New Member From PA

[Bigdogjim]

Welcome to the world of all things marauder

I really like the green one! The red one is super clean

[71cyclone]

Welcome to the sight / you are also driving a low production model Panther , Much respect.

[TP Derrick D]

As far as I know, the HPP packages did not come with a center console. The Sport came out mid-year 2001 production, that would have had the center console and the five spoke 17" wheels, dual exhaust, monochrome paint treatment (although there were some variants from what I have read that did not have the body color grille). Additionally, the Sports and HPP's did not have the aluminum driveshaft. The Sports also had a 3.27 open rear.

Can you answer 1 more question? Do the '01 Vic Sport have the digital speedo cluster or the needle type? I found a '01 for sale as well as an '01 MGM LSE I may look into getting to go along with my Marauder. And if they do have digital type can someone tell me if they be changed out to the needle type?

[Peachpicker]

The analog gauge cluster was standard on the Sport. To get the digital instrumentation (at least on the '01) you had to order the "LX Comfort Plus Group" with the Sport Package. IIRC that was like either $1800 or $1900 option back in the day on top of the Sport option. I could tell you exact, but I have my car in storage for the winter. To be quite honest with you, of the Sports I have personally seen, I never saw another '01 with the digital dash, although I am sure there some out there. I would imagine that due to the mid-year introduction of the Sport Package the total number of '01's is relatively low, let alone the ones with the digital dash. I did see an '02 once and also an '03 with the digital dash (Sports). Technically in '01 the Sport was called "Sport Appearance Package"
I read some write-ups over on CVN where guys switched out the dash but it seems like quite an undertaking because it is not a direct "plug and play" switch, but it can be done.
I do not know much about the MGM's but I would imagine a base LSE would have come with analog gauges and then something similar to the Vic's "Comfort Plus Group" to get the digital goodies. Don't know for sure, but it would seem to make sense. I have seen pictures of LSE's, but have never seen one in person.

[Peachpicker]

Also forgot to mention that the Sports have rear air suspension as well.

[Peachpicker]

Hey Jim,
Here's two more pics of the green one for you

Believe it or not, this is before I clay barred and waxed it.
The paint is all original, but has some scratches here and there. Nothing to get excited about though.

[Mr. Man]

I had a 2000 CV with duel exhaust. I can't remember if Ford called it anything special. It was plagued with gremlins but when it was running right it was a comfy cruiser.

Word to the wise stay after those wheels ^^^^ as they are very time consuming to keep clean if they get dirty and I'd lose the white walls.

[Peachpicker]

Thanks for the advice on the wheels. I did notice they require a lot more attention than the 5-spokes on my Sport. My friends give me grief about the old geezer look of the whitewalls. Maybe I will have to flip them in in the spring....OMG if I qualify for AARP does that make me an old geezer though?

[RF Overlord]

"Old Geezer" is a state of mind, not an age.

[Markemark]

This is the first model to put the PI heads on as standard, also the last year for the older style suspension and wheel offset. I saw a magazine test of this model when new and I'm sure it ran a 15 sec. quarter mile time. This model was lighter than the 2002 up models. Always wanted one of these models, I've owned a 1995,97 and 99 Grand Marquis with perf/handling packages and loved them all. Finally was able to purchase 03 Marauder this year after wanting one since they came out. If you love the Panther cars you have to own one, you won't regret it one bit. Just keep a regular model to drive in the bad weather if you live up in the crappy weather like in Ohio.