300A or 300B from VIN#?

[Heavy351]

I am going to start looking at dealer inventories on the net and wanted to know is there a way to tell if a car is a 300A or 300B from just the VIN#?

I just had a dealer tell me that there was no such thing as a 300B.

I don't have the patience to explain it to them. :rolleyes:

[LincMercLover]

I don't think so... I might be wrong though. The VIN won't change until 2004. When you look through dealer inventory, most have the actual window stick you can look at, and that will tell you.

[Katmandu]

Originally posted by LincMercLover
I don't think so... I might be wrong though. The VIN won't change until 2004. When you look through dealer inventory, most have the actual window stick you can look at, and that will tell you.
Wouldn't the B-Series have higher Serial #s than the A-Series ??

One would need to know the cutoff/starting point between the (2) Series.

[RCSignals]

The 300Bs do have higher serial numbers. But the window sticker will indicate "300A" or "300B"

Anyway, if the car is equipped with Traction control, it will be a "300B"

[cyled]

Originally posted by RCSignals
The 300Bs do have higher serial numbers. But the window sticker will indicate "300A" or "300B"

Anyway, if the car is equipped with Traction control, it will be a "300B"

AND/OR heated seats (incase the forget to list one or the other on-line)

[Heavy351]

Thanks guys..

I was looking for the VIN# connection because I will not be able to see the window sticker as I won't physically visit dealerships until I know what they have (online).

I always assumed VIN#s were sequential thus knowing the first 300B # would be helpful. However, the members here represent cars that have been sold, not on the lots. Can anyone say for certian they own the first 300B?

RC Signals: Does that mean that if I search for heated seats or traction control online there is no way the car could be a 300A?

To be sure I understand, are there any 300A cars that could have factory heated seats or traction control? Trying to save some drive time.....

I intend on keeping my conversation with the salesman to an absolute minimum. Why bother with any other source? you guys are the authority.:D

[MAD-3R]

300A = NO Traction control or heated seats.
300B = Traction Control. Heated seats are an option on it, but with the avalability of aftermarket seat heaters, it is re,otly possable a dealer installed them.

[RCSignals]

Originally posted by Heavy351
Thanks guys..

I was looking for the VIN# connection because I will not be able to see the window sticker as I won't physically visit dealerships until I know what they have (online).

Actually you will. in most cases anyway. There is usually a link to view a web version of the window sticker. Click on the VIN or description of the car you are looking at on the dealers inventory list.


I always assumed VIN#s were sequential thus knowing the first 300B # would be helpful. However, the members here represent cars that have been sold, not on the lots. Can anyone say for certian they own the first 300B?

Yes, if the Marauder has Traction Control it is a 300B for certain. It will also have been made in Nov '02 or later. and 300B will be indicated on the Window sticker.
If the MM is Blue it will be a 300B


RC Signals: Does that mean that if I search for heated seats or traction control online there is no way the car could be a 300A?

To be sure I understand, are there any 300A cars that could have factory heated seats or traction control? Trying to save some drive time.....

If a car has traction control it will not be a 300A. Heated seats were not an option for a 300A but could have been dealer installed

[autolisle]

GO TO"www.mercuryvehicles.com" ,
SELECT "Dealers",
SELECT "Dealers Inventory",
Complete the 3 Steps: (1) ENTER a zip code, (2) SELECT "Mercury Marauder", and (3) SELECT "Search"
SELECT a dealer,
SELECT a specific vehicle and detailed 'vehicle description' whould appear,
SCROLL DOWN to botton left of 'vehicle description' page and SELECT icon to left of words "Window Sticker" and

******Waalaaaaa***********

COPY OF THE VEHICLE STICKER APPEARS FOR YOU TO READ, PRINT and/or DROOL OVER.....

(some dealers may not appear, steps may be out of order or missing... I trust you fellars will fiqure out the rest, as you are smart enough to own or want one yourself)

Your welcome!

[Heavy351]

Thank you autolisle, that was very helpful.

After going thru 3 different zipcodes and all the dealers within. I have only found 1 300B out of about 25 cars. This one is blue :mad:

Is there another way to search on the net for 300B cars or would it be easier to just get a dealer to "search" for one.

Are 300b's rare or something?

[jgc61sr2002]

Heavy 351 - 300b's are not rare. Most dealers in this area have a liberal supply of 300A's and are having a hard time selling them. Many dealers ordered numerous MM's when the first came out expecting to make a killing which they didn't. My dealer states they saw the trend early and only order two MM's at a time. You can search the inventory of all dealers on line. The MM's with searial #'s approx. 665000 and up are likely 300b"s. All you have to do is bring up the window stickers and the will state 300 A or B. The main difference is that 3000B's have traction control. John

[RF Overlord]

Originally posted by jgc61sr2002
The main difference is that 3000B's have traction control.

Yeah, that and all the things they're MISSING...

Heavy, unless you really NEED (or want) traction control, take a 300A...unless you want a Blue or Silver one, then it has to be a 300B...

[martyo]

Originally posted by jgc61sr2002
The main difference is that 3000B's have traction control. John


John: Did you really get a 3000B ???

[martyo]

Originally posted by Heavy351
Is there another way to search on the net for 300B cars or would it be easier to just get a dealer to "search" for one.


Heavy: Before I knew everything that I know now, I though the 300B would be the only way to go. So, I insisted that my dealer find me a 300B, which they did (about the only thing they did right, but that's a story for another thread....). I got lucky though. The dealer got me an early production 300B (built 11/04/03). As a result, the only thing decontented from mine was the full size spare. And, I got luckier still because mine has the chrome shifter (which I think looks really cool -- bling, bling and all that!!).

To tell you the truth, given the way my car is modded out, I have the TC turned off whenever I am driving the car hard.......Don't over estimate the value of the TC. Truthfully, the TC doesn't even help my car get up my snowy driveway. Bottom line is TC: it's not that big of a deal!! Focus on the price.

If I haven;t persuaded you that TC isn't all that important come buy my fully loaded and modded out 300B so I can get Paul's Performance (see May issue of Muscle Mustang and Fast Fords) to build me a car......

If I was going out to get another MM now, I would look for a 300A that has been sitting and kick the dealer's a$$ on price. In fact, I know where a few of them are now if you want to come to NY.....

[Heavy351]

The real criteria here is not the search for traction control but actually for the heated seats. The wife has been reluctant up to now (WTF! you want to spend 34K on a CAR! was the first reaction early last year). Very patiently I have been hinting, suggesting, selling, and negotiating her into believing this is a good idea. She liked the size and security of the '88 CVPI and I have been working her from that angle. If I was making the big bucks it would not be "our" decision. I am trying to sell 2 cars to keep from financing any more than 23K on the Marauder. Dealt a setback yesterday as I nailed a deer with my contour.....

Anyway, at the Pittsburgh auto show we both sat in one for about 20min. (going for the close!) When I pointed out the side airbags "wow, like a Volvo" she said and then the heated seats she was like "ooohh that would be nice" and agreed to let me sell her Geo tracker that has been in storage for two years to help pay for it all.

What I want is a sunroof, so it doesnt matter to me 300A or B but I am starting to think that I really do want the full size spare of the 300A.

Have any of you done the aftermarket heated seats? I have concerns about somebody pulling the covers off especially with the side airbags. Not to mention punching some holes somewhere for the switches. Maybe this question should be a new thread...

[jgc61sr2002]

I think Bigdog has after market heated seats. If I had the option I would get the factory seats like I did. John :)

[ron460]

Let me muddy the waters. Mine is a canadian 300A built on Oct 11 02 with mini spare, 6 cd changer, stand alone clock and traction control. Only option is a trunk organizer. And no sign of any chrome bling bling shifter stuff.

[RCSignals]

Yes, the Canadian cars weren't released until Traction control was ready, and because they are the first for that market, they are all 300As. The Canadian 300A is more like the US 300B

[PhkinQk]

Originally posted by martyo
Heavy: Before I knew everything that I know now, I though the 300B would be the only way to go. So, I insisted that my dealer find me a 300B, which they did (about the only thing they did right, but that's a story for another thread....). I got lucky though. The dealer got me an early production 300B (built 11/04/03). As a result, the only thing decontented from mine was the full size spare. And, I got luckier still because mine has the chrome shifter (which I think looks really cool -- bling, bling and all that!!).


Hey MARTYO not to be a knucklehead but unless your driving a car that's not yet built I think it was built in 11/04/02, lol.

I just got my 300A Fri night I got it for under $25k in NY Healey Bros to be exact. They have 3 or 4 more if anyone want's one. They weren't up on anything, they didn't know 300A/300B or the color option any tracton control stuuf or anything so don't worry.

And anyway I like not having T/C cause it's a pain to turn it on and off anyway, my thoughts.........the only things I like to have added are the luxury aspects they've omitted; moonroof, trip/fuel computer/seat memory for two drivers linked to clicker things like that, but I'll live for a few years and turn it in, lol.

Be cool....................:flame r:

[martyo]

Originally posted by PhkinQk
Hey MARTYO not to be a knucklehead but unless your driving a car that's not yet built I think it was built in 11/04/02, lol.



DeloreanMarauder (one of the members here in case you don't know yet) let's me get "back to the future" so mine was built in the future. I find more of the bugs were worked out that way.....


Are you from Da Bronx? Where do you keep your boat? Boats, the other place I waste my money.......

Go to Larchmont Sunroof and they'll hook you up with an ASC 'roof (my dealer had them do my install) and it looks great. Come take a look if you want, I am around the corner from you (I think).

[Bigdogjim]

Heavy351: Heated seats were installed in my 300A along with Ford's remote start/alarm..NO problems as of yet...Were in Pa. are you????If you were at the Pittsburg auto show then I assume your in Western Pa. I am in the Phila area. Dealers around me have what your looking for.. Just so you know the dealer can do a "dealer trade" and get what you want from another dealer.. I do it all the time with fleet E-350 van's from Ford delaers.. PM me and I would be glad to help.....
Big Dog

[Ken]

Originally posted by Heavy351
I always assumed VIN#s were sequential thus knowing the first 300B # would be helpful.
I work at Ford, Lorain Assembly; We DO NOT build sequential according to VIN #; units are assigned VIN #, then jobs are built according to an options mix and possibly priority (mentioned in another thread, another day). There may be a cut-off number, but possibly not, more likely a start date for the 300b.
Ken

[PhkinQk]

Originally posted by martyo
DeloreanMarauder (one of the members here in case you don't know yet) let's me get "back to the future" so mine was built in the future. I find more of the bugs were worked out that way.....

Are you from Da Bronx? Where do you keep your boat? Boats, the other place I waste my money.......

Go to Larchmont Sunroof and they'll hook you up with an ASC 'roof (my dealer had them do my install) and it looks great. Come take a look if you want, I am around the corner from you (I think).

Born and rasied along with the wife in Tuckahoe but was taken kicking and screwming to Dutchess County after our second kid, lol.

I got a price of $1200 from my dealer for the sunroof, with some of it being residualized, but they'd said the place down in New Rochelle (so close I'm assuming it was the same place) hadn't done one yet so they weren't sure how it'd go with the consol above? If they have done them then it seems it's another thing my dealer has bulled me on. :(

I would like to see any pic's of the sunroof Martyo, I may do it anyway since I've gotten so use to them, though there's so much on my plate right now, lol.

[martyo]

Phkin: OK, so I am below you (geographically that is!). I have no pics but you are still welcome to take a look. And, yes that is the same place (I guess they are actually in New Rochelle). The sticker on my door says they did it so your dealer is wrong. If you want to take a look first hand, let me know.

[DLoreanMARAUDER]

Originally posted by martyo
DeloreanMarauder (one of the members here in case you don't know yet) let's me get "back to the future" so mine was built in the future. I find more of the bugs were worked out that way.....


So thats were the Scooby Snacks in my DMC came from. only thing is my flux capacitor wire is dangling :D (i couldnt resist)

[martyo]

Originally posted by DLoreanMARAUDER
Only thing is my flux capacitor wire is dangling

Trust me, I noticed that and was worried the whole time...

[tomd]

Originally posted by Heavy351
I am going to start looking at dealer inventories on the net and wanted to know is there a way to tell if a car is a 300A or 300B from just the VIN#?

I just had a dealer tell me that there was no such thing as a 300B.

I don't have the patience to explain it to them. :rolleyes:

The reason he/she told you that there is NO such thing as a 300B is cuz they want to sell the 300A's they have in stock first! I just love car sales people!:po:
:fire:

[jefferson-mo]

Hey martyo if you got the chrome shifter bezel and knob then yours is what we call 'misbuilt'......those are CrownVic LX sport parts but if you like 'em that's cool.................:coolman:

[Katmandu]

Originally posted by PhkinQk
Born and rasied along with the wife in Tuckahoe....

Tell us you didn't marry your twin sister!! :nono: :P :P :D j/k! :P

[martyo]

Originally posted by jefferson-mo
Hey martyo if you got the chrome shifter bezel and knob then yours is what we call 'misbuilt'......those are CrownVic LX sport parts but if you like 'em that's cool.................:coolman:

Jefferson: I like to be different...just look at the motley bunch of guys I hang around here with!

I do like my shiney parts!