First drive in a Marauder

[SATX]

I am really interested in getting a Marauder in the future. I had a chance today to drive one for the first time. WOW!

It drove very tight for a large car. I am amazed at its handling and poise. The exhaust note is great. The seats are extremely comfortable. Even my wife liked driving the car, and she prefers small cars. It was rock solid at 80 mph on the highway, and handled Christmas shopping crowded streets with ease.

Now I really want one, but the timing is not right for us now. It was an '03 300B with 12,600 miles. It is the first one that I have seen for sale locally since I began my research.

With it being Thanksgiving time, don't forget how fortunate you guys are for having an MM.

Till later,
Jon

[SC Cheesehead]

Jon,

Only 12,600 miles on the clock? Man, you better snap that one up! What's the asking price for it, and what color?

SCCH

[Richy04]

I'm sorry,

Your review fell on deaf ears.. We all took more stock in Larry from Brooklyns review... You know, the guy in my avatar picture.. He seems to think you are wrong.. Anyway, buy that one now.. Its a keeper at that mileage and if the price is right..

[SATX]

It's black and they are asking $18,250. Here is the link if you're interested.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=233871229&dealer_id=2127783&car_year=2003&model=MARAUDER&num_records=100&systime=1195914509089&make2=&start_year=1981&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=100&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&make=MERC&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Ais psearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=32504&advanced=&end_year=2008&doors=&transmission=&max_price=&cardist=4&superSpotlight=

Trust me, I'm trying to justify buying it. We are planning on moving back home to Texas next summer, and I still don't have a job there. After that is cleared up, I'll definitely be in the market.

[Aren Jay]

Yes a Marauder is great. I have loved other car I have had in the past and my Marauder beats them all. I don't even miss my old Mustang Cobra that i had for 17 years any more. The Marauder does almost everything.

Does it very well and generates smiles for yourself and those inside. 99% of everyone else do not have a clue.

The Marauder is the Ultimate expression of the Dark Horse.

[Illss]

It's black and they are asking $18,250. Here is the link if you're interested.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=233871229&dealer_id=2127783&car_year=2003&model=MARAUDER&num_records=100&systime=1195914509089&make2=&start_year=1981&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=100&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&make=MERC&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Ais psearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=32504&advanced=&end_year=2008&doors=&transmission=&max_price=&cardist=4&superSpotlight=

Trust me, I'm trying to justify buying it. We are planning on moving back home to Texas next summer, and I still don't have a job there. After that is cleared up, I'll definitely be in the market.
looks good and priced well to me.

[Richy04]

Pretty good price and it comes with the optional black guy as shown.:Dhttp://images.autotrader.com/images/2007/11/10/233/871/3311941606.233871229.IM1.06.24 0x180_A.240x180.jpg

I wonder what he does.. :confused:

[SC Cheesehead]

Pretty good price and it comes with the optional black guy as shown.:D

I wonder what he does.. :confused:

:rofl::rofl:
I think he's the guy that'll call you three times a day for the next year telling you what a dumazz you are if you don't buy this car!:P

SCCH

[Paul]

:rofl::rofl:
I think he's the guy that'll call you three times a day for the next year telling you what a dumazz you are if you don't buy this car!:P

SCCH


That must be Latiff Parlin. Yeah, he's cute and all, but I'd rather see a pic of the engine bay. LOL:P


That's the asking price. You should be able to negotiate them down some... but on the other hand, I know what you mean about not over-extending. There are always plenty for sale, you will find another when you are ready.

[SATX]

... but on the other hand, I know what you mean about not over-extending. There are always plenty for sale, you will find another when you are ready.

Thanks Paul, I needed that. Even my wife says that I can get it if I want. She's no help. The N.A.D.A. book (the actual book available to the bank, not the online one) says that a nice one with that mileage retails at $18,500. This is not easy.

[MACFORD88]

Give Them A Offer And Go From There.mine Had 34k And Asking Was 17.5k I Got It For 15k.o And Dont Think About It To Much Because You Will Not Buy Anything Like That.some Advise.

[smithej450]

SATX,

If you can't do it now, it's alright "good things come to those that wait". When you get that MM trust me you are no going to leave it stock! (Could I get a AMEN from other MM owners). If you got your wife's support go to a credit union have them cut a check about 1500.00 less than what the dealer ask for, and there is a 98% chance you will drive out there with that MM; cause money talks.

Either way you'll be joining the MM crowd :burnout:

[ctrlraven]

After buying mine I wish I had waited lol. Mine had 40k for $21,100 which after looking at others later on saw it was kinda of high but it was well maintained with all service records and all around clean.

Good things come to those who wait, you never know you might find one down the road that has some nice mods with low mileage around the same price.

[dreydin]

yea, first time i test drove a MM i was like O_O

[Aren Jay]

I never test drove mine.

[DetroitMarauder]

Man, I know how you feel. I wanted to buy a new MM in '03 but the company I was working for went out of biz and I figured a $38K purchase would be a bad Idea. I waited and waited till I felt comfortable with my new employment to buy My dream car.

I got lucky and found my baby on my way to work (weird how fate works).

Haven't stopped smiling ever since. :)

I Hope fate gives you a thumbs up one day soon and you get as lucky as I did.

Good luck Bro.

[SATX]

Well Marauder fans, it's been an interesting day. I'll try to keep it short. I started out by going to a local lot that gives advice on buying cars even if you're not buying from them. They were familiar with the MM that I was looking at. They told me what to expect for my trade in and what to expect in haggling. They even ran the vin on autocheck for me. I ended up talking with the lot owner and he said if they come down to $17k and give me $5 for my trade that I should take it. It was a good car.

I then went to the credit union and got my bank note. I asked Hanni (my wife) to go with me to the dealer. We make a good team, and we have fun. He asked what I was willing to pay, and I told him to give me his best price. He started at $17.8k for the MM and $4.2k for the trade. I was already tired of games and countered with what I wanted, $16.5k and 5k. He then proceded to do the good cop, bad cop routine with the sales manager. I eventually went up to $16.7 and 5k. He countered a couple of times, we rejected both and got up to leave. He begged for one more chance. We waited in the parking lot. He came out and accepted our offer. We started the paper work and began cleaning out our van.

Then I remembered. I forgot to inquire about doc fees or dealer prep fees. I walked to the back room and asked what was the bottom line. I got a number and it didn't compute. I used my calculator to figure out TT&L. Something wasn't right. He finally showed me the printout. They were charging a $399 dealer prep fee which amounted to cleaning the car. For $400 I can buy a lot of cleaning equipment. Realize that the PO was a smoker and the car smelled like a smoke stack. Additionally it wasn't that clean; plus the left rear back up light lens was broken. I wasn't worried because my wife and I are pretty good at detailing cars, but I wasn't paying $400 and then cleaning it myself. He wouldn't come down on the dealer prep fee, and we walked out.

We were that close to having a MM. We have no regrets. We have been laughing about it all day. Believe it or not, I left out a lot of details. That was the coolest, most confident that we have ever been at a dealership. We know that the right one is out there. It will come. Who knows, they may call me back. I might have the dealership that I trust http://www.frontiermotorsinc.com/ do a search and find for a MM. We'll keep you posted.

BTW, we met Latiff, the guy in the picture that comes with the car, and he was a real nice guy. Very personable.

Jon

[Aren Jay]

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/searchresults.jsp?num_records= 25&search_lang=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Ais psearchform&search_type=both&distance=200&address=32503&marketZipError=false&style_flag=1&make=MERC&model=MARAUDER&make2=&start_year=1981&end_year=2008&min_price=&max_price=&transmission=&engine=&drive=&doors=&fuel=&max_mileage=&color=&keywords_display=&sort_type=priceDESC&body_code=0&certified=&advanced=&default_sort=priceDESC&awsp=false&keywordsrep=&keywordsfyc=&systime=1196568930093

Two other Marauders in your area.

Less miles more money.

Ask RoyLpita to run the Vin#'s for you.

Both at the same place, ~200 miles from you.

http://www.getauto.com/urlclickcounter.php?url=http://www.getauto.com/autolinks_cardetail.html/adid-11260430/e_dealer_id-/inventory-/x_dealer_id-&pageval=autolinks_sr_ad_detail&consumer_map_id=15535&consumer_id=15535&some_id=11260430&type_code=AD

http://www.getauto.com/urlclickcounter.php?url=http://www.getauto.com/autolinks_cardetail.html/adid-11333806/e_dealer_id-/inventory-/x_dealer_id-&pageval=autolinks_sr_ad_detail&consumer_map_id=15535&consumer_id=15535&some_id=11333806&type_code=AD

$15292.00 in Port Richey (where ever that is) http://www.auction123.com/showroom/gulfview_motors_hernando_mitsu bishi_suzuki/2003/Mercury/Marauder/2MEHM75V43X632363.html?wait=fa lse

More miles less money.

When buying a car I offer 80% of their posted price. Then they counter and I counter with 90% all fees included plus tax. Worked for my Marauder and my Subaru.

sorry had to delete that last one, it might just be the perfect winter car for me.