Marauder Owner Calling It Quits

[Marauder2005]

Well I bought my favorit car in the whole world on September 22, 2004.

It was a black 2003 Mercury Marauder w/ 6,500 miles and had my name

all over it. I almost bought a brand new 2004 but figured I would save a

little dough, but if I had bought that 2004 I might not be writing this.

She drove like a bat out of hell and looked good too, but at 11,000mi

developed blue smoke on start w/ drivers head tick. these problems...

followed...

All with-in the next 5,000mi.
-Drivers side srut
-Drivers side strut (Again w/in 8 months)
-Themostat
-Thermostat
-Themostat
-Alternator
-Alternator wiring harness
-Cooling Fans
-Lower Drivers control arm

I simply brushed it off, I love this car more then most love there mothers.

on Friday at 4:30 I had to do a co-worker a favor and pick up a seal for him

at the local Toyota dealer before I went home for the day. As I walked back

to my MM from the parts Dept. I hear my cooling fans working full

force. coolant on the ground--- I was in shock . Another blown

thermostat, I make my way home (1 mile at most). Turing her off at

every light.

I've been depressed since Friday. Saturday the 22nd I decided

to trade her in. A college student I need reliable transportation, and this

Marauder w/ 19,500 mi has been killing me. A used 2004 in my future?

Maybe, but for now I think I will just go in my garage and look at my

pride and joy, my Marauder.

Best, Mike

[Mad4Macs]

I don't even know where to begin, but without a doubt, my MM was one of the most problematic cars I've ever owned. I liked the car (or rather, I liked the idea of the car) and because of that, I put up with things that I'd never have accepted otherwise, but this should tell you something. When I traded it in for the Mustang, even my dealer was surprised that I would buy another Ford product.
We'll see how the pony shakes out, but I wouldn't even consider purchasing another Ford without ESP, and probably wouldn't keep one after the warranty had expired. If the 'Stang turns out ok, Ford is redeemed, but if not, I'm not going back again. The SHO was "Strike One", the Marauder "Strike Two", and for me to chance a #3... maybe I'm just nuts.
*rant off*

[jgc61sr2002]

Mike - Sorry to hear you had many problems with your Marauder and it has to go.:(

[rayjay]

I'm really sorry to hear that Mike. You've been one of the most enthuisastic younger owners here. Maybe a 05-06 Stang in your future?

[Fourth Horseman]

Hey Mike, sorry to hear you've got to let your Marauder go, but I certainly understand. For the first two years I owned my Marauder it was nothing but trouble. One thing after another failing. Finally it seems I crossed the hump and now things have been great for the past two years, probably because I replaced everything that was faulty from the factory. I know I presented a pretty negative image on this forum with my constant complaining back in those days, but damn it's hard to struggle with a car that's constantly letting you down. Especially one you love so much. So I understand completely where you're coming from. Good luck with your next car, and even if you get rid of your Marauder don't be a stranger around here.

[SergntMac]

Man-oh-man! I've had my share of problems owning three Marauders, but honestly, most of them were my fault to begin with in one way or another.

I have not had your experience with two '03 300As, and one '03 300B...Nothing like that, and honestly again, I'd walk away too.

Please keep hope in your heart for another Marauder someday, for the right price and with the right mileage.

It can happen, I've been very lucky with my 75+ mileage 300B.

God's speed, brother, and please keep in touch?

[n-cherok]

sorry to hear about that bro

[MarauderMark]

FORD Sure does live up to its name.
Fix
Or
Repair
Daily
Sorry to hear about your ford story.

[Marauder2005]

The bond on this site is much stronger then any car Ford could build.

I will stay here no matter what vehicle I choose. As always, thank you

for your support and care. Best to all, and there Marauders.

Sincerely,
Michael

[Skiordie53]

yeah on top on my many issues and the esp def running out by the end of this year i think mine is getting traded in on a "Spice Red" GTO.

[MENINBLK]

Sorry to hear that you've had so many problems with your Marauder.
My 2004 is about to turn 55,000 miles and the only real problem I've had
was the thermostat, and that was solved almost a year ago.
I just check the AF every month and make sure the air is bled out.

[jaywish]

Hi Pete,

What do you mean "AF" ?

Jay

[David Morton]

Tough luck man. Mine's been a peach so far, 21K and runs like new. The only real warranty concern I've had was the sub-woofer and they fixed right the first time.

Let me give you some advice since you've got a chance to buy a new car now and can have a warranty. Don't let the idea of a warranty stop you from making a few really good investments in the long term life of your car.

1) Drain the original oil at 1000 miles and replace it.
2) Drain that oil again at 2500 miles and replace it.
3) Take her in to where you bought it at 5000 miles and do the lube/oil/filter. Drop and fill the oil every 2500 in between the LOF's.
4) Do the line flush on the ATF at 12000 miles and every 25000 thereafter.
5) Replace the axle lube every 25000 miles
6) Drain and fill the coolant every year. Do not use a flush!

Following this type of routine maintenance has been the one thing in common I've found in my 30 years experience working on cars, that keeps them trouble free as much as posssible.

Fluids, fluids, fluids. It's like the realtors' creed (location, location, location) for automobile owners.

Oh, and in it's first year, go over it with a fine-toothed comb. Pick on any flaw, "trim looks bad", "carpet has wrinkle", "squeak noise coming from dash", etc. and let them fix those things when you're in for those LOF's. Most manufacturers will pay them to almost perfect the car in the first year and if do those things then, you'll be better off in the long run.

Happy motoring! :)

[RoyLPita]

Keep the MM. I would buy an extended policy just in case one of the t stat overheats caused any damage. It will be a little "piece of mind" for the future.

[Wires]

yeah on top on my many issues and the esp def running out by the end of this year i think mine is getting traded in on a "Spice Red" GTO.

I almost did exactly that.

However, the GTO had NO trunk space, and the backseat is for amputees and children. There's NO way my mom or dad or inlaws could get back there.

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE the GTO and the LS1 engine (sorry) and my Marauder had made me angry, but its a 4-door car with lots of room both inside and in the trunk with good power.

Maybe when I get my other car paid off I can supplement the Marauder, but unless it falls apart, I won't be replacing it any time soon.

[STLR FN]

Hi Pete,

What do you mean "AF" ?

JayAntiFreeze

[MENINBLK]

What do you mean "AF" ?

AntiFreeze

[MarauderMark]

AntiFreeze
Do ya know how to make anti freeze?

[MM03MOK]

Do ya know how to make anti freeze?Yeah, hide her nightgown! Yuk yuk yuk yuk!

[jimlam56]

Tough luck man. Mine's been a peach so far, 21K and runs like new. The only real warranty concern I've had was the sub-woofer and they fixed right the first time.

Let me give you some advice since you've got a chance to buy a new car now and can have a warranty. Don't let the idea of a warranty stop you from making a few really good investments in the long term life of your car.

1) Drain the original oil at 1000 miles and replace it.
2) Drain that oil again at 2500 miles and replace it.
3) Take her in to where you bought it at 5000 miles and do the lube/oil/filter. Drop and fill the oil every 2500 in between the LOF's.
4) Do the line flush on the ATF at 12000 miles and every 25000 thereafter.
5) Replace the axle lube every 25000 miles
6) Drain and fill the coolant every year. Do not use a flush!

Following this type of routine maintenance has been the one thing in common I've found in my 30 years experience working on cars, that keeps them trouble free as much as posssible.

Fluids, fluids, fluids. It's like the realtors' creed (location, location, location) for automobile owners.

Oh, and in it's first year, go over it with a fine-toothed comb. Pick on any flaw, "trim looks bad", "carpet has wrinkle", "squeak noise coming from dash", etc. and let them fix those things when you're in for those LOF's. Most manufacturers will pay them to almost perfect the car in the first year and if do those things then, you'll be better off in the long run.

Happy motoring! :)
Good advice. I have several vehicles over 200,000 miles in the family "fleet", and that's how they got there, by overmaintaining them.

[MarauderMark]

Yeah, hide her nightgown! Yuk yuk yuk yuk!
:rofl:Ah bah thee , ah bah thee , ah bah Thats all folks.:up:

[Vortech347]

Gap insurance from the bank is your friend. Get it fixed, put a helmet on and look for a nice solid 80 year oak tree. :)


Fluids, fluids, fluids. It's like the realtors' creed (location, location, location) for automobile owners.



Holy crap you spelled "Realtor" right!!

[RoyLPita]

Gap insurance from the bank is your friend. Get it fixed, put a helmet on and look for a nice solid 80 year oak tree. :)

Don't even go there.

[StevenJ]

I don't mean to offend anyone but it seems like the 300As are the ones that usually have problems. I have a 300B and my car never really had a problem except a dying car battery. I mean, it happens sometimes. Some people end up with an early run with problems, some others get one that was put together well or a later model. I don't mean to sound snobish but this is just my observation from reading the forums here. Well good luck to you.

[Fourth Horseman]

I don't mean to offend anyone but it seems like the 300As are the ones that usually have problems. I have a 300B and my car never really had a problem except a dying car battery. I mean, it happens sometimes. Some people end up with an early run with problems, some others get one that was put together well or a later model. I don't mean to sound snobish but this is just my observation from reading the forums here. Well good luck to you.

I will certainly never buy a first run of anything ever again.

[RoyLPita]

I will certainly never buy a first run of anything ever again.

My 300B needed some stuff done. I got it handled where I work. I even bought an extended warranty just in case it happens again.

[Mad4Macs]

I will certainly never buy a first run of anything ever again.

My Mustang has already been in for warranty work on the front suspension!

[Fourth Horseman]

Don't get me wrong, my car is great now. It just took two years and a whole lotta service visits to get it that way. I just think in the future I'll wait a model year or two before I buy a car. Gives them time to work out the kinks.

[Vortech347]

Don't even go there.

Its a joke. :alone:

[mtnh]

Don't get me wrong, my car is great now. It just took two years and a whole lotta service visits to get it that way. I just think in the future I'll wait a model year or two before I buy a car. Gives them time to work out the kinks.

Like this time, the kink was THE CAR! It got cancelled. I am glad I bought in july 2002... No second thoughts about it, except the price thing...had we waited 6 or 8 months, we could have saved $3-6 grand.

[Fourth Horseman]

Like this time, the kink was THE CAR! It got cancelled. I am glad I bought in july 2002... No second thoughts about it, except the price thing...had we waited 6 or 8 months, we could have saved $3-6 grand.

Yeah, I bought in June '02. I love the car, and wouldn't trade it for anything. I just wish build quality would have been higher, that's all.

[Marauder2005]

I don't mean to offend anyone but it seems like the 300As are the ones that usually have problems. I have a 300B and my car never really had a problem except a dying car battery. I mean, it happens sometimes. Some people end up with an early run with problems, some others get one that was put together well or a later model. I don't mean to sound snobish but this is just my observation from reading the forums here. Well good luck to you.

Man I agree with you completely. I have noticed not one 2004 owner

complained about drivers headtick and blue smoke start up almost every

other start. Don't get me wrong, I love this car with a passion. But

answer me this Ford, why did you change valve suppliers for the

2004 model year heads? Could it be that the old ones ticked? NA, thats

normal :rolleyes:

[StevenJ]

I haven't had any ticking problems so far but I'd call Ford customer support. I mean, there have been a few other 300A owners here who had the valve tick issue with the blue smoke and ended up needing their heads rebuilt. I'm sure if enough of you guys ban together, you can get it recalled. Any 300B owners have that issue btw? I thought I did one day but it turns out it was just condensation build up and not blue smoke thank god! :D Oh yeah, I lied a bit about the battery being the only problem. The original owner had some warranty work done to it. I believe the radiator was replaced along with a few window switches. Nothing more serious than that though.

[Ezbok58a]

These are all the reasons why I didn't get a Marauder, all the ones available to me at the time were 03 300a's. I absolutely refuse to own a first model year of any new car for the problems you have experienced. Hell I'm having some minor problems with my 04 Sport, but its mostly my screw ups it went in for. With the exception going to the leaky oil filter gasket, that's getting replaced next oilchange.

[Mad4Macs]

These are all the reasons why I didn't get a Marauder, all the ones available to me at the time were 03 300a's. I absolutely refuse to own a first model year of any new car for the problems you have experienced. Hell I'm having some minor problems with my 04 Sport, but its mostly my screw ups it went in for. With the exception going to the leaky oil filter gasket, that's getting replaced next oilchange.

Can't you see, guys, that that's the problem! Except for the trim, logo's and wheels, the Marauder wasn't the "first" of anything! The flipping engine, tranny, drivetrain, chassis... EVERYTHING, is stock, off the shelf parts, and Ford STILL couldn't make a reliable car out of it! It's a Grand Marquis tuned with stuff that Ford already had laying around, they didn't "invent" anything new for it, and it still squeeks, groans and pops after 2 years on the road (when it isn't ticking or blowing blue smoke like a 20 year old Dodge), and it isn't even painted correctly from the factory.
I loved the concept, but, for whatever reason, Ford couldn't put together a car that justified its price.
That's what hit me, after 3 years of ownership, and that's why I traded it in.

[StevenJ]

That's not entirely true. The 03's had an all new frame with an all front end and the intech motor was all new and updated at the time. It's not the same exact motor as in the 00 Cobra or the Mach 1 and it's not exactly the same as the Lincoln MKVIII. I believe the motor can only be found in the LIncoln Aviator other than the Marauder. So some issues were to be expected.

[Ezbok58a]

That's not entirely true. The 03's had an all new frame with an all front end and the intech motor was all new and updated at the time. It's not the same exact motor as in the 00 Cobra or the Mach 1 and it's not exactly the same as the Lincoln MKVIII. I believe the motor can only be found in the LIncoln Aviator other than the Marauder. So some issues were to be expected.

Exactly, 2003 was a major year in the Panther family, new frame, new suspension, new axels for the new flatter wheels. A Marauder was tops on the list when I was looking for a car, however it wasn't a 2003.

Every new vehicle or major redesign has its kinks to work out, and 03 Marauders were essentially the gunnia pigs for the next year. Granted Fords black paint is not what it used to be, I'm pretty sure the clearcoat on my roof is on its last legs, but it could also be attributed to my very crappy cleaning habits of the car, that and it's sitting around 4 days of the week (which is why I'm not even at 10,000miles after over a year of ownership).

The Marauder motor was derived from the Mach 1 as well as the 96-98 Cobra engine, however there are enough differences to make a Marauder engine unique of the other two.

This is the second Panther Car I've owned, and if something happened to this one, the replacement would be another panther platform (maybe a 04 Marauder). You guys probably got a lemon, every manufacturer has a few lemons in the fleet, its part of the car buying world.

[MarauderBoy]

From what I read even Mercedes Benz has had quite a quality control problem that has required a refocus. Maybe they're putting better coffee in their waiting rooms...

[Fourth Horseman]

I'd also like to note that while my 2003 300A had quite a few problems, they were all what I consider to be relatively minor things. Annoying? Yes. Very. But no real show stoppers. My engine and transmission have been rock solid. Not trying to excuse the problems, but at least the major systems on the car have been reliable. I've never felt like I had to worry about whether or not my car would fail me or leave me stranded somewhere.