Advice on Marauder purchase

[JeffD]

I've been looking to buy a Marauder for a while now. A local car lot has one with about 155,000 miles on it. They're asking $5900. I test drove and really liked it, however there were a couple things that bothered me a little.
When I floored the accelerator on the on ramp, it really seemed to take a while shifting. I assume this is the transmission computer trying to save gas, so I can reprogram that, no problem. The thing is, when it finally shifted, it made a whizzing noise. Kind of like those monkey whistles we had as birthday party favors when we were kids.
I know that just a simple description of the noise isn't much to go on, but what do you guys think of that? Is the transmission on its way out? Is it just a belt? I could replace the transmission, but I'd need to account for that in the purchase price.
Another thing- one of the tires was installed backwards. The print that says "install this side facing inwards" was facing outwards. I know this won't kill the car, but it might be indicative of how well it had been taken care of in the past.

So, what do you guys think? Should I get it? Maybe offer 3 or 4 grand? Anything else I should look out for?

Thanks

[larryo340]

If it held the shift to a higher RPM it may have a tune downloaded. As far as the noise when letting off accelerator it sounds like it could be the alternator clutch if so then it's normal.

[justbob]

The wrong mounted tire might actually be not wrong. If it's a BFG, they made a long stretch bad run with that printed on the wrong side so check the tread pattern before flipping it.

Any chance that shifting sound your hearing isn't tire spin?


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[Pat]

Normal transmissions don't make noises like that and the Marauder is no exception.
Your tranny will be a problem. There is no separate transmission computer and no gas saving mode. There is only one power train computer, located under the dash to the let of the steering column in a case about 5X7 inches. And one ABS computer located in the engine bay connected to the hydraulic fluid distribution manifold next to the front left side of the motor.

Is this Marauder an 03 or 04? If 03 does it have a traction control switch on the dash bezel to the left of the steering column? If it does then it's a 300B, if not then it's a 300A Look in the sticky's in the community discussion forum to find the other differences between the A and B versions.

Regards,

[sailsmen]

I would check all the fluids.

[JeffD]

Thanks for the responses guys.

It's an '03. I'll have to go back and check for the traction control switch. Is the 300B more desirable?

I think I might take another test drive and record it with my cell phone to show what that noise was.

About how much would a new transmission run me? Around 2 grand?

[JeffD]

Could a simple transmission fluid problem cause a noise like that?

[RubberCtyRauder]

Rebuild trans...stock, prolly $1800-2200...ebay trans..$400-600 plus shipping. Can try car-part.com and search for trans based on your area.

Trans noise can be a lot of things, may not be trans at all..the factory tune for the trans is poor and designed for fuel economy by getting to 4th gear quickly and then it hunts around back and forth,e specially at city speeds..A tune from a vendor here )Mo;s Speed shop) can address the trans shifting.

[Turbov6Bryan]

Depending on tire size and if the car still has the original gears, it could take up to 45-60 mph to FINALLY shift out of first gear

Was it a solid shift?

[Turbov6Bryan]

Is this the car? Looks pretty decent.

http://m.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?listingId =424737802&zip=45406&endYear=2017&pageLayout=list&sortBy=distanceASC&startYear=1981&searchRadius=25&mmt=%5BMERC%5BMARAUDER%5B%5D%5 D%5B%5D%5D

[crownvic97]

Looks good for the price. My transmission shifts funky since I bought it. I changed the fluid and filter and it still is a little abnormal. 5k miles later it still shifts ok and its WOT shifts are nice and firm/quick. Something about it just seems off though. Im going to get a tune and see if its better, but I paid little for the car so if it needs a transmission to me its no big deal. If the price is right, thats how I would look at this one.

[sailsmen]

Checking all the fluids is part of the inspection process.

Does the trans fluid smell and look burnt?

Does the oil look sludgy and smell like rotten cheese? Is the oil filler cap covered in black sludge?

Is the coolant transparent (good) or darkish brown?

For $50 with a pump you can draw an oil and a trans sample to have analyzed.

[Pat]

The price is reasonable if things don't start heading south. Good luck with the purchase

[1 Bad Merc]

Looks good for the price. My transmission shifts funky since I bought it. I changed the fluid and filter and it still is a little abnormal. 5k miles later it still shifts ok and its WOT shifts are nice and firm/quick. Something about it just seems off though. Im going to get a tune and see if its better, but I paid little for the car so if it needs a transmission to me its no big deal. If the price is right, thats how I would look at this one.

The tune totally changes how the trans shifts and you will be very happy with it. All of us who are original owners went through this and everyone who got a tune was happy with how the trans shifted afterward. Dont wait get the tune asap.

[Zack]

The noise may have been the clutched alternator pulley

[kmastl]

If the shift felt "normal" I would suspect the clutched alternator pulley as mentioned by Zack. Stock trans tune is garbage.

I'm surprised it took 15 replies for someone to suggest this, it is fairly common.

[Spectragod]

If the shift felt "normal" I would suspect the clutched alternator pulley as mentioned by Zack. Stock trans tune is garbage.

I'm surprised it took 15 replies for someone to suggest this, it is fairly common.

It didn't take 15 replies, the first reply clearly says its most likely the alternator.....

[TJCOX]

My wife always complains the shifting of the trans and asks if this is normal. I always tell
her that the way it's shifting and changing the fluid will prolong the life of the unit.
My C-6 had a shift kit and an adjustable modulator valve which controlled the harshness
shifting in stead of reprograming the computer.