Howdy

[Poobah]

I am currently on my second Thunderbird SC and thinking of chucking it in favor of a Marauder. I love my Super Coupe but reliabity is an issue and I want to spend my summer on the road.

I have read through the forums and the Marauder seems to be a good balance of looks, power and comfort.

Any advice on what to look for or what to avoid would be helpful.

Poobah

[MM03MOK]

:welcome: We made the same jump in 2002, buying a new 2003 Marauder. Had an '93 SC.

There's a fairly wide price range, based on the mods (supercharged, naturally aspirated, etc.) and mileage. First check out any for sale in the "Marauders for Sale" forum, especially by Members here that have been here a while. With all our research and improvements over the years, these cars will be very much in good shape.

[SC Cheesehead]

The cars are built pretty solid. A well maintained engine will easily go over 150K. Some minor electrical issues (LCM, EATC, wacky wipers, LCD light in the control switches, etc.), but repairs for all are well documented here and are all fixable for reasonable prices.

[Mr. Man]

:agree: Can't add much to what was already said.:)

[RoyLPita]

Welcome aboard. Enjoy the site.

[SpartaPerformance]

Welcome aboard! I had two SuperCoupes , sorry to hear about your troubles never had any issues with mine but you will love the Marauder especially it's roominess and quiet cabin.

[Papillon]

Welcome Poobah!! DEFINITELY ditch the SC and get the Marauder! You'll LOVE IT! And then you can join us in Carlisle in June and MARAUDERVILLE in October!!!! :D :beer:

[Mr. Man]

Welcome aboard! I had two SuperCoupes , sorry to hear about your troubles never had any issues with mine but you will love the Marauder especially it's roominess and quiet cabin.
Says the guy with the itty bitty Mustang:D:P;)

[guspech750]

Hey there Poobah. Welcome to the coolest site for the coolest car!! I hope you ditch the T-Bird and pick up a MM. Just dont buy a Black one. They are dumb:) You hear that DOOM? :)

[Poobah]

Thanks for the replies. I am on my second SC. I bought the first in 2003 at a police auction. It was a 1990 Titanium with 43k miles. The interior was perfect, the exterior was good except the rocker panels. I replaced several harmonic balancers, brake system, and the transmission. The head gaskets blew at 72k and I sold it.

A couple of years ago, the bug bit again and I bought another 1990. This one is in very nice shape with no rust. I tried tobe smart this time around and buy one that had already had the tranny replaced or head gaskets done.

A few months after buying it, the transmission went out. Afterwards I had numerous small problems. In December I took kit out and after a few miles it began to overheat. I pulled over and it appeard that I had a leak at the rear of the engine. After it cooled we headed for home, stopping two more times and filling with water. It appears that I am leaking from a freeze plug. Only $800.00 to have it repaired, if that is all that has busted.

I first noticed the Marauder in 2003, when a one of my managers purchased one. It looked like a very nice ride and he loved it. It was way out of my price range so I put it out of mind.

I was medically retired in July of 2007. In 2009 I took the family to Europe for three weeks. Last year we did camping and cruising. This year I want to drive the pacific coast. I wanted to do it in the SC, but the reliability just isn't there. I am in Indiana and I'm not sure I could get to the coast, much less drive it and get home.

I thought about getting a rental car but I want to replace the SC anyway so here I am. The first car to come to mind as a replacement was the MM. I want comfort with power.

I have looked at the for sale forum and there appears to be some nice cars available.

I read that there was a recent meet in Louisville. 10 miles from here, sweet.

[Bluerauder]

I read that there was a recent meet in Louisville. 10 miles from here, sweet.

Welcome :welcome1: to the MM.Net !!!

The annual Louisville Meet is in late March or early April. This year was the 6th Annual gathering of Marauders in Louisville from 7-10 April 2011. Here's a list of the past events in that area ....

1st Annual Regional Meet in Louisville, KY, April 2006 “The Bourbon Run” (Bardstown, Maker’s Mark, and Buffalo Trace Distilleries)

2nd Annual Regional Meet in Louisville, KY, April 2007 (Mammoth Cave and National Corvette Museum)

3rd Annual Regional Meet in Louisville, KY, 3-6 April 2008 “Firepower & Horsepower” (Gasthaus Restaurant, US Army Patton Museum, Buffalo Trace and Wild Turkey Distilleries)

4th Annual Regional Meet in Louisville, KY, 26-29 March 2009 “Silks, Gloves and Bats” (Gasthaus Restaurant, Louisville Slugger Museum, Muhammed Ali Center, and Churchill Downs/Kentucky Derby Museum)

5th Annual Regional Meet in Louisville, KY, 8-11 April 2010 “Louisville Straight" (Gasthaus Restaurant, Maker's Mark and Heaven Hill distilleries, Louisville Mega Caverns tour, back-road and escorted cruises, CBT officiates at SilverSurfer03/TCBO1 wedding)

6th Annual Regional Meet in Louisville, KY, 7-10 April 2011 "Theme TBD" (Erika's German Restaurant, Schmidt "Coca Cola" Museum, Riverbend Winery Tour, Swope's Antique Auto Museum)

[Embassy]

Welcome aboard. There are several Louisville members on here. If you'd like to meet up sometime, let me know.