Picked Up My (new!) Marauder Yesterday!

[Invective]

My thoughts so far:

My 73 yo co-driver (and her service dog) have been the primary 'drivers' since we picked up the car yesterday about 179 miles away. 868 miles each way from my house to where we picked up the car at the owner's business.

No complaints about my driving on the way up but she complained bitterly about my driving when coming back to the same location where we spent the previous night. She wanted to drive the Mustang but the power seat is inoperable (blown fuse?) so she's in the Marauder. I drove the Marauder briefly last night running local errands for food and adult beverages to bring back to the hotel.

Had car serviced before we departed the area where the car had spent its entire life. No record of coolant having ever been changed, diff and trans fluids (and axle seal) changed when previous owner took possession 12 years ago. Car was still under warranty so I don't know why he paid for the axle service - didn't ask (have receipt). Oil changes every year. New battery last year. 'New' tires installed shortly after purchasing car 12 years ago - still look new. First owner put on nearly 15k per year during his ownership. 2nd owner averaged less than 1k miles per year. I'm averaging about 3k per year on my vehicles at present.

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The car:

Appears to be brand new - super clean. Has the trunk organizer, front license plate bracket still in the trunk (screws in the cup holder), heated seats, trunk release in the driver's door, door lock combination keypads, shorty roof console, cd changer in trunk - seems to have every option except the moonroof (getting one installed shortly). Previous owner donated a like new car cover.

Marauder is substantially heavier than my '05 GT and feels positively lethargic when compared. To be fair, the 'stang has the stock 3:31 rear diff gears, K&N CAI and Superchips 93 octane tune. Both truly excellent cars IMO for their intended purposes.

E0 93 octane is nearly completely unavailable on my routing for this trip. Running through the mountains with the cc set at 75 mph at every opportunity (with a/c on) the Mustang's trip computer stated we averaged as much as 27.5 mpg.

Switching to E10 later in the trip (on flatter ground) the average dropped down to about 22.5 mpg at the same speeds (per trip computer) and never went much above 23 mpg on rare occasions. All of my vehicles definitely run better and get noticeably better fuel economy on E0. One station not far away from my house sells E0 93 octane fortunately.

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Not much else to add other than I'm thrilled with my new acquisition and my 'new'(?) Marauder leather jacket was delivered yesterday - will see it tomorrow when I arrive home. Marauder will definitely get 3:73 or 4:10 gears, CAI and tune at the first opportunity. Bumping the 'stang up to 3:55 gears shortly.

[TrilogyMarauder]

Good luck with it. Plan another trip to MO's Speed Shop for your mods.
Any pics?

[justbob]

I’ve been told by the owner of a local speed shop who primarily deals with Mustangs (and also holds the record for the fastest in the Midwest) that my Marauder has the feel of one of the most well balanced Mustangs he’s yet to drive and more power on tap than than it could ever use on the streets as he was grabbing 2nd with a smile ear to ear. So your new Marauder is purely a rock solid foundation for what you choose. Of course, this goes for any car. The sky (and wallet) is the only limits..

Just gears and a good tune Martyo will change the characteristics and behavior more than you’d ever imagine. Add to that a free lower, cutting the front springs and adjusting the rear air bags will make the cornering a vast improvement (one of my favorite mods) plus having an awesome stance like a cougar ready to pounce. Add some addco sway bars and Monroe severe duty shocks and handling the curves will no longer feel “lethargic”. More like a chubby ballerina dancer that out performs all the competition and looks pretty damn good in a black dress.. Your smooth ride will suffer a bit, but you probably know this all too well.

Enjoy the new boat!


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[Mr. Man]

Forget the 3.73's and go 4.10's. Not much of a diff with the 3.73 swap. +1 on the Mo's tune(vendor here).

[PRCARGUY]

Forget the 3.73's and go 4.10's. Not much of a diff with the 3.73 swap. +1 on the Mo's tune(vendor here).
Ditto on what he said! :banana2:
(Ask me how I know).

[Gerry24]

Nice catch, post pics when you can.

[Invective]

Not much to post at the moment beyond these. Taken a few hours ago in Southern Ohio while in transit. Will be home tomorrow afternoon. Also, found an image of a similar shorty roof console with the aftermarket sunroof switch installed - probably what mine will look like.

Previous owner stated he NEVER used the CD changer - will try it ASAP. I seriously missed the single cassette player in my '98 GT - now I have another one! Love the single CD player as well. Has full size spare. Car smells like new but couldn't help but notice the ash receptacle cup has been used and half heartedly cleaned - was it used in another vehicle? Has something installed that may be a GPS mount (one that I've never seen) stuck to the place where the clock on the '03s would have been.

73yo co-driver loves the Marauder but is smitten by the sound, styling, features and thrust of my '05 'stang. Said she always wanted one from the first introduction back in the day. Her current '97 Acura Integra is as close as she has come to owning a Mustang.

[Gryphonzus]

Nice looking car!!! And you picked the best color too!! Welcome to the MODNESS!

[crownvic97]

Very cool, car sounds excellent!

[Invective]

Picked up the car this afternoon from the moonroof shop - very pleased. Marauder will probably get its first tank of E0 93 octane fuel tomorrow. Locking fuel cap bought earlier in the week. New headliner supercharges 'new car' smell that still existed.

[crownvic97]

Roof came out great!

[Marauderman]

WOW--Great Find!! PM me ! We are in same location!

[Invective]

My car was delivered to me with only one original key/fob and the valet key. Previous owner hazy about second key/fob. Ordered and received Mercury key blank and matching(?) fob off of eBay.

Local Ace Hardware cut the key and charged $19.99 plus tax because it is an 'internet key'; his (owner's) explanation made no sense (english isn't his first language anyway). Contacted my regular mechanic (ex-Ford tech and Vietnamese Refugee) who stated he wanted nothing to do with 'programming keys and fobs'.

This was noon saturday (today) and the local Ford dealer service department is open until 1600. Service Writer stated they could get the car right in for service. Cut key programmed correctly but fob was incompatible with my car - paid $15 plus shipping for Mercury key core and 'compatible' (?) fob plus shipping from eBay vendor.

Original fob has much data listed on the back while the replacement fob is completely blank. Dealer stated the correct fob through them is $55 and charged $105 for 'programming', plus $2.75 for 'document storage fee' and $9.75 for 'Environmental and Waste Charges'. Correct fob is on the way and I've already paid for programming.

Sound that seems to be the air pump building up air pressure in the fuel system is now noticeably louder(?) shortly after startup. Filling up with E0 93 had the desired effect. Will use Lucas Fuel System Treatment on next tank purchased.

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Mustang goes to the same dealer shop tuesday morning to finish out the airbag recall (passenger side) and set up an appointment for the Ranger's airbag recall completion. Service Writer never mentioned whether the Marauder was covered under the recall or otherwise - I was just glad to leave.

I apparently have one cd in the rear changer that's seriously scratched or has smudges as it skips badly - other cds playing properly. Will address this tomorrow.

[Hadamustang1]

That sound is the air ride pump. Sometimes it come on even if the car is not running. Rear height adjustment..

[Invective]

That sound is the air ride pump. Sometimes it come on even if the car is not running. Rear height adjustment..

Thanks for this. Where is it located?

[RubberCtyRauder]

its under the air filter box

[Invective]

its under the air filter box

Thanks for this.

[Mr. Man]

its under the air filter boxIf someone hasn't already, drill some larger holes around the air pump to let water drain more readily. The little tiny holes Ford supply fill up with crud and water can't drain thus destroying the pump.

[Invective]

If someone hasn't already, drill some larger holes around the air pump to let water drain more readily. The little tiny holes Ford supply fill up with crud and water can't drain thus destroying the pump.

Thanks for this. I'll look at it tomorrow.

[Hadamustang1]

the pump is under the hood,, for air bags on the back axle,,

[Invective]

the pump is under the hood,, for air bags on the back axle,,

Thanks for this. Will look at it later today. Currently at the dealer for the second part of the airbag recall on my Mustang. Guy came in after me with an '08 GT convertible nearly identical to my coupe for the recall has already been released and departed the premises. Much higher rank than me apparently.:P

[fastblackmerc]

Congrats on your find!

Welcome to the site!

I'd do these mods:

4:10 gears
Front & rear Addco solid sway bars
Metco upper & lower rear control arms
Metco Watts link
Setup the front end alignment using Carfixers specs
JLT CAI
Tune & tuner from Marty @ MO's


Things to look out for:

Radio will lose FM reception - replace it with an Escape radio or aftermarket headunit
Headlights (Lo beams) will not work - need to repair the LCM.
Air will only come out of the defroster vents - EATC needs repair.
Interior temperature won't regulate - need to replace the Blend Door Actuator.
Fan won't work - need to repair the BCM
Need to periodically clean-out the wiper cowl to prevent wacky wiper syndrome.


Fellow North Carolinian here......

[Invective]

Congrats on your find!

Welcome to the site!

I'd do these mods:

4:10 gears
Front & rear Addco solid sway bars
Metco upper & lower rear control arms
Metco Watts link
Setup the front end alignment using Carfixers specs
JLT CAI
Tune & tuner from Marty @ MO's


Things to look out for:

Radio will lose FM reception - replace it with an Escape radio or aftermarket headunit
Headlights (Lo beams) will not work - need to repair the LCM.
Air will only come out of the defroster vents - EATC needs repair.
Interior temperature won't regulate - need to replace the Blend Door Actuator.
Fan won't work - need to repair the BCM
Need to periodically clean-out the wiper cowl to prevent wacky wiper syndrome.


Fellow North Carolinian here......


Thanks for this.

Air Pump: Attempted to look at air pump under airbox: front lower airbox nut is seized to stud. Penetrating oil didn't help. Was able to tilt the airbox forward enough to shine a flashlight underneath: air pump is dirty but no water evident. Seems to be getting noisier each time I drive the car.

CD changer: #4 cd begins skipping about halfway through for no apparent reason. Very minor, almost imperceptible scratches apparent - plays fine in the head unit and home unit. #6 cd is being sampled incorrectly - gibberish coming out of speakers -no apparent damage and plays fine in dash (head unit) and home unit. Previous owner stated he NEVER used the changer. Maybe regular use will clear up the issues.

Spare Tire: Lo and behold, I lifted the large cover and I do indeed have the compact spare (not the full sized spare as thought) - looks like its never been used.

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Many days I don't drive or ride at all. When I do, I rotate among my many vehicles, driving/riding the same vehicle all day.

[justbob]

Sounds like you got a perfect car. I’ve yet to read of any actual issues. Who cares about a stubborn CD player or a dirty ashtray in a 15 year old car. Plus the air pumps are notoriously loud on these cars.


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[Invective]

Sounds like you got a perfect car. I’ve yet to read of any actual issues. Who cares about a stubborn CD player or a dirty ashtray in a 15 year old car. Plus the air pumps are notoriously loud on these cars.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'm learning the quirks. Car smells and looks BRAND NEW as it spent most of its life in a garage (or two) under a cover (in Michigan). Neighbor helped me fold and stow the cover that came with the car today. As with anything mechanical, don't use it you loose it. I'm very fortunate I came across this car when I did - puts a grin on my face every time I drive it!

Looking at two Lincoln Blackwoods available in my region. One claims to have 20k original miles and the other 70k mile example is a Neiman Marcus edition. My 'collection' would be complete except my adult daughter requested money to complete needed dental work today....