What car do you think of as our direct competition?

[jawz101]

I just wondered what everyone has though our direct competitor. Some have mentioned the Impala but I think of that more as a Crown Vic matchup.
I can see the whole FoMoCo relationship, but what about another GM: the Chrysler 300? I consider both a little more luxury and the release dates were much closer.
... besides, ever time I see a 300 I want to race.
What do you think?

[RCSignals]

I think to have a direct competitor the 'competitor' has to have been manufactured in the same period. So to me neither the Impala nor the Chrysler 300 are 'direct' competitors.

[RR|Suki]

I just wondered what everyone has though our direct competitor. Some have mentioned the Impala but I think of that more as a Crown Vic matchup.
I can see the whole FoMoCo relationship, but what about another GM: the Chrysler 300? I consider both a little more luxury and the release dates were much closer.
... besides, ever time I see a 300 I want to race.
What do you think?

well first it's not even a GM, I think you are just a little confused over all

[Blackened300a]

I would have to go with the Caddilacs as our competition. Same cubic inches, same output, 32 Valves, Almost the same weight, just FWD vs RWD and the cost factor are the only differences.

[dwasson]

Set up a survey asking everyone what they would have bought if the Marauder wasn't sold.

[Blue03]

I would have to go with the Caddilacs as our competition. Same cubic inches, same output, 32 Valves, Almost the same weight, just FWD vs RWD and the cost factor are the only differences.

I agree mostly, but really there is no direct MM competitor for its time. The FWD vs RWD is a major differentiator.
In a time warp, it would be the mid 90's SS Impalas. Just like in their time, there was no direct competitor either. Even though I like my 95 GMLS HPP daily driver, its purpose and setup was not the same as the SS or the MM.:twocents:

[Bigdogjim]

Marauder stands alone!

Best road car ever! (to date:) )

[jawz101]

Yeah.... I messed up on the GM-Chrysler association... that's what you get when you ask a coworker a quick question.

Another reason I associated us w/ Chrysler's 300 was that our car was one of the 1st throwbacks before a lot of other models started going retro.
... and at the time the 300's slight choptop made it seem like they were going a little retro too.

[Raudermaster]

The new Impala to the CV line? Please, they'll get dusted by them as much as I hate to say it. Even the LX Sport would probably get toasted by one. I agree with Blue03 though, the '94-'96 Impala SS' would be the closest match to us.

[sweetair]

I too would agree withthe Impala SS comparo. Similar size and all. Bigger motor on their side, but I'll take them all day long w/my Trilogy.:beer:

[Black_Noise]

i consider the charger R/T and the new or old impala SS to be the comp, cause they are supposed to be the high output full sized sedan, actually i cut off an R/T with my blazer today, just some friendly compition !!

[RCSignals]

The new Impala to the CV line? Please, they'll get dusted by them as much as I hate to say it. Even the LX Sport would probably get toasted by one. ............

you are basing that on actual experience?

[Drock96Marquis]

A Cadillac is not a MM competitor, the MM is not in the same class.

When the Marauder was built, it had no direct competition, it was designed to pick up buyers still hooked on the 94-96 Impala SS. So I suppose that would have been it's biggest competitor, had there not of been an 8 year lapse between :P

The 300C could have also been a competitor, also a performance sedan bordering entry-level luxury.

I don't think an SRT-8 300 would have been a competitor, it is at a much higher performance level.




our car was one of the 1st throwbacks What is throwback about an MM? :confused: THe 6 or so gods head logos that adorn the car?

[RCSignals]

... and at the time the 300's slight choptop made it seem like they were going a little retro too.

Except it's just a design trick. The top isn't low at all, the beltline is high. In fact the whole car is tall. Taller than ours.
Next to a car like ours the body of the 300 and Charger tend to look 'fat' from the bottom of the windows down.

[Bigdogjim]

What is throwback about an MM? :confused: THe 6 or so gods head logos that adorn the car?

No it is a throwback to the golden age of muscle cars. Large rear wheel drive (family) sedans with a bigger engine etc. Early marauder were built on the models of the day. Just like in '03:)
First year was '63, then '64 & '65. Returned in '69 & '70.
33 years later....'03 & '04:burnout:

[Drock96Marquis]

Alright, I agree that the concept of the MM itself; a muscle RWD sedan, is a throwback

..but I don't consider the car itself a throwbrack, or 'retro' in anyway ;)

[duhtroll]

Don't forget the gauges, solid rear, lack of "upscale" options, and mod-ability.

[jawz101]

What is throwback about an MM? :confused: THe 6 or so gods head logos that adorn the car?

It was the reintroduction of the late 60's Marauder.

You're right though, there much throwback about it... well, I would consider the silver insert in the dash something different

[LordVader]

I guess I kind of side with the majority on this one. In my mind buying the MM was a chance to get something that had four doors, had a good reliable drive train, and was rwd. The last car that fit that mold was the Impala. Didn't want to miss out this time.

[Dragcity]

I was looking at a Magnum Hemi when I was ready to buy.

The Marauder won hands down.....

The shifter in those Magnums is just plain .... UMMM.... Gay !

[Power Surge]

I don't think there is any "direct competition" for the MM. As mentioned, there was nothing in the same market when these cars were being sold. The MM is a full body muscle sedan, which was not a hot market in 03 and 04. Now, 4 door powerful sedans are all the rage, but that's mostly because there isn't much else being offered by the big three. Dodge grabbed the market when GM killed off all their RWD cars, and Ford just wasn't offering anything performance wise. I'd say the Charger and 300 would be the closest thing to a direct market comparison to the MM. But, I'd have to go with the 6.1 SRT versions, not the standard versions, because they are "performance" models of the car like the MM was a performance model of the GM.

Personally, I was very surprised when Ford came out with the MM. Ford's not usually one for building odd cars that really serve no purpose, that's mostly Dodge's forte. The MM is cool as hell, but there was really no reason for it, other than coolness, and Ford doesn't usually follow through with "cool" vehicle designs.

[Bigdogjim]

Marauder was OK'ed to help jump start Mercury. Go figure.

Look at all the new models that followed, all starting with "M"

[Dragcity]

Yeah,

The Montego followed (trhowback from the 60's)

The Marauder was the start of a Revolution, a Revolution I tell you!

[stumpy]

I too would agree withthe Impala SS comparo. Similar size and all. Bigger motor on their side, but I'll take them all day long w/my Trilogy.:beer:

You'll have that chance on Saturday Dec. 9th at Cecil County Dragway. A bunch of Impala folks will be there for a last gathering at the track before the deep freeze of Winter sets in and closes everything down. I'm sure the Trilogy cars will do well and I'd be happy to line up against you if you want a go. I'm all NA right now but I'm hoping to get a 150 shot installed by then. I'll just run you NA so that I don't embarrass you too much. I'm saving the gas for my last run because I don't have a bar yet. :burnout:

Anyone in a big RWD sedan is welcome and there will be trophies for certain classes.

****Excerted from Impala SS forum
______________________________ _
Trophies will be awarded for:

Heads up: Power adder

Heads up: All Motor

Heads up: Heads Cam/ Bolt on

Their is no weight limit! first to the finish wins!

We invite all Mauraders and Crown Vics, Show what you got!

______________________________ __________

[stumpy]

:hide: /sound of crickets chirping


:confused:

[Peter]

None, we smoked them all :burnout:

[Raudermaster]

you are basing that on actual experience?


Not basing, I know. The LXS will do the 1/4 in 16.2 seconds, the new SS does it in 14.4, and is lighter.

[Tyrone Minto]

I have a 94 IMpala SS and still drive it every month with 195k on it now.
I liked my 03 Marauder so much I bought a second one last year because I doubt they will build anything close again. Safe, comfortable, fast, fun and affordable.

[JMan]

Not basing, I know. The LXS will do the 1/4 in 16.2 seconds, the new SS does it in 14.4, and is lighter.

Alright, enough!
I have to pipe in after finding this /\/\/\ -
My all factory, stock LX Sport has thrown down 15.714 ET's and pulls 60' times of 2.223. on an 80+ degree Florida night with whupped factory Goodyear LS tires and the non-posi differential this car comes with. That was in street trim with nothing removed from the car (Fullsized spare, jack, headlamp, seats, etc.). I usually wouldn't get cranky, but a half second is a substantial difference! Comparing that to an Impala that weighs in a quarter-ton less and has a huge displacement and resulting torque advantage is ridiculous.

Just for the record, I have Eibach front springs and custom gauge overlays that are non-factory equipment. Maybe that's where I picked up the half second? Someday soon, I'll race in sub-70 degree temps with the headlamp removed and get under 15.5! Or at least I hope I will.

Sorry for the off-topic rant, just wanted to clarify!

J

[Pat]

It depends on where you live, the popularity of certain models and who drives them.
In my area of NW Louisiana, only Ford GT drivers give my car long and hard looks.

Everything else is driven by non-competitive personages.

[Drock96Marquis]

Not basing, I know. The LXS will do the 1/4 in 16.2 seconds, the new SS does it in 14.4, and is lighter.


Just curious, how did you come to know these statistics, Jarod? :P

The 2005 LX (with single exhaust) is rated at a 16.2 second 1/4 mile. Car and driver rated the LX SPort as having the same time; however, I'd imagine the dual exhaust equipped HPPs, Sports, and the faster yet (04+ PI airbox) CVPI would be a few tenths quicker.

Hell, even the 1995 Grand Marquis HPP, with the lower tq rating all-aluminum manifold and non-PI engine was rated for a 16.3 second 1/4 mile. And the much heavier 98-99 Town Car touring sedan (nPI, knock sensor, 91 octane factory (conservative) tuning, duals, 3.55s made the pass in only 16.1



I agree, comapring the LX Sport to the SS is wayyy off base and an unfair comparison at that. The SS is a complete performance package. The Sport, is as the title denotes, the LX SPort appearance package. The only performance items it boasts over the geezer-spec CV/GM is the HPP dual exhaust and 3.27 RAR. The LX SPort is also subject to very strict NVH testing, namely due to the typical buying market, which makes major perofrmance modifications out of the question. GM could give a hoot about what some blue-hair will think about the new SS :P

[quota]

I would see, possibly, the bulky 300 SRT8 or, in a different range of price, the M5 from BMW. Say possibly. Both are just the ultimate upgrade of a popular line addressing the market with V6's.
Actually, the MM stands alone with its concept and technology !

JP

[LILALLEYKATT]

After I got waxed in Atlanta by a SRT8 Magnum wagon 13.6 to my 14.1 that still had the window sticker and only 300 miles on the odo I did some lurking on some of the Dodge boys forums and a company in Texas now has a stroker kit for the 6.1 engine and it increasee displacement to 426 c.i. and has puts out over 600ft lbs of reliable streetable power...Then you add a S/C and put it in the lightest package they make which is the 300....Theres your competetion in the future...I am planning on doing this to the 1st Challenger I can get my hands on....Should be high 10's if it will hook...IMHO

[RCSignals]

.................I am planning on doing this to the 1st Challenger I can get my hands on....Should be high 10's if it will hook...IMHO

Don't forget to keep your window sticker and put it up every time you take it to the track

[RCSignals]

Alright, enough!
I have to pipe in after finding this /\/\/\ -
My all factory, stock LX Sport has thrown down 15.714 ET's and pulls 60' times of 2.223. on an 80+ degree Florida night with whupped factory Goodyear LS tires and the non-posi differential this car comes with. That was in street trim with nothing removed from the car (Fullsized spare, jack, headlamp, seats, etc.). I usually wouldn't get cranky, but a half second is a substantial difference! Comparing that to an Impala that weighs in a quarter-ton less and has a huge displacement and resulting torque advantage is ridiculous.

Just for the record, I have Eibach front springs and custom gauge overlays that are non-factory equipment. Maybe that's where I picked up the half second? Someday soon, I'll race in sub-70 degree temps with the headlamp removed and get under 15.5! Or at least I hope I will.

Sorry for the off-topic rant, just wanted to clarify!

J

I knew someone would pipe up.

People shouldn't believe all that they read in magazines, should they.
If we only really drove straight 1/4 miles at a time.
On the highway, at highway speeds plus some, the new Impala SS isn't all that impressive. At least that was my impression while driving an '03 stock CVPI and a new Impala SS wanted to play some.

Anyway, no big deal.

[stumpy]

Those 1/4 mile ET estimates by the magazines aren't that far off, but they're not intended to be best case. From what I've heard, their testing is done as it was equipped from the factory with a full tank of gas on a an average weather day, often in the heat of summer. I would bet that they shallow stage the car, but pushing into the beams just 3 extra inches can cost a half a tenth. I would think that any competent driver in good weather could easily take .3 or more off those times. If you empty the trunk and run less than a half tank in winter, I'd bet you could take off over a half second.

[LILALLEYKATT]

I think your just jelous...The driver was over 350lbs he had just bought the car and he literally smoked me in a car with 300mi on it..Those SRTs are the real deal and the future lies in that kind of engine....Not 281 ci...I love my MM for what it is. And it is what it is...281ci...He didnt have to play stupid games with his window sticker...

[Raudermaster]

Oh, I wasn't trying to be biased at all. I hate the new Impala's, I was just stating what I read, that is all. :)

[RCSignals]

I think your just jelous...The driver was over 350lbs he had just bought the car and he literally smoked me in a car with 300mi on it..Those SRTs are the real deal and the future lies in that kind of engine....Not 281 ci...I love my MM for what it is. And it is what it is...281ci...He didnt have to play stupid games with his window sticker...

Was that for me? Jelous ? You're too serious.

Humour. It's needed

[BUCKWHEAT]

It's the Mustang. If the MM had not been available, I would have bought the Mustang. Had a '99 Cobra before the MM. Cadillac, Chrysler, Chevy? Just say no. No real presence, even tho some are fast.

[Bigdogjim]

Yeah,

The Montego followed (trhowback from the 60's)

The Marauder was the start of a Revolution, a Revolution I tell you!

Yes it was a year ahead of the "G.T.O." ! '63 vs. '64

[Raudermaster]

Before I found my MM, I was going to buy an '00-'03 Lightning (I've always wanted one and still do), or if I could afford one, an '03/'04 Cobra. I've always been a Cobra fan, and an L fan and will continue to be one.