Need some help - buying in a few months

[backinblack]

Hello everyone, I'm a newbie:coolman:

My wife and I will be in the market for a new car (my first new car!) in about two - three months. I was wondering if people could give me their thoughts on the Marauder since I really, REALLY want one. A few questions I have so far:

1) Is everyone's overall impression favorable? Does anyone not like their car at all? I own a 1996 Grand Marquis, and I don't have any problems with it, but the car doesn't move very fast. It has 150,000 miles on it and is nearing retirement age.

2) I plan on getting the extended warranty/service plan, but does anyone have a definitive answer on whether or not reprogramming the ECM voids the warranty? I'm not really a gearhead, so modification plans right now are pretty slim. I do love to tinker, though, so if someone can tell me what is/ isn't allowed that would be great.

3) Does anyone know of a good dealer in the Washington, DC area? I went to Cherner Lincoln Mercury in Annandale, and they're friendly enough, but the salesman we talked to didn't seem to know what to do with me (I'm 27 - I don't think this man had spoken to anyone under the age of 60 in a long time). I've had my GM serviced there before, so I'm in good with the shop, but I don't want to get burned on the sales side.

4) Any idea what price I should be paying in the DC area? They're listing for around 35, but that sounds insanely high, and my wife will nix the purchase plan in favor of a cheaper car. Can I get a break on price?

Thanks for the help!

-BackInBlack:coolman:

[Logan]

1) We all love 'em.

2) Bottom line is Yes & No. With any modification, you should ultimately be prepared to accept a warranty denial. If you're not prepared to do that, keep it stock.

3) No idea.

4) Don't know about Washington, but I can get new marauder's all day long for $26.5-27k

[67435animal]

1. Great car; I love it!

2. I'm going with the Superchips tuner because it only plays with software, not hardware. I did buy the ESP plan for 72months/70,000 miles.

3. Don't know anyone in LM in DC.

4. I bought a demo for 23K. You can get new ones for prices far below list.

Bob

[RF Overlord]

1. ^^^what they all said^^^
I've never had so much fun with a car...

2. It mostly depends on how mod-tolerant your dealer is...certain things such as chips, headers, underdrive pulleys, etc are fairly well known mods that generally don't cause problems, but if your dealer is a harda$$, he can deny a warranty claim for having mud-flaps installed :rolleyes: So the answer is: do what YOU feel comfortable with...some members have decided to do nothing until the warranty is up, other of us decided to go ahead and have some fun anyway, and deal with it later...if you start thinking about mods, just ask us, and we'll help you decide if it's right for you...

3. Can't help you there.

4. Don't know about DC, but here on Cape Cod, the local dealer has a leftover '03 with 76 miles for 27,999...it's been there since January, so I'm sure they'll take less...

[Bigdogjim]

Pertty much what all of them said!!

Check with some Md., De., Va., owners and maybe they can send you to their dealer??

[carfixer]

Welcome to the board.
I just bought my first new car, red 04 MM. I take delivery on Thurs.
I am a L/M dealer tech. I agree with RF on the mods, if your dealer is a hard a$$, you may need to lay low on the mods until the warr runs out. Try going to the SM at your dealership and ask him what his policies are before you do any. Reinhardt can program your pcm which makes it virtually undetectable by the dealer. Rear end gears are also hard to detect. Stealthy mods may be your best bet.

Now if you were in SW Florida, I know a certain tech that tends to look the other way for MM owners.:D

As far as quality, it has been a great car. We've sold about a dozen at our dealership and no serious issures yet.

I wouldn't wait too long to buy, there is $4000 rebate on '03 and $3000 on '04 If you buy before 12/1. There is also a current 500 dealer cash rebate and 500 owner loyalty (you qualify with your GM).
Good luck with your hunting

[Stephen Soulsby]

Hunt Ford in LaPlata (10 minutes south of Waldorf) has a silver 2004 in stock. Sticker is $35,185. If you stick to your guns you should be able to get it for $28ish. Their phone # is 301-934-8186. I've never personally delt with them, but I'm pretty sure that's where Charles County Sheriff Department gets their cars from, so they should be fairly knowlegable.

[jgc61sr2002]

backinblack - Welcome to the site. Good info nice folks. Test drive the Marauder and you will be hooked like the rest of us.:D

[03SILVERSTREAK]

Welcome to the site . What they all said , will never steer you wrong . test drive one . be hooked . I know I was . good luck with your search . (I like the silver ones) :rolleyes: :up: