General questions on the Marauder

[gdsqdcr]

Hey folks!

I am looking at buying a Marauder and have a few questions. First a little about me,

Currently own a 94 SHO, slightly modified. Now charger, and if the performance numbers are correct for a stock Marauder, I am currently faster. But, ... I have owned this current one for 9 years and have been into SHO's for almost 15. I have no desire to buy a new SHO, missing a manual, and for the price, i think i want more. Plus, no desire to spend that kind of money on a car.

So, currently looking at 2003 300A Marauder. Pretty nice looking car, price fair. I have read through alot of the forum topics but would like to get some more info.

How realiable are these beasts? This will be my DD.
How reliable is the tranny that is in the 03?
What kind of mileage, realistically are you getting? Only pull about 20 in my SHO ...
I know that these are big cars, but I like to play on the twisty roads. Will I be able to modify the Marauder so it can turn around the corners a bit? I just need some ...
What are the major issues to worry about with these cars? i.e., Does the blower motor fail? Do power window motors fail with regularity?

Thanks!
Anthony

[dohc324ci]

Hey nice to see a possible new member from NorCal!

The Marauder is very reliable. same power train as a cobra/mach I. The tranny is stout and can handle lots of powa.

Mileage was around 300-330 a tank (19 gallons) one time did 375 FWY. As far as handling goes it is a 4200lbs car but handles very well for its size. Good luck with the search! Just do it!

[Mr. Man]

We love our 04. No major issues so far at 95k. A few electrical gremlins with lighting of the window switch lites.. You can get aftermarket suspension parts to help the MM handle better but for a big car it is no slouch stock. Mpg will be about the same as your SHO. 18-20 city and 23-25 highway if you keep your foot lite and to be honest that's not always easy to do. I have heard of some S/C cars having problems but it is not on all S/C cars. I'll let one of the guys w/ S/C comment their experiences. Overall I think we made a good choice when we bought the MM and would have no reservation buying another if they still made them.

[Motorhead350]

I have a Procharger and it leaked oil, but I now know why. I drove it when it was -17 one night and I think going from dead cold to hot on the blower damaged the outter casing and caused it to leak oil.

When mine was stock it would get 23mpg highway and at one point it was getting 25 with a tune, some have claimed to get 26mpg with a Marauder. The only issue I ever had was the alternater going out twice and having to change the A/C head unit.

The Ford products are great, the aftermarket stuff is what had let me down. I am speaking from 143,000 miles of experience and I got the car new.

[musclemerc]

As far as suspension goes get Addco front and rear swaybars, sparta control arms, and upgrade the brakes. The car will handle like a dream! Mine keeps me firmly planted in my seat on all road conditions.

[guspech750]

I got rid of my pristeen very low milage 1997 Camaro SS for my Marauder. I bought it this past March or April with 26,000 miles on it. Everyday the car puts a big smile on my face. When I have a bad day at work. Guess whos there to cheer me up? My Marauder. I love it. I drive it everyday. It is such a unique car. While everyone around me drives their cookie cutter cars that eveyone else drives. I get to pull up in the big Marauder. I love being in a big powerfull cool looking a unique car. That for such a big car handles very well (stock).

I have had no problems. 36,000 miles now. Oh wait. There is a problem. I want a supercharger:(

Good luck!!!

[Bluerauder]

So, currently looking at 2003 300A Marauder. Pretty nice looking car, price fair. I have read through alot of the forum topics but would like to get some more info.

How realiable are these beasts? This will be my DD.

I have an '03 300B that has been my daily driver for the past 6 years. No problems at all other than the "wacky wipers" and heated seat light flicker.

How reliable is the tranny that is in the 03?

No problems. The shift pattern was FUBAR'd from the factory and it was "hunting" all the time at low speeds and O/D kicked in early. A custom tune adjusted shift points to something much better.

What kind of mileage, realistically are you getting? Only pull about 20 in my SHO ...

Around town I get about 16 MPG; but I am quite heavy with the foot when the light goes green. On the highway on longer trips, I can get 24.5 MPG cruising at 80 MPH.

I know that these are big cars, but I like to play on the twisty roads. Will I be able to modify the Marauder so it can turn around the corners a bit? I just need some ...

As was mentioned above ^^^^, the MM handles pretty well from the factory. Much tighter and more responsive than a Grand Marquis. Lots of fun on the twisty country roads. Control arms and sway bars will have the BMW and Porsche boys sitting up to take notice on the road course. Ask Defyant.

What are the major issues to worry about with these cars? i.e., Does the blower motor fail? Do power window motors fail with regularity?

No problems with the window motors, but the window guides were misaligned on some MMs and caused binding of the driver and passenger windows. I had my window guides realigned a long time ago and have not had a problem since. I haven't had any trouble with the blower motor.
Thanks!
Anthony

My comments in RED above ^^^^.

[Ms. Denmark]

Talk to some of the Nor-Cal guys. (Sactown, BlackBart, bcastro etc.) Don't think you'll be disappointed driving a Marauder in California. All those beautiful roads and all that beautiful weather to drive them in. Hiway 17 from SJ to Santa Cruz would be amazing!! The Marauder can do it! Get the car and get a custom tune.;) Then welcome to our world!:beer:

[Paul T. Casey]

Hey folks!

I am looking at buying a Marauder and have a few questions. First a little about me,



How realiable are these beasts? This will be my DD.

I have 218K miles on mine. About 600 timeslips also. Only now do I have any trans. issues. At about 174K, I had to change axles and rear end clutches, about 450 drag strip passes at that time.


How reliable is the tranny that is in the 03?

See above

What kind of mileage, realistically are you getting? Only pull about 20 in my SHO ...

20 to 21 around town, been as high as 29.9 on highway, averages 26 to 27 on trips.

I know that these are big cars, but I like to play on the twisty roads. Will I be able to modify the Marauder so it can turn around the corners a bit? I just need some ...

It's surprisingly nimble stock, I'm sure the afore mentioned mods would only help.




What are the major issues to worry about with these cars? i.e., Does the blower motor fail?

No


Do power window motors fail with regularity?


Windowmotors don't seem to fail, however, due to some aerodynamic quirk, rainwater likes to come in at any level of window down. This causes corrosion problems with the switches. I've had to clean mine 3 or 4 times and replace once.

Thanks!
Anthony

Hope this helps.

[JimmyXR7]

I got rid of my pristeen very low milage 1997 Camaro SS for my Marauder. I bought it this past March or April with 26,000 miles on it. Everyday the car puts a big smile on my face. When I have a bad day at work. Guess whos there to cheer me up? My Marauder. I love it. I drive it everyday. It is such a unique car. While everyone around me drives their cookie cutter cars that eveyone else drives. I get to pull up in the big Marauder. I love being in a big powerfull cool looking a unique car. That for such a big car handles very well (stock).

I have had no problems. 36,000 miles now. Oh wait. There is a problem. I want a supercharger:(

Good luck!!!

My Marauder is not a cookie cutter car as when you purchase a new car you begin to see the other similar cars on the road especially in the big cities. I have not seen other MMs on the road and I know the dealer sold 3 or 4 black MMs and I saw a Blue MM at the Dealer in 2003.

There are always faster (and slower) cars on the road so do not let it bother you the Marauder is not the fastest, but enjoy your Marauder.

Jim
PS Change the Transmission fluid every 30,000 miles or sooner. Use the search function to find out more.

[SC Cheesehead]

As far as electrical problems, a relay on the LCM and "wacky wiper" syndrome are common, but these are both easily fixed.

http://www.crownvic.net/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1437302#Post1437302

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=47864&highlight=wacky+wipers

If the car is stock, do yourself a favor and get a performance tune from Lidio, Reinhart, etc., and get 4:10 gears installed, both these will really wake the car up, and will have negligible impact on mileage (.05 to 1.0 mpg difference on the average).

Lastly, my wife was in a bad wreck that totalled out our '04, she walked away with only some scratches and minor bruises. These cars are solid, well-built and fun to drive; if you find one, go for it!

[dohc324ci]

GDS quote

"
I know that these are big cars, but I like to play on the twisty roads. Will I be able to modify the Marauder so it can turn around the corners a bit? I just need some ... "

I commuted in the Marauder from the Central Valley to Pleasanton and I would take Tesla road to by pass traffic on 580 west bound and loved taking the Marauder through the twisties and hanging with the little guys (Mustangs, Acura Integras/TLs, Honda s2000s). Ive commuted in with these folks all the time I think there all to surprised:eek: to see the big dog in their rear view mirror stalking them:lol: I stopped taking that route because it would eat up my tires:D

Also, commuted that route in the 2000 Mustang GT w/Vogtland springs and Tokico HP Blues and the handling after that mod was a tad better than the MM stock. MM will lean but road holding seems better in the

MM because in the Stang I would feel the back end breaking loose at times whereas the MM didnt feel that way at the edge.

I believe stock the MM wil pull a .86g while the stock SN95 Stang will do .82g.....I think; someone correct me if I am wrong. But I think you get my point. It will hold its own in the twisties stock.

BTW, the Marauder has a unique suspension setup in comparison to its cousins the Crown Vic and Grand Marque.

Tokico coil over shocks up front and Tokico rear shocks with air ride. (http://www.popularmechanics.com/automotive/new_cars/1270171.html?page=2)

See below for more reviews and ride characteristics.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3KPHWESgH8&feature=related

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/car/02q3/2003_mercury_marauder-road_test

http://nctd.com/review-drive.cfm?Vehicle=2003_Mercury _Marauder&ReviewID=2477

http://www.automotive.com/2003/43/mercury/marauder/reviews/driving-impressions/index.html


http://cbk0.google.com/cbk?output=thumbnail&w=90&h=68&ll=37.648718,-121.652407
(http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:void%280%29)

Just DO IT!

[dohc324ci]

I got rid of my pristeen very low milage 1997 Camaro SS for my Marauder. I bought it this past March or April with 26,000 miles on it. Everyday the car puts a big smile on my face. When I have a bad day at work. Guess whos there to cheer me up? My Marauder. I love it. I drive it everyday. It is such a unique car. While everyone around me drives their cookie cutter cars that eveyone else drives. I get to pull up in the big Marauder. I love being in a big powerfull cool looking a unique car. That for such a big car handles very well (stock).

I have had no problems. 36,000 miles now. Oh wait. There is a problem. I want a supercharger:(

Good luck!!!

I did the same except I had a Mustang and this is exactly what I experienced.


Anthony,

You will have a very UNIQUE car and everyone will be wonder what in $% are you driving. A Black rauder to me looks so sinister:coolman:

[guspech750]

DO IT!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!!! You should have bought it last week.:D


:bows:Bow to the almighty Marauder:bows:





Most other cars.......:hotrice:

[offroadkarter]

DO IT!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!!! You should have bought it last week.:D


:bows:Bow to the almighty Marauder:bows:





Most other cars.......:hotrice:


You know that a honda accord v6 can outrun a marauder?



Not so high and mighty now!

[4play]

did you know a skinny guy can out run most fat men? knock the marauder down to the same weight as the accord, then see who's faster lol

[guspech750]

You know that a honda accord v6 can outrun a marauder?



Not so high and mighty now!
Sure it may. But I dont care. Where ever I may go, I will not see another Marauder as I will see 10 Accords and countless others in a parking lot or on the road!!:banana2:

[Bluerauder]

Sure it may. But I dont care. Where ever I may go, I will not see another Marauder as I will see 10 Accords and countless others in a parking lot or on the road!!:banana2:

Only 10 Accords??? Man that was a short trip. :D I can see 10 Accords before I get out of my neighborhood.

[ChiTownMaraud3r]

A 6 cylinder accord will not be faster than a properly tuned Marauder. Add an intake and you have a way faster and funner than stock MM for about 500 bucks. Another 500 dollars and you will be roasting your tires easily with 4.10 gears. Pull a Nike and Just Do It.

[offroadkarter]

Sure it may. But I dont care. Where ever I may go, I will not see another Marauder as I will see 10 Accords and countless others in a parking lot or on the road!!:banana2:


I used to see 3 marauders a day going to HS lol

I guess they are just kinda common in NJ, I saw one in north jersey with abig ass CB antenna on the trunk and some form of decal on the drivers door... Couldn't see what it was though.

[Ms. Denmark]

And how many Mustang's did you see?:P

[88LTDCV351]

My Marauder has been very reliable. No problems with the transmission or engine. Starts every time. It has about 80,000 miles on it.
I'm not sure exactly what kind of mileage I'm getting but I'm sure as far as Marauders go, I'm a "hypermiler". I plan all my trips to minimize high trafffic times and do all my chores on the way as to not double back or do multiple trips, use cruise control whenever safely possible, coast when possible before using the brakes, drive patiently and non-aggressively...I am surprised how good the mileage can be. But I occassionally don't want to drive like an old man, so I still get the occasional speed bug, he he.
Stock I agree that its pretty good suspension for a big car.
I haven't had any major issues. Blower motor works fine. My power windows and power mirrors have occassionally not wanted to operate the first time I try to adjust them. Guess tehy are stuck for a second or something but always end up eventually responding.

To save some wear and tear on my baby, I still drive my other baby (Crown Vic) sometimes and I carpool or take the train to work whenever possible (also saves me money to pay the Marauder off sooner).

Gosh, it needs a wash. Got to get it washed soon.

[gdsqdcr]

Guys and gals

Thanks for all the advice and comments.reliabilty seems to be pretty good. That is a selling point. As for who is faster, the accord, marauder or some other car ... There will always be soemone faster. There are other things to consider; fun, uniqueness etc.

Decision should be made in the next week or so. I am going to PM someone the vin, want the carfax.

Thanks!
Anthony

[Bradley G]

It won't be as troublesome as an ole' Sho.
I also have a '92 MTX Sho(needs a ton)
I have had my share of repairs on the Marauder too though.
My warranty history over four + years 60K was several pages.
LCM, alternator(my dime), froggy head lamps + tail lamps,seat heater switches blinking,windows slow, A steering shake that tires has corrected.
The current new pair(KDWS) also shakes the wheel a tad bit.
New engine, (my fault) rebuilt trans.(gift from the SVC. MGR) pinion bearing
( several hundred 1320 passes)
The paint is the worst part about my Marauder
I showed it to Adams auto body manager, he said as soon as he saw it, " They put Waay too much paint on this car"
He followed up with his best guess, "probably was a bad paint job to start, and was shot again".
I will get it fixed as soon as possible.
You would have to pry the keys from my dead cold hands!:P:P

[4play]

accord may be faster off the line but take them on the highway then see who haul's ass

[LSp8]

accord may be faster off the line but take them on the highway then see who haul's ass

I roasted a new Acura RL on the highway. It was pretty fast but I had to get on it to keep from getting taken. The Honda V6 cars are fast but in the end I still got a extra 2 cylinders. IMO weight is not a huge factor wants you're off the line.:flamer:

[ChiTownMaraud3r]

I killed an Acura TL before from a roll. This being, even before the mighty Zack tune, completely stock.

[Mr. Man]

These MM really need 3/8mi tracks as it takes a bit to get the heft moving but once in motion these modulars really shine.

[Motorhead350]

These MM really need 3/8mi tracks as it takes a bit to get the heft moving but once in motion these modulars really shine.

I have yet to see a 3/8 mile track unless you are talking about an old airport.

[Cordoba1]

I have only two real complaints -- and not about quality. I have had no mechanical issues with my Marauder, which is my second. My complaints are 1) Embarassingly plasticky interior, and 2) The seats I find too wide, and not particularly supportive. My lower back always aches on long trips.

[SC Cheesehead]

I have only two real complaints -- and not about quality. I have had no mechanical issues with my Marauder, which is my second. My complaints are 1) Embarassingly plasticky interior, and 2) The seats I find too wide, and not particularly supportive. My lower back always aches on long trips.

Are you using the lumbar support on the seats?

[Cordoba1]

Yeah -- During a long trip I adjust the seat many times -- up down, back forth, lumbar hard soft -- The bolsters just don't hit my back in the right places. It's simply too big of a seat for me.

[ChiTownMaraud3r]

Yeah, our cars seats although they look nice, don't hold you tight(slippery) when driving harder, and do tire a bit on long trips.