Please help me decide... thank you!

[usabodyguard]

Ok, so i originally posted that i was in the market and buying an 03 marauder... I have never been inside of one, and obviously not driven one. I just like the styling more than anything, but have no clue as to the amount of room inside, features (other than what i can see from pictures), or the feel of acceleration, etc, etc...

the problem i have is I know no one in my area with one, and the two I am looking at for sale are each 2+ hours away (ironically 15 minutes apart from eachother) so i have a couple of questions... if anyone can help...

1. I am 6'8" - will i fit..??

2. Is there anything major i should look out for? (known issues)

3. Is the motor a Cobra motor?

4. Does the marauder have the same set up - suspension - safety - box frame - heavy duty engine parts as a CVPI?

5. I see the usual bolt ons are available - CAI - Chip/program - Headers/exhaust - any suggestions? (i already own a prostreet race truck, dont need this MM blown or juiced... just the bolt on stuff)

6. What bolt pattern are the wheels? Marauder isnt aways listed as an option, any alternatives?


thanks alot for your help on this... :up:

[Aren Jay]

1. I'm 6'5" I fit with lots of head room, it should be no problem, as long as you do not get a sunroof.

2. Check AC, have it inspected (I didn't and mine is fine), same as any car.

3. No the Motor is similar to the cobra motor but it is a Mach 1 motor.

4. Better. It is similar to and better than the Police package.

5. Look through the vendor section of this forum for ideas, there are many options...

6. 5x114mm. 39-54+mm offset. Alternatives? Yes.

7. Tires, stock fronts are easy to find, for rears there are alternatives, most common is the 255/55-18. There are alos lots of different choices for 16" or 17" winter tire sizes.

Where is your area, there may be someone on this site close to you. (not me, but someone)

have a good look through the other sections of this forum, you will find lots of information on the Marauder.

:)

[usabodyguard]

thank you for your help!!

So, being a member at most of the truck forums, there are just things you DO NOT DO to certain cars/trucks... like putting lambo doors on a full size truck... it is quite lame...

any "Do Not Break" rules i should know about? I see most cars on here are running the stock wheels... I am a big fan of Color matching wheels on black cars... and probably go up in size to a 20" forged wheel, and drop the car maybe 2" (the right way, whatever that is).... probably limo tint out the entire car, and paint the chrome strip around the windows black, have the tails tinted, throw in some HID's (top and bottom if possible), CAI, TUNE, exhaust.... all this in the first couple of weeks...

anyone have any thoughts?

[justbob]

The easiest way to do this is go drive a crown vic, town car, & a mustang gt and then imagine the best parts from all combined. I'm 6'2 and ride with the seat adjusted in a elevated position.

[Darkside]

thank you for your help!!
any "Do Not Break" rules i should know about? I see most cars on here are running the stock wheels... I am a big fan of Color matching wheels on black cars... and probably go up in size to a 20" forged wheel, and drop the car maybe 2" (the right way, whatever that is).... probably limo tint out the entire car, and paint the chrome strip around the windows black, have the tails tinted, throw in some HID's (top and bottom if possible), CAI, TUNE, exhaust.... all this in the first couple of weeks...

anyone have any thoughts?
Most guys here have fantasies at night about the factory wheels so you'll probably catch some flack. I agree and most likely will end up with black wheels at some point. Don't forget to tint the backup lights as well.;)

[ckadiddle]

I like the factory wheels a lot. I also like the photos I have seen of guys that have converted factory wheels to black and some guys are using various custom black wheels. i like them all. I guess I am way too easy to please. ;)

[rayjay]

I believe once you see the OEM wheels in person you will love them as most here do. To each his own, but Ford hit a homer when they designed these wheels for the MM. Yea, Lambo doors will get you run out of here :D Please just don't "vandalize" the car and then come looking for validation here. Its your car, do what you want, but this isn't a ricer-roni forum.

[sd8683]

I think you can get our oem rims in 20's now, if I remember corectly they are an option for the new mustangs

[usabodyguard]

..... Please just don't "vandalize" the car and then come looking for validation here. Its your car, do what you want, but this isn't a ricer-roni forum.


No one here has to worry about anything ricer coming out of my garage... that is for sure!

like i said, i have a prostreet silverado, which is already a magazine vehicle... and a SEMA 08 feature vehicle.. I doubt i will do anything to make the MM look badly...

anyone in the ventura county area? Id like to see one up close and possibly sit in it... I live in Thousand Oaks ca... is that close to anyone?

Thanks!

:beer:

[TiTo35]

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=44445

Talk to this guy...not sure how socal goes...but he is in that area...

[Stranger in the Black Sedan]

I put an MM on reserve and went way out of state and bought mine before I had ever driven one. For the most part, I was not disappointed.

I had driven a CV sport, and liked the size and roominess, but it was soooooo slow. I figured w/ the MM having so much more hp, "can't be any slower so it will probably have enough power". It does. That is, after getting it tuned, b/c the stock transmission tune is almost undriveably bad.

[magindat]

Wheels and dropped (the right way)

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/3/5/4/8/DSCF6218.jpg

Welcome and good luck finding your car!!!

[Breadfan]

As for the rims and changing stuff on the car, most people are more reluctant to change appearance items on this car (major ones) due to the limited production nature.

The wheels are big for this, the stock wheels look real nice on the car, and were Marauder specific. That's why most don't like changing them out.

However many have done the black rim combo, and it does look nice. And, you can store your OEM rims and keep them nice and shiny in the meantime.

Lambo doors, landau roofs, lifted suspension, excessive chrome trim, lime green paint, these sorts of things probably wouldn't go over too well. ;)

[SideshowBob]

I'm 6'8" and the Marauder fits me fine for head and leg room, although the footwells are a bit cramped for my size 16 tennies. Since I'm also a "widebody", I doubt there's another sedan on the market that offers as much comfort for the exceptionally large as does the Panther platform (Marauder, Grand Marquis, Crown Vic, Lincoln Towncar).

[Aren Jay]

Don't put 24" wheels on and don't paint your Marauder Neon Green.

The seatbelts are bit tight on those of us who are bigger/wider than most. I hate how they pop out of the bolster, but if they bother me enough I'm going to move them.

Other wise it is almost perfect.

Oh and most people do not like Gold wheels. I DO, but most do not.

[offroadkarter]

I think you can get our oem rims in 20's now, if I remember corectly they are an option for the new mustangs

They are 18" still and the center cap hole isnt machined to accept our gods head caps.

[usabodyguard]

I know there are some hardcore fans of the car... i like the looks alot, but I am a fan of an all black car... rims, trim, emblems, etc... as for performance, well that just runs in my blood... i need to hold the horses as I need this to be reliable...

Here is what i have in mind...

black MM... limo tint all the way around except the windshield... paint all of the trim black, black 20's, lower maybe 2", 410s, front and rear sways, tune, exhaust, and a system/nav...
NX Nitrous Express is one of my sponsors and i have a spare n20 kit NIB i might run a 50-100 shot when the need for speed kicks in.
But im the type who will do all of the above in the first month... i will post progress as soon as i find a MM!

thanks to everyone who posted their opinions and advice... im sure i will make most of you proud...

still looking... i have a couple to look at this weekend... hopefully i pull the trigger on one.


:up:

[Bigdogjim]

Sounds like your on track.

Best of luck in your search.

You where to find me if you have any last minute question:)