2004 Marauder avail in SVT with Supercharger

[Directedby]

Had a great time at the LA Auto Show. Knew I was off to a good start when I parked my car next to a Marauder. Only 2nd one I have seen in LA, ever.

Spoke to the Mercury Reps at length who claim... Mercury knows that the car is underpowered. They told me that in 2004 the Marauder will be available in an SVT model. This car can be ordered in June only from a SVT dealer.

The car will have a supercharger and will be rated at 360 HP. This will be a custom ordered car. The rep told me that Mercury will only make 200 (if they got more orders, I wouild think they would not turn them down).

He was very intrigued when I told him about this forum. I told him many of the opinions the MM owners had and he told me that it is very important to Mercury to know, first hand, how the car can be improved.

He said that the main Marauder division is in Irvine, California. He said to email them via the Mercury Website to give them first hand input.

He agreed that the badges should be the 'Gods Head' and highly suggested an email campaign to make these avail on the new cars and replacements for the ones bought.

He said that the 2004 will have lower gears. Didn't know anything else.

[Directedby]

Another LA Auto Show pic...

[Logan]

I wouldn't put too much stock in anything the guys at auto shows tell you. The reps at auto shows are often nothing more than local dealership sales staff. Who most often don't know anything, but are happy to pretend they do. :D

That being said, I'm all for a supercharged marauder, but I'll believe it when I can lay my money down and drive out the door. :)

[RancorKeeper]

Like Logan said, I wouldn't believe anything someone at an Auto SHow tells you. As recently as last September or October, SVT said they had no plans to do anything with the Marauder. While that can obviously change, it's the "Official Word." Also, SVT determines how many vehicles they can build and sell - not Ford or Mercury - and I doubt 200 would be enough to warrant the effort. But, it sounds like big things are planned for the future, so I'm still crossing my fingers for the convertible. :D

[Bigdogjim]

Directedby: Thanks for the info. Hope they do something next year. As for SVT dealers there only Ford not Mercury. I agree with Logan that the Reps just "talk it up" so to speak.
Big Dog

[Directedby]

BDJim -

You are probably right. However it did make sense for Marauder owners to email Mercury with ideas on how to better the car.

This is the website to register and email Mercury.

https://www.mymercury.com/FormsLoginSSL.asp?Make=Mercury&Model=default&L=49&N=840

[RancorKeeper]

Originally posted by Bigdogjim
As for SVT dealers there only Ford not Mercury.
SVT has expressed interest in working with Lincoln in the future, probably on the LS. I'd love to see them do something with the Aviator.

[Geo]

However, and SVT Marauder would make perfect sense but it would still fall short from a Kenny Brown S model. Ford would be wiser to put a V10 in there and do it right the first time around with decent power and not just a truck spec engine.

Who knows, maybe they will suprise us with a pushrod V8.

GEO

[JohnnyB]

Before they do SVT Marauders, they'll have to move the ones currently sitting on the dealer lots. Wonder how they would price an SVT Marauder

[MassMarauder]

JohnnyB - you're right about that.
Lets say the 04 SVT supercharged MM becomes a reality. And lets say it's priced at 36-38K. How many of you out there would seriously consider trading their 03 for and 04?

[03 Merc]

Well guys if SVT puts their badges on it you can plan on a few things like a price hike...no special financing (at least until the End of Model Year maybe), full sticker or worse, most SVT dealers start at $5K over MSRP, and probably an insurance hike for most owners due to the rate classes.. I had a 01 Cobra Vert so I have been down that path once.. The only thing I think we would gain is most SVT dealers are not nearly as paranoid about modifications as the LM dealers..

Would I trade in my 03 MM for a 04 SVT SC MM?? (Alphabet Soup:rolleyes: ) Hmm probably...but if the price hits $40k + there are other cars to look at in that range..

BTW my dealership parts manager just gave me the "Offical Mercury" info card handed out on the SC MM by Roush that was shown... As soon as I can find someone with a scanner I'll post it...

[TAF]

A copy for me, PLEASE. I've got a scanner but going out of town tomorrow...

[Geo]

Since insurance would be higher as would the asking price, why not offer an SVT kit that can be performed at any SVT dealer with no hassles. Perhaps this can be availabe aswell as a sperate model available in the dealers.

GEO

[LincMercLover]

I would say something about "me Lucky Charms" and what happens in the bathroom, but the last thread I said that in got closed... :rolleyes:

By the time you'd pay for that SVT, you coulda done it yourself, seeing how cheap the 03's are going...

[cheddar 96 SS]

I'm sorry, but an SVT version of the Marauder will have a price tag that will be laughable. Personally i think the asking price for one now is too high. But of course, we all have our reasons to buy what we have.

[RCSignals]

cheddar 96 SS

Price too high, but relative to what? MSRP of $34-35K. The CVLX Sport has a MSRP of $31-32k or so. The differences between the two cars makes that Marauder MSRP not so bad.

That of course is only talking MSRP, and as you know they are now selling much below that.

So what to you would be a good price for this car?

[RCSignals]

Originally posted by Geo
Since insurance would be higher as would the asking price, why not offer an SVT kit that can be performed at any SVT dealer with no hassles. Perhaps this can be availabe aswell as a sperate model available in the dealers.

GEO

they could by pass SVT and simply sell a "S55" kit at the Parts Department. Mercury used to do this years ago. In the 50's you could buy a performance kit from the dealer that included Cam, Dual carb setup etc. They could do that idea today.

[smith5365]

RC: Right idea and that's what we should push to Mercury. It makes their production easier, and it's really the way for us to have fun building the car. I know most of you guys mostly want to drive. But you're missing out on a lot of the fun. You've made the first step by becoming active on the web site. The next step is to form local clubs centered on our car, which is happening in a lot of locations. The next step is to team up the guys in the club who are into doing mods themselves. Most are more than willing to put their time and effort into helping anyone in the club work on their own car. And I've been in clubs where you could pay the guys that really know what their doing to work in your garage and do the work for you. Of course, you're going to have to "grunt" for them and don't forget the food/beer/etc.

[cheddar 96 SS]

Originally posted by RCSignals
cheddar 96 SS

Price too high, but relative to what? MSRP of $34-35K. The CVLX Sport has a MSRP of $31-32k or so. The differences between the two cars makes that Marauder MSRP not so bad.

That of course is only talking MSRP, and as you know they are now selling much below that.

So what to you would be a good price for this car?

I'm not saying it's a bad car, i just don't agree with the MSRP or even the dealer price. Relating it to the CVLX isn't that good since i don't necessarily agree with that price either. My SS fully loaded with power everything (minus factory CD player) had a total vehicle price (including destination charge) of $25,537.00 in '96. And here is what i get from an inflation calculator to the year 2002 ( http://www.cjr.org/resources/inflater.asp ):

CJR Dollar Conversion Calculator

$25,536.00

in 1996 dollars becomes

$29,351.72 in 2002 dollars.

That's still $2k less than the CVLX. Maybe the SS was just one helluva deal back then, i don't know. Besides that, the marauder and the cobra (IRS, S/C, 6-sp, tire shreadability at partial throttle, etc...) are the same price :eek: ! Draw your own conclusions, i guess

Running for nomex coveralls :flamer:

[JohnnyB]

IMO, Marketing the Marauder under SVT is a bad move on Ford's part. It will certainly mark the price up to over $40,000 and no way is the public going to pay that price. They don't even advertise it now. What they should do is offer the SC engine as an option and charge accordingly..... forget dealer market adjustments and all that crap. I would say that a SC Marauder with moonroof, TC, heated seats, CD, should go for no more than $32K-$33K, out the door.....

[RCSignals]

cheddar 96 SS

Would you pay $29,351.72 in 2002 dollars for a 2003 RWD Impala SS if there was such a thing? I suspect it would have a higher MSRP today.

That price is about what people are buying Marauders for.

That said, I agree that generally all cars are priced too high these days, but then they were also priced too high in '96 when you paid $25,536.00 for your Impala.

[Directedby]

Based on interest rates in 1996, your money doubled every 9 years. The Impala would sell for closer to $38,000 based on that calculation.

[cheddar 96 SS]

Originally posted by RCSignals
cheddar 96 SS

Would you pay $29,351.72 in 2002 dollars for a 2003 RWD Impala SS if there was such a thing? I suspect it would have a higher MSRP today.

That price is about what people are buying Marauders for.

That said, I agree that generally all cars are priced too high these days, but then they were also priced too high in '96 when you paid $25,536.00 for your Impala.

Well, actually, i paid less than $19k for the car this past September with 18k miles on it. ill assume that a 2003 RWD SS (if made:( ) would have more than the 94-96 260 hp/330 lb-ft too. With the Vette's LT1 back then, it would seemingly have the Vette's LS1 (LS6?) now with around 345 hp. And would i pay $30,000 for one? Maybe, maybe not. Would it be worth all $30,000? For the 10th year of perfecting the design, i'd say "hell yeah!" It was damn good in 96 and i can't imagine how much it would improve.

But this is purely speculation and it most likely would be more than $30k. Since new car prices (at least for the cars i like) are getting really large really fast, ill stick with the used cars for now. Oops! i mean the "certified pre-owned" cars. :rolleyes:

Directedby: I looked at several inflation calculators on the web, and that was the highest price i found for a 1996-2002 conversion. I wasn't a money-type major at school (business, accounting, etc...), so that's all i had to go by.

[LincMercLover]

HA! An S-55 package installed at the dealership! LMAO! I don't think so...

[Geo]

It's a doggy dog world. The prices of cars are going throught the roof and forget about calculating per inflation scales. Manufacturers are greedy and they're out to get our pockets. Personally, Ford has enough equity in the 1979 Panther to be able to sell it for much less. It's a game, the game of making money. A 1988 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS went for about 15000 and the 94 Impala SS for about 22000 and now a comparable product is 35000? By the time that Chevrolet SS comes out I hate to think what it will cost. Blame computers or something because in 1997 a computer with 200MHz was the sh#$. Now laptops are up to 2.4GHz. If you calculate the difference in processing speed backwards you for the same time period elapsed, you get nothing.

With this level of thinking, you would think that we should be driving Impala SSs the size of Duesenbergs with fuel injected big blocks running of fuel cells (so everybody is happy). If it doesn't happy this way, something went horribly wrong.

[RCSignals]

Originally posted by LincMercLover
HA! An S-55 package installed at the dealership! LMAO! I don't think so...

No an S55 package available across the Parts counter at the dealership. Installed by them would be up to you, but usually if the dealer installs, it would be covered by the bumper to bumper warranty.

It's not an unusual idea, Ford has done similar with packages in the past, as I said. Even the "Cammer" 427s

[cheddar 96 SS]

Originally posted by Geo
With this level of thinking, you would think that we should be driving Impala SSs the size of Duesenbergs with fuel injected big blocks running of fuel cells (so everybody is happy).

:D :D :D

[JAL]

Only if you're an X-College Slacker. Right Cheddar?

:D

Jeff=unfunkyufo=Impala SS Forum.

[NazSok]

Originally posted by Directedby
Another LA Auto Show pic... I was informed by an unreliable source that the rarely-aired Motor Trend TV show on Speed in December ran a segment on a supercharged Marauder for 2004. Calling 4 or 5 dealerships got me nowhere. I am hoping it is completely untrue, though. I just bought mine in early October. At that time the Marauder still wasn't available with Traction Control (is it even now?) or heated seats, though the brochure listed these as available fall 2002. If I were to learn that my cool car became the wimpy edition a year later I'd be sick to my stomach. I'm financing this thing for 6 years and not through Ford (credit rating not good enough).

I did, however, call some performance shops, and found very little interest. Southern New Jersey is not a prime location for such things. I've never been to Caliofornia, but I'd bet you can't swing a dead cat without hitting a respectable performance shop there. I've been advised by my partner at work that I should avaoid major alterations until the warranty runs out, as this would void such. At the end of said warranty, if I could find someone who knows what he's doing, I'd even look into a turbo kit. Just a thought.

[NazSok]

Checked out the Sean Hyland 5.2 conversion kit page. It surely is the stuff of which gives serious wood, but, at just under 20K, added to 34K for my base 03 MM, I'd be spending 54K for a Mercury! I love my Marauder, but for 54K I could get a brand new MB E320. Or I could wait until next year and get the performance edition CTS and have change left over. But of course, I don't have the $ for any of these 3 options. I'm not too keen on aftermarket, as this often turns a decent vehicle into a wiggermobile.

[MAD-3R]

NazSok,

Look for Mustang performace shops. Most of them would dropol over the Marauder. More room under the hood for mods. Also for 1/10 the cost of the Hyland full convertion, look at the Reinhart package he has for the MM. Very nice, and more stealthy.

[NazSok]

MAD-3R:

Thank you. Shall look into it. Where is Sterling? My goal one day is to move to Northern VA. Close enough to DC area for work, but more toward the mountains, as I'd think it possibly less expensive i.e. property value.

[cheddar 96 SS]

Originally posted by JAL
Only if you're an X-College Slacker. Right Cheddar?

:D

Jeff=unfunkyufo=Impala SS Forum.

Oh no, you found me! :D Ha ha ha.

[MAD-3R]

Sterling is just North of Dulles Airport.

I love the area. The history of the region is richer then almost anywhere else, and no matter what the intrest is, you can find it here and the local enviroment is great!

The traffic is nuts though, and any comute into DC form the 'burbs is insane. Did it for about four months, and would come home twitching, and that was riding Public transportation. Parking would have cost as much as I was earning. What field are you in and I can give you a few leads on where some of the companys are in the region and the best places to live.

[NazSok]

Thanks! I'm a chef at a winery. Banquets only right now. No a la carte any more. Restaurants have a life span of about 2 yrs in South Jersey. The wife works at the regional State Farm HQ & could transfer. I would have to scope out the hotels/wineries/other banquet facilities in any area to which I move. I think my affinity for ethnic cuisine may help me in the DC area. We used to take day trips to Bethesda, MD and always ate ethnic. I make all sorts of international stuff whenever I can. Am pretty good with Southern regional cooking, too. (NOBODY'S grits are better than mine.) Have wanted to move to VA since I became a Confederate Nationalist at the age of 6.

[MAD-3R]

Well, if you work at a Winery, this is the place to move to on the east coast. California is the only state that I know of that has a larger Wine industry. We also, do to the Very central location have a huge hositality industry (can we say "Diplomat"? Good I knew you could.)

As for Grits, I grew up in su'then georgia, and I love good grits. When done right they are great, when done bad, they are plaster.

[LincMercLover]

I laugh at the thought of having my L/M dealer install an over the counter package because of their little knowledge of the car to begin with. You know how many dealers out there who would probably void the warranty EVEN though it's their parts? Much less them really giving you the performance that's worth it and not over charging you...

[tomd]

Ford was to come out with the twin of the Marauder it was to be called the "Blackhawk” have no idea what happen to it. The Blackhawk could have been shelved until they see how the Marauder does??? If the Marauder does well in sales I think we will see the Ford Blackhawk come out then a STV Blackhawk version!

[SergntMac]

The way I heard it, FMC trashed their Blackhawk idea in development, and LM scooped it up as the Marauder. If sales improve, the S/C version may get consideration down the road, with the added argument that us first year buyers will be hungry to trade up. First establish the consumer pool, then exploit it...IMHO.

[Bigdogjim]

Ok here I go. I am not speaking from a high place. SVT dealers are ONLY Ford. I (me) have never heard of a L & M dealership being SVT? I buy fleet vehicles from Ford and asked several factory people and say the same thing. Remember Roush did the top of the MM engine not SVT. SVT did the Avaitor, I know very well that L & M is part of Ford but, Ford wanted to keep the Marauder as much on the Mercury side as they could. I said before that the MM should have had a S/C version sold along side the "stock" version as they did in 69-70. Back then they had a base Marauder with a 390, and the X-100 with the 429. I test drove both and bought the X-100. As far as thing go today they need to advertise the car as we all well know. This time around I think I will "hold" on the MM. Thanks.
Big Dog :banana: :banana2:

[tomd]

So far, Marauder has been handicapped with a naturally aspirated 32-valve 4.6-liter V8 that produces 300 horsepower and not enough low-end grunt, but a solution may be imminent. At a recent hot rod show, Babcock popped the hood on a silver-painted Marauder to show off its supercharged 32-valve 4.6-liter that may solve the mileage/power conundrum.

While it’s not the full SVT Cobra package, the Roush booster pushes performance to 340-345 hp, which we’re told is enough to knock a second off Marauder’s high-14-second quarter-mile time.

Mercury folks are mum about future Marauder plans, other than to say potential buyers in warmer climes want a lighter body-color option.

[tomd]

If you haven't already seen it here is a picture of the rag top Marauder with 10 spoke wheels.

For the convertible concept car, Mercury takes Marauder one step further, supercharging a two-valve sohc 4.6-liter V8 to produce an estimated 335 hp and 355 lb-ft of torque. Under the hood, a Roots-type Eaton supercharger produces 6 psi of boost pressure. The engine sports black cam covers and “Super Marauder” badging.

http://www.autoweek.com/specials/2002_chicago/marauder/maraud1.jpg

http://www.autoweek.com/weekart/2002/0211/maraud_rear.jpg

[LincMercLover]

ALL conceptions, NOT a reality at this point in time. The MM will stay as is with few modifications for the first couple years of the run. I would guess toward the end of its run is when they'll throw on any goodies. As far as I know, only tranny (computer baisically) mods are going to be done in the near future...

[cheddar 96 SS]

Originally posted by LincMercLover
ALL conceptions, NOT a reality at this point in time.
Most of y'all probably don't remember, but the Impala SS prototype has a 510 (well, technically a 509) big block in it and look what eventually got put in. :rolleyes:

I would just absolutely love to see the MM with more power as well as a Hemi-powered sedan come out. That would not only give the full-size RWD market a kick in the ass, but it would give me even more of a reason to stroke my 350 to a 396 sometime in the future :D

[NazSok]

Good discussion. That "Super Marauder" must be what a part-time co-worker whom I barely know was talking about when he mentioned his seeing it on a 2:00 AM installment of "Motor Trend" on Speed Channel in Dec. He related it as coming out for 04. Glad to see it's a concept. Don't want to be exploited too soon. If it takes 2 yrs to get factory SC, all the better for my wallet.

Some of the gossip I've heard vis-a-vis Merc's plans: 18,000/yr (sounds high) for 3 yrs. But y'all know things could change on the fly. Been told by dealerships (called several) that, yes, Reinhart chip, etc. will void warranties. They CLAIM if I use FMC parts said warranties will not be voided. Now... same also claim that come spring Merc will be coming out with their own performance upgrade parts. This I somehow believe. As per their honoring warranty, I'll demand written verification of such. Will wait until April to see what comes. I need to pay for a new kitchen floor now any way. If I had money in the bank, though I love my MM, I would have bought my ultimate toy, a Cadillac Escalade EXT, the best of both redneck worlds: redneck Caddy & redneck pickup (though I see more moulies w/Caddies right now than ever before). I had a 99 Catera that handled corners like a Beamer (German Opel-made Cat's) & knew about the EXT long before the dealerships. Once I heard of the $50-60K tag, I was crushed. Hell, GMAC, such pezza di merds that they are, as I had latenesses on my Catera lease, wouldn't even pick me up for a CTS.

Digressing: the MM is cool BECAUSE there are so few on the road. I DON'T want to see it sell really well. If you can't swing a dead cat without hitting one, then it's no longer cool. Had an 81 Charger 2.2 20 yrs ago. My 1st manual. Didn't see many on the road. That was cool. (Saw lots of Daytonas a few yrs later. Not cool.) Once got asked by a cop if it was street legal, because it sure didn't SOUND legal.

I really wouldn't worry about warranties if I had the money. Don't have money, so have to be careful. An authorized Ford Motorsports dealership claimed they can do 4.10's there, swearing warranties won't be voided. We'll see. If I somehow have this by the time they all run out, maybe I'll play with it as if I were a teenager.

[Geo]

Those 20" convertible rims look like the Blackhawk concept rims.

I think Ford should do to the Marauder what GM did to the Grand National. The first GNs were normally aspirated (with a small amount turbo charged). And by 1986, the turbo started kicking ass. Ofcourse 1987 was the king year for all turbo Regals and Grand Nationals.

Why not offer a "twin-turbo" set-up that would set the Marauder apart from even the Grand National. Why not go nuts. That way Ford wouldn't have to commit too much funds and boost the attraction to the Marauder nameplate. And then later they can offer an new Marauder with a totally different engine. All it takes is some creativity and the Marauder can be a success yet (the Grand National was in the end).

GEO N

[SergntMac]

NazSok...What a delicious read, thanks.

I love it when logic outshines the one liners. You got me started again NazSok, most people here know what happens now, and it's nothing personal, k? Besides, my cable's out and I've nothing pressing in my schedule. Here's my .02 cents...

There are dozens of possibilities for the MM ahead, but we have to realistic with probabilities. All rumors and whispers aside, LM has put something hot and bad on the street, and only LM has done that for '03. We got the drop on 'em all. It's selling, slowly, but selling. It's a real car, and the rest of the stuff mentioned here and shown at shows, as well as the "factory mods" is stuff dreams are made of.

The MM is an automobile designed and produced for the masses, to be sold nationwide to anyone who wants one. LM may have had their sights on a particular consumer market, but the MM isn't a pet. At best, we'll see an '04, or, '05 with more to offer, but any kit just doesn't work in the scale of things. When LM sees that they need to adjust their sights, and offer more, they will.

LM makes their money on whole production cars, not parts and service. The dealers sell the cars, and parts and service. Dealers need their back shops producing income, LM does not. Was a time in my life when a gas station was a repair shop, today it's everything but that, and that speaks volumes. Citgo doesn't give a rat's a** about the price of milk, or, the variety of deli sandwiches offered. The gas station I get my 93 octane at, is really a Seven-11 with pumps, and 37 flavors of ice cream. Citgo says sell anything else you want, but sell the gas. It's not much different for an LM dealer, is it.

"Mods and warranties" as a discussion topic, needs to settle down. No manfacturer of any product, is likely to eat the tab on a rebuild or replacement of what was sold under warranty, after is has been substancially modified by the consumer. Would YOU? Didn't think so.

It's dicey, at best, and the final decision to honor a warranty claim has a lot more to with a lot more things, than the mod itself. I was once a warranty auditor ("factory rep") for the General, a very long time ago, in a day when the General widely supported racing and aftermarket factory parts. If the bottom end gave out, it didn't matter much to me if the factory intake had been replaced by a tunnel ram, but the quanity and quality of the oil in the pan did. Every decision I made was based on a "totality of cir***stances," not one mod. It was never a "yes or no" without examination and discussion, and I don't see that much has changed over the years.

The safe and cheaper answer from LM about any mods under warranty is no, period. However, if you have a sympathetic service manager and responsible wrenches performing modest work, and the overall intent is to improve base performance, a reasonable negotiation between knowledgable men will most likely end in your favor.

It's cost me more, but everything I've done to my MM has been performed by the dealer, and copies of my dyno tests are in their hands. They know what I'm doing, and why, and they like it. This doesn't guarantee me s**t, but it does put the dice in my hands for at least one toss.

If, and when, I need a new motor, that's a repair tab of some importance to the dealer too, because he wants to sell the parts, and labor, to anyone he can. When it's a 7k tab, the dealer wants a check, from anyone who can write it. The dealer is no more loyal to LM that he is to me, it's a matter of who has the money to repair the car. It's in his best interests to argue in my favor, or he won't get the check.

So, my advice is build a favorable relationship with your service manager, it won't hurt if you never need it. IMHO.

Well, I'm outta quarters and my cable is back...cha-ching.

[NazSok]

Sarge:

Thanks for the good advice. I've been having equivalent lines of reasoning as yours. Bigdogjim is correct, also. Here's what I have ascertained today:

Called LM dealer about performance parts in near future.
Was told to call nearest Ford Motorsports dealer.
Was told by Winner Ford of Cherry Hill, NJ that they can do at the very least gear ratios.
Called more LM dealers (parts dept.), who knew nothing.
Called Ford customer service.
Was handed over to Mer customer service.
Asked about perf upgrades for near future. Was given # to SVT HQ.
Called SVT.
Was told by someone who seemed to know what he was talking about that, yes, SVT works ONLY through Ford. Not LM, even though it's all one corporation. No possibility for an SVT MM. However, there's no reason that Mercury themselves couldn't do their own SC MM for 04, 05, or whatever. Who knows, and I'm tired of even thinking about it by now (despite my innate obsessiveness)! Once again, I agree about the need to work w/ my LM service/parts dept's. and/or Ford Motorsports dealer's service/parts dept's.

Y'all must forgive me, as much of this is new to me, though I've had the MM for over 3 months now. I stumbled accross this web site by accident, and I realize y'all are far ahead of me in terms of what's going on and what's available, etc. I just enjoy doing my own research.

[cheddar 96 SS]

Originally posted by Geo
I think Ford should do to the Marauder what GM did to the Grand National. The first GNs were normally aspirated (with a small amount turbo charged). And by 1986, the turbo started kicking ass. Ofcourse 1987 was the king year for all turbo Regals and Grand Nationals.
But the thing with the GNX is that it was a 3.8L V6 in a tin can of a car. It wasn't super heavy like our cars that really needs a V8. And here's another tid bit of info (actually fact and not opinion like my first thought): the turbo V6 that was in the GNX was in the Firebird also in one year. Both cars were about the same weight et al. This combo leads to the fastest Firebird in the history of GM. Yes, that's right. The fastest Firebird of all time (from the factory at least) was in the form of a V6. :D

Go now, and share with your friends, the knowledge that has been bestowed upon you! :P

[MAD-3R]

Yes, it was fast. But it had the stylings of a peanut butter slapped on toast.

[Directedby]

SVT spokesperson, hints that Marauder might be next target for SVT.

"As part of the Performance Group, SVT will see its lineup expand -- although in true Ford fashion executives refused to talk about specific future products. Its vehicles will retain the traditional hallmarks of Performance, Substance, Exclusivity and Value. The SVT badge will also remain exclusively on Ford Division vehicles. However, SVT expertise and experience is likely to be reflected in upcoming high-performance Lincoln and Mercury products. Again, Ford executives would not give details except to say that the Mercury Marauder and Lincoln LS are obvious candidates for special high-performance versions. John Coletti will remain at SVT as director of Special Vehicle Team programs."

Full article -

http://www.svtoa.com/news.asp

[Geo]

What about that dealer in Florida that sells brand new Marauders with the Reinhart chip installed. Call Dennis and find out which dealer that is. Then shove that down the other dealers throat.

[Geo]

the above was re: NazSok's Jan 13 post:

"...Some of the gossip I've heard vis-a-vis Merc's plans: 18,000/yr (sounds high) for 3 yrs. But y'all know things could change on the fly. Been told by dealerships (called several) that, yes, Reinhart chip, etc. will void warranties. They CLAIM if I use FMC parts said warranties will not be voided...."

[SaxGuy]

That Firebird that you guys were talking about with the turbo came from the economy of the time. The price on gas was high that they thought a V6 would boost sales for the line. The TransAm GTA was born out of that, but I would have much preferred a Buick GN.

[Geo]

I say it's the new millennium now. Forget the V6 Turbos of the 80's and the small blocks of the 90's. Bring on the Big Blocks that run on fuel cells!

G.M. still has their 496 (nee 454, nee 427). Ford can continue their FE-series (429, 460) and Chrysler can make a big block from scratch (they sold the tooling for the 440 in 1978; the 500 Wedges in the Moper Performance catalogue come from Keith Black). We need king kong motors that guzzle expendible Hydrogen/Oxygen (fuel cell).

GEO

[smith5365]

Geo: You and I are attending the same school these days.

Drawbacks to fuel cell. WEIGHT of fuel container. BTU/lb of hydrogen versus gasoline. I'm trying to learn about these issues now. Suspect comparable numbers to CNG, but no hard data yet. Need to look for web sites addressing this issue. I'm convinced it'll be nuts like us that lead/show the way to getting real performance out of a hydrogen fuel cell.

[MAD-3R]

Poipular machanics for fuel cell cars.

The fuel it's self isn't heavy, it's the cell itself

The biggest problem with Fuel Cell cars, is the cost of the plates. They need to be coated in Platinum, and that ain't cheap. THey are trying to develope something that can be used in place of it, but are meeting with limeted sucsess. They do have a FuelCell appliance, about the size of a small chest Freezer that hooks to the Natural gas line to you house, and can power it for about 1/2 the cost of electricity, but the replacement cost of the plates still make it impractical for private use.

As for performance, it depends on the Electric Motor you put in. FuelCells make electricty from Hydrocarbons.

And no cracks about "Mr. Wizard!!"

[Bob86GN]

"Yes, it was fast. But it had the stylings of a peanut butter slapped on toast."

I think that left a mark!!

[johnnyvax]

Thanks guys, I hear a lot of opinions, but I'm no closer to a decision on purchasing a 03 MM now, or waiting six months for this mystery SVT/360hp version. I'm just not sure, so I think my next move in the information gathering phase, is to ask you, as individuals who seem to know so much about the MM, your opinions. (I can't afford a KB conversion but would I have options, sayy at a custom shop or something like that, to having the 03 refitted to the 04 specs if Ford does do the SVT thing?)

I am new to the high performance factory built car business. The last can I bought was a 96 Grand Marquis LS, in 98 with 43,000 km (Dark blue, with a blude leather interior, that has been a nice ride for the last 160,000 km, but I thought then that 220 hp was a nice powerplant.

Your input on the chance of these stories of the SVT/360hp version actually becomng a reality in 2004 would really be helpful.

Thanks

johnnyvax

[johnnyvax]

Thanks guys, I hear a lot of opinions, but I'm no closer to a decision on purchasing a 03 MM now, or waiting six months for this mystery SVT/360hp version. I'm just not sure, so I think my next move in the information gathering phase, is to ask you, as individuals who seem to know so much about the MM, your opinions. (I can't afford a KB conversion but would I have options, sayy at a custom shop or something like that, to having the 03 refitted to the 04 specs if Ford does do the SVT thing?)

I am new to the high performance factory built car business. The last can I bought was a 96 Grand Marquis LS, in 98 with 43,000 km (Dark blue, with a blude leather interior, that has been a nice ride for the last 160,000 km, but I thought then that 220 hp was a nice powerplant.

Your input on the chance of these stories of the SVT/360hp version actually becomng a reality in 2004 would really be helpful.

Thanks

johnnyvax

[drkknight196]

Well, unfortunately the site provided by Directedby not only doesn't provide an email address to which you can write, but it also forces you to register as a "Grand Marquis" owner since it doesn't even list the Marauder!!:mad2: What kind of stuff is that?