The Stats about Marauder

[V10_P70]

The Mercury Marauder, Ford Motor Co.'s attempt to spice up its Mercury brand with a nostalgic muscle car, has not lived up to expectations for sales so far.

Here are the stats:

http://www.autonews.com/news.cms?newsId=4438

[RCSignals]

the Marauder has lured younger buyers into Lincoln-Mercury showrooms. Philip Smoker, the Marauder's brand manager, said the average age of the car's buyers was 51

I wonder how accurate that is, considering here alone we have two owners who are 17/18, and many in their 20's/30's ?

[Menace]

40 Here.

[WolfeBros]

They hit me right over the head with it........ 51 here :rolleyes:

[V10_P70]

This post was to show how many cars have been sold so far. This is the number showing customer demand for the car.

[Smokie]

I think we are missing the point here, the MM is a unique car that appeals to a certain breed of guy or gal that knows exactly what he or she wants from a car; and that something is not found in a FWD, 3000 lbs car that humms or whines when you press the gas and is cute or practical. The MM provides a unique balance of power, comfort, handling and a presence that some may not like but few can ignore. A unique car for unique people. What more needs to be said. :beer:

[jefferson-mo]

42 here:beer:

[V10_P70]

Out of the 2910 cars sold, how many of these cars belong to members of this site and what is the general age group? Just a thought?

[Marauderman]

:up: ^^^^What he says^^^^^for sure!!!! :banana:

[SergntMac]

Told y'all about this a while ago, some of y'all got so mad, y'all called me wrong. No big deal, facts should be in print and back then. they were not. But, it's not new news, is it. Anyway, now we got dueling threads again...I love this site.

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1196&highlight=sergntmac

[Tom Kuznicki]

It 's no surprise that people are'nt buying them. The bait and switch does'nt seem to work like it used to, ****************************** ***************************** Sorry if anyone feels slighted by my comments but I truly feel I've been ripped off by Ford, through their lies and deceit.

Edited for poor choice of words.

[RF Overlord]

Originally posted by Smokie
A unique car for unique people. What more needs to be said.

...nothing.

[RCSignals]

Originally posted by Tom Kuznicki
It 's no surprise that people are'nt buying them. The bait and switch does'nt seem to work like it used to, it seems that after we purchased our vehicles, ( and loudly complained about the total lack of power ) in these cars, the smart ones backed off and let us suckers eat that s**t sandwich called old mudder, oops I mean marauder. Sorry if anyone feels slighted by my comments but I truly feel I've been ripped off by Ford, through their lies and deceit.

"total lack of power" ?


"Lies and deceit"?

Are you the guy who was beat by a Sable?

[Marauderman]

Was refering to Smokie's comments earlier on the typical MM owner--which also applies to Sarge's earlier thread input as well---it's unique alright---

The MM by now has been well identified as "not what they could have done" syndrome effect from many here and from others checking it out ( non-buyers)..but..

Like it was advertised......"..bring back the Muscle Thrill" from an actual salesman's own pre-info mag on the MM before July... not sure if any of that actually got out to the consumer or not...although I did remember reading somthing related to that actual statement months ago when hunting to buy....anyway..

It , in L/M's and Ford's mind, is a car that is suppose to give you the thrill of the old Muscle car, not necessarily give it all at once to you..and they feel they have met that accomplishment..knowing full well many of us know how to go that extra step/s to get that "all" we 're looking to enjoy...

so it may become more extinct in sell numbers than any of us could imagine...could be good for all of us..regardless of what we do to get that extra they didn't provide....

At least that's my ... .02cts worth

[bugsys03]

i dont know what you all want from a 4200 lb/4 door vehicle. i dont care if they make any more because i got mine.

[WolfeBros]

I agree with what Smokie said.

Not to flame anyone but I just don't understand how anybody can say that the car was not what they thought it was...........didn't you test drive the darn thing ? I heard the complaints of slow off the line and exhaust system too tame wayyyyyy back in June from the salesman at the first dealership I stopped in to see it. I bought in late December and knew exactly what I was going to get. So far no surprizes here.

[Mark McQuaide]

Tom, didn't you test drive the car? Didn't you check any independent reviews? Don't you surf this site? It's an enthusiast site. There must be something there to be enthusiastic about.

[V10_P70]

Who be nice if these numbers could have be done:

0-60 mph 5.7-5.9
0-100 mph 17.x
1/4 mile 14.2-14.5
top speed 160 mph

Have seen Crown Victoria with Marauder engine (275 hp) running on regular gasoline doing 141 at the Michigan State Police tests. Makes you wonder.

[Billatpro]

Well lets see, first off "I think I'm 57" as to the sales numbers, I have long thought to myself "Why is that damn ""they just arn't moving"" post still running" why is this topic so important to everyone?

Why does this matter to any of you? I could'ent care less how many they make or sell! If they don't sell or make another one of these cars again it would be fine by me, I GOT MINE.

I test drove this car 5 times under as many different cir***stances and still came away with same feeling, I love this car! end of story.

Would i like to have paid less? hell yes, i did pay less then some of you and paid more then some of you and frankly I just don't give a S**T. Would I like to have more power? lets see... well shure! would I like to have had it come with solid black leather?....Yep. Would I Like to have....... Are you getting the picture?

If you don't like the car, if they arn't selling enough of them to validate your choice, Don't buy it, don't keep it, flush it from your life and move on.

I bought this car in spite of all the "negative" press it got from the so called "Experts" who pump that Jap crap, Euro sludge and the rest. I don't regret one second I've had it.

And there is no more to say!!!

[the fat bastid]

i care because i dont have my car yet.
also, the more popular it is the more aftermarket stuff there is.
the more cars the more of fanbase too.
Right now alot of people dont even know it exists.
does sucessful = popular? to me it kinda does and i think thats important.
and some other junk like that, you know what i'm trying to say, i would type it out but i just worked 12 hours and i gotta go pass out now :)

[JohnnyB]

How can you say you got ripped off by Ford. If you drove the car before signing the deal you would have known what you were getting into.....

The MM got me to shop at a Mercury dealer. There's not much else in production today that gives you what the MM does.....

[mensrea]

Hey who cares... no matter what you drive someone wont like it. I love my car, before and after... and could care what the critics think.

Wait till they get a load of me!

[Beadhead]

Personally, I think Ford is pretty good at building performance vehicles with a balance of power, handling, style and, above all, character. Seems to me its this last trait which is missing from so many other competitors' vehicles. When you dirve a Cobra, Lightning, Focus SVT or a Marauder, it feels like driving no other car. I guess the market place doesn't seem to appreciate this quality enough to want to buy tem. Just my 2 CW.

[Mike M]

I actually love driving again. Driving to work, the store...anywhere! I have a chip and I think the performance is great and the build quality is fantastic. I can't get tired of looking at this car (the rear spoiler helps).
When I put the 4:10s in I am sure this car will be a 14.50 et car. How cool is that?, and my 3 kids have plenty of room. I normally lease Town Cars and to be truthful I was a little hesitant "stepping down" to a Marauder...hah what a fool I was for thinking that! I love this car, I love looking at it and I love tinkering with it and above all I love driving it.
I own a 10 second Pro Street Camaro-548 cu inch and I am an original owner of a 87 Buick T-type Regal Turbo that in stock trim with just a chip and sticky street radials goes 12.80. I know what a bad **** ride is and gentlemen we are driving it!!!

[Larry Vogel]

While the 03 Marauder isn't a super muscle car, it is in line with the performance of the org. 390 Marauder of 63, and not only that, it has the class and style of the org. car it's name came from. It's a beautiful and comfortable car with the handling of a performance car, and those wheels are a work of art.
It doesn't take much to make it a firebreathin dragon, and for what they want fo ricer's these days it's really quite a car.

[seabreeze]

Tom K

Smokie is right on. I am 43 and live in Dearborn, too, Tom. This car is more than what was promised, not less (and I got a 300B!). Where else can you get such a balanced safe upgradeable performance platform for the price? No where. If you have an MM and despise what it stands for, sell it and move on. There was no rip off here, just good old fashioned salesmanship with a great basic package.

[MMpridenjoy]

I totally agree with Smokie! Right on!

[SaxGuy]

I think that the Mercury Marauder is a great car, and quite a performance car for its large size. If people are so conerned with having a sports car I think they should go out and buy a Mustang Cobra, 2004 GTO, or a 2002 Camaro/TransAm. I'm not buying this car with the intention to win every race I get into, I'm getting it because its roomy, offers great protection, and Hauls A** for a car this size! Plus theres a bunch of aftermarket parts to make this car a street sleeper. Long live the 2003+ Marauder!!!!

[bchapman]

My Marauder is exactly what I was looking for. No, I don't fit the demographics, as a 43-year old woman. And, no, as a "muscle car", it won't beat my husband's 68 Shelby Mustang Cobra. And Ford probably made a few marketing errors by building a rear-wheel drive car which only came in a color that would appeal to Northern drivers. And it should've been advertised in more public forums. But I would hate to see the demise of this car due to marketing error. It really deserves a chance. I get out with it as often as possible to make sure it is seen and heard!

[Macon Marauder]

Originally posted by Tom Kuznicki
It 's no surprise that people are'nt buying them. The bait and switch does'nt seem to work like it used to, ****************************** ********************. Sorry if anyone feels slighted by my comments but I truly feel I've been ripped off by Ford, through their lies and deceit.

Y'all - please don't feed the trolls...

[schuvwj]

Originally posted by Macon Marauder
Y'all - please don't feed the trolls...

And if the nasty Sable comes back we will all be in trouble!

:help:

[mdmarauder]

I know this has been beaten to death but here goes:

I absolutely love this car and for the life of me I can't understand all the complaining about the lack of power. I work part-time at a big Ford Dealer doing their Dealer Exchanges and have driven everything. Lightnings, Mustangs, Cobras etc. Not only that but have gone through and gotten bored with more than my share of cars. This is the car I always wanted Ford to build, a 4-door, rwd, v8 car. I actually look for any excuse just to drive it. I'm not mad at Ford about the power issue. In my opinion it just suffers from poor marketing.

[TripleTransAm]

Originally posted by bchapman
But I would hate to see the demise of this car due to marketing error. It really deserves a chance. I get out with it as often as possible to make sure it is seen and heard!


I got to live through this with my Trans Am WS6. A terrific car so far, I've been on so many long distance trips for work and pleasure that it's become second-nature for me. I can literally just hop in the car and drive for 15-20 hours at a time without feeling wiped out at all.

But lack of marketing to overcome a negative image led to its demise.
Back in 1998 when the new-for-'98 style was fresh off the drawing boards, I honestly got stopped 2-3 times per DAY by people asking me what it was. So much for lack of interest. It's been a great practical car too, and feels very safe (provided you respect the power it can dish out).


So, yes, it would be a great shame to see a car platform that is supposedly this good (I have yet to test drive one, unfortunately) and I would hate to see the potential thrown away due to lack of marketing. Good sales leads to more aftermarket parts availability and lower per-unit costs on MM-specific parts, too.
Folks don't look at my WS6 as something rare now that it's not built... they only think 'failed car model', cancelled due to low interest and sales.

[Ray Snyder]

41 years old, Sure I was dispointed when I really pushed the car for the first time, But so was I when I tried that with my Impala SS back in '95, Now I have them both modified just enought to make me smile every time I drive them.

I hope they discontinue the Maruader tomorrow. Then we can watch the price go up, and peole who know what we have will be sorry they waited.

[TripleTransAm]

Originally posted by Ray Snyder
I hope they discontinue the Maruader tomorrow.


I don't. I think it's a kick-ass car and I'd like to have the opportunity to own one as I feel it's got the potential to be exactly what I need (I say "potential", because I've been shafted out of a test drive thus far, hopefully I'll find one within a week). If it turns out I can only make the purchase 4 months from now, I'd like to have that choice still available to me.

By the way, no I won't be selling any Trans Am of mine anytime soon to make room for my future Marauder. Hope that doesn't offend any of you. (yeah, I caught that reference in another thread, I wonder who THAT was directed at?:rolleyes: )

[tomd]

"didn't you test drive the darn thing ?" Now that is a good question! Why would you buy a car like this and NOT test drive it?

You tell um Billatpro! I love my Marauder also. I've owned enough cars in my life time and this is the ONLY car where I have gotten thumbs up from other drivers.

" actually love driving again. Driving to work, the store...anywhere!"
Me too Mike Mielnicki

If they stop making these cars what does that do to the resale value?$?

:D :rock: :cool4: :beer:

[MAD-3R]

Originally posted by TripleTransAm
(yeah, I caught that reference in another thread, I wonder who THAT was directed at?:rolleyes: )

Don't think that it was directed at you specifacly, but at the SS guys who hang out here. Who I might add, have always behaved themselves and have been a big help. Don't sweat it.

[Paul T. Casey]

smokie and bugsys03 got it right. MM never intended for the masses. Just a little nique that includes me. THANKS FORD

[Bigdogjim]

Smokie: Well put. This car is not for everyone. I still can not belive that any one would sign on the dotted line without doing the "homework". I have had mine for about 5 months and it still turns heads. The car is a sleeper.
Big Dog :rock:

[goomba]

I love this car!
From the talk on this site, I'm not exactly the demographic this car was aimed at - I'm 36. My friends love this car too. I'm always getting asked by them to be the one to drive, and they're all in their 20's and 30's.

I read a bunch of reviews before I went down to the dealer and I knew what I was buying. There's nothing out there that comes close in terms of features. I admit I was a little disappointed that I couldn't lay rubber from a standing start, but the MM's performance at highway speeds simply rocks. I've had mine for 4 months and I still get chills when I punch it at 60 mph and get shoved back into my seat.

Just a few weeks ago I was driving with a buddy when a newish Mustang (also with a passenger) "threw down the gauntlet" at a red light facing up a hill. The light turned green and I floored it. We were nose to nose for a whole block until I had to slow down to turn at the next corner. Considering how much lighter a Mustang is, I think that's pretty damn impressive for a 4 door sedan.

I commute 80 miles round trip every day (frequently part of that is stop and go traffic), and I can't think of another car that would make me actually look forward to getting behind the wheel. I carpool with 2 other people, and sometimes it's 3. It would be a cramped and hellish trip in most other performance or sports cars. I'm 5' 11'' and one of the other guys is 6' 3" - it just wouldn't work in something like a Mini.

I also appreciate the image that the MM broadcasts as part of the deal. I have had more than one person tell me that the car "suits me". I don't think I would have heard that if I was driving around in some other new car. I admit I like the fact that there is not a bunch of these out on the road. To date, I've only seen one other one. I work for a dot com company in the San Francisco Bay Area and I grin every time I pull into the parking lot next to all of the "status symbol" German imports and SUV's. I know most of them "just don't get it" and wonder what the hell this big black American monster is doing there.

What's that old Harley quote? "If you have to ask, you wouldn't understand."

[jes1521]

I like it. It makes a great old mans car. I always wanted a car that would move, but the family always needed what was usable. So now no family and I can enjoy it with out having to worry about how junior was driving. I could careless how many are madeor sold it could make ours more valuable later.

[Billatpro]

Hey there tripletransam, motor heads are all welcome here, I love those SS cars, always did, I like to give the SS boys a little S**t now and then because there so spoiled with all goodies on the aftermarket for them.

I guess I did not think about the aftermarket impact if Ford stops making this car, I wouldent like to see that happen.

Don't get me wrong, I don't want to see this car go away, but I'm not going to get that upset if it happens, like I said "I GOT MINE"

[RF Overlord]

Originally posted by goomba
I'm 5' 11'' and one of the other guys is 6' 3" - it just wouldn't work in something like a Mini.

Actually goomba, the Mini is surprisingly roomy, maybe not for 3 or 4, but for two, you guys would fit nicely...and the blower version (163 HP, under 2700 lbs) would be a HOOT to drive...

[goomba]

Originally posted by RF Overlord
Actually goomba, the Mini is surprisingly roomy, maybe not for 3 or 4, but for two, you guys would fit nicely...and the blower version (163 HP, under 2700 lbs) would be a HOOT to drive...

Good point. But how much leg room would the poor backseat passenger have with us "tallboys" up front?

I admit, I considered the Mini, but I when I imagined all of us piling out of it, I just couldn't the image of a bunch of circus clowns out of my head. :P

[gto69home]

38 yrs old,and all I have to say is I'm very pleased with my MM (after adding the chip & K&N). I was one of the first out of the gate back in July and have 14K on it now. Like some of the others, I drive with a smile every day averaging 70-80 mph (plus a few more when I need to make that short window pass, or remind one of those rice-burner boys what this car is all about). I'm actually pleased with the low production the first year. Hopefully they will pull black out of the mix and make ours more rare!:D

[BigBadMerc]

27 yrs old, I love my MM, I don't drive it very much though, maybe every other week I might put 8-10 miles on her and even then it kills me to put those miles on it. I'm perfectly content to just look out the window at it. I do crank it up once a week and let it warm up.

[tomd]

What! You don't keep her in a garage or covered up! :bigcry:
:D

[gto69home]

Tomd,
I assume you were speaking to me. Hey, life's too short to keep a car like this off the road. I've had my GTO conv't 22 years and have enjoyed every mile of it (had it restored back to new 2 years ago). I'll do the same w/the MM when the time comes...maybe even add a supercharger to it then. I do keep them both garaged most of the time.
Live your day driving this car, especially if you do a bunch of driving for work. It's a great sales tool as well - everyone wants "the ride" when they see it!
Jeff.;)

[Mad1]

I bought my MM one month before I turned 30.

I spent about 8 hours test driving cars one weekend after researching what I might like for about a month. The MM was the second car that I tried ... almost as a whim before I left the Mercury dealer.

Every other car that day was measured against the MM ... and failed to match the grace, comfort and power that I found in that black beauty.

[Mad1]

Has Logan or anyone thought to put a poll or survey together so we could have definite numbers to toss back to Ford?

I'm thinking of age, income bracket, etc. Feel free to toss in other ideas.

[2003Marauder]

Reason: Most guys under 30 that WANT this car have the three deadly sins: Marriage, Children, and Mortgage. My wife drives the MMM during the week and I get it on the weekends. She's out and about every day with kids, errands, shopping, etc. and almost every day tells me of some young guy that's interested in the MM. I kidded with her about if it's really the car or her that they are interested in and she told me flat out, "Believe me it 'your' car they're interested in!" Most of these are cable guys, delivery guys, guys at the cleaners, guys at the restaurants, etc. They LOVE the car but I, myself, can barely afford the payment. Most guys under 30 can barely afford a $20,000 new car. My son-in-law who is just turned 30 and all his buddies ask to take the MMM when they go out on a double date. He's already told me that the MMM will be his one day. Purchase data only shows those who can AFFORD the car not those who really WANT the car. Anyone who uses just the purchase data to bash the MM is showing either their American bias or their Ford bias. Show me a survey that asks younger guys, with a family, to pick a car in the $30,000 range that they'd LIKE to own and I'd bet the MM would be at the top!

P.S. MMM stands for the Memphis Mercury Marauder.

[bugsys03]

you are way off base on the only people that have these cars are the ones that can afford them. these cars are a bargain at 28000. i am in the home delivery business and i see what the average person in the chicago burbs drive--$40-60,000 suv's out here. they can have those gas guzzling pigs. i will just keep my black beauty bargain!

[SergntMac]

Originally posted by 2003Marauder
P.S. MMM stands for the Memphis Mercury Marauder.

Well, I'm just an old fart who's having more fun than God intended me to have at this age, so, I can't add anything here, other than to say, you need to change your screen name to Memphis Marauder. Talk to Logan, I'm sure it can be fixed.

[schuvwj]

Sarg an old fart? No way!!!!! Does an old fart like to drive a MM hard and fast but safe at the same time? No way!!!!!!
However, an old fart mite change his oil every 2000 miles and use Motocraft 5-20wt.

[Jack McKenzie]

I agree if I wanted a dragster I would have opted for the Mustang Cobra, but at my station in life it's perfect just the way I bought it. I don't want to burn off the expensive tires to impress someone, but I have definitely suprised several people from a rolling start. I have a notch in my belt for a Caddy STS & Maroon Impala SS. If a high priced BMW or other brand name can beat it too bad because just stop and think about what we are driving. 2 tons with attitude. I also agree that I'm glad I have mine and it's the first car I've wanted in a long time....
The earlier models had alot more cubic inches than this one does but I'll bet they never handled or rode as nice as this one... I'm an ex-hotrodder who had several cars that I loved but this MM puts a big smile on my face every time I look at it or drive and when some tells me it's a nice/cool car that's a bonus.... The persons who want to bad mouth this car can go out and buy one that does what they for alot more money more power to them... but don't bad mouth a fifty-something person love affair with his new Marauder...

[tbore007]

im with bugsys03. screw everyone else. i hope they dont sell any more..i like having a rare head turnier...plus the value will go up..(27 years old)

[Tom Kuznicki]

Gee, I get all these people asking if I test drove one and when I look for my answer to all of you, it's gone, nowhere to be found in this thread. Someone made the comment don't feed the trolls, seems to me that the trolls are eating answers to questions. I meant what I said about the lack of power and the lies told by Lincoln Mercury. If the trolls don't care for honest opinions, than maybe this should be called the optimists club.

[bugsys03]

tom-you should have been at del rhea's yesterday. maybe it would have rubbed off on you.

[beemer]

Originally posted by Jack McKenzie
I agree if I wanted a dragster I would have opted for the Mustang Cobra, but at my station in life it's perfect just the way I bought it. I don't want to burn off the expensive tires to impress someone, but I have definitely suprised several people from a rolling start. I have a notch in my belt for a Caddy STS & Maroon Impala SS. If a high priced BMW or other brand name can beat it too bad because just stop and think about what we are driving. 2 tons with attitude. I also agree that I'm glad I have mine and it's the first car I've wanted in a long time....
The earlier models had alot more cubic inches than this one does but I'll bet they never handled or rode as nice as this one... I'm an ex-hotrodder who had several cars that I loved but this MM puts a big smile on my face every time I look at it or drive and when some tells me it's a nice/cool car that's a bonus.... The persons who want to bad mouth this car can go out and buy one that does what they for alot more money more power to them... but don't bad mouth a fifty-something person love affair with his new Marauder...

I so much agree with your words. I had an '85 Mustang GT shell I put my own drivetrain together for.....SVO 351 Crate, tremec TKO, just about all the go fast and handling mods known I did to the car! It was a load of fun but not refined! I sold it on the net to a guy in Wisconsin. I'm a big guy, and the Mustang fit like a glove, I wasn't uncomfortable, but had that closed in feeling. LOL the bastage was fast!

I get in the Marauder, and it feels like coming home. There's enough performance to make me smile, and plenty of other guys on the road frown! All in a stealthy package that doesn't shout "look at me" to every cop I drive by.

Best to all,

Paul:D