serious question..

[darebren]

does anyone else feel the only reason we keep modding is to keep our interest up in this car?

Eventually we will stop modding, realize we have just a big unpopular four door sedan, and have sell it for a huge loss?

I don't know... maybe I'm losing the faith... and thinking about other cars.. is it cheating if I look but don't touch that used M3 convertible?

[BillyGman]

Not a bad question.....this is how I see it:

The reason why I kept on modding my car until now was simply to get more low-end torque out of it as well as a better 1/4 mile ET. This car is just too heavy to have a 281 cube engine under the hood. But having already known that BEFORE I bought the car didn't stop me from buying it, nor has it caused me to ever regret buying it. Atleast it's engine IS a V8 which I would definately NOT have settled for anything less. So that was a good start.

For me, the fact that I've moded my MM so much is merely because I'm a muscle car/HP freak, and I'm down to owning only one car now, and I had to make this thing respectable in the performance catagory. And now w/the S/Cer I've installed in it, it IS very respectable in that catagory. I wouldn't even consider anything else for under 80K since IMO there's absolutely nothing out there available for under 80K that even comes close to looking as good as a stock Marauder does.

And that's why I spent the $$ to modify this car. Because it's well worth it because of how good it looks. Show me another car that we can actually afford that looks as good as the Marauder. I really haven't seen anything. And now that I have a Legit 12 second car (due the S/Cer), I can stop modding it to get more performance, since I'm totally satisfied w/a car that weighs 4200LBS that will do 12's in the quarter, and smoke the tires in first and all the way through second gear simply from a dead punch.

[woaface]

There are two types of people who mod their car. Those who want to enjoy it more, and those who want more out of it.

The latter will always eventually get bored and move on, seeing it as obsolete. Everyone in the latter catergory does that with any car. Some people want what's out and hot and now, and other's are content with what they have still kicking everyone's ass no matter how old it is (aka impala SS)

I'm hoping to be the former of the two.

[BillyGman]

Yeah, I can relate to that viewpoint Jim. For me, anything short of owning a 2005 Ford GT is a compromise anyway. And for a car that cost 6 figures like the GT, it just isn't gonna happen for me. So since the MM looks almost as cool as the GT, and because my MM is only about 3/4 of a second slower in the quarter than a GT is, I can live w/a compromise like that and be content knowing that I can afford an MM.

Sure the GT will easily outhandle our MM's no matter what we do to the suspensions, but for a 6 figure price tag, you'll expect that.

[Fourth Horseman]

does anyone else feel the only reason we keep modding is to keep our interest up in this car?

Eventually we will stop modding, realize we have just a big unpopular four door sedan, and have sell it for a huge loss?

I don't know... maybe I'm losing the faith... and thinking about other cars.. is it cheating if I look but don't touch that used M3 convertible?

In a word: no.

My love for the car is renewed every day when I get in and turn the key. I bought the car knowing it wouldn't be popular. So what? It's popular with me, and that's all that matters. Those friends of mine that questioned my purchase of the car have all since seen the light after getting to ride in it. Those others that still don't understand never will. So again, so what?

This car and I will be together until it, I or both of us end up in flames at the bottom of a smoking crater.

[woaface]

Sure the GT will easily outhandle our MM's no matter what we do to the suspensions, but for a 6 figure price tag, you'll expect that.
Yes indeed...and it'll kick some Porsche and Ferrari butt along the way:shot:

[MERCMAN]

In a word: no.

My love for the car is renewed every day when I get in and turn the key. I bought the car knowing it wouldn't be popular. So what? It's popular with me, and that's all that matters. Those friends of mine that questioned my purchase of the car have all since seen the light after getting to ride in it. Those others that still don't understand never will. So again, so what?

This car and I will be together until it, I or both of us end up in flames at the bottom of a smoking crater.
:stupid:

Well said

[BillyGman]

This car and I will be together until it, I or both of us end up in flames at the bottom of a smoking crater.

WOW!! I know that's probably just a figure of speech on your part, but that's quite a dismal outlook to your future. :D

[03SILVERSTREAK]

This car and I will be together until it, I or both of us end up in flames at the bottom of a smoking crater.What he said... :up: :up: :up:

[studio460]

I've been weighing the purchase of a 2004 Mach 1 or a used NSX as a second car since they're both about $25K now. I was lusting after a $55K supercharged C32 AMG for awhile (which look way cooler with the chrome grille blacked out), too, but the M3 is clearly the better car. I'll see one or two M3s and about 150 (literally) other 3-Series BMWs in a week. I see like 30 C230s (which looks EXACTLY like a C32) and maybe a couple C32s and SL55s in a week. I haven't seen another Marauder on the road all this year.

[David Morton]

This car is fine as is, why are you guys modding a 281 cu in engine that has already exceeded the old holy grail of the musclecar era, >1hp/cu.in. displacement, normally aspirated ? I bought and drive and love the car for what it is, a big, heavy stock muscle car with the latest handling, braking and fuel management technologies that is a hell of a lot of fun to drive.

I can go to the junkyard and buy everything it takes to make a car go 11 sec in a straight line, including the Yugo body, for less than $2,000, but I doubt if it would be much fun to drive.

Too much working on car = not much of a life.

Balance, what a concept.

Unless you're uncle's last name is Prudhomme or Garlitz. (Oh no, I just dated myself)

[Silver_04]

Quick, we've got to form a crisis group to pull darebren back from the brink. Hang in there, we'll get you through this. Just ignore that German seductress and all its temptation. Tell it to put its top back on, that evil automobile.

I'm joking here. If the MM doesn't float your boat anymore, then move on before it depreciates more. I've been there with a couple of cars.

However, I'm modding/going to continue to mod because I like making my car personalized over stock and I'm attempting to make the MM the way Ford should have because I want to enhance the sleeper appeal of the car. I kinda look at it like I'm glad I find the car interesting enough in bone stock form to justify the investment for modding time and money. I've had cars that I wouldn't spend dollar one on for mods because they just didn't capture my imagination. I realize I have a car that seems to be unloved even by its manufacturer, but that matters none to me. The car has always put a smile on my face and will continue to do so.

[martyo]

I'm modding/going to continue to mod because I like making my car personalized over stock...The car has always put a smile on my face and will continue to do so.

Yep, same here.

[sailsmen]

I am enjoying the whole experience, worth every penny.

[BillyGman]

I think that having a nice luxurious sedan that looks great and get's into the 12 second quartermile bracket is a having peffect "balance". It's when the car get's into the 11's consistently, and you have to install a roll cage, and you only get 10 MPG that it becomes out of "balance" for a street car IMO. Besides, if the car can't even lay 15 to 20 feet of rubber from a dead punch, I don't really consider it to be a "Muscle" car unless the reason for it's lack of ability to spin the tires good is because of some real sticky drag radials on the back.

[martyo]

I think that having a nice luxurious sedan that looks great and get's into the 12 second quartermile bracket is a having peffect "balance". It's when the car get's into the 11's consistently, and you have to install a roll cage, and you only get 10 MPG that it becomes out of "balance" for a street car IMO.

Don't let Todd hear you say that Billy.

[BillyGman]

hmmmm, I don't know why that would apply to Todd, but let me say that if I had atleast one or two other drivers, then maybe I'd be looking to get this car into the 11's, but I guess my veiwpoint on this has a lot to do w/the fact that my MM is my daily driver, and getting 12 MPG is bad enough as it is, but it's tolerable for me, and getting into the 12's is good enough.

[MikesMerc]

This car is fine as is, why are you guys modding a 281 cu in engine that has already exceeded the old holy grail of the musclecar era, >1hp/cu.in. displacement, normally aspirated ? I bought and drive and love the car for what it is, a big, heavy stock muscle car with the latest handling, braking and fuel management technologies that is a hell of a lot of fun to drive.

I can go to the junkyard and buy everything it takes to make a car go 11 sec in a straight line, including the Yugo body, for less than $2,000, but I doubt if it would be much fun to drive.

Too much working on car = not much of a life.

Balance, what a concept.


The MM is indeed a great car just is it rolls off the factory floor. That's why I bought it. In addition, although modding the car is a very "personal" issue, my particular approach is to mod the car very carefully. I'm staying away from items that may indeed make it faster but sacrifice the balance you speak of. These items included suspension components, big gears, loud exhaust, and huge stall converters. I don't want em, regardless of what they offer in terms of performance. I've "cut up" many nice cars in my life in search of more performance only to find them "cross the line" at some point.

Not with this car.

[Macon Marauder]

At our meet in Atlanta Saturday a guy in a Honda Accord stopped and asked a bunch of qestions about our cars. All were answered. And one of our members said, "And no 2 are alike. They're all personalized and each one is different."

That's pretty cool. :)

Don't lose the faith, brother!

[martyo]

This thread has the ability to become and "oil thread' pretty quick.

Bottom line is a modding is a personal track that will be influenced by a lot of factors (for instance, does the owner need the car as a daily driver, etc.). For example what Todd does to his car may not be to my taste but I respect it nonetheless. What Billy does with gears may not work for me. What I do with my car may be to absoilutely no one's taste. But the beauty is is that at the end of the day it is my car to do with as I like and nobody's criticisms will mean much to me. You can mod your car as you see fit and I will completely respect whatever you come up with.

Just don't expect all folks to come up with teh same approach. That's all. This is a great platform to build on, if you so choose. Mod on fellas (and ladies)!

[valkyrie]

One of the main reasons I love this car is that it is unpopular. Who wants to look and sound like everyone else cruise down the highway.

How many Mustangs can there be out there. My other toy is a Honda Valkyrie. Same thing. Big unpopular but few can talk to me while the motor is running.

[2003 MIB]

I don't want to be sappy but I don't think I'll ever sell this car because of the owners I hang out with at cruises, shows and the track. It's my ticket or "secret handshake" in with some of the nicest folks I've ever met. I've never won a show or been the fastest at the track- I don't really care... There's a yiddish word "kvel" that means swelling with pride like when your kids do something awesome. That's how I feel when somebody admires any club member's car. I feel like I'm part of that and never picked up a wrench. Maybe I donated a part or sold it cheap...Maybe I inspired a mod. or maybe I just encouraged someone to come out and participate....It's hard to articulate but easy to feel. :up:
Why do I mod.? I'm not sure why I can't keep my hands off of her... I'm not sure why I have 6 different types of car wax/polish and I spend every Sunday morning doing "something" to the car...Maybe I'm painting, polishing or raiding the kitchen cabinets :) but it's a time that I'm at peace... Burned out? It's been a year and almost 11,000 miles- the honeymoon's not over for me.

[MikesMerc]

Bottom line is a modding is a personal track that will be influenced by a lot of factors (for instance, does the owner need the car as a daily driver, etc.). For example what Todd does to his car may not be to my taste but I respect it nonetheless. What Billy does with gears may not work for me. What I do with my car may be to absoilutely no one's taste. But the beauty is is that at the end of the day it is my car to do with as I like and nobody's criticisms will mean much to me. You can mod your car as you see fit and I will completely respect whatever you come up with.


Well said Sir! :beer:

[dwasson]

Y'allo say it's unpopular and I guess it is true. But, have you seen the effect it has on other people. We were at the movies yesterday ("Man on Fire", good script, good acting, Tony Scott saying, "Wheeeee! Look at me I'm directing!") and my wife drove the MM up to the front of the theater to pick up her mother. I watched the other people around me when the car slowly rounds the corner and approaches the curb. Everyone looks at the Marauder. Every guy over 30 stares. The Marauder hits a spot in the adult male psyche so primal that it must reside between sex drive and desire for cool shotguns. This car is the only affordable car of it's type. You can spend a lot more and get just a little more. I'm still on the honeymoon with my Marauder.

[Silver_04]

The Marauder hits a spot in the adult male psyche so primal that it must reside between sex drive and desire for cool shotguns.

I second that. The Marauder is my gun slinging mistress. :banana:

[2003 MIB]

The Marauder hits a spot in the adult male psyche so primal that it must reside between sex drive and desire for cool shotguns.

Why didn't Mercury let Dan write the ad campaign??????????????????????
:rock: :rock: :rock: :rock: