Marauder - poof! - it's history

[gonzo50]

originally posted by Thunder Road
Giving Mercury a car like the Marauder was a lot like giving a dog a tuxedo - he might think it nice, but would have no idea what to do with it. And so for the third time in history, Ford has announced the Marauder will get a dirt nap. It will fill all current orders and then - poof! - it's history. Seems sales never came close to projections. Well, duh! The car was about $5,000 too expensive and about 50 horsepower too slow. Still, we'll miss it. Couldn't say the same for the Mercury brand if it went away. I learned to drive on a Mercury, cheered for them in NASCAR and lusted after various big-block Cougars and Cyclones, but it is time to pull an Oldsmobile on that division. Geez, they shoot horses, don't they ?
This paragraph is quoted from the July 2003 issue of Muscle Mustangs & Fast Fords Magazine I subscibe to. :bigcry::cry::depress::(:mad:

[duhtroll]

Holy crap.

Not to sound like I didn't read what you posted, but not even 2004? I thought it was 2004 then bust!!

WOW, if this is true I am glad I got one when I did!!

-A

[jgc61sr2002]

I think I'll take the wait and see approach. I don't think that there are too many Marauders on order. Most dealers in the NY area have several in stock, mostly black 300A's and a local dealer had a silver and blue in stock. John:(

[Fourth Horseman]

Ford deserves to take the big dirt nap as far as I'm concerned, but then, I'm bitter. :D

But hey, if this is true at least we got ours! I regretted missing out on the '94 - '96 Impalla SS. Glad I didn't repeat the mistake. :up:

[nexstar7]

dose that mean the car is worth more later for being rare

[MI2QWK4U]

I think I will see if Jerry from Trilogy can elaborate on this thread. He has been in contact with people at both Ford and Mercury both. In a recent post in the Trilogy forum, he had the following to say:

" 1. The Marauder is only planned to go away for 2005 and return in 2006 as a result of engineering work required for government Lev2 Evap requirements. But, we are working with Ford to see if we can keep the car in 2005.

2. I am meeting with the head of Ford Racing next week to cover a variety of items that I will share next week."

In a conversation we had on Wednesday, he was sure of at least 2004, and guardely optimistic on 2005....so this is news to me....considering that magazine must have had a deadline of how long ago? 2 weeks? a month? Which info is freshest?
Anyone?!

[Matt Johnson]

I like the fact that I can count on three fingers the times that I've seen another Marauder on the streets, and this in a city where sighting a Marinello is almost an every day occurance.

That also means that I won't have to worry about feeling "new model envy" every year.

I got my MM, now I can spend $ on the 2005 Mustang Cobra.

[Billatpro]

I learned a long time ago not believe any thing printed in any Magazine.

[MI2QWK4U]

Yep Bill....

[jrzygrl]

Well, this just means I won't have to 'lust' after the red one?.......

[MI2QWK4U]

Not so fast....dont stop lusting so easily, red will be here in the fall.

[Geo]

I would think that there would be a 2004 since the 2004 Marauder ordering guides were "PDF"ed here not too long ago.

GEO

[studio460]

From what I remember about advertising schedules for national magazines, I think editorial lead times are 60 days or more (though, I could be wrong). The writing seems a bit too casual for the editorial staff--was this quote from a reader's submission or a staff writer? If it was a reader, I would question his source. Hopefully Trilogy has the inside story and will share it here.

By the way, Automotive News has been reporting that Ford is planning a "redesign" of the CV/GMs in 2005 or 2006.*** Automotive News' "future products" table has changed a few times in past months as to both the year ('05 or '06) and extent of the redesign. Also, a recent Automotive News article I read, that I couldn't relocate on the site, I think retracted the "redesign" term and instead indicated that a more moderate restyling of the CV/GMs are expected. Nevertheless, the site's future products table still states "redesign" in '05 or '06 model year.


***[Restyling terms from Automotive News' website, autonews.com:]

"Carryover: Identical to the model sold the previous year; new colors, seating fabric may be offered.

"Freshen: Sheet metal untouched; may include new grille, fascia, headlights or taillights.

"Reskin: Minor styling changes to sheet metal; front or rear styling changed from previous year or both changed.

"Restyle: Same platform as previous year, but extensive changes to interior and exterior design; looks totally different from previous year's model.

"Redesign: New platform; new interior and exterior styling; however, engine and transmission could be carryover from previous model year."

[Patrick]

I have heard 2005 and it will also kill T-bird at the sam time! No big lose on T bird! I like it when it first came out but that fadded fairly quick! Then I saw the Beast (MM) and fell in luv!!Yes ford over priced it, underpowered her (Dennis will fix this) but just look at this forum!!!!!!!!! I wish ford would, maybe they should and they will get the idea of what the people want!!!!!!

Worth money down the road, who knows, I dont. Wont care you aint get my MM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[studio460]

Matt:

I'm with you . . . I've only seen FOUR other Marauders driving around in L.A. since the Marauder came out! And one of 'em was yours! Aside from everything else we love about these cars, that alone is the coolest reason--NOBODY HAS 'EM! Funny, I see about 5 million black Audi A4s everyday here on the way to and from work. Only seen one Audi S8! And the guy driving the S8 was eyeing my Marauder the whole time! ---[Just saw my first Audi S4 this morning (in black, ofcourse). Nice. Attractive young woman driving . . .]

[RCSignals]

A little surprising from that magazine since they have had very good reviews on the Marauder.
$5000 too much? that would mean the pricing for the whole CV/GM line would have to take a $5000 down shift. The GM Ultimate edition is more than $29,000. So is the CVLX Sport

I wouldn't put a lot of stock in it without references. Since the Marauder isn't a standalone platform, it really doesn't matter how many they sell as long as they sell what is built.
From what I gather, the Blue and Silver have spurted sales. People are walking in and ordering them.

[TAF]

Originally posted by RCSignals
Since the Marauder isn't a standalone platform, it really doesn't matter how many they sell as long as they sell what is built.

Which is why I've wanted to pose this question...Since 1st year expectations were ORIGINALLY set at units of 15-18K and we all know how short they came to those types of numbers....How many Black 300As do you think were built? Is there a back lot near St. Thomas somewhere that looks like that pic that was posted here about a year ago (I'd hate to even try and find it) with hundreds of Marauders sitting in rows?

[Marauder57]

But hey, if this is true at least we got ours! I regretted missing out on the '94 - '96 Impalla SS. Glad I didn't repeat the mistake.

AMEN BROTHER! I got my blue one 2 days ago and man am I glad.....

Funny thing I called my insurance company (think Lizard) to arrange to have the MM put on the policy so I could pick it up from the dealership and the guy on the phone said that the GM/Marauder frame/line would be discontinued after 2004. Now I don't know if that means they will do a major redesign or what...but this is what he says FMC told his company and the information was passed on for their knowledge.....

If the MM sold less than 5,000 then I guess I could see them being nixxed....but I must say there is a ton of black ones out there....the place I got my blue they had to go out and get the blue with 8 Black on the lot....Maybe I will be picking up a Black one cheap in a year......

The only hope I can see for the GM platform is that it really dominates the Cop Car market....

You know what I really love my car....so.....man that stinks.....

[RCSignals]

TAF, as far as I can gather, all Marauders produced have been shipped, so there isn't a lot full of 300As in St Thomas.

As for sales, seems the first year of the Impala SS ('94) wasn't stellar in sales either

[SergntMac]

Todd...Marty didn't get me drunk and he didn't say bad things about my Girl. But, I am at the keyboard...

Hey y'all, the last count I got on sales, was 4100 MM sold, from the opening sale June, '02, through the "end of first fiscal quarter, '03." I was also told that if LM sells 5000 MMs, the bottom line is black and the MM will be available in '04.

Ya think LM can sell another 900 MMs before August? I dunno, but considering how many new members we have seen here in the past month, I'd expect that goal could be met. Therefore, I think the '04 is a sure thing, and in red too.

Why, or even how, an insurance agent would get a lead on this 411 is a mystery to me. When I called my State Farm guy last July to get coverage on my new MM, his software was not MM aware. Once it was, in August, I got an 81 dollar refund check.

Magazines and newspapers do not make money by printing only truth. Around this time every year, predictions fly left and right. Orders wind down, overstocks get pushed, and so on. The winner of the "crystal ball" rally is really more lottery-like than we imagine, but with similar million dollar payoffs. The rags have to print something insightful, or we wouldn't (cough) trust them. Why not toss the dice over a dark horse?

Besides, we got ours, right? Who here really gives a *****, eh?

[vegasmarauder]

My insurance comapny has it in the loss acuarial for the GM. It was cheaper to insure than my 87 Monte Carlo SS. I guess all those Old people in their GM's keep the rates down. I think at the rate they have been sold and are getting destroyed, we may see a premium jump. When I first insured my 68 Shelby, they keep putting it under a "mustang." I had to go to specialty insurer.

As for the appeal, I get positive everywhere I go. They may make comments about the lack of power, but they still want one. I still enjoy mine regardless of the power (which can be fixed anyway). For the reason I bought it for, I'm satisfied.

I see more and more simularities to the Shelbys. The later small block ones were underpowered, but are the ones that still are a joy to drive.

[bchapman]

I thought police departments were starting to seriously eye the Marauder.

At any rate, the "average" consumer bases purchases on emotion, rather than research. They'll go with the "pretty one", or the "macho one", without really understanding what they're getting. They'll listen to sales hype, make an impulse buy, then two months later they're feeling disappointed and cheated because it wasn't what they expected.

I knew what I was getting. The car is perfect for me in its present form. Others on this board have tailored to Marauder to perfection for their tastes. The car is fairly priced, especially now as purchasers have decided that $28,000 is the extent they are willing to go. Really -- that ridiculous Mini Cooper is over $20,000!

The Marauder was not built to be a mass-marketed car. There are other "specialty builds" such as the Lincoln Blackwood. It is sold to only a certain market segment, but makes an eye-catching sales display.

And as you know, my husband also has a 68-1/2 Shelby Mustang Cobra 500KR. That was also only marketed as a specialty vehicle. The first year sales were so dismal that the leftovers were retagged for the following model year.

I have little faith in what the "average" consumer thinks. Caveat emptor.

[Mark McQuaide]

One thing for sure, we will find out! 2004s are right around the corner.

If they stop production it should boost our resale values and make the cars even more 'special' than they already are :D

[Marauder57]

I don't know what the deal was with my insurance guy....when I told him Marauder he says..."Oh that is just a fancy Grand Marquis"....I said it is a bit more than that....Then he starts talking about the phase out....Then he asks me what color....is it "Hot Pink"? He is lucky I was so thrilled about picking up my car I ignored his stupidity.....dude is driving a 1987 Yugo....what does he know... :mad2:

Disclaimer: The author of this post and his opinions are not reprsentative of MercuryMarauder.net nor the management or membership of the aforementioned web forum. His thoughts and views are strictly his own. No offense is meant to the many 1987 Yugo owners on this forum. :D

[TAF]

Originally posted by SergntMac
Todd...Marty didn't get me drunk and he didn't say bad things about my Girl. But, I am at the keyboard...


I knew he was too scared to do it...:D

Hope you boys had a good time, though....wish I could have joined,

[tetsu]

I for one would be happy to see them cancel it. I LOVE the Marauder, but I have mine already. There's no real benefit to me for them to continue it. The cachet will go up exponentially if they can the car, not to mention resale value.

Let's face it, our car, like many of us, is a bit of a dinosaur. I don't mind that too much as I consider it a Spinosaurus (One of the biggest and coolest dinos.)

Economic factors are already pressuring me to consider selling mine. I need a good excuse to keep it forever.

The quality on L/Ms has dropped so low I personally think that a KIA is as good or better off the assemblyline quality wise. I was comparing paintjobs between 4 Aviators and a used KIA Sportage and the KIAs paint was superior to all except the Aviator with the $4k paint upgrade package.

I love my Marauder, but I cannot say that I am a "Ford Man" given how little Ford seems to give a shyte about us. That being said, the next time I come into some cash I'm going to change my Chevy SUV for a used Excursion or Expy.

Johnny

[RF Overlord]

Originally posted by NBC Shooter


***[Restyling terms from Automotive News' website, autonews.com:]

"Carryover:
"Freshen:
"Reskin:
"Restyle:
"Redesign

OK, now can you explain the difference between "partly sunny" and "mostly cloudy"?

:lol:

[RCSignals]

then can someone explain
"rain"
"Shower"
"Drizzle"
"Sprinkle"

[Geo]

RCSignals:


In regard to 1st year Impalas (94), production numbers were low because it was really a 94.5 (1st Impala came off line Feb 14/94); it could have been a '95 at that point. Also the other reason for the low numbers in '94 was the shortage of wheel supply for the car.

GEO

[MAD-3R]

The 94-96 Impala's NEVER suffered from a lack of sales. And it wasn't advertised ether.

[deerejoe]

No shortage of MMs in Missouri...just about EVERY L/M dealer has one or two (black) units...and would love to order a 'silver or blue' for the "right" price.
Profit still reigns supreme!!

[RCSignals]

MAD-3R
I certainly don't remember much advertising for the Impalas.
then again I also don't remember magazines having nit-picky articles on them and their performance. Interesting since the performance wasn't too much different from the Marauder's, which they don't like.

I also understand that in some parts of the country Chev dealers had Impalas they couldn't move, especially black ones with the column shifter.

There is no argument GM sold a ton of them, but I'd like to know where they all are. Around here I know of three Impala SSs, all '95s, and two clones.
Was GMs distribution to dealers as ****-eyed as Ford's?

[Fourth Horseman]

Seems like Impalla sales really took off in '96, if I remember correctly. Wasn't that the first year with a floor shifter? I'm sure that and a couple of years of word getting around did the trick.

What'd be nice, and yes I know I'm dreaming here, would be for Mercury to roll out some kind of improvement in a 2005 model. Say a super charger, or something similar. That and the new colors would probably quiet all the complaints and boost sales tremendously.

I hate to see the car get the axe before it's even had a chance to get a foothold. At least Chevy gave the SS three years. So much for dreaming. :shake:

[01 Interceptor]

If the General didn't fall into the SUV craze and convert the plant to build more SUVs...who knows how long the SS would have run. It's too bad really, both cars are fun to drive, look awesome, and the best part...doing the mods!

[Marauder57]

Yes 96 was the first and only year of the floor shifter...and it was much needed...I think by far it is the 96 that is saught out by collectors...I looked at one with 453 miles on it....but elected to go with the MM. I am glad I made the choice I did. I wish I could have bought the 96 back then new....

Problem with the MM is that it is not sellling and there is not much you can do to improve it really....Now before all you mod monsters jump me....

To the average car buyer and car maker...for a 4 door sedan like the MM 302 is alot of HP...350 would be too much...it has all leather....decent stereo etc....floor shifter...good suspension...goof rims and tires....and a dependable body/frame. I don't know that there is something they could really do to improve sales but advertise it more....I have had mine 3 days and I have had at least 10 people rubber neck the car and another 10 look hard at it at least 10 or so seconds...

It would seem that the bean counters at FMC will eventually win this one....at least I got mine....but I would like to see the car do well.

[Fourth Horseman]

I think the timing of the Marauder's release didn't help it any either, what with the soft economy and all.

When times get lean people just don't feel like dropping $30K+ on a car.

[RCSignals]

Colours introduced sooner would have been a great help. Whoever decided a new colour every six months, replaced by another new colour, was wacky.
OK, so maybe just Black for the first three months, then add at least two colours right away. People seem to be going for Blue and Silver now that they are out.

Adding colours to the Impala SS line (as well as the floor shifter in '96) I'm sure boosted sales.
(I've never understood GMs affinity for column shift on their sporty and performance cars.)

[cruzer]

I've had my MM for about 45 days--during that time I have made it a point to introduce everyone I could to the car---at least 10 people took my car for a test drive (I'm crazy!!) I know I have talked to over 150 people at the shows and club meetings that didn't even know the MM existed--I am talking about affluent people driving Lexii, BMW, Caddy, Q45, etc,. I know three have bought MMs--If this is the situation nationwide--no wonder the MM has "failed" (not in my book--out of 16 performance Fords and Mercs--this is by far the best in the last 20 years) Wake-up L/M!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[RCSignals]

Exactly right cruzer. There are still car enthusiasts out there who don't know the Marauder even exists!

[JLHARVEY1]

IMHO the Marauder sales would've been a lot higher had it been marketed as a Ford and sold through Ford Dealerships. I don't think the Impala SS would've been as successful if it was marketed as a Buick Roadmaster with a different name.

Secondly, the Impala SS wasn't much faster (if any) than the Marauder. Just in it's day all the other cars were slower. In '94-'96 most cars didn't do a mid 6-low 7 0-60 time. Now many cars such as Dodge Neon's and Nissan Altima's can run do that. In '96 an Impala SS could outrun or run with most Mustang GT's. So it probably would've helped out if the MM had variable valve timing or a 5 speed auto, or both.

I do think that the option of different colors is helping out. I really wanted a Blue or a Silver one, but I got too impatient after the test drive and went with the black one on the lot.

Dispite the fact that a Nissan Altima V-6 can outrun me, I still love this car more than anything. It's the last of it's breed. And I for one love big American full frame RWD cars.

Oh, and if you want a more positve editorial containing the MM, check out Partick Bedard's column in April 2003 Car'n'Driver. Kinda funny, he usually doesn't write stuff I agree with.

[bchapman]

You're missing the point. The Marauder was never intended to be a mass-marketed car. It is a specialty car, designed to appeal to a very small percentage of the market. But more than that, it is also meant to draw the curious into the showroom, who would never, ever actually buy one, but would then buy a vehicle tailored more to their mass-appeal tastes, like the Grand Marquis, or the Sable.

[Marauder57]

Well it is hard to say if making the MM a Ford would have made is sell better.....I think you would have had to lower the price a bit for is to sell as a Ford. The SS was under $30,000 fully loaded out...maybe somewhere around $27,000 sticker....

But once FMC decided to link the car to the Marauder history it had to be a Mercury...they were looking to (IMO) create a similarity between the Imapla with its history/rebirth.

I would agree that the Marauder was never made to be a 200,000 unit a year car....not even close....but I am sure they wanted better than 5,000.

I have had a ton of people checking out my Blue MM....but only one guy saw it and knew exactly what it was....the guy who works the counter at 711 here....He saw it and said "Hey that is one of those new Maruaders..." I wish the dude had enough scratch to buy one (not being pretentious)...a guy who know his cars should be the able to get the car he wants....

[CRUZTAKER]

My local dealer sold the last '03 last week. They tell me that their particular location has no intention of recieving any more. Apparently the salesmen are complaining that with all the reductions and rebates, they make all of about $50 on the sale for their commission. It's no wonder they don't try to sell them, there is no incentive.....

[JLHARVEY1]

I'm perfectly aware that they were going for a mass-marketed vehicle, but like Marauder57 said, I'm sure they were going for more than 5000. I'm sure it was also a shot at trying to improve Mercury's image. The Impala SS wasn't a mass-marketed vehicle, but here's the figures on it....
94 6303
95 21434
96 41941

In 95 and 96 only half of them were black.... So there is a good possibility that the availablity of more colors will help the Marauder's sales. But too be honest, I could care less. I like the rarity of it. I just don't want them to pull the plug on it. In 2 or 3 years, I'd like to have to be able to replace mine with a new one.

[rumble]

Has anyone heard when the 04 will be out? July,
August, September?

[jgc61sr2002]

Originally posted by cruzer
I've had my MM for about 45 days--during that time I have made it a point to introduce everyone I could to the car---at least 10 people took my car for a test drive (I'm crazy!!) I know I have talked to over 150 people at the shows and club meetings that didn't even know the MM existed--I am talking about affluent people driving Lexii, BMW, Caddy, Q45, etc,. I know three have bought MMs--If this is the situation nationwide--no wonder the MM has "failed" (not in my book--out of 16 performance Fords and Mercs--this is by far the best in the last 20 years) Wake-up L/M!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! cruzer - You should be on the FMC payroll or at least get a commission for those sales. IMHO. John:)

[the fat bastid]

the more i think about this the more odd it is. here is my latest theroy:

mercury is trying to reinvent itself right now. the mm was a test and the first stab at edgeing up the bar. hell, it got me into a mercury showroom for the first time ever (i'm 22). sure its a fail in sales but it is a win in the 'trying to change peoples minds slowly' ideal.


but my personal reseaons that the mm doesn sell well is that people still think it sells for $35k, which is overpriced to most people and me. $30k at first would have been good. that is assuming they know it exsits at all. Also, i wish it has more power to show to dispell the 'its too damn heavy' argument.

i love my car and its plenty fast for me but alot of people just look at the numbers and dont bother driving it.

on a side note:
the 96 stealth (which is owned by a friend) has 222hp and weighs something like 3800...this car was discribed as having 'blazing acceleration' etc etc etc. but the mm acutally has a better weight to power ratio but some pass it off as slow. maybe it is the whole 'other cars got faster' thing you guys where talking about.

on another side note:
why have i seen no less then 3 people register just to post 'i read mm&ff and the mm was canned'?
trolls? grrrr...
/blather

[RCSignals]

Rumble, the '04 goes into production sometime in July, so i'd guess it will be available in September

[Geo]

Fourth Horseman:

Don't forget that the 1996 model year for the Impala was an extended production year (the opposite of the 94 which was a limited run for only a few months). GM made 96s straight through to December 1996. Technically, they could have badged half of them as 97s. This was the same tactic used for the '87 Grand National where they made them until December '87.

GEO

[RCSignals]

Weren't the '94s actually produced for 6 months? Feb to July. Even though they were essentially the same as '95s, there was still a production year cut off

[rumble]

RC, thanks for the reply. Any ideas if Mercury is going
to throw any more money to move the 03's at that time or maybe even before?

[Blue Marauder]

Seems like this thread should die too since its basically rehashing the same stuff as the RIP thread.

[Geo]

Yes RC, you're right about the 94s but the 95s were somewhat different. The green and the maroon came out, the domelight was different as were the seat belt buckles. The mirrors on the doors were different too. I also believe the stereos were different. Other than that, no difference.

GEO

[RCSignals]

rumble, from the '04 order guide, it looks like the only difference is the Red colour, and dropping of the Blue

[Logan]

Enough of this too.