newbie marauder owner

[03knight]

just got my marauder on monday and was wondering what should i expect from this car the bad and the good

it has 67,xxx on it ...the two previous owners seemed to take care of it since they kept all the paper work for it, even the original sticker price for it

but since i've had it it started getting cold so i had to use the heater last night and it didnt really blow 90 degree air that it was set on lol it felt like the air from outside ....hoping its not a bigger problem then i trhink it is

[Timw286]

The heater may take a while to warm up, from my expierence, vehicles with V8's tend to take a little longer for their heaters to fire up. (I don't know how long you had your car running prior to turning on heat) I've had my MM for about 4 months, and I couldn't be happier! This is my opinion:

The good: Stock power and potential power (after some mods), the originality/rarerity, solid construction and reliability, recognition from other Ford/performance car enthusiasts, countless modifications and performance enhancers you can add to it and last but not least being a member of this forum. There's a lot of good members here that are very helpful and knowledgeable of the MM and how to diagnose/repair everyday problems.

The bad: Gas mileage (but I assume you knew that prior to buying a large sedan with a DOHC 4.6 V8) but it's a price to pay and its worth it. Tire's are expensive for the MM and it seems to tear through them fairly quick...:rolleyes: (but keep your eyes open on this forum for members posting deals/sales). If your trying to modifiy your car, it gets ADDICTING! I can't seem to save up any extra money, and when I do, it goes towards my MM. One pet peeve I have; when people call it a police car or a modified Grand Marquis.

These are just my opinions, I'm sure one of the members who has owned a MM since its debut in 2003 will chime in with some more in depth knowledge and wisdom for you..best of luck with your new MM:cool:

[fastblackmerc]

There are some specific things to watch out for.

2003 - rear axles / bearings. There was a TSB about it.

2003 - 2004 - factory radio may lose FM, EATC o-rings may need to be replaced, headlight relay in LCM may need to be replaced, rear brake shoes may disintegrate, set the front alignment to carfixer's specs (your front tires will love you for it). That's all I can think of right now. I'm sure others will chime in.

If you don't know the maintenance history, do all the maintenance now, replace thermostat and coolant (search for the "burp" procedure), change spark plugs (there are many "how to's), replace the serpentine belt if needed, check the idler and tensioner pulleys - replace if needed, change rear end fluid - use 70w-140 and friction modifier if needed, change tranny fluid - only use Mercon V, clean / replace airfilter, change oil - use what's recommended in the owners manual (5w-20), change filter - use a good quality filter like the FL820s Motorcraft which has an anti-drainback valve.

[myrodr]

check oil every day!

[03knight]

cool thanks everyone....im thinking about all the mods im going to do when i get back from my deployment im thinkning .....glasspacks and maybe 3.73's

[CBT]

just got my marauder on monday and was wondering what should i expect from this car the bad and the good



The bad part is, someone is minus a Marauder.
The good part is, you are +1 Marauder.
:beer:

[RF Overlord]

maybe 3.73'sDon't bother...the gain over the stock 3.55s is minimal compared to the cost...go right to 4.10s...that's what the car was supposed to have from the factory, but was nixed by the bean-counters and CAFE people.

[MyBlackBeasts]

The heater may take a while to warm up, from my expierence, vehicles with V8's tend to take a little longer for their heaters to fire up. (I don't know how long you had your car running prior to turning on heat) I've had my MM for about 4 months, and I couldn't be happier! This is my opinion:

The good: Stock power and potential power (after some mods), the originality/rarerity, solid construction and reliability, recognition from other Ford/performance car enthusiasts, countless modifications and performance enhancers you can add to it and last but not least being a member of this forum. There's a lot of good members here that are very helpful and knowledgeable of the MM and how to diagnose/repair everyday problems.

The bad: Gas mileage (but I assume you knew that prior to buying a large sedan with a DOHC 4.6 V8) but it's a price to pay and its worth it. Tire's are expensive for the MM and it seems to tear through them fairly quick...:rolleyes: (but keep your eyes open on this forum for members posting deals/sales). If your trying to modifiy your car, it gets ADDICTING! I can't seem to save up any extra money, and when I do, it goes towards my MM. One pet peeve I have; when people call it a police car or a modified Grand Marquis.

These are just my opinions, I'm sure one of the members who has owned a MM since its debut in 2003 will chime in with some more in depth knowledge and wisdom for you..best of luck with your new MM:cool:

I'd have to disagree on the gas mileage. I was amazed after getting mine how good it is for a car the size & weight of a MM. 1st tank 25% city, 25% hwy, 50% WOT = 21 mpg. I was absolutely amazed. Expected 12/14. The fuel management of this 4.6 4v is a marvelous bit of engineering. Detroit can do it when they want, too bad they don't do it more often! :D

[babbage]

There are some specific things to watch out for.

2003 - rear axles / bearings. There was a TSB about it.

2003 - 2004 - factory radio may lose FM, EATC o-rings may need to be replaced, headlight relay in LCM may need to be replaced, rear brake shoes may disintegrate, set the front alignment to carfixer's specs (your front tires will love you for it). That's all I can think of right now. I'm sure others will chime in.

If you don't know the maintenance history, do all the maintenance now, replace thermostat and coolant (search for the "burp" procedure), change spark plugs (there are many "how to's), replace the serpentine belt if needed, check the idler and tensioner pulleys - replace if needed, change rear end fluid - use 70w-140 and friction modifier if needed, change tranny fluid - only use Mercon V, clean / replace airfilter, change oil - use what's recommended in the owners manual (5w-20), change filter - use a good quality filter like the FL820s Motorcraft which has an anti-drainback valve.

Wow nice list. I agree.

[fastblackmerc]

cool thanks everyone....im thinking about all the mods im going to do when i get back from my deployment im thinkning .....glasspacks and maybe 3.73's


Don't bother...the gain over the stock 3.55s is minimal compared to the cost...go right to 4.10s...that's what the car was supposed to have from the factory, but was nixed by the bean-counters and CAFE people.

IMHO... going to 3.73's is a waste of time and money.

4.10's are the way to go.

[Timw286]

I'd have to disagree on the gas mileage. I was amazed after getting mine how good it is for a car the size & weight of a MM. 1st tank 25% city, 25% hwy, 50% WOT = 21 mpg. I was absolutely amazed. Expected 12/14. The fuel management of this 4.6 4v is a marvelous bit of engineering. Detroit can do it when they want, too bad they don't do it more often! :D

I agree with you for the most part, I blame 75% of the poor gas mileage on my driving style. Little heavy on the go pedal..:coolman: