First "serious" look at the MM and last...

[93rev2sev]

OK, this is my first post. And I've spent very little time here looking around...I must admit.

but just for clarification, did they build a Marauder with a manual transmission?

I always assumed that they did. Guess not?

Why does ford do this to me??? All of their performance sedans are built without manual tranny options...ever since they stopped making MTX SHOs in 96...

I'm an SHO owner and a "manual trans in performance cars" advocate. I like my 13 year old car but want to update it with something newer. I will never own a "performance car with a slushbox". It's an oxymoron.

I just can't understand the logic...never could...people buy mustangs with 300HP and a slushbox...it does not compute.

Oh well, done with my :tantrum: Someone tell me I can get a 5 or 6 speed manual Marauder without redesigning the car and I will be much happier.

[MM03MOK]

but just for clarification, did they build a Marauder with a manual transmission?
:welcome: :cheer:

No, no manual transmission. With such a limited production run (11,052) and the fact that it was really a "parts bin car" on the panther platform, meaning minimal modifications to what existed in Ford's parts bins, a manual tranny just didn't make it. A manual tranny probably would have been more expensive...the car was priced too high to begin with. Aftermarket modification has been explored. One owner did it and abandoned the project once it broke at the track. Not a simple job and other abandoned it before starting, especially due to cost.

[93rev2sev]

I converted a 1967 Fairlane 289 c4 into a 351W/toploader combo and it screammmmmmmed. Absolute driving pleasure. Not real practical for daily use but it was a "fun car" none the less.

It took 2 years of buying a part here and a part there. But in the end...there was no question...it was the right choice.

I don't want a damn mustang!!! and I don't want a front wheel drive car...and I don't want an autotragic.

What choices do I have???

Buy another old ass chassis and build my own driveline??!?!

What a bunch o crap!!!

UGH!! Ford has totally let me down...the only rear wheel drive manual trans car is the Mustang now, right?

[magindat]

Eats manual Cobras at the track every time I go!

I get the jump on em and they run me down about 1000'.

With certain mods, the automatic 4r70w can deliver neck-snapping, tire ripping shifts and give quite the advantage on the line.

Mods:
Torque converter - to multiply torque and bring revs closer to power band.
J-mod - to increase shift pressure
Clutches - duh
Tune - to bring it all together and adjust shift points.
A few other parts and pieces for 'bullet-proofing' and dealing with all that torque.

A few advantages of an auto include:
Predictable, programmable shift points.
Multiplication of torque (by a factor of nearly 2.5 with the right converter)
Easier dirvability. A car this heavy would require a lot of clutch slidin in town for a decent ride.

Remember, Marauder is part LUXURY and part SPORT. I can out-launch a manual cobra at the track yet still hold my GF's hand while driving in town and all without spilling my soda.

I hope this info helps you sway a little more towards auto - for the right application.

Welcome aboard.

[93rev2sev]

A slushbox is a slushbox is a slushbox. Congrats on your ability to eat cobras.

I have nothing against the performance of "modded" autotragics.

It's the driving experience. Not the performance that I have a problem with.

I can hold my GF hand while driving. The SHO need not be shifted out of third....ever.

I can start in third from a dead stop and run to 80 without shifting...if I'm just farting around...holding hands and sipping sodas.

[RR|Suki]

yeah it's a slush box, but it's all we have. If you have the funds go ahead and try to change it, I know it's do able, there are heavier cars with good manual trans, and they all seem to use a specific one. I found the trans, but it's expensive, and the conversion would be too. You won't find an american car of this type in a manual anyway so that's life. Maybe buy an audi

[93rev2sev]

No to Audi suggestion but the bimmers are looking better and better.

[O's Fan Rich]

Wow, sounds like you've found the perfect car in your SHO.

My 69 Mustang was a 302 auto, took me a weekend to make it a 351w 4 speed. I'd do that again it was so easy...
These newer cars are a bit more complicated. But a 4speed could be done, in fact I think it has.

Your rant should be directed towards the Manufacturer. Hope they listen to you.

[sailsmen]

Formula 1 , Ferrari, Porsche and Lambo use autos.

Drag racers use autos.

A Marauder member of this board blew away Ferraris, Lambo and Maserati's on a road course.http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=19385&highlight=ferrari+club

There have been a couple of conversions and they have had trouble keeping them together.

I have owned 3 SHOs and the shift linkage felt like slush box.

The benefits of right wheel drive outweigh wrong wheel drive with a slush box shift linkage.

I suggest looking at the I talian exotics that are still offering manuals. Let us know so we can lap you at the track.

[magindat]

It's the driving experience. Not the performance that I have a problem with.


Let us know so we can lap you at the track.

If the man wants to shift, let him shift.

[Grifter]

A slushbox is a slushbox is a slushbox. Congrats on your ability to eat cobras.

I have nothing against the performance of "modded" autotragics.

It's the driving experience. Not the performance that I have a problem with.

I can hold my GF hand while driving. The SHO need not be shifted out of third....ever.

I can start in third from a dead stop and run to 80 without shifting...if I'm just farting around...holding hands and sipping sodas.


If you want a stick dont buy an MM.
If you dont like the car for what it is, dont buy it. dont come here and ***** because ford never put a stick in it. go buy something else, find their board, and go ***** there.

[Breadfan]

I like manual trans cars too, I wish it had been an option on the Marauder.

Honestly Ford isn't letting you down, the modern consumer is letting you down. Lack of consumer demand and making the manual transmission a fading option in cars today.

Soon slushboxes or "automagic" transmissions will start becoming obsolete as more and more cars move to CVT. So you go from not shifting for yourself to...well...not shifting ever!

I don't think Ford let folks down, as the trend is across most of automobilia. Look at Chrysler the SRT-8 cars, they're auto's, no manual transmission there either. Chevy didn't have one in the Impala SS from 94-96, nor do they have one in the current Impala SS.

Even Corvette's, yeah 6spd manual available, but majority of sales have the automatic. Again - consumer demand.

It's a shame really...car makers arent willing to put the moeny into developing that option becuase they know it won't sell, except to a niche of enthusiasts, so they seem to reserve those options for the sports cars like Mustangs, Vette's, etc.

German manufacturer's are better, for awhile BMW used to offer a manual in any car they sold up to the 12cyl 7-series. (Not sure if this is still the case.)

[magindat]

If you want a stick dont buy an MM.
If you dont like the car for what it is, dont buy it. dont come here and ***** because ford never put a stick in it. go buy something else, find their board, and go ***** there.

We're here cuz we love our cars. If you're not, then 'shift' on outta here.

[RR|Suki]

Formula 1 , Ferrari, Porsche and Lambo use autos.

Drag racers use autos.

A Marauder member of this board blew away Ferraris, Lambo and Maserati's on a road course.http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=19385&highlight=ferrari+club

There have been a couple of conversions and they have had trouble keeping them together.

I have owned 3 SHOs and the shift linkage felt like slush box.

The benefits of right wheel drive outweigh wrong wheel drive with a slush box shift linkage.

I suggest looking at the I talian exotics that are still offering manuals. Let us know so we can lap you at the track.

sequential is little different than manual ;)

[93rev2sev]

We're here cuz we love our cars. If you're not, then 'shift' on outta here.

So be it...I wasnt flaming anyone...toodle-o!

[O's Fan Rich]

So be it...I wasnt flaming anyone...toodle-o!

Wow, 6 posts and a comment made to someone else makes you gone!
Interesting stuff.

Automatics are what they are, cars are made for the majority. there are a lot of specialty places that are more then happy to take your car and your money and make the car the way you want. ( Ask Tom Doan.)
I'm sure one of them would be more han happy to install a 5 or 6 speed into a Marauder ( or what ever) for you. Just write the check, it's still be cheaper then a full size BMW with a stick!

[magindat]

Wow, 6 posts and a comment made to someone else makes you gone!
Interesting stuff.

Nah, I was agreeing with Grifter....

[Dr Caleb]

So be it...I wasnt flaming anyone...toodle-o!

Your first post:

" Last edited by 93rev2sev : 12-21-2006 at 10:41 AM. Reason: <b>This community blows.</b>"

You think we can't read that?

:stupid:

[O's Fan Rich]

Nah, I was agreeing with Grifter....

Oh, I read it wrong!!!
There I go again....

[Bigdogjim]

Does the word "troll" come to mind?

Does not pay to be "shifty" :rofl:

Nice job gang! Answer the question and no flames. :up:

For the record I would went to a stick. Still happy with what I got.

[Grifter]

i would have too had there been the option. but we got an auto, and thats ok. there is plenty that can be done to an auto to make it more fun and durable.

[magindat]

there is plenty that can be done to an auto to make it more fun and durable.

... as I tried to explain

[Bigdogjim]

I agree with Grifter & magindat:up: Mercury handed us a great platform to run with.

Any more you get to a meet and no two area alike:)

[BLACKMARAUDER04]

Drive here in Southern California you will know why we use automatics.

[ctrlraven]

If they had made a manual MM I would of tired to get one only cause I love hitting the twisties, downshiftin, up****ing, etc etc. You bond with the car more when it has a standard transmission. The way I see things now is a manual is for the basic eco car, sports cars and commercial trucks not for a performance sedan which is what I think the MM is.

[Blackmobile]

The way I see things now is a manual is for the basic eco car, sports cars and commercial trucks not for a performance sedan which is what I think the MM is.

I've always thought of mine as a luxury car with Balls, Big ones that hang almost to the ground.What else would you call a car with this much hip room and over 300 ponies under the hood?

OK, the nurse are coming to give me my medication now.

[Bigdogjim]

Only thing I need is a little more headroom:)

[DEFYANT]

Only thing I need is a little more headroom:)

Take the seat out and sit on the floor. :D

[Bigdogjim]

Take the seat out and sit on the floor. :D
Thanks I tryed that, once, did not work, floor is hard, no back rest.:rolleyes:

[Vortech347]

I'm not a fan of autos but I like the trans in my MM. Its a luxury car first...

Besides the trans in them withstand alot of power with-out much upgrades.

I'm also a former SHO owner (V8 with Nitrous). After having my Marauder I've kinda forgot what one was. Especially the feeling of getting my ass kicked by everything on the road..... :)

[sailsmen]

"I'm an SHO owner and a "manual trans in performance cars" advocate. I like my 13 year old car but want to update it with something newer. I will never own a "performance car with a slushbox". It's an oxymoron.

I just can't understand the logic...never could...people buy mustangs with 300HP and a slushbox...it does not compute."

It's the same as going to the SHO site and asking if there are any RWD SHO's because a performance car with FWD is an oxymoron.

[RF Overlord]

It's the same as going to the SHO site and asking if there are any RWD SHO's because a performance car with FWD is an oxymoron.

Exactly.

93rev2sev, it's not that anyone wants you to leave, it's just not considered good form to join an enthusiast site and then bash the car in your very first post.

If rowing around town is paramount to you, then the Marauder isn't a good choice, but if you want a full-size, RWD performance sedan with good manners, but still has a lot of potential, then welcome to the site.

[oldekid]

I think somebody woke up under the wrong rock!
Marauders just don't come with a stick . . . . that's such an easy concept that even this guy gets it.

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l120/JohnTrogdon/caveman.jpg

[the_pack_rat]

When I worked for a LM dealer ... the rental dept rented to a lot of Europeans that were attending the Institute For Advanced Study.

It's amazing how some of these people could be considered a genius(ex build an atom bomb or super computer) on one hand ... but be completely baffled & intimidated on how to operate a vehicle with an automatic transmission & power accessories. Giving some of them a car with an automatic & power windows/door locks ..... was like tossing me into an OR room of a hospital & asking me to perform open heart surgery. Most of them were used to vehicles with manual transmissions with no bells & whistles ... & they were near helpless when handed the keys to such a car.

You have NOOOOOO idea how I wish I could say I am exaggerating ... but I'm not.

These are some of very people that are responsible for things like nuclear weapons & such.

Scary .....

[JACook]

Drive here in Southern California you will know why we use automatics.

Commuted into Los Angeles for years rowing a toploader 4-speed in my '67 Mustang. Later, I commuted
across county rowing the 5-speed in my '85 GT. It's no big deal, if you actually know what you're doing.

Which probably makes your point very nicely, now that I think about it... :rolleyes:

[RCSignals]

Does the word "troll" come to mind?

Does not pay to be "shifty" :rofl:

Nice job gang! Answer the question and no flames. :up:

For the record I would went to a stick. Still happy with what I got.

Yeah. What was the name of the guy with the stock Sable that blows doors off Marauders?