Help Please

[2004 MARAUDER]

I'm not sure where to post this, so I put it here. I have been waiting a long time to get my Marauder. Now may be the time. Only problem I have is seeing all the things people have had go wrong. Is the 2004 any bettter? Is there a list on the board somewhere of things I can check before I buy? I am excited, but worried at the same time. My wifw will Kill me if I buy this car and have problems....

Also, Looking at a 2004 Silver. Anyone know the going price? The MSRP is $34, 890.00

Thanks for any and all help,

Jim

[merc406]

I doubt that the 04's will have many of the same problems ("bugs") and will be a good car.

[TripleTransAm]

It's a crapshoot at this point...

I would have recommended you wait until some point after mid-year 2004 to order a new one (or find one with as late a build-date as possible), in the hopes that some of the glitches would be ironed out. That's what I did, buying a Feb '03 build car in March. To my surprise, I still ended up with many of the glitches that ailed the mid '02 builds, even some new ones. What does that tell me about the Q/A system within Ford?

For that matter, there's nothing saying that the 2004 cars will be any better than the 2003 cars... I don't see how a model year switchover can have an effect on build and component quality all by itself. Nothing would have stopped the plant from halting production for an "attitude adjustment" session with the employees at any point during the model year run, so why would the model year switchover be any different?

But like I said, it's a crapshoot... I came across a local owner with what he claims to be one of the first Marauders in Montreal, last weekend. He claims to not have had one single problem with his early car (although I suspect his dealer technician keeps his car up to date with the latest s/w, etc., from the way he spoke). His car didn't even tick as he fired it up and drove away. *shrug*

If you really want the car, your best bet is to spend a couple of hours reading through the Community Discussion and Garage areas of this site... just pick off the threads that interest you, one by one, and make a list of things to check. I spent 2 months on here soaking it all up, and I think this made for a positive purchase experience, even though I probably added a few items on the overall "things to check" list over the past few months! LOL! But every time I look at the damned car, my heart melts. Owning a Marauder seems to be more of an emotional experience than a rational one, it seems...

I think the most important items of all, based on what I've read to date, are:

1) find a dealer that will support you whatever happens. Doesn't necessarily have to be mod-friendly... just willing to stick with you and fix your car to YOUR satisfaction whatever happens. Make sure they are open-minded to the info you will bring to them from this site... you can't shake a stick at the collective experience of a thousand members and their Marauders.

2) throughly inspect and test drive the car before buying it. Know what you are buying... an experience like buying this kind of car can leave you at the mercy of your emotions and you'll be blinded by the excitement. As much as I was desperately wanting this car, I was prepared to walk away from the sale should there have been any detail that was not to my satisfaction (I did, in fact, exercise this option once with another Marauder, before settling with my current unit).

Good luck.

[Ross]

Jim, if you read through all of the posts, you will find a few serious problems mentioned, and many more which qualify as merely pains in the ***. I have had a couple of those PITA myself, but overall, I would buy this car again in a heartbeat. Come to think of it, I've never had a car that didn't have some kind of problem somewhere. You have to remember that the guys who post on this board LOVE their cars, and will sometimes complain about things which many people would never notice. We look forward to you becoming an owner like us. In the meantime, hang around and absorb as much info as you can. I've learned a heck of a lot here.

[RCSignals]

Don't be scared away by the problems posted on this board. Not that problems haven't been experienced, but they tend to get amplified in the threads and you'd think there was an epidemic of problems when there really isn't.

You will love your Marauder like no other car.

[Bigdogjim]

2004 MARAUDER: Here is a something to thing about:

I do not belive any new car has a web site where its members will post their problems freely?

Almost 1100+ posting vs% that own the car?

Outside of the paint issues which I belive are # 1 gripe buy it!!

I am very happy with mine after 1 year 3 weeks and 11000 miles.

Go Marauder!!!:D :cool: :coolman:

[Murader03]

What "BigDog" said......

[jgc61sr2002]

Jim - Make sure you test drive the MM before buying. I am very happy with mine. IMHO some of the problems are overeactions that get compounded.:D

[drobin]

Jim,

Check over your intended purchase like a jewler appraising a diamond ring. Honestly, I cannot say anything negative about the car, nor have I had any problems to speak of. It's like anything else, the more you take care of it, the less problems you will experience. There will always be a certain percentage with problems like those associated with this board, but don't let that scare you away. It's a terrific car and always fun to drive...

Donald
"drobin"

[chapel1]

Drive it then buy it!If your trying to save a buck then wait or buy a used one or a year end model one.This car will bring all sorts of attenion,all of mine has been good.

[Merc-O-matic]

MARAUDER great car.....buy it!
Nothing in this life is perfect.
Like I said once before,
if I only had the money I
would buy another one.
Gotta Love It!

[gilby04]

2004 Marauder,

MSRP in Detroit area is $33,770 plus $725 Destination/Delivery.
("A" plan is $31,089.97)
My Red Marauder will be delivered on 10/20/03 with the following pricing structure:
$3000 Factory rebate
$500 AARP rebate
$500 Specific Dealer rebate

I have driven a Red 2002 Crown Vic Sport for 18 months, patiently waiting for the Red Marauder. My waiting is over.

In my opinion, waiting for a problem-free product, of human manufacture, will be never ending.

I also think the "window of opportunity" for anyone wishing to become a Marauder owner is now!

I've driven Ford/Mercury/Lincoln products since 1970.
None have been problem-free, but all have been very close.

The first model year of any new product constitutes a "learning curve". The second year starts the "window of opportunity".

Please consider the following:
Remember the Thunderbird SuperCoupe of the late eighties?
The initial units included cast crankshafts that ultimately failed in torsion. This problem was resolved with forged cranks!

Remember the Ford Escort/Mercury Lynx models of the eighties?
The rubber timing belt would typically fail in the 50K - 60K mileage range, allowing the valves to drop into the combustion chambers. This catastrophic problem was resolved with a redesign of the heads that included a cast in place "shelf" barrier, thus preventing the valves from dropping.

There have been many "learning curves". This learning process is the "fertilizer" that promotes progress. Learning is, and always will be, never-ending.

I will be thinking of you, 2004 Marauder, come 10/20/03.

Hope you can justify the Silver Marauder...most likely, you deserve one, anyway!

gilby04

[Logan]

I'll add this, just pick up an 04 or a late build 03 and you won't have any problems...

If you pick up a 2002 car that's been sitting for a long time, just make sure you get a hell of a deal on it, like about $26k new.

New 04's are running me about $27k right now here locally, my dealer happens to have a Silver 04 sitting on the lot they just got in... Care to fly to Dallas? ;)

[Petrograde]

Originally posted by Logan
my dealer happens to have a Silver 04 sitting on the lot they just got in...

I saw the silver one with a temp tag on it yesterday Logan, one of the sales guys told me had another MM, but it was a demo for visiting Ford execs.

Tom

[Warpath]

I'll just add that no one will post that they have yet to experience a problem with their car (unless in response to someone else posting about a problem). Reading all these posts about problems may seem like the car is a lemon. But, its only a small percentage of the population (more or less).

[Rob1559]

Do not be afraid. I love this car. The best I have owned. I also visit a motorcycle board and some people over there rant about small things as they do here. It just makes some folks feel better to sound off.

[rumble]

.You must remember this, any car that would have a following like this and be scrutinized like this will show many many flaws. If you check the "God of Quality" JD powers, Mercury is stunningly high.
A close check of the problems on this site show very few major problems and not many more minor ones. The biggest problem you will see reoccurring here is poor dealer service and every manufacture has that problem in spades

[rumble]

You must remember this, any car that would have a following like this and be scrutinized like this will show many many flaws. If you check the "God of Quality" JD powers, Mercury is stunningly high.
A close check of the problems on this site show very few major problems and not many more minor ones. The biggest problem you will see reoccurring here is poor dealer service and every manufacture has that problem in spades

[Rex_Karrs]

I guess I'll be the first then...I've had my MM since the middle of September, I'm up to about 2200 miles now, including a trip to the Columbus meet, and I cheerfully report no - repeat, no - problems whatsoever so far. I may be jinxing myself, I don't look that closely at the paint as long as everything seems to be covered with a little DTR, and it show dirt unmercifully, but as far as running and appearance issues, I have nothing to report. Save, of course, that I love the car and recommend the MM to whoever will listen.
BTW - I know we have some STAP folks on line - Thanks, guys, for a great job with my MM :)