very newbie questions...be gentle

[JSonn]

I've been searching to find some basic answers but can't seem to find straight ones...(I'm in the market for a 4 door with some balls under the hood) so real quick fellas.

does the marauder come with traction control, or a button to switch it off?

and I live in upstate NY so I need to know if they can handle the snow?

plus I am 6'3 and use a K9 everyday, so is there generous interior room as well?

Thanks for your time
~J

[mercmatt]

yes they have trac control. well the 04's do. and i wouldnt drive it in the snow. of course its got room, the same as any crown vic or grand marquis

[JSonn]

if its got trac control (all the time?) why is it not a good idea to drive it in snow?

[Cobra25]

I've been searching to find some basic answers but can't seem to find straight ones...(I'm in the market for a 4 door with some balls under the hood) so real quick fellas.

does the marauder come with traction control, or a button to switch it off?

and I live in upstate NY so I need to know if they can handle the snow?

plus I am 6'3 and use a K9 everyday, so is there generous interior room as well?

Thanks for your time
~JThe early 2003 marauders don't have traction control. The late 2003 and 2004 do have it but you have a switch to turn it off.

[CRUZTAKER]

300A models, the first of the '03 models, did not have T/C.

300B models and subsequent '04 models came with T/C and a switch to turn it off.

The MM with stock bfg tires are horribly unsafe in any snow despite what a few die hards will claim.

With a $500 tire rack snow tire package, the MM is an absolute pleasure to drive in the snow regardless of traction control, and regarDless of the amount of snow.

I had studded rear snows on mine.
It was a frigin blast running down SUV's from a stop light.:P

[Bluerauder]

I've been searching to find some basic answers but can't seem to find straight ones...(I'm in the market for a 4 door with some balls under the hood) so real quick fellas.

does the marauder come with traction control, or a button to switch it off?

The early '03 Marauders (300As) did not have traction control. Later '03s (300Bs) and the '04s did have T/C. Yes there is a button to turn it off. It is automatically in the "ON" position when you start the car.

and I live in upstate NY so I need to know if they can handle the snow?

The OEM tires are not very good in the snow. Some folks in winter states run steelies with snow tires and don't have a problem. Has similar issues as any rear wheel drive car on snow and ice. Higher power and torque aggravates the issue.

plus I am 6'3 and use a K9 everyday, so is there generous interior room as well?

It is a large sedan on the order of Grand Marquis, Crown Vics and Lincoln Town Cars. Yeah, the interior is generous and so is the trunk. I don't think you will have any trouble with headroom.

Thanks for your time
~J

My answers in Red above ^^^^. Go out and find a Marauder and give it a test drive. Or, sit in a GM or Crown Vic to test space.

[JSonn]

thanks for the help. i just want to make sure it can handle snow given the right set up. I had been looking at a 95/96 b-body Impala and those guys at the rival forum swear they are death traps come snowfall...

is there even a car out there thats a 4 door muscle and can handle winter conditions?

[Bluerauder]

....is there even a car out there thats a 4 door muscle and can handle winter conditions?
Personally, I see many more SUVs, AWDs and FWDs in ditches or in accidents during snow & ice season. I believe it is more about understanding your car and its handling conditions when the weather goes bad. That takes a certain amount of driving experience. It's just as much about the driver as it is about the car. :D

[Bigdogjim]

At 6'3" you will have room. I am 6'6" and other than removing the sun visor it's fine:rofl:

Your buddy will like the the back seat fair amount of room:)

[kj31067]

i can only comment on the interior as i dont drive mine in winter.
i m 6' 5" tall and 250 lbs and i find the interior a perfect fit. i have an 04 with adj pedals and they are always full down ,but the seats are the ****z....this car and my 97 cvpi are the only ones i ever felt truly comfortable in.............oh and by the way your sidekick will have an extra large leather couch to snooze on in the back...i'm thinking this is a win/win

[whoskal]

Personally, I see many more SUVs, AWDs and FWDs in ditches or in accidents during snow & ice season. I believe it is more about understanding your car and its handling conditions when the weather goes bad. That takes a certain amount of driving experience. It's just as much about the driver as it is about the car. :D

I agree....I think it's because people figure "hey I got 4wd I can drive just the same"........WRONG

[ckadiddle]

Yeah, all marauders come with power adjustable pedals. They move toward /away from driver several inches. Nice feature.

[CRUZTAKER]

...
is there even a car out there thats a 4 door muscle and can handle winter conditions?

I can't put this any clearer...ALL 4 door muscle cars can handle winter conditions.

WITH APPROPRIATE TIRES.


I agree....I think it's because people figure "hey I got 4wd I can drive just the same"........WRONG
Exactly why our AWD Lincoln Aviator wears blizzacks when the snow starts to accumulate in November.

[99SVT]

Personally, I see many more SUVs, AWDs and FWDs in ditches or in accidents during snow & ice season. I believe it is more about understanding your car and its handling conditions when the weather goes bad. That takes a certain amount of driving experience. It's just as much about the driver as it is about the car. :D

Yes, AWD can make you accelerate faster than most other cars, but they don't brake any quicker. Also most SUVs are HEAVY, componding the problem, just giant hockey pucks in a panic brake situation, usually while tailgating someone.

The Marauder is exellent in winter, no different than a Crown Vic once winter tires are on it.

[RoyLPita]

Welcome aboard. Any 2003 MM built with the VIN 655--- and up have t/c.

[AstroVic]

Caution: Do NOT buy a Marauder with a sunroof/moonroof!

I'm 6'02" 250lbs and my head touches the roofline in the Marauders with sunroofs, no matter how I adjust the seat (unless I lay it back gangster style).

The sunroofs eat about 2"-3" of headroom. Fortunately for us tall guys, most Marauders don't have them.

Just be forewarned!

Other than that, you'll love the comfort of the Marauders. I couldn't tell you about snow because we only get a little flurry about once every five or six years. It melts as soon as it hits the ground (but it makes the news for about two weeks solid!).

[GAMike]

Personally, I see many more SUVs, AWDs and FWDs in ditches or in accidents during snow & ice season. I believe it is more about understanding your car and its handling conditions when the weather goes bad. That takes a certain amount of driving experience. It's just as much about the driver as it is about the car. :D

100% Correct Bluerauder.......... I had a State Patrol friend of mine call the first snowfall "Audi-Dudi Time" all the smart a$$'$ bring their AWD Audi's out and try to drive them like Rally Cars and wind up in ditches as well as accidents with others.

Setting up any car for the elements you face will keep you and others around you safe. Its your responsibility as a motorist to see that your vehicle is properly prepared.

Lastly during winter months you still see alot of Police CVPI's on the road up north. That should clue you in to the capability of the vehicle when properly set up. I am sure most LEO's would like to have a summer and winter car, but budgets won't allow it. They will allow for a change of tires though.

Good luck with your choice.

[prchrman]

Remember driving on snow and you start to lose control you can do only one thing at a time...steer...brake...acceler ate...biggest issue on driving in snow...other drivers in AWD, FWD and 4WD who think they can speed for road conditions...I don't even stop for them in the ditch...after they passed me flying and then off the road they go...willie

[rayjay]

My DTR sees year round duty here in the upstate NY snow belt. Four snows on steelies and I get around just fine. The TC has saved the car twice on black ice. With leather seats you would be wise to get one of these for your K9, http://www.duluthtrading.com/search/searchresults/32006.aspx?feature=Product_1 , It works real nice for my Rotties.

[ctrlraven]

Get an MM you will love it! For winter time, slap some crown vic 16" black steel wheels on with some good snow tires and drive with common sense and you will be just fine. You will be very comfortable in the car, I'm 6'2'' 260 lbs and the seat still swallows me and I have plenty of head room.

Now go test drive one and don't even think about coming back on here and saying that you it didn't make you grin what so ever lol. I was grining from ear to ear when I test drove mine :D

4WD & AWD, is good for getting out of a ditch but when on the road and traveling it's just 2 more wheels to get you moving in the wrong directions especially on ice.

[mpearce]

Caution: Do NOT buy a Marauder with a sunroof/moonroof!

I'm 6'02" 250lbs and my head touches the roofline in the Marauders with sunroofs, no matter how I adjust the seat (unless I lay it back gangster style).

Huh? I'm 6'3" 285, and have never once had a headroom problem. I have a 2004 with a moonroof...and I love it. No issues.

If I put a helmet on...I can feel the helmet lightly touch the headliner...but thats with a helmet on!

Lastly, I do not have my seat set up "gangster style". It's completely normal, very comfortable, and I have no issues.

For any taller/larger people looking for a MM with a moonroof...headroom is no issue. Thanks.

-Mat

[RR|Suki]

all the people in here crying about the snow performance need to get a grip ... I had 440whp last year and I drove the car on stock tires in the snow all year, the only mishap I had was a truck that came into my lane and forced me off the road... If you can drive you can handle this car stock in the snow... PS I have an 03 so no trac control to boot. No flames intended, but ability to drive does not show the ability of the car :rolleyes:

[merc6]

I had BFG kd"WTF"'s on in the snow and at about 10mph coasting the car would just randomly spin out. no black ise was presesnt just melting snow. I got snow tires and only time the car broke freely is if I decided to floor it. P71 > FWD 9C1. Rain and snow they plow. LSD does wonders as long as you aren't using excessive force to climb hills.

[Blackened300a]

I'm 6'02" 250lbs and my head touches the roofline in the Marauders with sunroofs, no matter how I adjust the seat (unless I lay it back gangster style).


Lastly, I do not have my seat set up "gangster style". It's completely normal, very comfortable, and I have no issues.

:nono: You guys have it all wrong, laying back in the seat is known as "GANGSTA" or "MACKIN" not Gangster!!!
Now go back and study your Hip-hop to English dictionary.

[AstroVic]

Huh? I'm 6'3" 285, and have never once had a headroom problem. I have a 2004 with a moonroof...and I love it. No issues.

If I put a helmet on...I can feel the helmet lightly touch the headliner...but thats with a helmet on!

Lastly, I do not have my seat set up "gangster style". It's completely normal, very comfortable, and I have no issues.

For any taller/larger people looking for a MM with a moonroof...headroom is no issue. Thanks.

-Mat

I'm not trying to argue with you, but what I said in my post is 100% true. Maybe our torsos are different lengths or something. I dunno.

It was Wes' car (from Innovative Interceptors) and he was standing right there. No matter how I adjusted the seat, my head was in direct contact with the headliner - unless of course I laid the seat waayyyy back about 5 or 6 inches.

In my Marauder - with no sunroof/moonroof - I have about 1 or 2 inches of spare headroom.

*shrug*

[mpearce]

"GANGSTA" or "MACKIN"

How 'bout "PIMPIN??"

Queens huh? Those sig pics from Queens? :D

Astro...I don't know what to tell ya. Sorry you can't fit in Wes' MM.

Or...you could have a pumpkin head. :D

:pumpkin:

Happy Halloween

-Mat

[AstroVic]

Or...you could have a pumpkin head. :D

:pumpkin:


That part is true! I *do* have a big ol' melon head.

Hahahhaa...

[LUCKY GENE]

*radio problem (Lucky Gene)

[CRUZTAKER]

*radio problem (Lucky Gene) .....

Gene, I moved your post to its very own thread in the GARAGE forum.
You will get more replies in your own thread.

I nearly suggested you do it yourself, but felt this was easier in the event you were unfamiliar with thread starting.

Next time you need answers from the masses, choose a forum, and you will see a radio button to 'start a new thread'. Choose a title for your post, and ask away.

Your question is located here:
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?p=433249#post43 3249

:welcome:

[CRUZTAKER]

No flames intended, but ability to drive does not show the ability of the car :rolleyes:

For the most part, the MM is not equipped to drive in the snow.
Trust me sir, my ability does not "LACK". I used to drive with chains 6 months out of a year in Asia.

The dealer tried to tell me the same. The new owner deserves the reality, not the opinion.

BTW:

SUKI has an insanly crazy Marauder that more than likely scares snow into submission far more than the normal everyday Marauder has the capability of doing.:P

[RR|Suki]

SUKI has an insanly crazy Marauder that more than likely scares snow into submission far more than the normal everyday Marauder has the capability of doing.:P

LOL I like that one, I'm gonna use it :D