Question about steering

[Cartman]

Hello. I have been admiring MM's for some time now. I like the CV and PI model but of course the MM more. Anyway, no dealerships around me have one of these cars :( I took a 2005 CV LX Sport for a drive though which I liked quite a lot, but with one gripe. I am used to a car with a very direct feel in the steering. It's like it's got some weight to it which makes me feel as if I am really the one steering. In the CV I drove, I feel like I'm steering a sailboat or something. It's very light with no feedback. I'm wondering if this is what the steering in the MM is like? I also wanted to know if this is also how the steering feels in a P71 CV?

I'm pretty set on either a CV Sport or a MM but it was a letdown to feel the feathery steering :(

[Constable]

My Marauder feels just like my CVPI... except the suspension is firmer and it's got balls.

The MM has variable assist, so it's light when you're driving slow and tight when you're haulin arse. I ran into a problem with my car where they had to replace the solenoid and, eventually, the rack. The steering was real tight at low speeds and WAY loose at high speeds... made the car real tough to handle. Maybe the car you test drove had some kinda problem like mine did? Who knows. I can say that the MM steering is, in no way, "feathery".

BTW: welcome to our site... and my car's for sale... buy it!

[BillyGman]

I'm pretty set on either a CV Sport or a MM but it was a letdown to feel the feathery steering :(
If you're "set" on a CV, or an MM, then it's a no brainer to choose the MM. As for your primary question, I have no idea what you're talking about. I mean no sarcasm by that. I've put 24K miles on my Marauder, and I'm very content with how it steers. But even though it handles pretty good for being a big car, if you're comparing it to a much lighter car such as a late model Mustang, then I'm sure that the MM will always feel different to drive no matter what you do to it because of the greater amount of vehicle weight.

[Cartman]

if you're comparing it to a much lighter car such as a late model Mustang, then I'm sure that the MM will always feel different to drive no matter what you do to it because of the greater amount of vehicle weight.
I didn't mind at all the way the Lx Sport I drove handled it's just that the steering wheel felt like almost nothing. Of course I am comparing it to a very different car - the car I drive now. I drive a '99 328i BMW and it gives me a very 'connected' feeling to road when I turn and such. The CV was way different. Now I the fastest I went in the CV was 60 but the steering felt the same at that speed as it did around town. I didn't take any corners at speed due to the fact that it was raining at the time but I plan to take it out again on a sunny day.

Now Constable, a quick question, do you have a sunroof? Now an important question is coming up. I've seen your car on this board and ebay and on another used auto site. I like your car a lot but the trouble is I'm on the opposite coast of you where we have the strict laws. Kooks are long-tubes so obviously the cats are not in the original place so I couldn't even register that car even if the cats still cleaned up the exhaust to California-smog specifications. Which sucks for me because it would have been cool to have a car with a lot of work already done to it *sigh*

[BillyGman]

I think that might explain it....the Beemer 328i is much lighter than an MM, no? You are aware that an MM as well as a CV weigh about 4,200 LBS w/out the driver, right?

[Rider90]

Drain the power steering fluid resevoir, that should give you some more road feedback...

[Cartman]

I think that might explain it....the Beemer 328i is much lighter than an MM, no? You are aware that an MM as well as a CV weigh about 4,200 LBS w/out the driver, right?
Well I thought they were 4057 but that's not the point. It's not like a car of the same weight as my car couldn't have very light steering as well but it so happens mine is direct and responsive. All I really need is someone to compare the steering of the Lx Sport and MM. I was going to ask at the Ford dealer if the police models have the same steering box. I understand this is not a CV forum but the fact is I don't know of any dealerships with 'rauders so what I've done is found a comparable car and now I'm just asking for comparisons. I guess I might as well slip in my question for the dealership which is does anyone know if the steering in the P71's is the same?

[BillyGman]

Well I thought they were 4057 but that's not the point. It's not like a car of the same weight as my car couldn't have very light steering as well but it so happens mine is direct and responsive.
Sorry that I couldn't be of more help to you. I guess I'm really not quite getting exactly what you're talking about, and I think it's because this might be one of those things that's just difficult to describe, and it has to be compared by drving the two or three cars in question for a revealing comparisant. I also had a 94 Grand Marquis which ofcourse is of the same platform, however, I've never driven a beemer since they're just not my cup of tea. If yiu lived in CT, then I'd offer to let you drive my MM.

Perhaps someone else will weigh in here who can be of more help to you. BTW, I drove on the scale at the dragstrip in Englishtown, NJ while I was racing there last year, and my car with a half tank of gasoline, and me sitting inside it (I weigh 205 LBS) it tipped the scale at 4,444 LBS. So because gasoline weighs about 5 LBS per gallon, and there being 9 gallons of it in the tank at the time, then I know for a fact that Marauders do weigh 4,200 LBS. ;)

[wsmylie]

Cartman... I rented a base model 05 Merc GM for about five weeks starting in mid December and drove the car from Florida to Cleveland and Chicago then back home again. I noticed as soon as I started driving the GM the "mushy", disconnected feeling of the steering you are speaking about compared to the firm/connected feel when driving my 04 MM. Although I'm not sure of the exact reasons for this drastic difference in steering feel between the two, I suspect it has something to do with the lower grade tires and suspension components etc on the base GM. Hope this helps..BILL

[Bradley G]

I almost made the same mistake you may.The only thing the Marauder resembles of it's sisters is they look similar.If you drive a Marauder you will never buy a CV or GMQ.I was going to buy a CV sport,until I feasted my eyes on a Marauder I looked at it, and instantly said "Put a fork in me, I'm Done"A bout a week later I was an owner(Proud):beatnik: I bought the Marauder before I drove it:loco:
( I did drive it at delivery:sweat: )
So don't buy a Vic or a Grande Marque till you drive a Marauder( might need plane fare)
If the first time you drive or ride in a Marauder is after you purchace its sister(s), you will be :mad2: :banghead: :bop:
Bradley G

[Cartman]

Oh man this is great I just found a dealership that's not far away ... that has a Silver 04 MM! Tommorrow I'll call and whenever I can take a test drive will make my original inquiry pointless ;)

[Bradley G]

Let the fun begin!

Fair Warning to you;CAUTION:"This product has been known to produce a smile that does not seem to ever go away"
They hide this disclaimer from the unsuspecting public.
Bradley G

[BillyGman]

Hey, that's good news. I think you'll like the feeling of the MM better, but in it's stock form, I doubt that it will handle like your 328i did. The factory stock suspension is fine with me since I'm not into flying around turns. I prefer drag racing myself. but in general, the more tight you make a car around turns, the harder it will take the bumps also. So you cannot have both a cushy ride, and a car that handles like an Indy car. ofcourse I'm using extremes to illustrate my point, but I think you get what I'm saying. :)

[ckadiddle]

Traded in our 2001 CrownVic LX for the Marauder. CVLX rides smoother, noticeably less physical effort to turn the steering wheel, steering disconnected from the road type of feel. Like driving your living room around. Before that had a 1997 CV, the 2001 handled noticeably better than the 1997 model. The 2003 Marauder handling and performance (stock) blows the CVs away. Steering wheel takes noticeably more physical effort to turn. Steering is much more responsive - I feel more connected to the car. The Marauder does not ride as smooth over rough pavement as the CVs did - a tradeoff for the sportier suspension.

[Cartman]

but in general, the more tight you make a car around turns, the harder it will take the bumps also. So you cannot have both a cushy ride, and a car that handles like an Indy car. ofcourse I'm using extremes to illustrate my point, but I think you get what I'm saying. :)
I plan to mod the car when it is nearing the end of the warranty. At least as far as the engine goes that is. I would do some audio upgrades and possibly some suspension. I wanted to ask if you know of anyone who has tried Edelbrock IAS shocks? (I'll search after this too) They claim to provide a tight and firm ride until you get onto bumpy or rough roads in which case a valve in the shock opens up to allow more dampening. In case this is new to anyone here is a link to their site with all their info. I found them when I was sort of 'planning out' a CV ... :)

http://www.edelbrock.com/automotive/iasshock_index.html

[BillyGman]

. I wanted to ask if you know of anyone who has tried Edelbrock IAS shocks?
http://www.edelbrock.com/automotive/iasshock_index.html
There is someone on here who has done that, but I forget who it was. Perhaps Fordnut, or Cruztaker. I'm really not sure though. if they don't chime in here about that, then maybe you should send them a PM to ask them about it.

[423REED]

Oh man this is great I just found a dealership that's not far away ... that has a Silver 04 MM! Tommorrow I'll call and whenever I can take a test drive will make my original inquiry pointless ;)
CARTMAN,
I have a 2004 Marauder DTR and its handling is incredible. I've been in the GM and CV (not the Sport) and they have the old full size type of big car ride, if you know what I mean. The Marauder's cornering is unbelieveable. I mean when you consider the weight of the car it just blows your mind. Mercury really did such a wonderful job with both the front and rear suspensions, and the tires and wheels. And it still rides like a performance car, but its still not a harsh ride. The first fast corner you take, you'll be very surprised. I've owned Mustang GT's, a Thunderbird Turbo Coupe, and we also own a Taurus SHO. But the Marauder is the champion of handling. It handles like its on rails! But you still have a very high performance family sedan. I love mine! You will too.....once you take a spin in one.
Jim
__________________________
2004 MARAUDER 300A - DTR
1994 TAURUS SHO - DK GREEN

[Stocker]

You may notice a handling difference after replacing the stock tires. If you read the tire wear, traction, and temp... the traction is rated "AA"...when I bought my 91 Z28, the factory ZR50's were awsome...they growled when spun, not squeeled. After replacing with the equivelent in gatorbacks, they squeel and just don't grip like the factory tires.

I would have prefered a smoother ride in the MM. It's almost as rough as the Z, but more comfortable interior. I went from a 99 GR Marquis which I traded in for the MM. I loved the smooth ride....I'm getting old. Not that I'm getting rid of the MM...just starting.

[Donny Carlson]

I say again, I was born to the wrong parents.

[BillyGman]

I say again, I was born to the wrong parents.LOL....yeah, me too..... some guys have all the luck, uh?

[Cartman]

Drove the car. Like it a lot. Want one.

So all I need to do now is find an '04 with the correct color combo and a sunroof.

[BillyGman]

Drove the car. Like it a lot. Want one.

So all I need to do now is find an '04 with the correct color combo and a sunroof. A sunroof? Uhmm, I didn't think that there are that many Marauders around that are for sale.......so U might be getting a bit picky, no? I guess it will boil down to how badly you want one of these cars.

[Captain Steve]

If he's getting an '04 he'd have a harder time finding one without a sunroof, no?

[Constable]

Cartman: I don't have a sunroof in mine. I found that, when I drove the Monster Marauder, the sunroof took away from a lot of headroom. I'm 6'4" an need every bit of that. I also didn't like the look of the controls for the sunroof... they looked generic to me. didn't fit with the rest of the interior theme.