Advice on Buying a 2003 Marauder

[jakesteel1]

:help:

Hi,

I am considering the purchase of a 2003 Marauder with 27,000 miles.

I am hoping that you guys can give me some pointers and things to look for when I go to inspect the car. I am aware of the LCM headlight issue. I will check the headlights but that problem may be intermittent.

Anything else?

Thanks for any input.

J

[MM2004]

Welcome to MM.net!

That is very low miles for a MM. Especially an '03.

Post more info or a link for us to look at.

You could try and find a member close to where the MM is to go and take a look.

Mike.

[Zack]

I was gonna suggest staying far away from RED Marauders, but since it is an 03 you have no worries :D

[fastblackmerc]

That is the best advise.... find a MM member close by so they can look at it with you.

Also, PM Brian, aka Roylpita with the VIN and he can tell you what warranty work has been done.

[MM2004]

I was gonna suggest staying far away from RED Marauders, but since it is an 03 you have no worries :D

...and I suggest he stay far away from you.

Very far away...

:D

Mike.

[jakesteel1]

I sent a PM to Brian for the VIS report, thanks for the suggestion.

I take it that they didnt come out with the Red until 2004? This particular one is black.

Any other suggestions?

[Spectragod]

I sent a PM to Brian for the VIS report, thanks for the suggestion.

I take it that they didnt come out with the Red until 2004? This particular one is black.

Any other suggestions?


Buy a DTR, they made less of them than the standard "black". :D

03's, you need to check for rear axle problems and paint issues.

[jakesteel1]

03's, you need to check for rear axle problems and paint issues.

Ah oh, rear axle problems? What tends to go wrong? Something I should listen for or feel for while I am driving?

Also the car actually has closer to 30k miles and he is firm at $16k.

Seem like a fair price?

[Hotrauder]

Best bet...buy an 04. Better paint, better axels, stronger tranny...also consider one from the deep south.....no salt, no rust...if that is practical. And if it is going to be for fun as well as transportation find one with a Trilogy kit and other mods already done and save at least
50% of the fun mods original cost and the tuning will already be done. Check the for sale ads here and at motorcitymarauders.com.
There have been some buys on great Marauders recently.:beer:

[jakesteel1]

Best bet...buy an 04. Better paint, better axels, stronger tranny...also consider one from the deep south.....no salt, no rust...if that is practical. And if it is going to be for fun as well as transportation find one with a Trilogy kit and other mods already done and save at least
50% of the fun mods original cost and the tuning will already be done. Check the for sale ads here and at motorcitymarauders.com.
There have been some buys on great Marauders recently.:beer:
Sounds like good advice. Just doesnt seem to be a lot of selection. My main reason for going for this '03 is the low mileage and the price seems reasonable.

[Egon Spengler]

These cars suck, you might want to look into buying an '96 Impala SS, they are faster...

[jakesteel1]

These cars suck, you might want to look into buying an '96 Impala SS, they are faster...

:confused:

[BlueMarauder]

Some items to check. Make sure that the radio receives both am and fm clearly. Make sure that the gauges by the shifter both light up. Put the a/c on to confirm that the air comes out through both the vents and the defroster. Put all the windows fully up and down to make sure that the motors and regulators work.

Good luck

[Black_Kannin]

These cars suck:shake:, you might want to look into buying an '96 Impala SS:D, they are faster:confused:...



^^This is how you made me feel reading it!!

[LeoVampire]

Set up an apointment with a shop you trust and ask the guy if you can take it there to have it checked out on a lift.

See if the factory VIN stickers are on the fenders and doors still and so forth to check for accident repair work.

Have them pull the fill plug out of the rear end and see what is being collected on the magnet.

You get the idea.

[jakesteel1]

BlueMarauder (http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/member.php?u=1052)

Funny you mention the windows, one of the motors was replaced on the Oasis report. I’ll be sure to check the actuators.

Ive seen those gauges by the shifter in pictures. What do they do?

LeoVampire (http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/member.php?u=8832)

Its going to be a bit difficult to get the car to a shop. Is there anyway for me to check the VIN stickers in the various areas or does the car need to be on a lift?

When you say to pull the plug on the rear, does that refer to the differential or the transmission?

[Midnight]

These cars suck, you might want to look into buying an '96 Impala SS, they are faster...


Absolutely not.....

[Midnight]

where is the car... if you dont want it.. ill pick it up.

[LeoVampire]

BlueMarauder (http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/member.php?u=1052)

Funny you mention the windows, one of the motors was replaced on the Oasis report. I’ll be sure to check the actuators.

Ive seen those gauges by the shifter in pictures. What do they do?

LeoVampire (http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/member.php?u=8832)

Its going to be a bit difficult to get the car to a shop. Is there anyway for me to check the VIN stickers in the various areas or does the car need to be on a lift?

When you say to pull the plug on the rear, does that refer to the differential or the transmission?


The diff plug is magnetic and collects metal and can indicated a problem if there are any chunks on it.

All the VIN specific parts stickers are usualy easy to spot and have a yellow outline to them and wipe out the numbers when removed.

I said put it on a lift to check for leaks and to see if the frame had been repaired and so forth.

[SC Cheesehead]

Sounds like good advice. Just doesnt seem to be a lot of selection. My main reason for going for this '03 is the low mileage and the price seems reasonable.

Keep in mind that there were only 11,052 Marauders built, and based on projected attrition curves, that number is probably down to 7,000 or so by now; and a bunch of those still in service are getting up there in miles.

If you've found one with low miles, and the OASIS report looks good, you probably don't have too much to worry about.

Soft axles were a problem on the early '03's, as were valve seals which resulted is a little blue smoke on start up. Some aggravating minor electrical problems: relay in the LCM, window switches, wacky wipers) are common, but all of these are repairable, and overall the Marauder is a pretty reliable car.

If you're not certain about the car, post up a link, I've got a guy that will snap it right up if you don't take it.

[Mr. Man]

16K is a wee bit high but not out of the ballpark. Because it has low miles it may be worth a bit more. MM's seem to be going in the 13-4K range for a real cherry and a bit less for high miles or very used looking. Take it for a long spin with the radio off and the windows up and listen for things that sound abnormal, rattles, clunks etc. Try the heat and air while you are driving. Adjustable pedals should move for 16K. Ask the owner if he has any maintenance records. You know the usual stuff when buying a used car. Might even help to take a check list with you as when you are looking you may forget to check out certain items. Good luck and post pics if you purchase.

[jakesteel1]

Well, thanks to all for the advice. I am heading out now to see the car.

I made notes of everything you guys mentioned (list below). If I dont buy it, I'll be sure to pass it on to a forum member. Heck, even if I do buy it maybe I'll drive it for the Summer and still pass it on at my buy price or even less (with more miles).

Radio receives both am and fm clearly.

Make sure that the gauges by the shifter both light up.

Put the a/c on to confirm that the air comes out through both the vents and the defroster.

Put all the windows fully up and down to make sure that the motors and regulators work.

Try the heat and air while you are driving.

Take it for a long spin with the radio off and the windows up and listen for things that sound abnormal, rattles, clunks etc.

Adjustable pedals should move for 16K.

Wacky wipers

[Big Black Beast]

These are all minor issues. If it's in good condition, and doesn't do anything weird on the test drive, buy it.

[Mr. Man]

These cars suck, you might want to look into buying an '96 Impala SS, they are faster...Never mind Tom! He's pulling your leg. The Impala SS is our nemesis.;) The low miles are nice, but in general an '04 will be a better bet even with higher miles. These engines are very strong. We have many members with well over 100,000 miles and no end in sight. It would be a plus to have a member go with you to look if possible. Good luck! You are going to LOVE your Marauder!!! Then get out to a local meet and get to know some of the other members. Makes owning the car even more fun! We are in NJ. Feel free to PM us if we can be of any help. Let us know what part of the state you're in. There are a few great car shows coming up. And if you get a Marauder before June, please consider coming out to Carlisle All Ford Nationals in Carlisle,PA!

[jakesteel1]

First off, I would like to thank those who posted advice.

I did not end up buying the car as I was unable to get down there. There being Boca Raton, FL.

For anyone who may be interested in it, pm me and I will send you the seller's info. When I told him that I cant come down, he implied that he might be willing to come down on his price. Initially, he said $16k firm but hinted at $15.5k or maybe even slightly less.

Sure enough, in my saddened state, I see this cruise by...:(

http://i950.photobucket.com/albums/ad346/jakesteel1/Pics%20and%20Gifs/SideView.jpg

http://i950.photobucket.com/albums/ad346/jakesteel1/Pics%20and%20Gifs/NextLane.jpg

http://i950.photobucket.com/albums/ad346/jakesteel1/Pics%20and%20Gifs/Rear.jpg

[LeoVampire]

Talk about adding insult to injery not being able to get it and then see that!

But there are or will be others for sale closer to home I am sure just have to keep looking.

There maybe a guy in CT parting with his soon it's an 03 Black with a little over 100,000 miles on it but had all of the problems come up and had them all fixed from tranny to rear end so the car is sound.

It's totaly stock other wise. If he decieds to sell I will post the info up on here about it.

[RacerX]

Here ya go!
http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/cto/1697784843.html
http://cnj.craigslist.org/ctd/1685342651.html
http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/ctd/1701820208.html
http://southjersey.craigslist.org/cto/1663957194.html
Nice!/SC'd:
http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/cto/1686103912.html

They're out there! Take your time! It's a buyers market right now.