agonizing

[ditchbanger]

HELP! I am in the market for a car and I love the marauder. Actually I want a cobra but a 10, 7 and a newborn on the way I am stuck with a 4 door version. Problem is my wife, she does not like the marauder. Thinks it looks like a pimps car. I want it for it's size as much as for its appeal. I am a not happy about the car being discontinued already and my local dealer has had one since september. We have driven it, seemed soft off the line, but one the revs get up it boogies, handles and is quiet inside. We also like the lincoln ls, although it is 5k sticker more for a V8 car.

So hopefully someone can give me some reasons and advice on influencing the wife on this one. If it was completely up to me I'd say silver birch anyone?

[MI2QWK4U]

How about its a safe family car?! It's one of the last solid fullsized cars left out there with a 5 star crash rating. My wife was 6 months pregnant when we looked at the Marauder, she liked the safety features and actually made the comment that the Marauder "felt" solid compared to the Intrepid she drove a while back. So I didn't really have to sell her on it. We recently turned in a blazer on a lease and got a new Impala LS Sport instead, and even though its the biggest sedan that chevy makes anymore, the Marauder is light years ahead of the Impala in feel and safety. Another approach is insurance rates. When we insured the Marauder, our agent was suprised at the rate, said it was one of the lowest for the 2003's out, and it is less than our 2003 Impala. And that was based partially on safety features. And as for the Lincoln LS, my Dealership uses the LS for loaners. I drove one for a couple of days and hated it. I couldn't wait to get the Marauder back. Told the service manager to grab one of those 12 Marauders sitting on the lot and use it for the loaner when a real Marauder owner drops his off for service.....he just kinda looked at me funny....go figure.
Good luck.

[dok]

When the Marauder first came out, my wife didn't like it either. She said that she didn't want another black car. Chapel1 posted some pictures of a silver Marauder that was on display at the Chicago auto show in the photo gallery (under events). I printed out the pictures onto glossy 8x10 photo paper and showed them to her. She said "that's sharp"!

Next day we ordered a silver Marauder. :bounce:

[RCSignals]

ditchbanger, it is probably the safest car on the road there is for the money .

Also, there is nothing official about the MT article on the end of the Marauder

[Beadhead]

Another reason: many of the FMC techs on FlateRateTech.com appear to agree that the Panther platform cars are the most reliable and trouble-free of all Ford cars. Their ability to stand up to greater than normal use (abuse?) is one reason they're so popular as police vehicles and taxis.

[RCSignals]

Beadhead is correct. I've seen them say it is the most reliable and dependable vehicle ford makes

[Slowpoke]

we've got our first child due in less than 2 months and we bought one! big and safe. wife did not like it at first but now likes it very much!

[Bigdogjim]

ditchbanger: Welcome! Can not tell by your location (blank) where you are? Marauder's are around. In the Phila. metro there are about 20+ sitting on dealer lots with rebates or 0%! What a deal! I agree the looks can turn some off. My wife also does not care for the MM. When I first brought one by the house she walked out side took one look and said "ugly" and walked away. Needless to said I bought the car. She now refers to it as the "banana boat" You have a great sell to the wife on safety and ROOM. If you intend to take any type of trip with the kids you will very happy with the Marauder. It is "soft" off the line. For a little money you can fix that problem.
Big Dog:)

[Mike M]

Any chance you can get rid of your wife??? At least smack her around a bit until she sees things your way??? Just a thought.

[B-26]

Since you are asking for advice I say GET THE CAR! It is a fine car. Most of us have modified a little but you don't have to do that. It is a good car from the start. I have had more looks than any car I have ever owned and that includes the Vettes. Driving is fun again. My wife loves it. She enjoys the Mustangs who jump her on the way to and from work everyday. They get a big surprise when the light changes.

[mad man]

Does it make you happy. I had a mustang gt ragtop in 2000 it to was black and i hated it after 2 mouths no room hard ride just did not feel safe the marauder goes like the mustang but everything feels great this will be a car that will be sought after some day:cool:

[CRUZTAKER]

Bigger is better...........buy them both. I did!

[ditchbanger]

Thanks for all the replies, I sure didn't expect this. I just quickly registered, I am from Willmar MN, anyone drive theirs in the snow? He also offered me it at invoice of 32K before rebates, 34,500 no rebates back in early november. Some of the prices I have seen here are 27-28K, I assume that is after rebate right? I would have to finance so what would a good outright price be with the 0%? I asked the salesman about silver, he didn't believe any other color was available until he checked his computer and found 3 dealers in Chicago with blue on the lot. I had to needled him "it's pretty bad when the customer knows more than the salesman". Must be quite a few here from the windy city from the users I have noticed on the site.

I completely agree on the safety issue. As far as performance, I have a 393W in a 2800lb 79 mustang so anything seems soft off the line. I really did like the pull from 30-90, I am sure the torque converter and power sucking transmission are the reasons for the lack of low end. Just tell me that the marauder will beat a chrysler 300M, my brother owns one and I"d hate to see his taillights. I know the CV's are reliable, but they don't have 4V heads or aluminum blocks.

Back in early Nov., I had her sold on it when we drove it, ever see that commercial where I think the Volkswagon keeps getting bigger on the guys head? That was me, she was so tired of hearing about it she told me to just buy it. Now that time has passed she seems to be holding ground. But with prices and the interest down I am glad I waited.

[Mark McQuaide]

There are some easy mods that will get rid of that softness off the line. That 27-28k includes the rebate, which is $4k now I think. Best thing to do is forego for Ford financing and max out the rebate. You can get a great interest rate from a bank anyway.

Here's what you do - start to focus on another car that she REALLY hates. Then compromise on the 'Rauder. :D :D :D

[ditchbanger]

"Here's what you do - start to focus on another car that she REALLY hates. Then compromise on the 'Rauder. "

I like that idea! Does pontiac still make that Aztek, in yellow?:help:

[RF Overlord]

Originally posted by ditchbanger
Does pontiac still make that Aztek, in yellow?:help:

A yellow Aztek?! ARRRRRR! MY EYES!!! :eek: Almost as bad as the green Buick Rendezvous.... :down: :puke:

[jgc61sr2002]

Ditchbanger - Don't forget the MM and it's cousins GM and CV are the only full size cars with a perimeter frame. All the others have unibody construction. Another factor for lower insurance are the side airbags. The insurance on my MM is less than for that my 2000GM. Welcome aboard and hope to see you soon in the MM. John:up:

[ditchbanger]

I just hope the marauder isn't a flash in the pan. I believe if the marauder had the cobra engine and the 35K sticker FMC would be getting sticker price today.

Now chevrolet has the new SS with 6.0 and 430/430 hp/tq and doesn't dodge have a charger RT with the hemi truck engine coming out. Both front engine rear drive platforms and 4 doors, just when things get interesting I hope FMC doesn't get out of it.

[gonzo50]

Big, roomy family sedan with outstanding safety features and a 5 star safety rating, the highest in it's class. Comfortable on long hauls, with excellent highway manners. Power on tap when needed for effortless passing and outstanding fuel economy for a car of this size. The insurance rates are great for a high performance 302 hp sedan. A must have car for the performance enthusiast.

[vaderv]

Ditchbanger< the only diff between a Maurader and the front wheel drive I traded in on it in the snow is that you have to be gentle taking off. It stops better due to more weight. It handles the snow fine as long as you take it easy like you should in any car. It will fishtail around corners if ya want it to. The traction lock rear axle really makes a difference. Don't let some of these guys scare ya, remeber we got a lot of southerners here. ; )

[Billatpro]

I am a little surprised at the general attitudes about this car being "BIG".

We as consumers have become so adjusted to what automakers have been calling full size cars these days that most of us have forgottin what "full size" once meant!

I really don't see this car as "BIG" and yes I know by comparison it is but not if you compare it with cars of the 60's and 70's! I think it's a perfect balance.

We drove every thing out there before buying the MM, My wife loved the looks but baulked at the price tag of the MM. After driving every thing else (and she drove them all too) it was a hands down "NO Brainer" we bought the MM and never looked back!

[RCSignals]

Originally posted by ditchbanger

Now chevrolet has the new SS with 6.0 and 430/430 hp/tq and doesn't dodge have a charger RT with the hemi truck engine coming out. Both front engine rear drive platforms and 4 doors,

Just what new SS would that be from Chevrolet?
Same with a charger R/T with the "new" Hemi

Neither GM nor Chrysler have confirmed either of those vehicles. As far as I can tell they are mostly magazine writer wishful thinking. In fact I have read quoted from GM that it will be at least until 2010 before a RWD passenger car will be seen from Chevrolet, if even then

The only RWD passenger vehicle from DCX that seems confirmed is that "crossover" style Station Wagon

[ditchbanger]

Just not southerners, shoot most people around home won't consider a rear drive car. We used to have a 95 dodge 2500 conversion van. I would dare any minivan other than a awd aerostar to try and leave me from a stoplight in some snow.

I am gonna wait for the silver birch, Amy already is softening up. I took her to the dealer and showed her an aviator with the silver birch and she likes the color. In 2 weeks the MPLS auto show starts, hopefully they have the silver there.

I like the black and if it was me I'd probably just take the one off the lot. That could be one reason the MM have not sold so well. FMC has alot of nice colors available. I think white pealescent, mineral grey or even toreador or lazer red wouldn't look to bad. People like more than one choice.

[RCSignals]

ditchbanger
I agree about colours. While i think Black is best, if Ford had introduced a palette of specially selected colours for the Marauder say six months into production, they'd be selling more.

The original plan was to introduce a new "limited time" colour every six months, with an annual special edition. Nice in theory, but not a good plan IMO