nothing about cars and he could clearly see it

they either put a 98+ body on an aero frame or a older axle on a 98+ car. prob just the axle

i like my aero because it does not cause as much attention. and the attention gets less and less with each passing year

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they are faster than a 98-00 (stock for stock, thanks to the weight advantage)

The pre-98s were pretty much dogs. The 99-00 were faster due to the 3.55s, and the 01-up were much faster due to the PI 4.6 V8. The better aerodynamics and reduced weight of the pre-98s contributed to better gas mileage though.

I was comapring a 2.73 equipped -97 to a 98-00 2.73 car (which I have personally compared in the past ) The aero was without a doubt quicker.

My aero, after 3.27s + Duals were instaled, was also quicker than a 99 CVPI equipped with 3.55s. So pffft.

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9005/6 headlamps vs crappy 9007s

Crappy 9005/9006 vs crappy 9007s. I'd say we don't have a clear winner here unless it is E-Code H4 or HIDs, or a combination of driving lamps and headlamps.

Fine i will correct it:

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Crappy 9005/6 vs crappier 9007

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More reliable mechanical fan.

DIdn't they have an e-fan as well? Regardless, mechanical fans have clutches that can wear out. The E-fan makes belt changes easier and has less clutter in front of the engine. The E-fan also doesn't consume as much hp to operate.

Yes, aeros have both an e-fan and mech windmill
The clutches do wear out, but unlike the e-fan it will not completely fail and leave you stranded (bad experience in our old 98 town car), it's effectiveness fades. Snaking the belt over the fan is nothing, it may take a person an extra minute or so...

_________________________
-Derek

Former owner of a Grand Marquis with a few mods, Grand Marquis "LSE S/C"

The 98-up have a "fail safe cooling system" that SUPPOSEDLY allows sub-50 mph operation for 50 miles...

My Vic doesn't need the e-fan to run constantly to keep the ECT within norm. With enough airflow (highway driving) the coolant is kept cool.

The 96-97 vs 98-00 in terms of performance is indeed an easy one: the 98-00 are heavier and do not have much horsepower over the 96-97.