2004 Marauder

[RCSignals]

from ford media site (http://media.ford.com/products/model.cfm?vehicle_id=955)


OVERVIEW

New for 2004


Heavy-duty 4R75W transmission with improved shift response
New exterior colors: Dark Toreador Red and Silver Birch
New interior color: Light Flint/Dark Charcoal two-tone
Needle bearings and Teflon seals on torque converter
Dual knock sensors for improved response at low engine speeds
Standard traction control
Standard Audiophile entertainment system
Overview
Mercury Marauder delivers a 1960s American muscle car experience with a refined powertrain, new colors and upgraded entertainment system for 2004.
The 2004 Marauder is powered by an all-aluminum 4.6-liter, 302-horsepower V-8 engine. Its chassis highlights include rack-and-pinion steering, hydroformed front frame rails, monotube dampers and 18-inch wheels and tires. The Marauder seats five passengers with generous front and rear seat room.

Marauder is built in St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada.

Design and Equipment
Marauder is now available in three exterior monochrome color schemes: Dark Toreador Red and Silver Birch join the original deep-gloss Black. Distinctive yet subtle performance cues include the “Marauder” name embossed on the rear bumper, 3.5-inch polished stainless steel exhaust tips and high-output Cibie fog lamps.

Large 18-inch wheels and tires reinforce Marauder’s aggressive, muscle-car stance, while the image of the Roman god Mercury on the wheel caps reflects its heritage and personality.

Marauder’s interior features a Dark Charcoal and Light Flint two-tone color scheme. Satin-aluminum gauges include a 140-mph speedometer and a 7,000-rpm tachometer, plus voltmeter and oil pressure gauges at the base of the center stack.

Dual eight-way power-reclining, heated bucket seats in rich Dark Charcoal or Light Flint leather are amply padded for better thigh, lumbar and shoulder support. The leather has classic French seam stitching and the front seat backs are embossed with the Mercury god’s-head logo.

Powertrain and Driving Dynamics
The heart and soul of the Marauder is its naturally aspirated all-aluminum, 4.6-liter DOHC engine, with 302 horsepower at 5,750 rpm and 318 foot-pounds of torque at 4,300 rpm.

Powertrain refinements for 2004 include a new heavy-duty transmission and torque converter, plus dual knock sensors. The dual sensors provide for a more precise spark advance and a corresponding improvement to the engine’s overall performance and low-end acceleration.

The 2004 Marauder also gets a new 4R75W heavy-duty, four-speed automatic transmission for greater efficiency and low-end torque. Other refinements include the addition of needle bearings and Teflon seals to a new 11.25-inch high-stall-speed torque converter with a one-inch one-way clutch. The new transmission provides quicker upshifts and downshifts, and lets the driver “kick down” into first gear at a higher speed.

The Marauder chassis provides a combination of ride, handling, braking and safety performance unattainable in the muscle car era. The full-perimeter frame of strong, lightweight hydroformed steel resists bending and twisting.

The number two crossmember is aluminum, allowing more precisely aligned engine mounts, steering and suspension parts. A strong steel crossmember behind the A-pillar improves the frame’s stiffness and dissipates energy in a side-impact collision.

The independent front suspension uses a short- and long-arm design, Tokico monotube dampers and a heavy-duty stabilizer bar. The live-axle rear suspension has a stabilizer bar and lateral Watt’s linkage, plus monotube dampers and load-leveling, performance-tuned air springs.

The Marauder power steering is a variable-ratio rack-and-pinion design with speed-sensitive variable assist, further enhanced by the ultra high-performance all-season BF Goodrich g-Force T/A tires.

The Marauder runs P235/50WR18s on the front wheels and P245/55WR18s on the rear, for maximum traction and a muscle car rake.

Marauder features twin-piston calipers and a 12-inch ventilated rotor on the front, with a single-piston caliper and vented 11.5-inch rotors on the rear.

Safety
Along with anti-lock brakes, Marauder safety features include side-impact air bags, the Personal Safety System™, BeltMinder™ and the LATCH system, along with the SecuriLock™ anti-theft system.


Major Equipment and Options
Standard features include: Cibie fog lamps, tinted glass, 18-inch forged aluminum five-spoke aluminum wheels, center and overhead consoles, illuminated visor mirrors, dual heated fold-away mirrors, leather-wrapped console shifter, leather-wrapped steering wheel with climate and audio controls, floor mats, power steering/brakes/windows/locks, adjustable pedals, rear reading lamps, map/courtesy/glove box/trunk lights, electronic clock, automatic climate control, Audiophile AM/FM/cassette/CD stereo with equalizer and sub-woofer, speed control, traction control, tilt steering column, remote keyless entry and rear load-leveling performance air springs and suspension.


Options include a six-disc trunk-mounted CD changer, heated seats, engine block heater and trunk organizer.

[Mark McQuaide]

Well I'll be damned....

[JGaignat]

2 wishes:
--I wish the Marauder could get some air time like the black 1968 Parklane in Hawaii 5-0, or the black Trans-Am in Smokey and the Bandit.
--I wish they would come out with the convertible.

(it's nice to have a dream)

[RF Overlord]

Originally posted by Mark McQuaide
Well I'll be damned....

Me, too...

[Menace]

They are no longer offering the blue color? This could make the blue Marauders the rarest.

[TripleTransAm]

Well slap me and call me Shirley...
Will wonders ever cease? Mercury (Ford) pouring money into a car that wasn't supposed to live past 2003?

I gotta admit that those items all sound like they'll make the MM a much better machine when it comes to low end response (or TORQUE, in memory of one of our recent most eloquent albeit short-lived member ;) ). A lot of these factory improvements mirror results that can be had with the current crop of chips and gears, though.

I'm wondering if the 4R75W has a steeper 1st gear, to help with the off-the-line grunt. If that's the case, those of us with 4.10s will have the same effect, except across the whole range of gears. But then again... you can always slap on the 4.10s on the '04s and get a real whallop of a 1st gear launch AND get improved 2nd, 3rd, and 4th gear performance. However, the 'kicking down into first gear at higher speeds' line has me worried... unless they're referring to the shift programming, I'd think that meant a 'higher' (lower numerically) 1st gear, which wouldn't be good for anything but fuel mileage numbers.

The improved shift response... well, I understand the chip can deliver the same thing.

The needle bearings, teflon seals and the 'greater efficiency' items all lead me to believe this is an attempt to reduce the MM's driveline losses. Great idea, in my opinion. Cheap horsepower... more of the engine's power getting to the rear wheels means better performance AND better mileage all around. A little more expensive but a MUCH smarter idea than just upping the engine performance blindly (usually at the cost of MPG).

HOWEVER.... the mention of dual knock sensors for improved spark curves. YES YES YES YES!!!! That means they'll be juicing up the low RPM spark curve to something a little more aggressive, but risking knock on fuel that might not be up to snuff. Sure we can get more aggressive spark curves from a chip'ed '03, but the level of 'control' over spark retard won't be as accurate. So, I'm expecting the '04s to make even better use of an aftermarket chip's more aggressive spark curves, not to mention the possibility of the chip being even more aggressive in its changes!

One thing that worries me is the 'one way clutch' in the torque converter. If I'm reading correctly, this means that it will freewheel in one direction while locking in the other. That would mean that when the TCC locks up, lifting off the gas would result in immediate engine deceleration no matter what the state of the TCC was in (locked or unlocked). This means the popular 'locked until brake depressed' converter mod would be defeated. I hope that's not the case.

Anyway, it's EXCITING to see Ford/Mercury sinking some development cash into this car. I'll be eagerly seeking out some road test articles on the new '04.

It also means I won't be bothering with any Ford magazines anytime soon... looks like their info isn't exactly reliable, and I won't waste my money on nothing more than printed rumors. :nono:

[Directedby]

Also states it has upgraded the Audio System -

" Mercury Marauder delivers a 1960s American muscle car experience with a refined powertrain, new colors and upgraded entertainment system for 2004."

And a new 'two-tone' interior.

[Marauder57]

Well this to me is a good news bad news kind of thing.....Good news for the brand....bad news is I will probable have to buy the 2004 version at some point in the future.......

Maybe that is good news, good news... :D

[Bigdogjim]

Originally posted by RF Overlord
Me, too...


Me, three

[jgc61sr2002]

RC - Thanks for the info. Now all we have to do is wait for the production of the 2004 MM to begin. :D

[Bigdogjim]

Red ? Looking good??

[Geo]

I noticed Ford used the words "Equalizer" and "subwoofer" to describe the sound system. Is the word "Equalizer" Ford's rendition of what otherwise is an "amp"?

It's going to be hard to imagine the Panther line-up after 2004 with no performance model; makes you wonder what Ford has up their long sleeves!

GEO

[RCSignals]

"It's going to be hard to imagine the Panther line-up after 2004 with no performance model; makes you wonder what Ford has up their long sleeves!"

Yes it does. But then according to some people on BON, there is no performance model in the Panther line up :\

[Bigdogjim]

Guys I think the whole problem is Ford does not know what they have thier own sleeves.

:lol: :lol:

[RCSignals]

You're right BigDog. Too often it seems their right hand doesn't even know their left hand

[Geo]

So you're saying that it's Ford's a$$ that they have up their long sleeves; wouldn't suprise me.

[Marauder57]

Well it is good to hear that the 2004 MM is moving forward...but does anyone expect better sales numbers? Are we going to be looking at a total sold under 10,000? I just want to see how the Red comes out......

[JohnnyB]

They'll probably sell less 2004 models than the 2003's.

[TripleTransAm]

Originally posted by JohnnyB They'll probably sell less 2004 models than the 2003's.


It all depends on the magazine coverage. The great unwashed masses (the other 98%, if you get my drift) follow what rags like Motor Twit, Car and Drivel, and Road and Truck have to say about a car, so far as to not even notice when they contradict themselves in subsequent articles.

So, the ball is in LM's court. C&D recently claimed LM lobbed one over the plate and Kenny Brown knocked it out of the park. Well, for 2004, it's LM's turn at bat, and they've gotta make sure the magazine writers get plenty of 2004 MMs that have been combed over with the finest tooth comb (whether metric sized or imperial!) possible, to ensure good build quality throughout the test. At the same time, they should pay close attention to the chosen automobiles... make them drive units that have been properly broken-in. No sense having them drive a tight low-mileage unit and promising them that all that improved low-end is really coming soon, we promise! Then we'll have to put up with all the 'beat by an Accord' crap that was heaped on a car that was capable of improving its 1/4 mile time by a full second or more just by proper break-in.

If the mag writers get to experience what we're experiencing at 5000-10000 miles of break-in but with the improved 2004 items to begin with, then maybe the orders will start coming in.

As a bonus, C&D could even run a 'side bar' on tuners like Reinhart and what they have to offer... maybe provide them with a head-to-head comparison. If people out there realize how cheaply this car can be modified to very satisfactory results, then perhaps even more interest can be generated.

LM... ARE YOU LISTENING???

[RCSignals]

TTA, I agree, but you are asking a lot of some of those magazines.
C+D has a thing against the Marauder it seems, they keep comparing it to their "Lounge Lizard" car, it's as if they feel they should be given more credit for the Marauders existence.
Their track times for the Marauder were unrealistic. 7.5 second quarter mile is correct for a plain CVPI. If they published the real time for a Marauder, it might make their beloved, and very expensive "Lounge Lizard" look bad, which had a 0-60 of 6.8 seconds.
Probably the most realistic article was published in MM&FF, but the arm chair critics refuse to believe them.

LM will have to put more into advertising, and less faith in magazine writers this time around

[TripleTransAm]

Originally posted by Geo
I noticed Ford used the words "Equalizer" and "subwoofer" to describe the sound system. Is the word "Equalizer" Ford's rendition of what otherwise is an "amp"?


Shouldn't be. An amp is what amplifies power from a low-level signal in order to drive a speaker (ie. from 'RCA' or line level to speaker terminal level).

An equalizer is supposed to be essentially an enhanced set of tone controls. The BASS/TREBLE combo on most sound systems is a rudimentary equalizer... 2 'center' frequencies which you can boost or cut accordingly, with the 'width' of the boost/cut (in terms of frequencies) fairly wide. A 'graphic' equalizer will usually break the frequency spectrum into 3 or more separate ranges, with the widths a little tighter.

The existing radio is quite tight as far as real estate on the front face. If they include a multi-band equalizer for 2004, I wonder how they're gonna fit it all on there. Unless they decide to make it a 'menu' type of system (like the DSP-seat choices)... blechhh...

[TripleTransAm]

Originally posted by RCSignals
C+D has a thing against the Marauder it seems, they keep comparing it to their "Lounge Lizard" car, it's as if they feel they should be given more credit for the Marauders existence.


To be honest, I missed the issue where the MM was tested. From what y'all have said, it doesn't look like I missed much. However, would you concede that perhaps they were testing a low mileage unit? (unless they clearly indicated it was well broken in... meaning over 5000 miles).

In all fairness, I was *just* satisfied with the performance when I purchased my car, but it didn't bother me since all indications from this forum led me to believe things would improve over time. In fact, they did.

Advertising would go a long way, to be sure. And someone on here mentioned the TV/film exposure. If LM wanted to spend some cash they could subsidize the car's appearance in many movies (I understand it was seen in Alias and other brief sitings?). I was just hoping that when people would spot these new ads, they wouldn't necessarily only have that 'Accord is faster' article to think back to.

[RCSignals]

Yes TTA I know what you are saying.
If I remember, C+D stated the Marauder they tested had 1,000 or 1500 miles on it. However, someone posted here that the car wasn't measure using track timing equipment, they used a stop watch.
I don't disbelieve the stop watch part, I've seen them use just a stop watch on cars on their TV program.

[JohnnyB]

Any LM dealership that had a hard time selling their in stock inventory of 2003 MM's will be hesitant to take on much of 2004. Even though performance has been upgraded, no advertising = no sales. I never put any credence in what C&D, R&T or Motor Trend say anyway. Those rags seem to be biased towards expensive imported Euro-trash.

However, I'm curious to see whet the red MM will look like. :D

[jgc61sr2002]

We will have to wait and see if FMC will offer any incentives. (rebates). IMHO they will probably wait and see how/ if they sell.

[TripleTransAm]

Originally posted by RCSignals
However, someone posted here that the car wasn't measure using track timing equipment, they used a stop watch.
I don't disbelieve the stop watch part, I've seen them use just a stop watch on cars on their TV program.


:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

Oh my God. How can that automotive magazine be taken seriously after this revelation??? I mean, what's next: testing a new Viper on a hilly back road by counting " one potato, two potato, three ......." while watching the speedometer?????? Good Lord, there's already so much slop in factory speedometers as it is, you can't POSSIBLY expect to get accurate numbers.

These euro-trash-wannabes are already so used to driving cars that have to transmit tons of road noise and harshness to feel like they handle well, they probably thought the MM was a pig in comparison. I feel into that trap myself... after a long winter of driving the Civic, I found myself 'cruising' down urban boulevards at close to 60 mph, the speed limit being 30-35!!!!! On TWO different road tests! By the third (and final) one, I finally forced myself to hold back... the performance is that misleading in its smoothness.

Sorry for the rant... if anyone can disprove this revelation, please help me out. I'm in shock... :shake:

[RCSignals]

JohnnyB
The biggest mistake some dealerships made with the '03 was ordering so many at once. They really don't need to keep many "on hand" especially when they can still be factory ordered.
Then of course many of those that still have a few, are still applying a dealer premium to MSRP.
Hopefully there won't be any dealer greedy pricing on '04s, and no stock piling. A customer seeing a huge number of the same model tends to become less urgent in his buying.

[RoyLPita]

It is a shame that you can't get a MM with the laminated side safety glass option. You can get it on a civilian CP for $295 MSRP.

[jgc61sr2002]

RC - You are correct. Many dealers ordered numerous MM's hoping to get over sticker and make big bucks. It didn't happen. The smart ones only ordered two at a time and when they sold they ordered two more.

[Bigdogjim]

I think one thing we all loose sight of is the dealer never thought (like we did) that the factory (L&M-FoMoCo) would "pull" the plug on adversiting like they did. Me I feel for the dealers they got burned big time.

[mdmarauder]

Ok...now I'm jealous I want the improvements. Damn...I was hoping they wouldn't change anything for the 2004 models.

[TripleTransAm]

Originally posted by mdmarauder
Ok...now I'm jealous I want the improvements. Damn...I was hoping they wouldn't change anything for the 2004 models.


Depending on what you're after, I'd say you'd probably enjoy a fairly large chunk of what the 2004s can do simply by applying some of the cheap mods available for the 2003s.

I got the same initial feeling when I saw all that low-end stuff... but then per chance I noticed an old thread with dyno plots of the same car chipped and unchipped. Nice improvement in the low end to mid range area, and that sounds like what I'll end up doing in the end. So, unless some new quirks pop up on my MM, I'll be sticking with my 2003.

[prchrman]

Me want red one...love that red one...

[jefferson-mo]

me 4........................:uzi:

[the fat bastid]

i'll be damned too.

tta: but then you could do those same mods to the 2004 and get evern more! well...in theroy anyways.

big dog: after talking to a few dealers i got the feeling they almost resented the car. i agree that the dealers feel they got burned big time..which they did.

in my quest to never be left behind, it doesnt sound like any of the new stuff would be that hard to work into a 2003..:)
(damn you t/c! damn you to hell!)

[RCSignals]

For interest sake I posted this info on BON (in the forum real people go to) It went largely ignored, but in other threads about the marauder there, they are quite happy to talk about how bad the Marauder is, how it missed the mark, etc. Mostly armchair critic stuff of course, from people who'd never buy one any way, but still interesting how they ignore the improvements for '04

[JohnnyB]

I remember a TV commercial in the early 1990's for the Mustang GT. A guy was sitting home watching TV and all of a sudden he hears a low rumble, which gets progressively louder until a Mustang roars past his house, everything shaking inside. Ford should have done a similar type advertisement with the MM. Spend some $$ during prime time and maybe the car would sell.
Also, all this crap in the reviews about lousy performance... I think the 4.6 32V does very well moving 2 tons of automobile. Want to go real fast, get an AMG Benz or wait for the next M5 supposedly coming with a V-10....

[tetsu]

The announced "improvements" are extremely minor. Just chipping your MM probably gives more go-juice.

Johnny

[SergntMac]

Originally posted by tetsu
The announced "improvements" are extremely minor. Just chipping your MM probably gives more go-juice. Johnny

You're probably right, Johnny, still the tranny gets a new model/part number and the MM gets a new frame number in the VIN, both of which are significant events. Maybe we knew about the frame number and that's no big deal, but for LM/FMC to designate a new transmission number...Well, this is significant. These changes mean someone at LM is thinking about the car, working on it, talking about it, and doing something that comes to mean "change it," rather than kill it.

In my book, new numbers usually mean good things, what do y'all think?

[Flat Eric]

Picture of a red Marauder, gag!

It had better look better in the flesh...

http://www.fleet.ford.com/products/fleet_showroom/2004fleetshowroom/2004-marauder.asp

[RCSignals]

I agree with Mac, the transmission change is significant.
If there were no hope for the Marauder, why change a thing from '03?

[WolfeBros]

I'm with you Mac. The fact that they are making some driveline changes means they have listened to somebody (MM.net?) and are trying to improve the car.

And Flat Eric......there will be people that like that red. Thats why Henry Ford finally decided to offer more than one color choice way back when. Don't offend your brother/sister Marauder owners to be. :nono:

[RCSignals]

People first reacted that way to blue, now blue is accepted as a great colour.

what is a little alarming, is the Marauder being "showcased" on the Fleet pages. Sure any Ford product pretty much can be ordered "Fleet", but this is like saying "the Marauder is part of our Fleet product line up"

Power Moonroof is back on the options list

[Flat Eric]

Hey i like red, if they get the shade right it will look awesome.

Read my message correctly Wolfe, i was complainin about the photo of a red marauder that Ford is displaying, it looks terrible!

[WolfeBros]

Originally posted by Flat Eric
Picture of a red Marauder, gag!

It had better look better in the flesh...

I read it the way it looks.......maybe its not what you meant.
Thats the trouble with a one dimenionsal media. No harm no foul intended here.

[Marauder57]

I don't know I think the red looks pretty sweet. I would like to see it in a larger picture or in person....but not too shabby....

I think Mac is right.....it is a long way from ending a car when you start making new part numbers in something as key as a transmission......good news all the way around. :D

[joflewbyu2]

notice that 1st gear and 2nd gear are taller ratios, not by much - but new taller 2.82 versus older shorter 2.84 for 1st gear & new taller 1.50 versus older shorter 1.55 for 2nd gear. ALSO noticed that the new torque converter is 11.25" compared to the older 11.5" converter. maybe THE CHANGES are due to a supplier change !!

[TripleTransAm]

Originally posted by joflewbyu2@aol.
notice that 1st gear and 2nd gear are taller ratios, not by much - but new taller 2.82 versus older shorter 2.84 for 1st gear & new taller 1.50 versus older shorter 1.55 for 2nd gear. ALSO noticed that the new torque converter is 11.25" compared to the older 11.5" converter.


I doubt the 2 hundredths is going to make a big difference in 1st gear launches. So I'm thinking that this new transmission is to be used in a wide variety of cars and the ratio is change is probably supplier-related or engineering-related (ie. packaging instead of performance). However, if they claim it's heavy duty, what does this mean for our tranny? Has anyone heard of excessive failures with this tranny?

Going with the smaller torque converter would lead me to believe the stall speed might be a bit higher on the 2004s. If I remember correctly, smaller TCs on an identical engine will yield a higher stall speed. This was done back in the days of the 426 Hemi, where a TC from a slant six was used to yield the higher stall speeds on the auto-equipped Hemis (no, Sarge, I never dismantled an A727 torqueflite from a Hemi, so yes this is from printed material - I have dismantled a slant six's T-flite, though, is that okay?).

As was mentioned earlier in the thread, looks like most of the changes (save any transmission durability issue) can be obtained through the aftermarket, including any higher stall speed converters. It is exciting to see them put money into the car, though. Hope some of it makes it to marketing...

[RCSignals]

As far as I know, Ford doesn't outsource those transmissions.

[looking97233]

Okay, I've got a silly question. Our transmission is the same one that the lightning and the regular f-150 get, right?

Isn't the f-150 all new for 2004? I think that if anything is driving the transmission change it would be that what the new f-150 is going to use and they will be making millions of them.

Just my thoughts.

P.S. Yes the software is different, and yes the torque converters are different, but isn't it the same basic transmission?

[RCSignals]

Looking, I think it is the same basic transmission, just some heavier duty internals for the 4R75W.

You may be right, that the F150 will use the 4R75W

A while back I had read that the 4R70W used in our Marauders had been beefed up, but I could never find exactly what they meant by "beefed up"

[mdmarauder]

I don't know but it seems Ford improves models up until the end of their production. Look at the Taurus for example they are still updating it but it's commonly know it will be killed soon.

[b4z]

I am really surprised that Ford went to the trouble of putting a new transmission in and didn't consider the 5 speed with much deepr gearing.

[TripleTransAm]

Originally posted by b4z
I am really surprised that Ford went to the trouble of putting a new transmission in and didn't consider the 5 speed with much deepr gearing.


I'm guessing the 5-speed is a little flimsy for use in the big Panther but I have no idea what the torque capacity is on that tranny. I'm basing this solely on having driven the Lincoln LS a few times and noticing how much smaller and less bulky the overall car is (so is the Thunderbird). Also consider that the engine is not as grunty as the MM's, so it gives me the impression of being a lighter duty transmission than our 4-speed.

[looking97233]

TTA- I think b4z is talking about the 5 spped that is in the avaitor. It weighs more than the MM and has a towing capacity of 7000lb.

[TripleTransAm]

Originally posted by looking97233
TTA- I think b4z is talking about the 5 spped that is in the avaitor. It weighs more than the MM and has a towing capacity of 7000lb.


:eek: Holy cow, that is NOT the same transmission I was referring to! LOL!
Sorry for the confusion, thanks for setting me straight.

I guess maybe the reason for THAT 5-speed not being in there is maybe due to packaging?

[RCSignals]

I think the transmission in the Aviator is the 5R100

Probably the main reasons the MM doesn't get it are cost, production numbers of the trans, and the fact that trucks and SUVs are given priority.
I don't know if there are any fitment considerations (floor changes to accommodate the 5 speed, etc.)

[joflewbyu2]

ford does NOT make the tranny nor any other part. they go to venders (suppliers) and give them specifications and needs for a part . the lowest price vender gets the contract. to keep cost down, ford is pressuring each supplier to lower their costs. tires come from michelin, bf goodrich and goodyear depending upon size, glass comes from ppg, radios from alpine, speakers from pioneer, etc. etc. FORD ENGINEERING RESEARCHES AND DEVELOPS DESIGNS AND THEN ASSEMBLES VEHICLES FROM THE OUTSOURCED PARTS FROM THE LOWEST PRICED VENDER THAT MET THEIR QUALIFICATIONS AND DEMANDS.

[MAD-3R]

The bravest men ever were the Astronaughts, riding a rocket built by the lowest bidder...

[Dr Caleb]

Originally posted by MAD-3R
The bravest men ever were the Astronaughts, riding a rocket built by the lowest bidder...
Not to diminsh the bravery of Astronauts but - You've never flown in a Canadian Forces Sea King. :lol:
"Canadain Armed Forces - were in the yellow pages under 'Antiques'"

[b4z]

I think Dennis told us last year that the Aviator 5 speed requires a completely different computer and wirin harness.

First and especially second are much deeper.
Would provably cut .5 second off the 0-60 time and completely solve any low end torque issues.

[JohnnyB]

I read that Ford could not put a manaul transamission in the MM because the clutch linkage interfered with a metal bracket along the firewall.....

[sprtyworty]

Well I guess we can be thankful Ford didn't change the wheels or rear facial with the Marauder script on the 04 or us 03 owners would look a little dated real quick huh?

[RCSignals]

Originally posted by joflewbyu2@aol.
ford does NOT make the tranny nor any other part. they go to venders (suppliers) and give them specifications and needs for a part . the lowest price vender gets the contract. to keep cost down, ford is pressuring each supplier to lower their costs. tires come from michelin, bf goodrich and goodyear depending upon size, glass comes from ppg, radios from alpine, speakers from pioneer, etc. etc. FORD ENGINEERING RESEARCHES AND DEVELOPS DESIGNS AND THEN ASSEMBLES VEHICLES FROM THE OUTSOURCED PARTS FROM THE LOWEST PRICED VENDER THAT MET THEIR QUALIFICATIONS AND DEMANDS.

That's not entirely correct. Ford does have it's own Engine and transmission plants, they do far more than just assembly on these components.
Ford also does much of it's own stamping for sheet metal body parts.

You are correct though, in that it's not like Ford of old where raw materials entered at one end and a new vehicle exited the other

[warren]

Roy - (It is a shame that you can't get a MM with the laminated side safety glass option. )

You might look into www.windowarmorusa.com,
it comes clear or tinted, 9mm thick. I'm supposed to have it installed in a week or so on just the side windows for security and the tint.
It's called Window Armor! I'll let everyone know how it works out.

Warren B.:cool:

[RoyLPita]

Thanx but it probably cost much more than what Ford has to offer for $295 MSRP.

[SergntMac]

Originally posted by RoyLPita
Thanx but it probably cost much more than what Ford has to offer for $295 MSRP.

Went through the recommended web site, after removing the comma from the proposed addy...I agree.

[LincMercLover]

Fixed. :up:

[Geo]

"Ford should have done a similar type advertisement with the MM. Spend some $$ during prime time and maybe the car would sell."

Ford is a multi-national company. It would be against their interests in the world company that they are in to promote a mean black 4dr sedan. The world order doesn't want powerful men out there anymore. They want to control the masses and allow only the 5% to make a difference. If they market such a serious man's car to widely, then the world elite may have something to lose.

We were lucky to get this car and the car will be killed off before it has a chance to make a mass impact. If it were the 70's it would be different. There was a more manly attitude about then. Now it's about round nerf-ball cars like SSRs and and round GTOs. They're nice cars but with requisite roundness. Not too much allowed room for McGarett-mobiles. When the Marauder dream lapses we'll have to go back to Kenny Brown for hot Crown Vics again.

Aggressive men's cars can be still allowed but for the money. A car like the Marauder as low as it can be had in price with it's speed is not usually normal. Marauders are a steal (even though we think they are overpriced) considering what image one can project and what reality one can live.

Another reason why many walk away from the car is people can be afraid of too much of a good thing. You've heard of people being afraid of wealth and how they walk away from it. Soceity wants us to think that way; too walk away from Marauders just like many couples these days see love and get afraid and walk away. Why because it's considered wrong to have perfection, it's been fed to us subliminally because the alternative (chaos) feeds and revitalizes the economy. Have morals taken a back door in the new millennium, most certainly and so have Marauders.

GEO

[SergntMac]

Geo...

Own.

[Billatpro]

Holy crap, where did that come from?

[RCSignals]

GEO, is that you?
I think GEO has been taken over :eek:

Actually, a lot of that makes sense

[jgc61sr2002]

Geo - I agree that the MM is priced well. It just takes a special person to buy one.:D