Marauder Buyer's Guide

[Lignum]

I am in the market to buy a Marauder. As a person who has never owned a Marauder, are there certain items on these cars to watch out for? I looked through past posts, but I figured some of you may have advice on trouble spots to watch for. I want to be able to squeeze every last penny out of the deal if I am buying from a dealer. So what should I look, listen, smell, and feel for?:help:

[SC Cheesehead]

What year, how many miles, what's current asking price, what types of things specifically are you asking about?

Mechanically, the cars are very reliable, with normal maintenance will run well over 150,000 miles.

Some minor electrical issues (LCM relay, wacky wipers, BCM, EATC, LEDs in the switch panels), but all of them easily repaired.

[Lignum]

Currently looking at a 2003 with 85k. http://www.larsenmotors.com/VehicleDetails/used-2003-Mercury-Marauder-4dr_Sdn-McMinnville-OR/981223293

[Mr. Man]

From what I can see it looks like it's in good shape. PM RoyalPita for a vin check. Price doesn't seem to bad as long as they are willing to talk. Do the usual checks before you buy, look at and smell the oil, crawl under it and look for leaks and any evidence that it may have been in an accident. Make sure all controls and switches work. Take it for a ride and listen for unusual sounds. If the sales guy insists on going with you don't let him turn on noise making things til you are parked.

[Juice]

Or you get a cursed car like mine, where your repair bills total a third of the amount you paid for the car within a year of buying it. Unfortunately, there wasn't much I could do to see these things coming when I bought the car.

Still love her though.