Newbie interested in buying a Mercury Marauder

[scottyru98]

Hello Everyone....

I'm a newbie to the site and i'm interested in buying a Marauder. I was a big fan of the 1994-1996 Chevy Impala SS's. When I saw my first Marauder in person at the 2003 Chicago Auto show.......I became a big fan of these cars as well. A big ol' boat with sinister looks and a V-8......what's not to love. Anyway my everyday driver right now is a 2003 Acura RSX which I like a lot but the car is just too small. You want to drive a bigger car especially after getting rear ended by a semi truck. Since I don't want an SUV......I'm thinking 'what about the Marauder'. Its a bigger car, has good looks, good for hauling kids, as well be a fun 'playtoy' car. I have a few questions before I start looking and buying:

1. What's better to get an 03 or 04 model? I read about some of the changes, but I'd like opinions from the actual owners.

2. How's the reliability on these particular car? What are areas of known problems and / or potential problems? What should I look for in particular while test driving this car?

3. What the deal with the tires? I read on one of the threads (don't remember where) that you cannot rotate the tires? Also are the tires that come from the factory all season tires or summer tires? Just curious.....

4. In your opinion what is the future collectability factor on this car since only 11,000 or so were produced over a two year run?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks....

[The Big Stu]

I am the second owner of my 03 and have had no problems at all, its been almost a year and I just turned 50 000 miles. The rear tires are bigger than the front, but I don't remember the sizes off the top of my head. There were two versions of the 03 and one version of 04. I will let someone with a better memory tell you what changed about the 04, but I can tell you now that it was not much. The 03 had a 300A and 300B. 300A had map pockets on the front doors, a separate clock on the dash trim piece, and a full size spare. The 300B lost those things for a mini spare and traction control. As far as future collectability goes, I am no psychic, but they have held thier vale very well so far.

And by the way :welcome:

[whoskal]

welcome to the site!!!!


1...There is very little difference between an 03 and 04 (but I hear people who drive 03's are the coolest!)

2...No problems yet......37,000 on the clock (I dont drive like an old lady, thats for sure!)

3...The rear tires are larger than the front (stance baby!)

4... I believe that one day this car will be very hard to get a hold of. (what the hell do I know!)

[magindat]

welcome to the site!!!!


1...There is very little difference between an 03 and 04 (but I hear people who drive 03's are the coolest!)

2...No problems yet......37,000 on the clock (I dont drive like an old lady, thats for sure!)

3...The rear tires are larger than the front (stance baby!)

4... I believe that one day this car will be very hard to get a hold of. (what the hell do I know!)

03- 300A's the way a Marauder was MEANT TO BE!

[JonW]

It took me 2 years to find the Marauder I wanted. And it was worth the wait. Go for it!

[LordVader]

I have 38K on mine. I am the second owner and it was purchased with 13K on the clock. The previous owner did have the rear axles replaced under a TSB at around 10K. The only other real issue I have with this car is I have one of the early ones and it has a crappy paint job. I still get the looks and the compliments, but I know if it had the paint job that some of later models got I would be a happier owner.

[magindat]

I have 38K on mine. I am the second owner and it was purchased with 13K on the clock. The previous owner did have the rear axles replaced under a TSB at around 10K. The only other real issue I have with this car is I have one of the early ones and it has a crappy paint job. I still get the looks and the compliments, but I know if it had the paint job that some of later models got I would be a happier owner.

I like my paint job...

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/3/5/4/8/P0004670.JPG

[Dr Caleb]

Hello Everyone....

1. What's better to get an 03 or 04 model? I read about some of the changes, but I'd like opinions from the actual owners.

2. How's the reliability on these particular car? What are areas of known problems and / or potential problems? What should I look for in particular while test driving this car?

3. What the deal with the tires? I read on one of the threads (don't remember where) that you cannot rotate the tires? Also are the tires that come from the factory all season tires or summer tires? Just curious.....

4. In your opinion what is the future collectability factor on this car since only 11,000 or so were produced over a two year run?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks....

:welcome:

1) I have an early '03. They have more toys than the 04's, but the 04's produce more power, and you can get them in Red . . .

2) Pretty reliable. Some here have had problems, you might want to search on 'transmission problems', paint, leaky rear axles, wire harness chafing. Mostly they are reliable though. Random elastic bands notwithstanding.

3) Front and rear sizes are different heights and causes problems with the 03' 300B's and '04's traction control. And they are directional, WRT which part of the tires is on the outside of the car, so side to side rotation is the only choice. Also the wider rears were underpressured from the factory, so the centres wear early. +5 PSI. The tires are rated 'all season', but most find them useless in the cold. They are great in the summer though! BFG makes the factory sizes for our car, only for our car - and rarely at that. I've had trouble getting the factory 245's for 2 years now.

4) Don't buy it for it's 'collectability'. It's not that kind of car. If you want a rare one, get a 2003 in Blue, but it still probabally will never be worth more than the original sticker price. Get one because of the connection beween the right foot and your smile.

[MENINBLK]

My wife picked up mine on 1/2/2004.
Its got just about 70k on the clock and nothing has been done
that was major. Routine maintenance every 7500 miles with a
full synthetic motor oil, transmission services every 25,000 miles,
and fuel filter changes every 20,000 miles.

The most major service I've had was a defective Thermostat replacement,
and a noisy belt tensioner replacement.

My mods are listed in my sig.
Nothing is radical. Marauder drives fine.
Just give it the TLC it deserves and it will last you a long time...

[ckadiddle]

Beware! Test drive one and you'll have to buy it.....

[Bluerauder]

My comments in RED below

:welcome:

1) I have an early '03. They have more toys than the 04's, but the 04's produce more power, and you can get them in Red . . .

I really don't think the statement about power is true as a general rule. In Oct '04 I had a chance to run the 1/4 mile against a 2004 MM stock-to-stock. They were pretty evenly matched. Blue MMs were only offered in '03.

2) Pretty reliable. Some here have had problems, you might want to search on 'transmission problems', paint, leaky rear axles, wire harness chafing. Mostly they are reliable though. Random elastic bands notwithstanding.

Have had mine for 41 months, 40K miles. No biggie problems. Windshield wiper motor replacements for "uncommanded wacky wiper" syndrome, squeaky hood (fixed with rubber isolators), sticking front passenger window (realign guides), heated seat light blinks (not fixed yet - just a minor annoyance).

3) Front and rear sizes are different heights and causes problems with the 03' 300B's and '04's traction control. And they are directional, WRT which part of the tires is on the outside of the car, so side to side rotation is the only choice. Also the wider rears were underpressured from the factory, so the centres wear early. +5 PSI. The tires are rated 'all season', but most find them useless in the cold. They are great in the summer though! BFG makes the factory sizes for our car, only for our car - and rarely at that. I've had trouble getting the factory 245's for 2 years now.

Fronts are 235/50ZR18 BFG KDWS g-Force T/A (I'm running 35 psi), 31K miles
Rears are 245/55ZR18 BFG KDWS g-Force T/A (I'm running 38 psi), 21K miles

4) Don't buy it for it's 'collectability'. It's not that kind of car. If you want a rare one, get a 2003 in Blue, but it still probabally will never be worth more than the original sticker price. Get one because of the connection beween the right foot and your smile.

I'd trade my '03 Blue MM for an original Honus Wagner baseball card. Well, I'd at least think about it for 5 minutes or so. ;) :jk:

Naaaaaaah !! :rofl:


There are several standard items that don't show up on the window sticker:

1. The official Black MM leather jacket
2. The mile wide grin
3. The looks and comments on the road, gas station, corner store, etc.
4. The MM.Net
5. The Marauder Family
6. The fun times with MM owners around the country (and Canada too !!)

It's aaaaaaa ................ PRICELESS !! :2thumbs:

[Breadfan]

:welcome:

3) Front and rear sizes are different heights and causes problems with the 03' 300B's and '04's traction control.

FYI, this is only an issue if incorrect sizes are used. Many folks have run non-standard tire sizes with no issues, and, of course, OEM sizes will not pose any issues with ABS or traction control.

A very popular size for rear tires is 255/55/18, with OEM's in front. I have this on a 300B with no T/C issues.

There aren't many all-season solutions though, OEM is one of the few I know of.

More tire info: http://www.mercurymarauder.net/reviews/showproduct.php/product/47/sort/2/cat/18/page/1

[RoyLPita]

Check out the classifieds here. There might be one available near you.

[GordonB]

Scottyru98,
Welcome to one of the best forums in all of Internet!
Now to give you my 2 cents worth from a 2 MM owner's perspective:
1. Tire wear -- got to keep all tires inflated to 35 lbs -- door sticker on '03 is wrong (says 32)and was corrected with '04 (says 35).
2. What others have said -- best body content features (remote fuel filler door, front seat map pockets between your legs, full-size spare) was Early '03, but best drivetrain equipped and best running is the '04 (dual engine knock sensors, better torque converter, available Factory sunroof, and available paint -- Dark Torredor Red (DTR) ). As you can see by my sig, I have 2 'oddball' MMs that are just GREAT.
3. Now the hard part -- go find one that has had reasonable care -- don't much matter whether or not it is '03 or '04. You have to decide what color YOU want and then take your time and get what is right for you.

Cheers! Long live our Marauders!

GordonB

[jgc61sr2002]

Welcome aboard.:D Good luck with your search.
IMO you can't go wrong with either an 03 or 04.

[MADRODER]

I just bought mine several wks ago, and I'm enjoying every minute of it.....my son actually prefers the MM over my 5.0.....LOL

[knine]

There is usually 110 or so available nationally on autotrader.net. I stumbled upon an 03 BLUE with 18K miles there, for less than 18K !! (O.K., just a couple of bucks less than, but hey!!)

[MENINBLK]

You can always visit a local Mercury Dealer and ask if they are expecting any to return from lease.
Leave your name and number so they can contact you when they do.

[barrytuneup]

a few differences i can think of; the 1) 04 does not have the auto gas cap release on the bottom of the drivers door. The old release button has a piece of metal covering it. 2) it has no auto parking brake release, you have to use the handle like the old days 3)no map pockets on the front doors, it has some hard plastic frame for a holder 4) no full size spare 5)it does have traction control button on the dash which i think the 03 does not. Other then that i can't think of anything else. Mine is flawless with 10k on it and i have all the options(sunroof, 6cd changer in trunk, heated seats and it also came with the trunk organizer which i didn't want but was in the package.) I do think the standard carpet is a little cheap but the car is great.

[96DiamondVIII]

a few differences i can think of; the 1) 04 does not have the auto gas cap release on the bottom of the drivers door. The old release button has a piece of metal covering it. 2) it has no auto parking brake release, you have to use the handle like the old days 3)no map pockets on the front doors, it has some hard plastic frame for a holder 4) no full size spare 5)it does have traction control button on the dash which i think the 03 does not. Other then that i can't think of anything else. Mine is flawless with 10k on it and i have all the options(sunroof, 6cd changer in trunk, heated seats and it also came with the trunk organizer which i didn't want but was in the package.) I do think the standard carpet is a little cheap but the car is great.

To be a bit picky...the first couple of things listed here (no remote fuel door release, manual parking brake, full-size spare) changed between the '03 300A and 300B, not for '04. And my '03 does have the t/c off button. But as to my experience...I just picked mine up (Silver Birch '03 300B, heated seats & 6-disc changer, 47k miles) last November, the day before Thanksgiving, and I have been Thankful for it ever since. It really is a great car--as has been said before, drive it and you'll be hooked. Or, in my case, start it up and be hooked--the exhaust note got me. It was all downhill from there, but it's been a fun ride so far! I went to the dealership intending to test drive a '02 Lincoln LS V8 and to "admire" the Marauder which I thought was out of my price range. The LS was a nice car, but once I left the dealership, I was hard at work making the MM fit into my budget! Went back to make the deal 2 days later...No regrets. :)

[Pat]

If you buy then consider the following modifications and the costs because you will find out quickly that the "big boat", as you call it, needs a little "umph" off the stop light.

1. Flash tuner with marauder specific tune. See vendors on this site. $400.00
2. 4:10 gears. $500.00
3. PI3500 stall converter. $1.2K
prices are approximate.

There are many other options, CAI, UD pully's, exhaust systems "ad infinitum" but the above will make you a street shark.

However, if your pocket book can afford it then superchargering is the way to go. No other mod's needed it was once said. Cost 5-8K.

I would recommend an 04 because it's newer and has some important refinements, ie: dual knock sensors, transmission upgrades and higher stall speed.

All this is just MHO.

For traction controlled models, rear tire size must be kept within an inch or so of stock height.

I bought mine, SB 04, new and it wasn't long before I saw I needed some mod's as the members of this site reported on their experiences several years ago.

I get compliments every day by various people from all walks of life.

Love the car, will keep it. Enhanced resale or asthetic value won't become an item for at least 15-20 years.

Of course you may elect to leave it stock, that's OK too. Many of our members have stock Marauders, it's still a performance machine that will please you.

"Ain't that right Silverback". "Yes Pat, your right on". "Thanks good buddy". (see pat petting his mascot "Silverback")

[whd507]

just get one, you'll be happy.

[Bradley G]

Go for it , you can thank us later:coolman:

[knine]

Sorry if everybody else gets tired of hearing this :bigcry: , but............... try autotrader.com There is usually around 110 of them available nationally. I found my 03 BLUE there with only 18k miles and a really great price.
(O.K., that part I'm NOT tired of saying:neener: )

Welcome to Mercurymarauder.net :welcome: There's a lot of great peoople here.

[knine]

Found this ad, check out the mileage and price. Hmm, wonder what's wrong with it?
http://www.internetautoguide.com/usedcars/14-int/2003/mercury/marauder/north-carolina/huntersville/207791174/113/index.html