One Year Data Point Today

[jonroe]

For those who care to keep track, I have owned my 04 DTR for exactly one year today. Drove it home last October 22, starting with 12 miles on it. Today there are 16,900 miles on it as I use it as an almost every day driver.

So far, knock on wood, I have NO complaints about this car. I've read other typical problems noted on these boards and the only one that's gotten me so far is the flickering heated seat button light. I haven't fixed it yet. Also, I had a front end squeak that turned out to be the hood latch which I fixed. Honestly, nothing else. Steering is great, tires seem to be wearing okay, no blue smoke in the morning, etc. I hope it keeps going strong.

Just thought another one year anniversary data point would be useful.

Jon

[2003DOHC]

For those who care to keep track, I have owned my 04 DTR for exactly one year today. Drove it home last October 22, starting with 12 miles on it. Today there are 16,900 miles on it as I use it as an almost every day driver.

So far, knock on wood, I have NO complaints about this car. I've read other typical problems noted on these boards and the only one that's gotten me so far is the flickering heated seat button light. I haven't fixed it yet. Also, I had a front end squeak that turned out to be the hood latch which I fixed. Honestly, nothing else. Steering is great, tires seem to be wearing okay, no blue smoke in the morning, etc. I hope it keeps going strong.

Just thought another one year anniversary data point would be useful.

Jon

Thanks for the update. I have had my 03 almost 19 months with no major problems to report. Moisture in the rh headlight replaced under warranty. Most enjoyable car I have ever owned. :D

[Bluerauder]

For those who care to keep track, I have owned my 04 DTR for exactly one year today.
:congrats: Congratulations, Jon !!! It gets even better in the 2nd year. I'm just starting year number 3. :up:

[jonroe]

Thanks, Charlie! I'm ready for year two. I just ordered the replacement gauges from Wes. Waiting to get them to put in over the next couple of weeks. Then, NOT looking forward to winter driving.

Jon

[Bigdogjim]

Congrats:up: I am into year 3 as of 9/28/02 29,500 miles.

More fun then I ever had:):):)

[423REED]

For those who care to keep track, I have owned my 04 DTR for exactly one year today. Drove it home last October 22, starting with 12 miles on it. Today there are 16,900 miles on it as I use it as an almost every day driver.

So far, knock on wood, I have NO complaints about this car. I've read other typical problems noted on these boards and the only one that's gotten me so far is the flickering heated seat button light. I haven't fixed it yet. Also, I had a front end squeak that turned out to be the hood latch which I fixed. Honestly, nothing else. Steering is great, tires seem to be wearing okay, no blue smoke in the morning, etc. I hope it keeps going strong.

Just thought another one year anniversary data point would be useful.

JonJONROE,
I have owned my 2004 Marauder with DTR and Light Flynt interior trim for 17 months now, since June 5th of 2004. I also have had excellent luck, so far, with the quality. I'm either very lucky, or my Marauder was built on the right day! I've had absolutely no quality problems of any kind with my Marauder, at 8400 miles. I like to think that Lincoln-Mercury paid close attention to all of the quality issues related to the 2003 models, and fixed them with 2004 model year. I just continue to drive my Marauder every day and enjoy it emmensely! My only regret is that I haven't been able have the Trilogy supercharger installed yet. I had the rear decklid spoiler installed, and that turned out really good. But coming up with the S/C dough is a tough nut to crack. As great a performance car as the Marauder is, I can see where it will greatly benefit from the S/C installation. I think about this every day. Best wishes to you for continued good luck with your Marauder!
Jim
__________________________
2004 MARAUDER 300A - DTR
1994 TAURUS SHO - DK GREEN

[jonroe]

Jim,

Thanks! I've thought about the S/C a bit myself since I have an S/C TBird as well. I'm just not sure about blowing the warrantee yet and taking on all the risk as well as raising the dough. Good luck.

Jon

[Cheeseheadbob]

Jon, hope to see you at the meet on Saturday in that town where they had some sort of civil war skirmish. My '03 was one of the first off the line, probably made on the first day, and I have close to 60K on the clock. It is the tightest car I have ever driven, with the exception of the occasional squeak from the dash. Other than that, I romp on it every day and make sure I get her up to 6500 rpm to blow any of that engine gunk out!:D As one of our petroleum giants used to say, Happy Motoring!
Jim,

Thanks! I've thought about the S/C a bit myself since I have an S/C TBird as well. I'm just not sure about blowing the warrantee yet and taking on all the risk as well as raising the dough. Good luck.

Jon

[jonroe]

Bob,

Sorry, won't be making it this Saturday. Last weekend was taken by working my daughter's birthday so this weekend I'm putting in my new gauges from Wes! I can't wait to get them in and see some real oil pressure readings.

I'll get back to a meet soon.

Jon

[Bluerauder]

.. and the only one that's gotten me so far is the flickering heated seat button light. I haven't fixed it yet.

Jon

Jon,

Seems that my MM has also developed the flickering heated seat button on the driver's side. Don't know how long it has been doing it ... just noticed it a couple nights ago when headed out to dinner.

What was your fix on this?? New switch? I am fast approaching 36,000 miles (probably by June).

[MM2004]

Jon,

Seems that my MM has also developed the flickering heated seat button on the driver's side. Don't know how long it has been doing it ... just noticed it a couple nights ago when headed out to dinner.

What was your fix on this?? New switch? I am fast approaching 36,000 miles (probably by June).

The switch will have to be replaced. Just had my passenger side replaced about 2 months ago. The dealer ordered the part ahead of time, and took about 45 min. for the R&R. Good as new...

Mike.

[StevenJ]

Just a thought, there are significant modifications you can do that won't hurt the warranty. Under drive pulleys, SCT custom tune, Cold Air Intake kit, brake upgrades, and aftermarket mufflers won't void your warranty. Mine hit 41,700 and it runs fine. Just make sure to keep up with the regular fluid changes and you shouldn't have any problems.

[Bluerauder]

The switch will have to be replaced. Just had my passenger side replaced about 2 months ago. The dealer ordered the part ahead of time, and took about 45 min. for the R&R. Good as new...

Mike.
Thanks Mike, I'll call 'em and let know to have one on hand for the next time I am due a service.

[jonroe]

Charlie,

I haven't bothered to go in and get it fixed yet. So far I have had no reason to go to the dealer. However, I plan to go in this Spring when I hit 25K miles to get the trans flushed. Then I'll have them do the flicky switch.

StevenJ,

I do have the Lidio custom tune (which is great) and I plan to replace the mufflers this Spring too, with Borlas.

Jon

[Bluerauder]

Charlie,

I haven't bothered to go in and get it fixed yet. So far I have had no reason to go to the dealer. However, I plan to go in this Spring when I hit 25K miles to get the trans flushed. Then I'll have them do the flicky switch.

Jon
The flickering switch is more of an annoyance to me during night driving so I'll get it done on my next visit to L-M.

BTW - Trans service according to L-M is 30K miles. However, I have cut that in half based on some of the recommendations that I have heard here. Just had my 2nd tranny service at 30K. :D

[AzMarauder]

For those who care to keep track, I have owned my 04 DTR for exactly one year today. Drove it home last October 22, starting with 12 miles on it. Today there are 16,900 miles on it as I use it as an almost every day driver.

So far, knock on wood, I have NO complaints about this car. I've read other typical problems noted on these boards and the only one that's gotten me so far is the flickering heated seat button light. I haven't fixed it yet. Also, I had a front end squeak that turned out to be the hood latch which I fixed. Honestly, nothing else. Steering is great, tires seem to be wearing okay, no blue smoke in the morning, etc. I hope it keeps going strong.

Just thought another one year anniversary data point would be useful.

Jon

What did you do to fix the hood latch.. I have a squeak in the hood.. soon as I pop it and it is held by the safety catch.. no squeak...

[Bluerauder]

What did you do to fix the hood latch.. I have a squeak in the hood.. soon as I pop it and it is held by the safety catch.. no squeak...
Most folks that have had the problem just adjust the hood bumpers up or down and add a little lubricant to the latch (and/or to the tips of the hood bumpers).

More info here >>> http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=21640&highlight=hood+squeak