Advice for a newbee

[aqasir]

Hello All !!

I am a new member to the Marauder community. I became a member because my brothers friend has a 2004 Mercury Marauder that is for sale. I have not seen the car yet but from what I have heard it's in excellent condition. The only negative part about the car is that it has about 70,000 miles. I thought this was kind of high for a 2004 but I wanted to get you advice. Every forum topic I have read so far speaks very highly of these cars and I was amazed to learn that a community for such a vehicle existed. The car is located in New York City and has per my information was owned by an older person that recently passed away.

Please provide any adive you can so I am prepared when I go to see the car.

P.s. I have owned a 1992 and currently own a 1994 and 2005 Mercury Grand Marquis so I am quite familiar with the standard vehicle and some of the things to look for. Anything in particular with the Marauder I should be carefull with? Rust spots, oil leaks, other signs of wear and tear?

Thanks much and hopefully I can be a part of your family soon.

[SC Cheesehead]

MMs are great cars!

They share the same basic platform as a Grand Marquis, but have numerous features that set them a notch or two above.

70,000 isn't excessive mileage if the vehicle has been well maintained. Check with the current owner for maintenance records. If those check out, and you don't see any evidence of abuse, the vehicle's probably okay.

BTW, check out the "Classified" link on this site, there are several MMs for sale that you may want to consider as alternatives, or at least review for comparision.

Good luck, and hope to see you as a future Marauder owner!

SCCH

[sailsmen]

Welcome.

I have 75K miles of which 30K are Super Charged w/ OEM engine. I have raced her since she had 5K miles. 150+ runs down the track.

The paint is soft and thin. There are a few TSB, but w/ 70K most of those issues would have been fixed.

Some have had problems w/ a ticking head, bad valve guide.

Most have been trouble free. Like any car a few have been lemons.

Get the VIN and ask Roy L. Pita to run an Oasis.

[aqasir]

SCCH,

Thanks for the advice. I looked through the classifides earlier today...the listings look beautiful but unfortunately a bit expensive for my current budget.

The one that I posted about has an asking price of 10,000 ...comparing this to the higher priced cars...I won't know which is better until I see the car.

[JMan]

Welcome Aboard!
You're considering the fast train - and it's addictive! 10grand is a great price if the thing's in reasonable shape. I'll let the yanks comment on rust from road salt because I have no idea. If you had other Panthers, you'll absolutely fall in love with the MM. It's the "Cobra" of the Panther family. There's a tremendous amount of info here. Try using the search function - the answers are out there! Best luck in your endeavors.

Enjoy the site,

JMan

[Bradley G]

If the car checks out: axles, wiring harness drivers side, smokie:rasta: start-ups.
you will thanks us:coolman:

[BigGuyBigCar]

Compared to what is being asked for Marauders on cars.com the 10K you mentioned is a very, very good price.

BG's comment was shorthand for axles can be worn & need replacing by 70K, some problems due to wires being crimped, and some cars (more often 03's) have a lot of blue smoke on cold start up. The Garage forum goes into other service problems. Generally, fewer with 04 than 03.

[fastblackmerc]

I'd jump on that MM for 10K.... unless it hasn't been taken care of. BTW, wlecome to the site.

[Bluerauder]

I am a new member to the Marauder community.
Welcome to the MM.Net :welcome1:

At $10K that MM sounds like a deal. Unless it has parts falling off of it and very obvious damage ..... that appears to be an excellent deal. The family or executor of the estate must just be trying to get rid of it quickly. On Tuesday, I was offered $20K on mine straightup and it's an '03. :D That's a good price; but wouldn't nearly cover my sentimental attachment. ;)

[RoyLPita]

Welcome aboard.

Buy that MM!!! It is a steal.

Enjoy the site

[Dragcity]

I have an '04 with about 55k on it. Drive it every day, everywhere. I have no issues, other than I DON'T have a supercharger.....

Not a spot of rust, nothing falling off, no rips, tares, ticks or smoke.

Take her for a spin...

Give Roy L. Pita the VIN, he'll give you a rundown on the work done to it over the past years....

[PhastPhil]

If it is in New York City or one of the surrounding boroughs, that is a lot of mileage in city driving. I'd wonder if it was used as a livery car/ airport limo.
70,000 miles in NYC is like the equivalent of 150,000 on Long Island, and 200,000 anywhere else. The city roads are horrendous and take a harsh toll on any car. I know these cars hold up better than any others under the same conditions, which is why I drive a panther too. But that is rough mileage! That's why they are only asking $10,000
Check that car out good!

[aqasir]

All,

Finally got a chance to go out and see the 2004 Mercury Marauder I spoke about earlier. I have additional information that I wanted to share with you guys in order to get some good advice.

2004 Mercury Marauder
VIN #: 2MEHM79V24X612950
69,780 Miles
Exterior Color : Black
Interior Color : Black
Leather, Cruise Control, Heated Seats, Moon Roof....the usual accessories.
The car is in original and mint condition...no add-ons...no bolt on...nothing...its completely stock!

Being sold by : A Police Officer who works at the same Police precient as my brother.

One owner car - Father of the police officer owned the car and he recently passed away so the son is selling once the title is transferred in his name. The car is from Suffolk county and the owner drove it from Long Island to Brooklyn and back almost on a daily basis, hence the high (70,000) mileage.

Car was in immaculate condition in side and out. The engine looked as though it had 70,000 miles on it - in another words it was not cleaned and armouraled like the dealer cars.

The tires had very decent tread. The steering and suspension were solid. The engine was silent and smooth. Everything about the car was in excellent shape.

There was however one minor issue which I believe is related to the ABS or some other breaking component. Once I accelerated and began to slow down for a stop, once I came to a complete stop there was a pumping/vibration sound coming from the front left of the car for about 4 seconds. After the 4 seconds the noise would stop until I came to a complete stop at the next light. The Police officer said he had not noticed the noise before as this is not his car (it was his fathers car) and that he will take it into the shop to be looked at. Once repaired he offered that I take it for another test drive and only buy if I am completely satisfied. I think the issue might be related to a ABS sensor in one of the wheels or perhaps the master ABS distributor thingy that is mounted on the left front of the engine compartment. In either case I am waiting to see what happens once he takes it to the repair shop.

Another item that might need mention was a little corrosion on top of what appeared to me as the EGR valve....now I am now 100% sure if this was the EGR valve or not but its this round electronic thing that sits high atop the intake manifold towards the left rear side of the upper intake manifold.

I ran a vehicle report and it came out verrry clean. I tried to attach a PDF of the report but it was too big for the attachment option. In either case it was a clean vehicle record.

In other posts MM.net members have recommended that I list the VIN number so that it can be checked for maintenance records...if anyone reading this post can please check...I will be highly appreciative.

Looking forward to your responses and definitely looking forward to becoming a MM owner!

[Breadfan]

That vibration/noise from the left side may very well have been the compressor for the air ride kicking on. Was it only when stopped?

If it is, was it kicking on each light? Might have a leak in the air ride if so...just a thought.

[jgc61sr2002]

Welcome aboard.:D :welcome1: IMO you can't go wrong for 10K.

[RoyLPita]

Judging by the VIN, the moonroof is aftermarket. Feel free to PM me for an OASIS report on this one.

[whoskal]

Welcome to the site!!!!!! for 10k...I would jump on it....

[aqasir]

That vibration/noise from the left side may very well have been the compressor for the air ride kicking on. Was it only when stopped?

If it is, was it kicking on each light? Might have a leak in the air ride if so...just a thought.

Yes it was only kicking in for about 3 to 5 seconds when I stop the car at each light. While driving it made no noise and the car rode perfectly. The noise appeared to come from the front left engine compartment.

[JMan]

Yes it was only kicking in for about 3 to 5 seconds when I stop the car at each light. While driving it made no noise and the car rode perfectly. The noise appeared to come from the front left engine compartment.

What Breadfan said. Rear Air Suspension compressor is located below the Air Cleaner. It probably kicks on after start-up as well if there's a leak somewhere. I agree with the others on "buy it"! For 10k, you can afford new air springs, compressor and drier, etc. It may just have a bad spot on the sensor's potentiometer.

Figure out how to PM roylpita. He'll get the factory scoop on it for you!

Best luck and enjoy the site.

J

[aqasir]

Figure out how to PM roylpita. He'll get the factory scoop on it for you!
J

I did PM roylpita....he was very helpfull.

Here is what I got back:

Build date:9/5/03
Wty start date: 9/23/03
vehicle has no recalls but has CA emmissions

Warranty repair history:
Bright Bay Lincoln Mercury (Bay Shore, NY)
10/6/03 @ 100 miles
replaced cd magazine and repaired changer (#1 would not load)
12/11/03 @ 6000 miles
reinstalled loose overhead console
repaired wiring to the compass assy (inop)
10/22/04 @ 31487 miles
replaced front headliner clips (headliner coming down)
12/3/04 @ 33847 miles
replaced 3 ignition coils and 2 spark plugs (bucks at 35 mph)
12/22/04 @ 35565 miles
replaced 1 ignition coil and spark plug (hesitation at 35mph)

I thought it was strange that the ignition coils and plugs needed changing at 33 and 35K miles. Additionally with all the other minor issues....whats going on with the workmanship at Ford/Mercury ? No wonder the company is going down the gutter.

[Dragcity]

The coil covers have a really crappy gasket that allows water into the coil/plug area. I had one go bad on me and I sealed everyhthing up with RTV Hight temp. black. No more issues.

Other stuff seems to be related to the R&R of OEM components when/if the Sunroof was put in. The Overhead displays are different for Sunroof and Non-sunroof models.

CD changer, Prolly made in China....Stuff happens....

If you're looking to get into a Marauder, sounds like a reasonable way to go. If you are too worried about this one, and it doesn't "feel" right, walk away and look at others. There seem to be plenty out there. An X-Coppers car is usually a good thing. Those folks usually take good care of things...

[paul hersom]

Assuming No Significant Collision History - And It Sounds Like You Have Confidence In Who You Are Dealing With - Go For It! Good Price

[Master]

Personally, I'd highly recommend that you walk away from this deal.
On a completely unrelated note, do you happen to have the number of the fellow who is selling the car? Not asking for any particular reason, of course. ;)

[Tyrone Minto]

I have 85,000 on my MM.
It sounds like a good deal if the body and interior is good.
For 10k for the car, You can drive it 15,000 miles and can upgrade to the Naake coilover shocks, and get new brakes, rotors and SS lines, a CAI, and new tires and a Lidio tune for under $2k. So for $12k your good to 170,000 miles of fun.

[96DiamondVIII]

Agree with most of the other posts--$10K is a very good price, even if it has a minor issue or two. Go for it!

[stryker]

:welcome1: To the MM Panther space and about the price don't worry in Puerto Rico this black beasts right now a used unit can cost almost $38.000.00 up to $40.000.00 so don't be surprised the price of this Black Panther when they come new was $58.000.00 .


STRYKER. :burnout:

[Blackened300a]

Welcome to the Site! Like Most have said, For $10k, Go for it!
I have 55K on my Marauder, its very modded with a lot of hard runs on it and it hasnt let me down yet. There is a still a market for this car and the prices are still up even with over 70K on the odo.
Sounds like a lucky find.