Just bought an 04 marauder

[MotorCity]

I just bought an 04 silver birch with grey flint interior sight unseen [emoji50] I’m quite a bit nervous

I found it on Craigslist in San Antonio Texas and I’m in Michigan.

The guy is an older man in his 60’s. Said it’s his wife’s car and their the original owners. I ran a carfax and it confirmed they are the only owners and it’s been registered every years since buying it back in 04.

The carfax has 23 service records and never involved in an accident

It has 76k original miles which seams to be legitimate

No rust being a Texas car but there are some scratches and one small dent on the passengers rear quarter panel

The pictures he sent me are poor quality but he’s sent me a few. Said he has a metro phone. Not sure which kind, maybe an older one with a not so good camera

I posted in a different thread that I can’t access this site with my iPhone for the last few months so I downloaded Tapatalk and I was trying to post pics but it says the files are too large. Any other way? My photo bucket account says I’ve exceeded my mb or something like that

The car has been paid for and in the process of being transported. I don’t want to say how much I paid just yet. I want to get some pics up and get opinions of what you guys would pay.

This will be my second silver birch 04 with grey interior but my last one had heated seats and a moonroof bought from a member her although i had originally found his listing on Craigslist


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Agent2006]

It'll be fine! Who cares about the pix, you'll be able to climb all over/under it soon enough....

[Mr. Man]

Congrats! A few scratches on a 15 year old car should be expected unless it was listed as mint condition. Sounds like you are getting a good car. Just do the normal stuff you would do when buying a used car, oil change etc.

[MotorCity]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190919/0e896e3538b103a6664a33c2618a8f 6b.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190919/71d19122014cad808bef4acbf08b0b 25.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190919/945d5e64900fb7bba3e127f61cdf76 7c.jpg

Looks to be a large scratch along the rear and drivers door. I think he said someone keyed it

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190919/1747304f9bc72a7cc83150e2f13aff 38.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190919/fd6b1113450be4c30c72bbaef0b100 17.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190919/78c0be179e817b794cf75a85df61dd 82.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190919/36d8f660dec1c728b4923b74107283 25.jpg

Someone backed into the grill and cracked it

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190919/3d68b853316541bf8008500b55027e 69.jpg

Someone also backed into the rear bumper
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190919/0dbd3c3b4f9bcf3b44cd4a225f08be f6.jpg


https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190919/f949344f797be206b21ae79b2eff7c a9.jpg



















Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[MotorCity]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190919/37c7dfacbed2d2f20a0fe5eec19df2 cd.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190919/d83e1e0060be4e06574ba5058bc888 99.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190919/06578a4a8dfced5be7ce6bc33adf89 52.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190919/e8e1cfd6b4eb21d14b3e1b98840685 99.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190919/f3c0a6487601736e6336c1c1f82f75 c9.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190919/8166f4002452e941b1a4081ebdb61a 8c.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190919/099628ea95abd855bbadee9f726ea8 1d.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190919/7e55d7ab523e17ac1909a2d1b51ccd 71.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190919/8c85a11a6141b261bfd3a8165e14f8 5f.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[blazen71]

It's a used car. No matter how mint or perfect a seller says the car is, you're going to have to fix a few things. Fix what is needed and enjoy!

[MotorCity]

It's a used car. No matter how mint or perfect a seller says the car is, you're going to have to fix a few things. Fix what is needed and enjoy!

Yeah I expect that with any used car. Of course it’s nice when a seller is honest (not saying that he wasn’t but guess I’ll find out) so that u can have a heads up.

Something that scared me is he sent me a pic of the oil saying to look how clean it is 2 days ago and today I got a notification on mycarfax which is different from carfax that must he had just got an oil change that day. I paid for he car yesterday. So today it had me thinking why did he do an oil change right before he sold it to me

I’m not trying to assume anything. The gentleman honestly seamed to be honest and he was very nice all along. He even had asked if there was someone I can have come look at it when we had first started talking about the car.

Before this I had located 2 crown Vic lx sports out of state and both people would not even talk to me thinking I was a scammer. That was frustrating


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Dragcity]

Nice looking car man. Take that scratch to a good custom shop. They will make it disappear. Some of those guys have mad skilz.

[kirk]

Congratulations! I'm sure you will enjoy it.

[Invective]

I never pay for a car sight unseen. I bought a bank check and sent images to the seller after we agreed on a price. Car was in Michigan - I drove there and put my hands on it before I handed over the check. He was the second owner and a collector - car was immaculate as advertised. Car was/is immaculate and now I'm being told the trunk lid isn't original- still not disappointed. Carfax showing no accidents. Keep us informed.

https://i.imgur.com/kpgwkuil.jpg

[Mr. Man]

Door scrapes look like they are from inconsideate people who just swing their door open in parking spaces and don't care what's next too them. They might polish out. Take it to a good detailer and see what they can do. Car looks good other wise. How old are the tires?

[MotorCity]

Nice DTR.

I was told front tires are newer and rear are still decent. Rear brakes recently done as well.

Carfax showed it was in a transmission shop in June so I got a hold of the owner at the trans shop and he was able to look up he records and stated the they changed out a solenoid on the transmission and fluid change.

This will be my third vehicle bought sight unseen. I even wired the money. My bank advised me not too. They thought I was crazy but my gut told me this man is honest.

My last marauder was bought sight unseen as well. It had a lot of underbody rust but the seller was also very honest if u ask me. I kept that for about 8 months and sold it for exactly what I paid for it

I bought a 2004 Tahoe once from California as well but that was a car lot. It was very clean but the suspension needed some work that the seller claimed was all good.

So yes definitely a gamble without seeing and driving obviously because any problem can be hidden. Major or minor


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Peace2Peep]

A fun gamble...looks like you're coming up aces so far! Enjoy!

[MotorCity]

Right on. For some reason it is fun lol.

Bet I won’t be saying that with a knocking engine though

With the information I’ve provided and pics, how much would u guys pay for this car sight unseen?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Dragcity]

Too hard a question. I have one since new. If I didn't have one and wanted one, $10,500. Because I have one, I would go about $7,000. Just spit balling.

FYI, I'm on the hook for a 1958 Corvette. I'm totally lost on the price to pay. All original paint. Not a hi po example. Two speed auto, but sweet car.

If it's a car you want, and can afford it, you'll be happy. That silver is a good looking car, I like that color with the light Flint. Only color it looks correct in.

[Peace2Peep]

One owner no rust no mods 76K I'd do $10,500-11,500 . I'd want a moonroof and rear spoiler for the top number.

[MotorCity]

One owner no rust no mods 76K I'd do $10,500-11,500 . I'd want a moonroof and rear spoiler for the top number.

I’ll let a few more people chime in before I tell you guys how much I paid.

I know my last one had a moonroof and spoiler. Those are great options. The spoiler gives a great sporty look.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Turbov6Bryan]

Ive bought four cars from this website. All of them have been much nicer than expected. If you can clearly view the photos and get a decent description from the owner then the car will be super sweet. Best thing about buying a Silver Birch from taxes is it gonna have no rust at all hopefully You don't you have to work on it, it's not gonna be all rusty and simple to work on..


I would clean the front radiator and get the air conditioning serviced do some suspension mods like lower bushings front and rear from the dry heat and then drive it. I paid $2000 for a wrecked one, put it back together and my dad drives it daily..

[blkdvll]

Private party I would be down lower then the above users. I would be coming in around $8500-$9500. I paid $9300 for my '04 SB with 97k from a used car dealer. Talked them down from $10,500

[MotorCity]

Private party I would be down lower then the above users. I would be coming in around $8500-$9500. I paid $9300 for my '04 SB with 97k from a used car dealer. Talked them down from $10,500

Yeah these cars are honestly all over the board.

I paid $7,100 plus $700.00 for the transportation carrier so $7,800 shipped to my door. If it’s mechanically sound then I think a pretty decent deal or maybe good deal with the mileage and being a one owner car and I believe it really was the wife’s car because it was also titled in her name so I’m pretty sure this women did not abuse this car like her husband mentioned

I paid 6,900 shipped to my door for the last 2004 SB that I had bought from Massachusetts. That was in August of 2018. That one had 112k miles. It had a super clean interior though and also had a few options this one does not with the heated seats, moonroof and spoiler. Only con was that was underbody rust was pretty bad and also some surface rust starting to attack the inner doors but the body and paint was still beautiful. I got lots of compliments on it. I ended up having 8,000 grand into it after adding some flowmasters and some other maintenance then I ended up selling it for 8,000 to break even In late May. I had regret selling it ever since.

I just found this one on eBay. One owner 107k miles. Asking 9,600

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2004-Mercury-Marauder-/362757510159


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[blkdvll]

Yeah these cars are honestly all over the board.

I paid $7,100 plus $700.00 for the transportation carrier so $7,800 shipped to my door. If it’s mechanically sound then I think a pretty decent deal or maybe good deal with the mileage and being a one owner car and I believe it really was the wife’s car because it was also titled in her name so I’m pretty sure this women did not abuse this car like her husband mentioned

I paid 6,900 shipped to my door for the last 2004 SB that I had bought from Massachusetts. That was in August of 2018. That one had 112k miles. It had a super clean interior though and also had a few options this one does not with the heated seats, moonroof and spoiler. Only con was that was underbody rust was pretty bad and also some surface rust starting to attack the inner doors but the body and paint was still beautiful. I got lots of compliments on it. I ended up having 8,000 grand into it after adding some flowmasters and some other maintenance then I ended up selling it for 8,000 to break even In late May. I had regret selling it ever since.

I just found this one on eBay. One owner 107k miles. Asking 9,600

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2004-Mercury-Marauder-/362757510159


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I would agree heavily with the "all over the board", but that's what happens when you have a late model limited production vehicles, especially ones that are abstract.

[Gryphonzus]

Looks and sounds like you got a fair deal especially if it runs. Which I imagine it does. I believe he showed you the oil dipstick to show that he did indeed just change the oil so you would have thing less to worry about. Good luck with your new ride!

[Dragcity]

Nicely done!

[Turbov6Bryan]

The $9600.00 silver birch marauder on eBay, I private messaged him on eBay when he had it priced at $9999.99 buy it now $12,9999.99,... he mentioned in his ad his was priced that high because of the other silver birch was set to $15,999.99 with 90k....

I mentioned to him that the seller of the 3 highest priced Marauders on eBay have not sold in over a year. I think they are coming up for sale at 2 years soon... he is a smart man, quickly lowered the price to a somewhat reasonable price...
In the next few weeks I'll have my insurance check from totaling out my DTR, I keep telling myself I don't need another silver birch marauder....

[blazen71]

I keep telling myself I don't need another silver birch marauder....

Yes, you do.

[sailsmen]

Being 15 years old the conditions of the Marauders will vary dramatically and so will the "value".

[PDMarauder]

Nice man, Ive had one in the family since 2006 and never got to play with it till now. Starting to learn the different things to do with it. Have fun and good luck with it!

[Chi Stallion]

You did good that’s a sweet price. Also alota Marauder owners are genuine and truthful when it comes to these cars. Sometimes that’s hard to find.

[88LTDCV351]

I remember buying my 88 Crown Vic police car on ebay maybe 10 years ago. Not quite "site unseen" since there was good photos but I did pay before I had my brother and Dad pick it up for me. Car gave me many years of good service. Still have it but it had the diaphram on the VV carb go bad which I struggled to find a mechanic that could tune a good carb on it.

[Peace2Peep]

Looks like you did really well my friend! A good car is worth a "shot in the shade" (you weren't completely in the dark after all!). Looking forward to your hi res pics and then your upgrade list!