2004 Marauder Order guide - NOT the draft

[RCSignals]

2004 Marauder Order Guide (https://web.msslib2.dealerconnection.c om/RightSite/getcontent/myfile.pdf?DMW_OBJECTID=09000c 588038e459)

[RF Overlord]

Interesting...

It says the order code is 300A...
It says there's a stand-alone clock...
It says the sound system is "new for this model year"...
...and Toreador Red apparently replaces Pearl Blue

[Logan]

I wouldn't be surprised if the reason the stereo is marked as new is that the head unit's most likely been replaced with a 6-disc in-dash instead of the rear mounted changer...

[merc406]

Red will probly make it look like a fire engine, to much car for red.

[martyo]

Originally posted by merc406
too much car for red.

Is it going to be "Gimmeaticket Red"?

[Thomas C Potter]

damn, glad i bought my blue mm now!! thanx for posting. Would not this car look superb in dark cherry??

[RF Overlord]

Actually, Dark Toreador Red is not at all like a fire engine...it's closer to a maroon, or like Thomas C Potter said, a dark cherry (no, not the kind of cherry you put on a sundae, a REAL cherry).

[RoyLPita]

"M79" model code use to be for the Grand Marquis LS Colony Park Wagon ('88-'91).

[RCSignals]

it's "300A" because it's the first version for 2004. It resets for each model year.

In addition to the "standalone clock" also notice it states "SEAT-map pockets in front seat backs and seat cushions"
Probably an error by someone just revising the old 2003 order guide, but we'll see I guess.

In the draft guide, it looked like there was a downgraded base stereo, to the same stereo as used in the CV/GM, making the "audiophile sound system with subwoofer and 100 watt amplifier" optional. although it was listed as having "equalisation"

it looks like the optional 6-disk CD is still trunk mounted, not the integrated in dash system

[jgc61sr2002]

If Blue is not available for 2004 then the 2003 Blue MM will the the rarest of them all. John

[SergntMac]

Originally posted by jgc61sr2002
If Blue is not available for 2004 then the 2003 Blue MM will the the rarest of them all. John

That certainly a possibility right now, but we won't know it for sure until the very last MM is sold.

I'm also wondering what the dealers will do with the pricing. Can't see them offering any incentives on the '04, until all '03s are out the door.

[jgc61sr2002]

Sarge - FMC offered rebates on the 300B when many dealers had numerous 300A's in stock and still do. John

[SergntMac]

Originally posted by jgc61sr2002
Sarge - FMC offered rebates on the 300B when many dealers had numerous 300A's in stock and still do. John

I see your point, but I think it may be a different story when the model year changes. It's only us, here, who know of a difference between A and B in '03. I don't think Edmunds, Kelly's, State farm or Geico will ask us "a or b?" It's an '03, and that will be valued at X dollars less than the '04, when the '04 arrives.

To be honest, I don't know what to expect, but I believe the model year will have more significance than any A/B designation in pricing.

BTW, now that the frame is a M79 code in the VIN, I wonder if there will be any chance this will be Marauder specific? Anyone?

There is another thread here about VINs, just caused me to think of that now.

[TripleTransAm]

Originally posted by SergntMac

To be honest, I don't know what to expect, but I believe the model year will have more significance than any A/B designation in pricing.


I think Sarge is on the money (no pun intended) with this comment. It also makes me wonder: if dealers saw themselves in a sticky situation when it came to moving MMs at sticker price for 2003, how can they expect to suddenly sell what is essentially the same car for 2004 without the same sorts of rebates or discounted pricing that helped move some of the 2003s?

If sticker prices remain as they were in 2003, I'm sure dealers will be smacking their foreheads and swearing not to get stuck with another car that'll sit on their lots for 4-5 months or more before factory incentives and increased pressure to move stock result in the eventual 'way below sticker' sales. This may have the effect of scaring away some dealers from ordering any showroom stock.

I casually mentioned the possibility of my dealer stocking another MM anytime soon, when I dropped by for a service visit on Thursday. After some uncomfortable shuffling of feet and nervous smiles, it was kind of clear to me they won't want to be stocking another one in the near future. My car had been sitting in their showroom since mid Feb and I bought it at the very end of March, and being a small dealership I'm sure they had been expecting more interest in the car. To them, a 'specialty' car is a Mustang convertible... they can't afford 2 image cars taking up space in their very small showroom.

I think the ball is in Ford/Mercury's court. If they maintain the high sticker price, the results will be worse sales for 2004, and the eventual death of the line. :( If they actively attempt to re-orient the price to something more attractive for the market, the result may be some p*ssed off 2003 customers that paid full sticker in 2003 but it may help continue the recent sales momentum brought on by the lowered prices.

[RCSignals]

Originally posted by SergntMac

BTW, now that the frame is a M79 code in the VIN, I wonder if there will be any chance this will be Marauder specific? Anyone?



The M79 is certainly now Marauder specific, not Grand Marquis LS like M75 is. It would make sense to use sequential production numbers now, but it may not be likely.

[RCSignals]

Originally posted by TripleTransAm
I think Sarge is on the money (no pun intended) with this comment. It also makes me wonder: if dealers saw themselves in a sticky situation when it came to moving MMs at sticker price for 2003, how can they expect to suddenly sell what is essentially the same car for 2004 without the same sorts of rebates or discounted pricing that helped move some of the 2003s?



First year Impala SS sales weren't exactly earth shattering, at not a lot over 6,000. I've heard stories of Chev dealers being "stuck" with left over Impalas as well. What did GM do?

Does anyone know what the total '03 MM production is so far? We know sales are now over 4100.

Silver seems to be good for sales, but I don't have any figures.
Red may be good as well.
Some guys still seem to be waiting for a supercharger. Maybe when they see the '04 doesn't have one there will be another bump in sales?

It's going to be interesting to see what unfolds

[B-26]

The May issue of national auto research used car guide is out and the Marauder is in it for the first time. We took a beating.The news isn't good as far as resell.

[RCSignals]

yes B-26 but what is it based on? Averages at dealer auctions for used cars? The chrystal ball?
Prices offered for them used by dealers so far have been drawn from out of a hat.
Since I'm not planning on selling soon, I'm not too worried at this point.

[Racerx88]

Food for thought.

[cyled]

Still cracks me up... "Nudo Leather"...


Makes you wonder if somebody tried it out in the nude? The naked man/woman just before sitting down in their Marauder...

"Wonder what these seats feel like in the nude .....Ohhhhhhhhhhh"

IF YOU ALREADY KNOW.. I DON'T WANT TO HEAR ABOUT IT!!! :lol:

Hey just work with me here....

[TripleTransAm]

Originally posted by cyled
Still cracks me up... "Nudo Leather"...


Any if you replace the Mercury God of Speed head embossed on the seating surfaces with the likeness of a latin mid 80's teeny-bopper boy band, you could call it Menudo Leather.

[russ in VA]

Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for a manufacturer not only to offer incentives on the new model year vehicles even though the dealers still stuck with the old ones on the lot .... but also to DISCONTINUE the incentives on the old cars and ONLY put the incentives on the current production vehicles. I've seen it happen with both Chrysler and Toyota products, though I have no first hand knowledge of Ford's practices I would not expect it to be any different. That said, they will probably keep the incentives on the 03's for a while even once the 04's come out ... but don't expect it to last until the 03's are gone. I have seen dealers "buy" the cars themselves while the incentives are still in play so they don't get stuck selling them without the help of incentives. Depending on how the play the paper game, they might even sell these brand new cars as "used" once they have cashed in the rebates! Customers are not the only ones who can get scr*wed ... dealers can get the short end of the stick from the manufacturer too!

[Directedby]

Ford announced on Blue Oval News that the new F-150 will be released with incentives to help launch the new model.

Wonder how they will get rid of the 2003's??

[RCSignals]

I didn't think Ford ever announced anything on BON.

"Incentives" seem to be what people look for these days when buying

[RCSignals]

Job #1 for the '04 Crown Victoria is 28 July '03 So I'd think the job #1 for the Marauder would be the same or close.

[vaderv]

Toreador red is what we call strawberry. Sadly its not the arrest me red that I love.

[RCSignals]

it's not the old Toreador red. This new version is darker.
Racerx88's picture looks like it's based on the Matador red, but it gives an idea of what a Red Marauder might look like