Picking up my Marauder tonight.

[Jtrip]

Going to pick up my first Marauder tonight. 2003/black. Buying it from a family member sight unseen except in pictures. Has high miles but has supposedly been well maintained.

I have always wanted one of these since they came out in 2003 but could never afford it. Would have preferred any color than black but could not turn it down when I saw it was for sale. I owned a 1999 Mercury Grand Marquis and loved it, especially on the highway.

The car will be driven sparingly at first until I give it the once over. If the miles were low I would probably keep it a stocker and baby it. Instead I would love to add some performance parts and take it to the drag strip for a little bracket racing with my two sons.

So, here's my short introduction. Looking forward to driving this sucker home tonight.:burn:

Jason.

[Mancillas1982]

Welcome, I hope you're ready, the mod bug don't stop biting. Really plan it out so you don't blow your budget. Show that plan to your wife. The end result is a car with 30k in mods that your wife thinks cost 3500. [emoji3]adtr has developed a turbo kit for the marauder, or you can chase down parts for m112. Boost is the future.


Marauder 03

[daddyusmaximus]

Welcome to Marauder ownership. You're gonna love it, stock or not.

[RubberCtyRauder]

ADTR kit is centrifugal supercharger, not turbo..turbo doesn't use a belt, centri runs off a belt.

[RubberCtyRauder]

Welcome and congrats, get a tune as the first mod..Mo's speed shop in the vendor section.. Although not around any longer, stay away from anything related to Dennis Reinhart in Florida and marauders

[blkZooM]

Welcome to the club. These car are not cheap to make fast.


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[Ambitious1]

Welcome and Congratulations!!! :burnout:

[Catfish]

Welcome! I'm right down the road from you on Fleming Island. Hope to see you around in the near future. 4th Saturdays of the month is the Main St. Cruise in Jacksonville. If the weather holds out I'll be there Sat evening. As far as I know I'll be the only DTR Marauder there. www.carshowjax.com (http://www.carshowjax.com) lists most of the local shows and cruises. Enjoy your Merc!

[jflave]

Good luck, enjoy your new ride / Welcome

[Lowndex]

Welcome, I hope you're ready, the mod bug don't stop biting. Really plan it out so you don't blow your budget. Show that plan to your wife. The end result is a car with 30k in mods that your wife thinks cost 3500. [emoji3]adtr has developed a turbo kit for the marauder, or you can chase down parts for m112. Boost is the future.


Marauder 03

Mod bug? Try mod Kraken. :P

[Turbov6Bryan]

Well.... Get used to washing it 6 days a week

If my lawn ever needs watering I'll wash my black marauder, guaranteed to rain within 6 hours

We're at 20 days plus of rain here in Kansas City

Please change EVERY fluid in the car, you will thank me later

[crownvic97]

Welcome! Definitely get all the maitenance done asap!

[justbob]

Welcome, I hope you're ready, the mod bug don't stop biting. Really plan it out so you don't blow your budget. Show that plan to your wife. The end result is a car with 30k in mods that your wife thinks cost 3500, and is only worth $8.00 more than what you paid. [emoji3]adtr has developed a turbo kit for the marauder, or you can chase down parts for m112. Boost is the future.


Marauder 03


Fixed


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[Jtrip]

Got it home safe. Can't wait to go over it tomorrow.
A couple things I noticed...the A\C fan only seems to blow on high not a huge deal, hopefully not an expensive part. Also wants to pull to right and steering wheel is cocked to the left hopefully nothing major. Motor is strong and sounds great even with 156,000 on the odometer. Will post pics tomorrow. Thanks for the welcome!

[Cobra25]

Congrats on the purchase of your first marauder. Welcome to the site & the SunShine State Marauders !!!!

[03blackvegas]

Buy black, and never look back.

[Jtrip]

Some pictures of the new ride.

[Turbov6Bryan]

Looks pretty dang nice! Mine is the same. 2003 300a black, but mine just rolled 201k. I've had mine almost 11 months, my dad bought a 70k silver birch in February, now my mom wants one

They are great cars!

Here's the best way to search

mercury marauder bcm site:www.mercurymarauder.net

See this specific way, right ^^^ there, that'll bring up all the posts on BCM

Your BCM needs replaced to fix fan speeds

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=72794

[Jtrip]

Thanks! And thanks for the link! I think it is in pretty good shape for the mileage. I just pulled a Carfax report today and it seems to have been well maintained. Car is quick but not as fast as I imagined it would be.

I think I am going to have to put some money into the front suspension here soon but that will probably be after I try and make it faster.

[RubberCtyRauder]

Get a tune. It wakes up the car nicely

[Mr. Man]

Thanks! And thanks for the link! I think it is in pretty good shape for the mileage. I just pulled a Carfax report today and it seems to have been well maintained. Car is quick but not as fast as I imagined it would be.

I think I am going to have to put some money into the front suspension here soon but that will probably be after I try and make it faster.
In 2003 is was quick. In 2016 not so much.

[Ambitious1]

Get a tune. It wakes up the car nicely

Yes, once you get the tune, it starts to show it's real potential. Gears and other mods will get you there. :burnout:

[Bluerauder]

Some pictures of the new ride.

Looks like that engine compartment is in need of some TLC.

[MMBLUE]

Looks great. And :welcome1:.

I see a Florida meet in the future :)

[Jtrip]

Looks like that engine compartment is in need of some TLC.

If I had to guess it's never been cleaned. I see a lot of oil seepage but no oil on the ground. Any suggestions on a good cleaning process? The first thing that comes to my mind is just a spray foam cleaner and water rinse.

[MMBLUE]

Simple green is your friend.

[RubberCtyRauder]

Waster rinse not a good idea, in my opinion,if water gets into the cop (coil on plug) wells then you'll have misfires that you will chase down. Some have done it with success using water sparingly, not flooding the engine with water, The cop covers are the small cover on the larger cam cover..ther is a gasket but after 13 years..the gaskets don't often seal as well. don't flood the fuse box behind battery, near the intake, air filter, dont want to suck water in. Diluted simple green works good, brushes, rags, If you have a Dollar Store, a product called Awesome works well too.

[Cosgrandmarquis]

+1 Yes Simple Green. I used it on my 04 Marauder to clean the engine, didn't stain the aluminum.