Semi-F-uped Marauder on Ebay...

[woaface]

On first pass there are a few things off: The CD player in the dash isn't stock, the truck-lining is roughly destroyed, the protective caps on the bolts to the front seats are gone, the floormats are gone and the carpet could use a cleaning. It appears to be an 04 with the dash board clock gone but the carfax he tells me says other wise and he was EXTREMELY persistent on it being an 03.

Here's a Link! (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2003-MERCURY-MARAUDER-CHROME-LEATHER-NO-RESERVE-CLEAN_W0QQitemZ4618404287QQcat egoryZ6882QQssPageNameZWDVWQQr dZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

I called the dealer and their response is:

"The back is wrinkled a little, so what? Car didn't come with floor mats, I can go pick some up for you for $10 at wal-mart. It's an 03 NOT an 04. The raido? I'll look into that. You can order a spare tire yourself from Mercury...Car looks and drives GREAT by the way!"

Peter is his name and he was a royal PITA.

-James

[RR|Suki]

build date looks to be 1/03... 300B looks like... also, could of been a recovery or a flood car and the insides got mixed up

[TripleTransAm]

On first pass there are a few things off: The CD player in the dash isn't stock, the truck-lining is roughly destroyed, the protective caps on the bolts to the front seats are gone, the floormats are gone and the carpet could use a cleaning. It appears to be an 04 with the dash board clock gone but the carfax he tells me says other wise and he was EXTREMELY persistent on it being an 03.

The subwoofer and amp are missing.

No big deal about the protective caps, they are easy to lose. My MM#2 doesn't have them on the passenger's side, I'd have to check the driver's side.

The full length roof console proves it's a 2003.

Something about the valve covers proves it's a 2003.

The build date proves it's a 2003. ;) (as does the VIN)

The trunk lining is not 'destroyed'. These linings are cheap thin carpeted things that are molded to fit into place, and until everything lines up perfectly, they will look like heck. However, one has to ask why they were displaced to begin with...
And looking at the back bumper closeup, maybe it's just the image but I get the impression the back bumper was repainted. Not that it's a big deal, but it *could* be indicative of a more serious repair.

If that's a front tire in the closeup, I think it's munched up on the outside. The factory alignment tends to munch up the insides of the tires, not the outsides. If it's a rear tire... uh oh.

[KillJoy]

+1 for a Flood Car

KillJoy

[TripleTransAm]

+1 for a Flood Car

At least it got a good thorough soaking. :lol:

So is there a way to track down the vehicle history (say, by OASIS) to see where it was sold and mostly operated? If it's from a flood prone area, then that would be a -1 against it.

[RF Overlord]

and he was EXTREMELY persistent on it being an 03Looking at the VIN and the tire pressures, it IS an 03. For 04, they changed the tire pressure to 35 lbs; the door sticker on this one says 32.

[jdando]

Here is the link to the carfax...

http://www.carfax.com/cfm/ccc_DisplayHistoryRpt.cfm?part ner=CRD_1&vin=2MEHM75V73X667012#OakVehic leHistoryDetails

Looks like it has got around a bit.

jeremy

[MAD-3R]

I say flood. There is rust on the drivers front seat bolts

[woaface]

I agree with the flooding and I can see that it's an 03 but where the hell is the dash clock(?) is what I'm asking...

There seems to be some severe creasing in the trunk liner...you could put it all back but it would still have that damn crease. Iron it? Whatever. I'd put a new one in, there seems to be a cover up here and when you get the car you'd find a lot more stuff wrong upon decent inspection.

[TripleTransAm]

I say flood. There is rust on the drivers front seat bolts

There is rust on the driver's front seat bolts on both my MMs, and I can assure you at least one of them has not been in a flood (and most likely the other as well). C'mon, it's a Ford... I should take a photo of some of the bolts and fasteners on the engine of my MM#1, that only saw 3 months of winter total in its lifetime.

[TripleTransAm]

Here is the link to the carfax...
http://www.carfax.com/cfm/ccc_DisplayHistoryRpt.cfm?part ner=CRD_1&vin=2MEHM75V73X667012#OakVehic leHistoryDetails


Hmmm. Right rear collision repair... :) If there's one thing I know, it's black cars.:beatnik:



And looking at the back bumper closeup, maybe it's just the image but I get the impression the back bumper was repainted. Not that it's a big deal, but it *could* be indicative of a more serious repair.

[fastblackmerc]

Take a good look at the pic from the back seat looking at the steering wheel? Does that steering wheel look like it's a a greater angle than most? My wheel isn't that cocked...... Apparently very little wear on the front seats. Might be a good racing MM......

[jdando]

More "interesting" points about this MM

http://carad.ebayimg.com/i8/05/a/06/2c/8e/36_4.JPG

What does that little button/led do? Or what did it use to do :eek:? Who has a theory?

jeremy

[Blackened300a]

More "interesting" points about this MM

http://carad.ebayimg.com/i8/05/a/06/2c/8e/36_4.JPG

What does that little button/led do? Or what did it use to do :eek:? Who has a theory?

jeremy

Nitrous Purge switch??
Linelock??
Alarm Valet??
Passenger ejection seat??
Train Horn Button??

Chances are it was for a alarm but you never know!

[Rob1559]

That is either a torque button or warp drive engager. The back seat is also wrinkled. That is one dirty ass MM.

[jgc61sr2002]

Could be a flood car.
Definitely built 1/03 the serial # is approximately 100 before mine.

[jaywish]

Hi All,

My guess is this is a typical used car. 60K, couple of problems. I'd sure want to look at it before I bought it or have it inspected. Especially since it is a limited production performance vehicle. Could be a great way to marauder for less.

I bet it had a nice aftermarket stereo and sub installed in there. The owner (or a worker) removed it after the car was sold. This would account for the missing factory sub and the crinkled trunk liner. Maybe the head end is good quality? I don't know the models.

As far as the little led. (I think it is an led). Probably an alarm. I didn't see any remote fobs in the pics so I couldn't use that as a guide.

Some used cars are just plain used, no major story.

I wonder how the paint is? It is a 300B so the paint could be good.

Jay

Just a side bar, I remember once I bought a theft & recovery VW GTI. I thought the funniest part was they took the alarm system along with the usual other parts.

[jakdad]

Lots of flood vehicles from the Gulf coast are showing up now. They can't sell'em in the South.

[Vortex]

Id do the checks for flood damage but really, for maybe 9.5k not a bad deal.

[sabtaj1]

I agree on hit in the rear. Chicago is shady when it comes to cars. The hit would explain the creasing in the trunk liner. was probably bought before insurance could get their hands on it to total it out. I bought a car in chicag. I totally checked it out it was flawless the carfax was perfect. well I sold it 2 years ago and I work at the sheriffs dept here at home. I got a call from state police a year ago asking about the car. He came to my work along with NICB and FBI in reference to the car I sold. Ya well the car was stolen and pieced together with stolen parts and had fake vintags. At this point I pooed my pants. Feelin sorry for the guy that bought it from me becouse they seized it. Well now I have to go to chicago and testify in federal court against the mob guys that were running the shop. Hope I dont get shot. LOL. ya never know. I suggest going to see it before you buy. but then again the car I bought was flawless. Those guys were very skilled. good luck!! just thought I would share.

[alarmguy]

That's a Ford radio/cassette/CD just like the one in my wife's 2001 Escape. They're crap. The LED displays have a bad habit of not working.

[jaywish]

Well, they probably took the sub and the radio.

What matters is the motor/tranny and the paint.

That was pretty scarry about having owned and sold a hot one like that.

They are out there.

Wonder if the body tag numbers match on this one. Easy enough to check.

Jay

[jimlam56]

As some of y'all know, I'm looking...
But I passed on this one, too many red flags.

[RCSignals]

I agree with the flooding and I can see that it's an 03 but where the hell is the dash clock(?) is what I'm asking...

There seems to be some severe creasing in the trunk liner...you could put it all back but it would still have that damn crease. Iron it? Whatever. I'd put a new one in, there seems to be a cover up here and when you get the car you'd find a lot more stuff wrong upon decent inspection.


Only early production '03 300Bs had the dash clock. After around Nov '02 it disappeared.

There seems to be two different trunk liners used. A heavier weight dark grey, and a lighter weight black.

[RCSignals]

There is rust on the driver's front seat bolts on both my MMs, and I can assure you at least one of them has not been in a flood (and most likely the other as well). C'mon, it's a Ford... I should take a photo of some of the bolts and fasteners on the engine of my MM#1, that only saw 3 months of winter total in its lifetime.

You live in one of the world's road salt use capitols. Rust is a fact of life, and most older vehicles that are there are 'imported' from less rust prone areas.
It's a testament to the anti-corrosion efforts of automakers that any vehicle there lasts 3 years without dissolving first!

[woaface]

So punk ass kid buys Marauder because it's pimp, racks up a ***** load of miles, installs a bumpin' stereo system and rips out the spare and the head unit which are either lost, sold, stolen, damaged or all of the above. Kid says forget about the spare and buys the cheapest Ford head unit that will fit and while he's fiddling around one day a mob guy...no, wait...

He's at a stop light and gets bumped and all is fixed. Kid burns tires left and right all the time so the dealer buys new ones (they said they spent a lot installing new tires) and he washes it every week or two and waxes it every once in a while thinking he's taking care of it but neglects the carpets inside. I wonder if it smells like ciggaretts or marajuana?

Kid gets bored or runs into debt or gets bored of running into debt and sells the thing, running off with all of his goods first. Now he's driving some ghetto ass impala or a civic.

[Rider90]

Too funny, I work across the street. I can actually see the building I work at in the pictures.

[woaface]

You gotta check it out...get a good whiff of the inside and tell me if it wreaks of febreeze trying to cover something up:)

Have a chat with "Peter" and show him a real classy Marauder:D

[TripleTransAm]

So punk ass kid buys Marauder because it's pimp, racks up a ***** load of miles, installs a bumpin' stereo system and rips out the spare and the head unit which are either lost, sold, stolen, damaged or all of the above. Kid says forget about the spare and buys the cheapest Ford head unit that will fit and while he's fiddling around one day a mob guy...no, wait...

jeez...
What is your opinion of folks on here who've ripped their MMs apart and replaced a whole bunch of stuff with aftermarket? How about all those who've upgraded their stereos and sold off the original parts to help finance the upgrade? If they ever decide to sell the car and decide to keep the aftermarket stuff without re-purchasing all the original stuff, they become punk ass kids?

And rear end accidents... they happen. People get rear ended while completely stopped on a highway in traffic by dumbass real estate agents in silver Honda Accord 4 doors who were yapping on their cell phones without paying attention to the road in front of them. Do a search on here, you'll see the photos of the scratched and gouged bumper. The CARFAX report on this eBay car states minor damage. Am I therefore a Marijuana smoker?

Buy that MM if you want to, if you don't then move on.
For Christ's sake, it's $9000!!!! What are you expecting?

Edit: the ground is wet, hence the wet mess down on the driver's side floor. The seats look perfectly good to me, especially considering the mileage on the car. Same goes for the rest of the carpets.

$9000... :shake: and I thought I had unrealistic expectations....

[woaface]

I was trying to make up a story that would explain the state of the car.

It had humorous intentions, that was all. Not to mention there are 3 days left in the auction. E-bay auctions often jump up dramatically in the final days and hours. This one may not but don't be supprised

[Breadfan]

If it sold for 10k it's a good deal. I personally like the 300Bs, then again I'm sorta biased. ;)

No clock is correct - most 300B's do NOT have the clock. I don't mind that one bit, got enough clocks already, one in the radio, one on my cell phone, one on my blackberry, on on my wrist, and the one in my head that is always off. ;)

Really if it's not a flood car, for 10k in price it'd be a really good deal. I can explain away most everything but the thought of a flood car is real.

The radio and missing sub indicates an aftermarket system that was removed and the OEM components were missing. To fudge it, they grabbed a cheaper ford unit off Ebay or something and popped it in.

The trunk liner could be mis-shapen and wrinked by being removed during aftermarket sub/amp installation. Why the spare is missing though is beyond me. It'd be a donut spare anyway, not like it's a full size worth selling...

Paint on a few areas of the rear bumper look like they have orange peel indicating a rear hit and repaint, but hard to tell from pics alone. Getting to see the car upclose would show that for sure, hard to hide overspray especially if the paint isn't perfect you know they didn't take the time to mask EVERYTHING perfect. ;)

If the seller decided so they could've sold off some of the parts. Head unit, sub/amp combo, those will fit in other panthers. (I gave my OEM sub/amp to my friend who has a '98 lincoln town car and he's using them.) The floormats might we worth a buck or two on Ebay as well.

So hard to judge - but I do agree with the assessments, I'd be wary.

If the price stayed at 9-10k though it'd be worth really looking closely at. Would hate to pluck that cash down on a total lemon but if it's just neglect wear-and-tear you could get a very cheap MM that just needs a caring home.

[RCSignals]

jeez...
What is your opinion of folks on here who've ripped their MMs apart and replaced a whole bunch of stuff with aftermarket? How about all those who've upgraded their stereos and sold off the original parts to help finance the upgrade? If they ever decide to sell the car and decide to keep the aftermarket stuff without re-purchasing all the original stuff, they become punk ass kids?

And rear end accidents... they happen. People get rear ended while completely stopped on a highway in traffic by dumbass real estate agents in silver Honda Accord 4 doors who were yapping on their cell phones without paying attention to the road in front of them. Do a search on here, you'll see the photos of the scratched and gouged bumper. The CARFAX report on this eBay car states minor damage. Am I therefore a Marijuana smoker?

Buy that MM if you want to, if you don't then move on.
For Christ's sake, it's $9000!!!! What are you expecting?

Edit: the ground is wet, hence the wet mess down on the driver's side floor. The seats look perfectly good to me, especially considering the mileage on the car. Same goes for the rest of the carpets.

$9000... :shake: and I thought I had unrealistic expectations....


Funny stuff!

But yes, $9K wouldn't be all that bad.........

[SergntMac]

There seems to be two different trunk liners used. A heavier weight dark grey, and a lighter weight black. This is true, but no difference in weight. I have the light gray in my #1x (300A) and black in my #3 (300B) and they seem to be of equal quality.

[RCSignals]

This is true, but no difference in weight. I have the light gray in my #1x (300A) and black in my #3 (300B) and they seem to be of equal quality.

Intersting. The ones I've seen seemed a different weight. The quality of the 'flocking' or 'carpet' or whatever it is seemed a little better on the grey as well.