Much Sadness - Still can't believe she's gone.

[Mesencephalon]

Well I've been logging into here and reading everyones posts for over 10 years and I can't believe it, but my beautiful Black Betty, my companion of 11 years was hit, pretty hard. Hard enough for them to tell me it's going to cost more than they're willing to pay to fix it to new condition.

I am beyond devastated. She and I escaped Hurricane Katrina together. We've been through so much ... my heart is just broken. Only happened 5 days ago. I'm still sick about it. But I need the money and I don't have anything to drive other than the rental car.

I don't know what to do. So I'm posting this, winging it.



2003 300A Black, Charcoal Gray interior.
Interior is beautiful, seats all perfect, motors work, Passenger seat almost never sat in - ever. Back seat has been sat in maybe twice.
164K Mileage, 85K on engine bought 4 months ago w/ 83K on it w/ all paperwork, warranties on engine and on build.
Damage was to front passenger wheel and door area (see pics)

GEICO hasn't come back yet with a figure, but the inspector said that they were going to "total" it, and that I'd reached 100% of their "threshold" BUT they have not as of yet gotten back to me with the "official" evaluation offer yet. They're going to let me keep it though for the $200 salvage fee, so I have a fighting chance to make something out of the circumstance.

IF I HAVE TO PART IT OUT ....

If you need a part, let me know what and how much you'll pay.

I'm getting examples of pricing from everyone else's posts so I'll know what to charge, on average.



Original Stereo, Subwoofer, CD-Changer and speakers available, professionally removed in 2007 when new sound system installed.
Original Air cleaner replaced w/ K&N Cold Air Intake, kept it available
Air-Dam bought off this site, still in box
Front Dash Cover bought
Bra - Hood Cover
I would sell also my Diablo II (I think it's a Diablo II) tuner which cost about 300$ new and was used once to apply the Tune from Dennis Reinhardt
God's Head replacement badges for steering wheel, rear-end, front, etc. made by member here on site, bought back in 2006 or so, never applied on car so essentially brand new.
RED set of MARAUDER inserts, never used (won them in Marauderville raffle but i already use the Titanium inserts, in bumper)
Custom Parametric EQ, Controller, Amps, speakers, head unit, etc. not necessarily included, but all offers considered.
Interior is in VERY good shape, back seats almost never sat it. Includes all original floor mats (covered with replacement mats last 10 years), trunk liner, organizer, spare tire & cover, manual, heck I even have the CD and big poster Mercury sent me in 2004 somewhere. Probably hard to find at this point, Katrina was a *****.

Shipping and etc. will be your responsibility and will cost whatever you arrange. I'm not looking to try to make any money off shipping. But i'm not going to lose any, either, on packing or containers or whatever, so be ready to pay for that, too.

I can try to remove whatever parts you want to the best of my ability, but anything crazy (engine, for example) I'll have to factor the removal cost into the price. I don't have lifts or a garage or an engine crane or whatever, so someone will have to be paid to remove anything complicated or heavy or underneath or hard to get to.

I'm in Middle TN, near Nashville. You can arrange to come out and remove parts yourself if you don't want to pay shipping.

Also, this offer may change with the circumstances or whims of fate. I've never been through this before and i'm no expert or a mechanic. Someone may offer to buy the whole thing, and if that happens I'll remove this post immediately. I'm not here to piss anyone off or rip anyone off or anything, i'm just poor and don't have any money to fool around or replace this wonderful companion of mine or to get her fixed and i'm sick about it. I feel like i'm betraying her just thinking of pulling her apart and selling her parts. But I've got no choice.

PM me for any questions or requests, etc.

All offers will be considered. And I reserve the right to change my mind and not sell something if it smells wrong. You can also make offers on the whole car.

I've got a PayPal account.

Again, please forgive me for not knowing what to do or how to do it when it comes to all this. I'm not a mechanic nor have i ever been in a wreck like this or part out cars or ever had to.

I loved this car more than just a car. It got me through some seriously bad times and has been there for me when i had nothing.

You guys have all been inspirations, amusements, educational sources of knowledge and one of my regrets is when my water heater blew up and i missed going to Marauderville back in 2009. I wish I could have met y'all and hoisted a few brews with you.

Feel free to PM me with advice, too, i'm open to all suggestions.

Thanks
Dave Foster

[Mr. Man]

Totally fixable, unless the frame is bent. Door, fender, etc are readily available. Bumper cover maybe fixable HTS from pic. Keep it, fix it continue to drive it. We're here to help.

[Mesencephalon]

Totally fixable, unless the frame is bent. Door, fender, etc are readily available. Bumper cover maybe fixable HTS from pic. Keep it, fix it continue to drive it. We're here to help.

Thanks very much for the kind words. I have less than zero money. I am heavily in debt with credit cards and right after taking a consolidation loan out to pay off credit cards ended up having to maxed them all out when the engine blew back in August to replace the engine and have it installed and tuned up, etc.

I probably should have sold it back then, but i just couldn't bring myself to do it w/out the working engine ...

So i don't think fixing it is an option unless they give me serious $$$.

But maybe ... I guess we'll see?

Thanks, though
:o

[Mr. Man]

If you can't fix it yourself perhaps someone would be willing to buy it from you and fix it up themselves. Lot's of members here who like a good Winter time project.

[ChiTownMaraud3r]

This sucks to hear, but doesn't look too bad. Good luck.

[Race5pt0]

I'll second Mr. Man

[Mesencephalon]

Thanks very much. I'm not in any position to ignore any advice or offers, so I'm open to all suggestions.

The main thing I need to do is to get back to the point where I was right before the engine blew, where I could pay off one or two of these cards. I was sick about having to sell it back then, but it was the only asset i had that i could think that I could sell to help pay off the loan after using the loan to pay off the cards. i knew I'd have to figure out another car to drive, and the idea of selling my Black Betty just made me so depressed.

Stupid to get into this situation anyway. This stupid economy ... even with a good job it's a coin flip to have any money after the eagle flies every month.

So, i delayed in selling and then the engine went and it all spiraled down. I never expected to get into an accident.

Like i said, open to suggestions LOL

Thanks :) You guys have always provided so much good times over the years, even to a lurker like me.

Dave

[Drewstang]

PM sent, I like project cars.

[Spectragod]

Car is repairable, I am a serious buyer, if you want to sell the car, I'll need some more pictures and a price.

They will probably give you the car and 6-7k, you should be able to fix it for that, or just sell it and get ahead on some bills if you have another ride. If you decide to keep it, I have some of the hard to get parts.

[lji372]

Sorry to hear man :(

As far as advice.

Make two columns need and want.

Only buy what's in the need column until you aren't paying interest.
If money is that bad for you consider a bankruptcy (don't be concerned with bad credit, good credit got you in trouble).

Car is worth more in parts if you have the time. Be prepared for low ball offers.
Quality pics of parts a bonus when selling!
Hope you get on your feet and back in a marauder, good luck.

[djcrook73]

sorry about your misfortune. if you have even a little bit of car skills you can probably fix it yourself for less than half of what they give you if you really want to keep her. if you came across black parts and were able to save the front cover it looks like all bolt on stuff even the suspension.( worst case the lower door post where the hinge bolts up may need a slight pull) with the right tools and everything ready to go, you could bang it out in a day. (with color matched parts of course) . best of luck whichever direction you go! if you were close to me I would be happy to help brother. dave in rhode island

[Invader]

Totally fixable, unless the frame is bent. Door, fender, etc are readily available. Bumper cover maybe fixable HTS from pic. Keep it, fix it continue to drive it. We're here to help.


I'll second that! If you need anything I'd be glad to help. I have the pass door and corner light, I'll donate it to you! If you need anything else just ask!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[BAD MERC]

I should be parting out a 2004 DTR next month and you're welcome to the suspension and RF door if you want to pay the freight.

[Shornaday]

Dave

I think all of us feel your sadness and distress with the accident and wish you the best in dealing with the insurance company. Would like to see the car fixed and you driving it again with a smile on your face.

If it would help I would be interested in the trunk liner and organizer if in good shape. I would give you a fair price plus shipping and packing charges. Perhaps it would give you a little cash without detracting from the car. I think someone sold one for $200 or $250 recently. If interested please post some pics.

Not sure what it would cost to ship to zip 29154-9185, Sumter SC. No idea how to figure the shipping, maybe someone here has the know how.

What ever you decide I wish you the best of luck.

[Mesencephalon]

Thanks BAD MERC but I don't have any money for parts, shipping, or paying someone to do the work once they get here.

My mechanical skills don't stray too far beyond normal car maintenance, and I have never even had a garage wherein to practice. I've maintained my Black Betty as best as I could on a regular basis, fixing whatever broke and paying for the best oil changes (always Royal Purple fluids in everything, Premium 93 octane even when it was $4 a gallon ...) , little mods here and there.

I recharge / clean my own K&N CAI, put on the braided brake cables, bought those Granatelli Motorsport coil-overs, the rear-end dam to stop the bulge, the front skid-plate, etc. But when it comes to REAL mechanical work at the alter of grease and blood-skinned knuckles, I am less than an acolyte, I'm afraid.

That's why fixing it is something i'd have to have the money to pay someone to do, and before i could do that I have a lot of other bills that were supposed to have been covered by selling her before the engine blew back in August.

I guess I'm in a holding pattern until GEICO comes back to me with a dollar figure.

BUT they DID tell me they'd sell it back to me for salvage price. So that's something I'm going to do regardless since I've got a buddy that will let me park it at his place and put a tarp on it.

Thanks again, guys.

[FordNut]

Pretty easy fix.
It actually looks driveable, unless something unseen is messed up in the RF suspension.
I would keep it, get it driveable with the insurance payout, and keep driving it with the bent parts until you can get body parts fixed a little bit at a time.
The insurance estimates are based on new parts and painting/prep.
There are lots of black parts available that are in good enough shape to just bolt on.
Use the settlement money to just round up parts and save them until you can find a mechanic to bolt them on.

[Mesencephalon]

I'll second that! If you need anything I'd be glad to help. I have the pass door and corner light, I'll donate it to you! If you need anything else just ask!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks, man. Much appreciated :) This group is the best.

[Mr. Man]

You might be able to negotiate a better payout price from Geico. They will most likely try and give you a low payout. If you can show them a few for sale cars that are similar to yours you may end up with a better payout which would allow you to get the MM back on the road.

[sailsmen]

Do what's in your long term best financial interest.

It's a car! You can always buy another one "down the road".

[Mebot]

You might be able to negotiate a better payout price from Geico. They will most likely try and give you a low payout. If you can show them a few for sale cars that are similar to yours you may end up with a better payout which would allow you to get the MM back on the road.
This is correct and accurate advice. Do you have a limited production vehicle certificate from Ford? Also the 2003 & 2004 Mercury Marauder build matrix is helpful. And get together some classified posts of other Marauders with similar mileage.

Point is, you can most likely get more from insurance if you can show the value

Can't stop the signal...

[Mesencephalon]

This is correct and accurate advice. Do you have a limited production vehicle certificate from Ford? Also the 2003 & 2004 Mercury Marauder build matrix is helpful. And get together some classified posts of other Marauders with similar mileage.

Point is, you can most likely get more from insurance if you can show the value

Can't stop the signal...

I'm embarassed to say that I don't know what either of those things are.

I have gone onto Autotrader and searched and found similar mileage/year/condition Marauders ranging from below what I was asking before the accident to as much as $6K more than I was asking. That was just Autotrader, though.

I was also planning on going through the threads here to see what they sold for over the last year or so ...

But it's been one bear of a week, and I'm not as young as I used to think I was and I've not slept much since Monday ... so much has gone on this week.

I'll do what you recommend, can you send links or whatever?

Thanks!

[RubberCtyRauder]

certificate can be had from this thread, however they cost $45 and can take up to 3 weeks to receive, but you can call the number and get the production number and info verbally, will need theVIN to do so.

http://mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=57772

You have all that stuff in signature???????

[RubberCtyRauder]

Here is the matrix thread

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=58208&highlight=option

[Mesencephalon]

certificate can be had from this thread, however they cost $45 and can take up to 3 weeks to receive, but you can call the number and get the production number and info verbally, will need theVIN to do so.

http://mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=57772

You have all that stuff in signature???????

Hi.

Well Yeah I got that stuff from forum user RoyLPita years ago.

We PM'ed back and forth, I got the "Production seq. #5193 of 7839, 1 of 7094 in black" from him.

Is that what is meant by the matrix?

But i don't have any certificate.

I wish i had known , i used to have $45 once in a while. :(

Thanks!

[CoreyM75]

Sorry to see another Marauder hurt. In the bright side, you are ok.

The first offer by the insurance company is always low. Most people just take the payout without thinking that they can negotiate a higher payment. These cars are getting rarer very day, it will pay to haggle with them. The damage doesn't look that bad, it can be repaired.

[Mesencephalon]

Pretty easy fix.
It actually looks driveable, unless something unseen is messed up in the RF suspension.
I would keep it, get it driveable with the insurance payout, and keep driving it with the bent parts until you can get body parts fixed a little bit at a time.
The insurance estimates are based on new parts and painting/prep.
There are lots of black parts available that are in good enough shape to just bolt on.
Use the settlement money to just round up parts and save them until you can find a mechanic to bolt them on.

Very wise, and I think could be a working solution if they give me enough for the accident to pay down my debt a bit as well as afford something to drive or at least 6 months of car payments for after the 90 day rental runs out. At least i have that, thank God.

You have wise words, and kind. thank you.

Dave:o

[akr619]

I am very sorry to hear this and as a Marauder owner I can share your saddened loss, I too would never know when I will be parted with my beast. Hopefully everything works out and you get a fair deal with Geico. Please let me know about the red inserts, I am very interested. Thank you!

[lifespeed]

Sorry about your loss, this is a nightmare event for any Marauder owner. If the you want to try and repair it with the insurance money have a frame shop check it first. Despite all the comments stating "it looks fine" the front end was hit pretty good. You'll want to be sure the crossmember and frame are still in the right place.

[Mesencephalon]

I got pics back from GEICO inspector ... they show more details.

They're going to let me "buy it back" from them for $200. I'm going to take their offer and try to get them to bump it up a bit.

I finally got their repair estimate. Minus the deductable they estimate it at $5200 including labor.

I don't have that kind of money and they are telling me that i have 72 hours from the time they cut the check to turn in the rental car so i have to figure out something.

I reckon with disputing what they offer I can stretch it out for another week or so ...

SO HERE are some other pics

[MOTOWN]

You would be better off parting it out , and moving on , you have frame damage, unforseen damage, and a repair costs that is beyond what the car is worth, not to mention if you don't have the right frame shop , and body man do the repairs it wont be done right.

[Turbov6Bryan]

The repair estimate might be 5200.00, what have they offered you for the loss of your vehicle? The repair estimate is not an offer.

Who was at fault for the accident? You? The other party?

I would hold off accepting any offer from the insurance company until you find a replacement marauder:)

[Mesencephalon]

Car is repairable, I am a serious buyer, if you want to sell the car, I'll need some more pictures and a price.

They will probably give you the car and 6-7k, you should be able to fix it for that, or just sell it and get ahead on some bills if you have another ride. If you decide to keep it, I have some of the hard to get parts.

I'll be going over Saturday to the garage I had it towed to at my buddy's. I'll take engine and interior pics, etc.

I'm taking out the sound system at some point, that was over $2K

Anyway ... time marches on!

[daddyusmaximus]

From what I've seen since I got my Marauder, you would make quite a bit parting it out.

[Mesencephalon]

The repair estimate might be 5200.00, what have they offered you for the loss of your vehicle? The repair estimate is not an offer.

Who was at fault for the accident? You? The other party?

I would hold off accepting any offer from the insurance company until you find a replacement marauder:)

Their offer won't be enough for me to do anything but pay off some of the old bills i was hoping to pay off by selling her BEFORE the engine blew. I used all my loan money to put in a new engine. Paying a body shop isn't an option.

I think my Marauder days are behind me. Any other Marauder wouldn't be my Black Betty. 11 years is a long time to be with a lady, I can't just replace her. She and I escaped Katrina, for God's sake. :(

I'm obviously too immature for all this.

:confused::mad2:

[Mesencephalon]

From what I've seen since I got my Marauder, you would make quite a bit parting it out.

I guess I will have to watch a lot of YouTube and start asking a lot of questions around her.

I'm also going to need a wrench.

[Turbov6Bryan]

Their offer won't be enough for me to do anything but pay off some of the old bills i was hoping to pay off by selling her BEFORE the engine blew. I used all my loan money to put in a new engine. Paying a body shop isn't an option.

I think my Marauder days are behind me. Any other Marauder wouldn't be my Black Betty. 11 years is a long time to be with a lady, I can't just replace her. She and I escaped Katrina, for God's sake. :(

I'm obviously too immature for all this.

:confused::mad2:

I spent 2 weeks in the Saint Rose area right after it happened, the devastation to everything was worse than I expected. Good thing you weren't hurt

You will make decent money parting it out, but it's a lot of work and commitment

Hopefully they offer you a bunch more than the repair estimate and you can bring in some more money with what you decide to do with it

[RubberCtyRauder]

Somone on here may even be interested in buying the whole car off you for an agreed price and they come trailer it and part it out or fix. So you get the settlement less the $200 buy back, plus an agreed price to sell as whole car.

[L.Mark]

If you can get it to Louisville Ky, I have a guy that can repair it for pennies on the dollar. He's done my Marauder, fixed n painted, and repair the taillight wiring on my Dads Cougar. With the April Meet coming up maybe someone will volunteer to haul it here??? Just suggesting...

[CoreyM75]

I don't want to be the one to say it, but a Crown Vic front clip should be dirt cheap and you could find it already painted black. That would be enough to get you back driving until you could get the Marauder specific parts when you have more money.

[FordNut]

I need a rear bumper cover...
and floor mats.

[ChiTownMaraud3r]

You would be better off parting it out , and moving on , you have frame damage, unforseen damage, and a repair costs that is beyond what the car is worth, not to mention if you don't have the right frame shop , and body man do the repairs it wont be done right.

How do you know there is frame damage?

Personally, I don't think it is too bad. I would try to save it if there is sentimental value. Plus, like others said, crown vic parts are plentiful.

[Mesencephalon]

Somone on here may even be interested in buying the whole car off you for an agreed price and they come trailer it and part it out or fix. So you get the settlement less the $200 buy back, plus an agreed price to sell as whole car.

How would I know what to charge? I've got people telling me that it's fixable, those that say it looks like frame damage, those that say I should part it out because it's worth it ..

I'm really out of my element.

Everyone has GREAT advice, but it all depends on which direction I go. Bottom line is, I don't have anything to drive to work and GEICO is cutting off the rental car MONDAY. I had to get on my knees and BEG for that, even!

The engine is under warranty , has 83K Plus 3 months on it and cost me $3500. But how do I sell it, even to someone on here, without the wherewithal to pull it or ship it? I wish I didn't feel so stupid :confused: cluelss.

THANK GOD :bows:my buddy is letting me put it in his unused 3-car garage, so it will be DRY AND WARM(-ish) and not rotting in a field. :beer:

[Mesencephalon]

How do you know there is frame damage?

Personally, I don't think it is too bad. I would try to save it if there is sentimental value. Plus, like others said, crown vic parts are plentiful.

You are right, technically I do NOT know if there is frame damage.

The estimate they gave me lists Front Bumper, Front Lamps, Hood (I SEE NO HOOD DAMAGE), Fender, Wheel, Windshield, Pillars, Rocker & Floor (RT Rocker Molding), and Front Door & Molding, etc.

I don't see anything on there that would indicate frame damage.

I would have to get it up in the air, I think.

When I can afford it, I'll have it towed somewhere with a lift nearby and take pictures, maybe? Or do they have to use lasers or something to determine how bent it might be, or when it may kill me later? I dunno ... :confused::depress:

[Mesencephalon]

If you can get it to Louisville Ky, I have a guy that can repair it for pennies on the dollar. He's done my Marauder, fixed n painted, and repair the taillight wiring on my Dads Cougar. With the April Meet coming up maybe someone will volunteer to haul it here??? Just suggesting...

Really? That's only about 3 hours from here ...

Damn ... there you go putting thoughts in my head.

:o

[Mesencephalon]

You might be able to negotiate a better payout price from Geico. They will most likely try and give you a low payout. If you can show them a few for sale cars that are similar to yours you may end up with a better payout which would allow you to get the MM back on the road.

I am trying to go this route with them. Sent them 6 different Marauders from Autotrader with mileage similar to what's on my engine and all black 2003's ...

They ran the gamut from about $10.5K to $15K

I'm hoping they see that we're not talking about some Kelley Blue Book replacement value, that you can't just waltz out of your house and buy one down the block.

There's a beauty on there w/ 3K original miles for $29K ... LOL yikes!

[Mesencephalon]

Somone on here may even be interested in buying the whole car off you for an agreed price and they come trailer it and part it out or fix. So you get the settlement less the $200 buy back, plus an agreed price to sell as whole car.

That would be a great solution, especially to someone that could do the work or could see that it wasn't badly damaged, etc.

[Turbov6Bryan]

Salvage marauders like yours sell between 500 and 2600 at auction

Since your passengers side front door doesn't close, the frame is bent!

Recently a real nice salvage silver marauder sold here on this site for 21-2200 and I talked with the seller. Real nice guy, I buy sell trade fix and repair cars too. It was just too far, and if I really wanted it I would have bought it from the insurance auction. That silver marauder should give you an idea of what your cars worth. Check copart and iaai if you want to watch them sell

If your not satisfied with a offer between 1500 and 2500, then part it out.

Parting it out takes time money tools knowledge capability skill set ect

Plus you would have to look up each part for it's going rate, get ready to hit the post office several times a week

I wish the best of luck to you

[lji372]

That would be a great solution, especially to someone that could do the work or could see that it wasn't badly damaged, etc.

Get cash, buy back car. Send to lmarks guy to put back together. :beer:

[bugsyc]

Sorry about the MM...As many here have said,it could be fixed...As far as the credit card debt,I had 30k in debt...Go to a reputable credit consolidation company....They will get your interest down below 10%...I paid my 30k off in 5 years ....Now my credit score is 780...Good Luck...

Keep the faith..