Buy an '03 or '04?

[Marauder2005]

Hello my name is Mike and im new to the site. I drive a '99 Crown Victoria but am in the market to buy a Marauder this winter or spring, Im sorry if this question has been asked a million times im not to good at navigating around this site just yet so I applogize. But, is there any major diffrences between the 2003 and the 2004 MM? Or is it just a carry over? Thanks for any in-put.
-Mike

[FiveO]

Welcome Mike! :up:

Just a few things that I do know...

Early 2003 models had many extras...full size spare, under hood light, map pockets on the front of the two front seats, in dash clock...

Late 2003's also had other colors....Blue (very rare, only 328 made) and Silver. 2004 models saw black, silver and a new DTR (Dark Toreador Red).

In 2004 they decontented....no map pockets, no in dash clock, baby spare, no under hood light...few other things.

On the traction control....I believe that the early 2003's did not have TC...but the later models did. My 2004 has TC.

Good luck with your choice!

[jstevens]

2004 has beefed up transmission, dual knock sensors

[RoyLPita]

Welcome aboard. Look through the threads to see what could make up your mind. Also, if you have a MM or any other Ford product in mind, don't hesitate to PM me with the VIN so I could run it on Ford's OASIS database.

[jgc61sr2002]

Mike - Welcome to the site. The choice is yours. Good luck :D

[Svashtar]

Mike, I've only been here a few weeks and am by no means an expert, but I just bought an '03 Marauder. I went looking originally for an '04 because I had heard about the tranny enhancement for '04, and the fact that it had traction control, but I found an '03 that had been sitting for a while and got a great deal on it. The dealers want to move any '03's still on their lots, and I was able to get it for 10K under the window sticker, and this one was a later Fall '02 manufacture so it had the traction control. In fact it had eveything on it but the full sized spare, and frankly the emergency spare is fine with me and serves its purpose.

In restrospect the only thing I would have like to have had different was to have been able to locate a blue '03, but the black looks great, and has every feature I wanted. The dealer told me he would install a moonroof for $800, but I would have to cut out most of my overhead console so declined. I'd rather put that $ towards gears and a chip upgrade and a few other goodies.

If you can get a good deal on an '04 then go for it, but there are some fantastic deals on the '03's right now, and there is nothing wrong with them. BTW, if you do get an '03 have the dealer change the oil and probably the tranny fluid before you take delivery. The car has been sitting on the lot for over a year at this point, and as I learned just last week from all the guys on this list, there has been condensation in the crank case and the oil will not be what you would want to use to break in the car. The salesman told me it was fine, but the service manager changed it without a peep as he knew my info was correct.

Good luck!

Norm

[Patrick]

Mike - Welcome to the site. The choice is yours. Good luck :D

Yes Welcome to the site. 03 or o4 as long its a MM! You cant go wrong!!!

[2005Marauder]

I've owned both years. Had the '03 for 16 months and 20,000 miles. I've
had the '04 for 8 months. 24 months of pure driving pleasure.

Get the '04.

[frdwrnch]

2004 has beefed up transmission, dual knock sensors

The dual knock sensors allow you to run a more aggressive tune or computer calibration. The transmission improvements provide a little better shift points and durability. Go w/2004. But I love my 300a.

[Marauder2005]

Thanks guys for all you friendly responces and feedback. It made a diffrence. I will not buy the car till spring, but your help is greatly appreciated. Once again thank you
-Mike

[William B]

The 2004 also has dual knock sensors and there has been some tranny tweeking.