'Original Owners'

[IwantmyMMnow!]

Got a question for those of you that purchased your Marauder when they were new and on the lot at the dealerships...

What drew you towards buying one? Did you ever think "I shouldn't have bought this car"? Did you know other colors were going to be offered, and if so, did you wait until then to buy one?

Just curious to hear comments from the 'original owners' of the last run of MMs....

Cheers :beer:

[MOTOWN]

I bought mines new in december of 04 my original color choice was dbp, but that color wasnt offered in 04 so silver was my next choice, plus once i found out a factory moonroof would be availible in 04 the wait was on.

Ive never had any real problems with my car so i have always enjoyed owning it, i just wanted to mod it alot sooner, but bills come first.

I never buy the first production year of anything, as i like to give it time for refinements, and corrections.

[Pat]

Dealers are not always your friend. I wanted one in Black, the dealer said there were none left and he only had this 04 Silver Birch, with moon roof, take it or leave it, he wanted it off his lot.

I bought it before someone else did because it had a good price. Turns out there were plenty of new MM's in black, even years later, the dealer just didn't want to try and get one if he could sell his last one. He didn't want any more MM's.

[N40GL]

I took care of my ailing parents for more than two and a half years, and when they passed they left me a couple bucks. I decided after giving my life up for that time, I deserved a reward. That reward was a performance car.

I compared a BMW M5, Audi RS6, Jaguar XJ-S and a Mercedes E55. I ended up putting a deposit on the Audi, and then learned about the Marauder, and Kenny Brown's conversion. I went down to Kenny Brown's facility and drove his car. Went home and thought about it for 2 weeks. Went back to Indianapolis and drove Kenny's car again. Decided that the advantages of being able to fix it at a Ford dealer and having equal performance to the others outweighed everything. Plus, the insurance company thinks its a Grand Marquis.

Put a deposit on the Marauder at Kenny's (for the conversion) and another deposit at Crossroads L-M in Indy (for the actual car). Wanted the first silver one they could get their hands on. Got my deposit back on the Audi (THAT dealer was upset!). It arrived at Crossroads in June, and my first drive was 12 miles to Kenny's, after which I didn't see the car for 6 weeks. When I finally picked it up (ferried there by Sgt Mac), it was WAA HOO!

And now you know the rest of the story.

[Ms. Denmark]

What happened was that I talked Mr.Man into buying a Crown Vic back in 2000 because we take a lot of long car trips and I liked the size of the car/trunk etc. It became my DD and I really didn't enjoy driving it. It was slow and unexciting. :( Plus it seemed to have a new/different problem every other week and was back and forth to the shop multiple times. :mad2: I was disillusioned and wanted something else to drive. Eric reads all the Motor Trend/auto mags and saw that Mercury had come out with this Marauder. He said "it has 302 HP!" (which meant zip to me) But he was excited about it (and he's the smartest man I know), so I got excited too. He took me to the dealership in August '03 and the salesman had barely heard of it let alone seen/sold one. We knew they came in black (which I didn't want) and blue (which I stupidly didn't want:rolleyes:) and DTR (which was too slow:D) so I ordered Silver Birch. It arrived in October and it was love at first sight. This car has truly changed my life. I love to drive it and I love that it is rare and I love that Eric and I enjoy mm.net and our Marauders (he got himself a black one) with all of you! :beer: This is hands down the BEST car I've ever owned. Not a problem with it so far. I have absolutely no regrets.

[Gryphonzus]

I was thinking about a new car and was looking at Ford's website but did not see much there so I went to Mercury's site. This was in March of 2004, I saw the Marauder and decided to read up on it and I was intrigued. I liked the late 90's Impalas but could not afford one. So one day after work the wife and I stopped at the Ford dealer and Lo and Behold there sat my dream car a 2004 DTR with sunroof. I took it for a test drive and needless to say it followed me home. I have not regretted it. In fact the wife and I now own three and a half Marauders.:banana:

[MM2004]

My Dad bought new, a 1969 Marauder X-100 which is where my love for the MM started.

I never got behind the wheel to drive it as he sold it just before I turned 16. Hmmm... LOL!

Me thinking I could never afford a 03/04 MM, I knida wrote the idea off until 2004, when honestly, I got the wife at the time buzzed up, and she agreed. The trigger was pulled, a loud bang was heard and delivery of my DTR was shortly thereafter. (I only knew the DTR was made as the dealership owner was driving one as a demo)

November 2004, I joined MM.net, received my leather jacket in short order, (that I never knew about), paid my membership and the rest is his-to-ry.

:burnout:

Mike.

[Bigdogjim]

There is a Dealer not far from me in Langhorne, Pa. named Reedman (now Reedman-Toll) I went there one Saturday in January. When I enter the L&M door a salesmen asked if he could help me and I asked about marauder. (I knew it would not be out till June) The salesmen stated that they had been getting inquires about the car but did not have any more info. Then another fellow came alone and stated that he was the "Sales Manager" and confirmed that the marauder would arrive sometime in June. I joked that they should "put me on the list" he replied we do not have a list yet. I said good start one now and put my name at the top they did and I got a call late in May to stop by the dealership to start the paper work.
When I did stop in they told me full list price and 6.7% finance rate with "gold" credit! I just replied take my name off the list.

I did get one in September after prices dropped a little ($5K) and I think .09% finance rate.
Funny thing was my wife sent me out that day to look for an SUV

I came home with the marauder around 11AM (all day test drive)she looked at it from the front porch and called it a "banana boat"

Took deliver 9/28/02 never looked back

PS: I had a '70 X-100 when I was 19. Dad was an L&M dealer all his life
_

[MM2]

When I saw the prototype then the ads for the production Marauder I decided to order one.
I'd have to look back at the records for the exact date but because I wanted a light flint interior I waited several months to get my Marauder.
The dealer really wanted to sell me the black on black they had in stock but wouldn't change the price.Glad I waited.
17,000 original owner miles

[fastblackmerc]

My mother had a Marauder X-100 back in the 70's. Brown w/ brown leather interior w/ the flat black on the trunk, "C" pillars and around the rear window. Had a 460 4bbl. Could hardly get out of its way but Oh boy is was roomy inside (PARTY TIME!!!!).

I was really really when Ford announced the Marauder comeback on 2000 - 2001.

The rest is history.

[kirk]

Bought my first Marauder in 1981. Still had it in 1998 (and had since bought 3 others) when the SEMA car came out. I knew right then I would have one, if they actually built it. Had always envied those guys with the '66 Mustang (or whatever) who had bought them new and still had them. Started planning, saving and talking with Steve Babcock (another story). Bought my car the day it arrived on the truck without ever having driven one. Never regretted it for an instant.

[MyTMerc]

My first car was a 69 Marquis 2 door with a 429. When I became single again, I went shopping for the vehicle of my choice. I was looking for a small Lincoln or a Jag and saw the Marauder in the showroom floor. My search was over. I had not seen one before but after the test drive, I drove it home.

[Bluerauder]

What drew you towards buying one? Did you ever think "I shouldn't have bought this car"? Did you know other colors were going to be offered, and if so, did you wait until then to buy one?

Bought mine new from the dealer on 4 October 2003 with 54 miles on the clock. I had been driving a '94 Thunderbird LX.

I didn't even know that Blue MMs existed until the morning I bought mine. I went out on Edmonds.com and asked for quotes from 3 Lincoln-Mercury dealers on a Black Marauder and 3 Ford dealers on a Black Crown Vic LX Sport. The $35K sticker on the Marauder was the reason I was looking at the CV LX Sport to keep it closer to $30K or less.

One dealer came back to me by phone in less than 10 minutes with a quote on a Marauder .... under $30K was possible but he didn't have a Black one. The one he had was Blue. Made him go back and check that it wasn't a Grand Marquis. Until that moment, I didn't know Blue MMs existed. He confirmed that "MARAUDER" was embossed on the rear bumper. Told him to hold the car and I would be there in 45 minutes. After a test drive in the Blue MM and about an hour of paperwork, it was mine. The rest is history. Found out 4 months later on MM.Net that only 328 Blue MMs were made. Never a regret, Never a 2nd thought. Most fun car that I have ever driven and owned. Still my favorite ride .... Uh, 2nd favorite ride. ;)

I knew about the Ford Blackhawk concept and had seen Black Marauders sitting on dealer lots. I was NOT drawn to it. My youngest son pushed and badgered me for more than a year to take a test drive. I wouldn't and told him that "There was no point in a test drive". Not taking a test drive meant that I didn't have to make a decision and buy a car that I didn't necessarily need at the time. He pushed and pushed and pushed until I eventually went to the dealer and took one for a spin. See I was right about the test drive. :D Had the S.O.B. (Son of Bluerauder) not pushed constantly, I may not have bought a Marauder for another year or maybe not at all.

My son knows more about Ford products than most Ford salesman or service people. Guess who pushed me into getting a Taurus SHO? :) About 12 months delay on that one. His motivation was that he THOUGHT I would give him the Marauder when I got the Taurus SHO. Ha, Ha ..... he lost. I kept them both. :P

[FastMerc]

I followed the Marauder since Ford announced it,I knew I was going to get one.I was going to wait untill the 2005 or 2006 model year because they were suppose to have a super charger option. But then I heard on the radio that Ford pulled the plug. So that is when I decided to go and see what I could find. I wanted a blue! But none could be found.So black was next the dealer had to get one in. And the rest is history, I never thought I would meet the people that I have and its been great.I hope that it continues for along time. Its a great ride and it brings alot of people together...

[Bluerauder]

We knew they came in black (which I didn't want) and blue (which I stupidly didn't want:rolleyes:) and DTR (which was too slow:D) so I ordered Silver Birch. It arrived in October and it was love at first sight.

I just can't picture you in anything but a Silver Birch ... it fits so perfectly. :D Blue would have been a good 2nd choice. ;) Looks like we both got our MMs in October 2003. What took you so long to find us on the MM.Net?

[SC Cheesehead]

I wanted a Marauder from the first day I saw one, but Momma didn't want a black car, so I figured that was it. Fast forward 14-18 months and I saw a DTR on the lot at the local L-M dealership. We both wanted a moonroof, they had one in the showroom, end of story.

After the DTR got wrecked (Oct. 2005), I wasn't sure I'd be able to find a nice replacement. My good friend frdwrnch got me hooked up on the DBP about a month after the wreck, and the rest is history.

I may get other cars in the future, but I AIN'T gonna get rid of the 'rauder.

[Shaijack]

Well I had a daughter living in St. Paul and the wife wanted a new car. She drives Lincoln Town Cars. She said if I let her fly to St. Paul she would take a GM. We test drove a Marauder and scared the hell out of the salesman. Wife went shopping and I went and bought a Red GM with white leather. She comes home and did not like it. She likes pearl white cars. I took the GM back, with 6 miles on it, and got the Black Marauder. I was the second Marauder owner in New Orleans. D. Robin was the first. We bemcame best friends after that. She drove the arauder for two years and I got her a new Lincoln Towncar so I could have the Black. She loved to drive the Marauder but hated all the guys that gathered around it when she parked. Ya right. Still have it, 50K miles and great paint.

[Mr. Man]

I just can't picture you in anything but a Silver Birch ... it fits so perfectly. :D Blue would have been a good 2nd choice. ;) Looks like we both got our MMs in October 2003. What took you so long to find us on the MM.Net?
I found MM.net in Oct of '03 but at that time we weren't into computers. I also have a friend who at that time was into Chat or what ever you call it with the NASCAR set and he was always telling us of people who he chatted with on line who wanted to meet him etc,etc.:shake:

We just figured that computer web sites were a good way to get you killed so we shied away. I lurked for many years on and off ( can you say drama:rolleyes:) but at that time the MM was just a cool tool for getting back and forth to work and vacation trips to the Mid-West and New England.

In 2008 Ms.D was reading over my shoulder while I was lurking at MM.net and inquired about it. I said it's a web site dedicated to the late model MM's.

So one day unbeknownst to me she signed up and posted in the 'new member' section. The response was positive from the members who said "Welcome to the site" and she felt impending death and destruction were not imminent. :sweat:

She lurked for awhile and commented in the non-technical threads and one day she said the CAM group was meeting at Klingers for lunch did we want to go? Where's Klingers? I responded. Pennsylvania she says. I got the map out to see where and was like that's a 2-2 1/2 drive for lunch....right.:loco: I guess you guys talked her into it and thus me as well and the rest is in the books.

I think I joined about 6 months later as M.D got tired of me telling her what to post. Get your own screen name she says and post it yourself. :)

[IwantmyMMnow!]

It's great to read what everyone has posted up on here...love it.


I didn't even know MMs existed...never saw ads for them anywhere. I was stationed at Lajes AB, Azores, Portugal from Sep 01 - Sep 03, then in Mass from Sep 03 to Oct 07. I saw a silver one (just the front for about 2-3 seconds) sometime during 2006; was getting tired of my black Jetta I'd had for 6 years at that point and was wanting my next car to be silver, bigger, and had more power. Searched the internet to figure out what exactly I had seen, saw the sticker price (couldn't figure out why only 03s and 04s were available), and put it in the back of my mind for almost 5 years...


I knew nothing about their limited production run, colors, this website...nothing! Finally at the end of 2010 I start looking them up again, discover this website in Feb 2011, joined up, bought mine a month later, and have thoroughly enjoyed everything about it.


Now I fully understand the phrase, "The best things in life are worth waiting for." :beer:

[Bluerauder]

... and one day she said the CAM group was meeting at Klingers for lunch did we want to go? Where's Klingers? I responded. Pennsylvania she says. :)

I remember it well .... 10 May 2008. The leap of faith day. ;) Pic below of your first CAM meet. My 1st one was in late March 2004 to meet up with Merc and MAD 3-R. I was quite cautious too about meeting folks on the Internetz. Less than 3 weeks later I drive to Philadelphia and meet BigDogJim and a bunch of other MM owners at Ray's "Cruise for the Troops" at Northeast Lincoln-Mercury. Have been at it for more than 8 years now.

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/data/3/KClingers4.jpg (http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/12579)

[BUCKWHEAT]

I bought a Crown Vic, red with beige leather. Wife thought I was nuts and bagdered me for 8 months that I was image impaired. Traded the Crown Vic for a Cobra convertible which she wouldn't drive because of the stick shift. In July 2002, a friend called to say watch the TV for a car like my Crown Vic but better. It was the Parnelli Jones video promo for the Marauder. That was on a Friday night. My wife says go buy it. I told her its the same car as teh Crown Vic. She says No its not , this one looks cool.
Saturday am we went to Village L/M in Irving & bought one of the five black MM's they had. No other color & didn't want one if they had it.
She still thinks it looks cool.

[FreddieH]

When I lived in Philadelphia, I followed the concept that I saw at an auto show and knew I wanted one. When they were first released to the dealers I saw my first on the road near Old Forge dealership in Lansdale Pa. and I was really hooked. I attempted test drives at two other dealerships and and at both I was asked "Would I consider paying more than the sticker price" I stated I would never pay over sticker price and I was refused a test drive. I moved to Delaware in June 2003 and had my Mountaineer serviced at a dealership near my home and when I arrived to pick up my Mountaineer I saw My Silver Birch on the transporter, which was the first SB I had ever seen. I asked for a test drive and waited for the car to be unloaded, the salesman took a picture of my License and gave me the keys, after I returned he asked "What can I do to sell you that car?" I said how much are you willing to come off the sticker, he said "How about 5200.00, I said "Sold". She has been with me since.

[SID210SA]

It was November of 2004 when I saw my first one.....2 years earlier I had bought a 2001 Ford Taurus....that was my first financed car....I was so proud....well, I had just been out and about on my way to Best Buy when I passed by North Park Lincoln Mercury.....now North Park Lincoln.

I just glanced over and saw something with black headlights....I was hmm...that looks nice....so I doubled back and saw the Marauder in all its glory.

I met with a new sales person, his name is Jack....a retired member of the USAF. He asked me how he could help me....I told him I saw this car that I had never heard of and would like to take a closer look at it....

Well there were 17 Marauders on the lot that day.....Blacks, DTR's and only one SB, it was also the only one that had a moonroof. I had always wanted a car with a moonroof....he asked if I wanted to take a test drive...and I said, well, if I am going to drive one....I want it to be the one that has the moonroof.....so we took her out and she only had 7 miles on the ODO.

It was a fun a spirited test drive....and instantly fell in love with the Marauder.....but didnt know if my finances would work for the 34K sticker price.....I told him that I would sleep on it and get back to him...

Well Jack called me the next day and told me the cars were flying off the lot and that if I wanted one that I should get there right away....he also told me that they were taking 10K off the sticker....So as soon as I got out of work that day....11-24-04, I drove right to the dealership....there were only 7 Marauders left....and luckily my SB was still there.....I ended up getting her for $23,985 + TT&L. When I took delivery that day, she had just 11 miles on her.

I have never regretted getting her and love her to this day. I traded in my Taurus for her and have missed that car....but have enjoyed this one ever since.

I had a pretty high car payment when I got her, but made it work and then refinanced her to lower my payment by almost 2 bills a month....and now she is paid off!!

111,000 miles of smiles and still loving it!!

Mike

[DEFYANT]

My friend and I went lurking around Ford dealerships checking for the new, redesigned Mustang. I was getting one! But I wanted to check it out before plunking down money. Defyant Marauder was waiting for me on the show room floor. The dealer was closed and I remember looking in the window, seeing her for the first time.

I could "feel" the car.

Being in law enforcement and a Ford fan, I was already familiar with the car. I remember coming home and delving into the interwebz for more info. I liked what I found and sold the idea to the Mrs.

Since this was Sept.2004, the dealer was motivated to sell, and I did well on the price. I wish Defyant Marauder had the moon roof, but I couldnt pass the deal up

[Mebot]

It's great to read what everyone has posted up on here...love it.


Yeah agreed. These posts are excellent. i wish I could say i was an "original owner" but unfortunately am not. :(. I've always wanted a Marauder as soon as I saw it from day one. But i was still in college when the Marauder came and went so have to settle as 2nd owner. I love reading this thread

[Ms. Denmark]

I remember it well .... 10 May 2008. The leap of faith day. ;) Pic below of your first CAM meet. My 1st one was in late March 2004 to meet up with Merc and MAD 3-R. I was quite cautious too about meeting folks on the Internetz. Less than 3 weeks later I drive to Philadelphia and meet BigDogJim and a bunch of other MM owners at Ray's "Cruise for the Troops" at Northeast Lincoln-Mercury. Have been at it for more than 8 years now.

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/data/3/KClingers4.jpg (http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/12579)
What a great memory...and we left alive!:eek::D Then kept coming back for more! LOL Thanks for being our friend all these years, Charlie. :beer:

[Paul T. Casey]

I was ready to hand a certian gentleman from the Impala site some cash for a 1996 Impala SS. That morning, I noticed an article in Hot Rod about the upcoming Marauder (this was probably 2001). I decided to wait for the Marauder (I'm a Ford man after all). Found mine in the dealership in early Sept of 2002. The saleslady wanted $3K over sticker. I came back in November and bought the same car for about $3k under sticker.

[Marauderman]

Having stair stepped up the ladder with Cr. Vic's from an '88 ,92,'95, and '98 was ready for something more----was thrilled to see the '03 Cr.Vic Sport for only $28k--was about to buy it and then heard about the Marauder on some car TV channel I was watching saying ity was coming out soon--- I searched out all I could on it---stopped by the local L/M dealer--said call me as soon as one comes in-sure enought he did---stopped in and was overpowered with it---they only had 2 at the time and one was in the showroom and the other the mule for test drives---At first they wouldn't let you drive it unless you were a serious buyer--told'um for $35 K -I am serious and I'm 55 so let me have the damn keys for a test drive---they did and was on...problem they still wanted the $35K--told them the Ford dealer down the road that I was gonna buy from has the Cr.Vic Sport for $7K less and for only 62HP difference--it wasn't worth that much!!!!! Said call me when you put it on SALE!! This went on for four months untill Nov.'02 when it was on SALE with 2K under MSRP....stopped in and before the day was over --was driving that Black Beauty home for $29K out the door......and not everything lived happy ever after as it should have been--for 101 days later was crushed in it to the tune of over $19K damage from a trash truck in the rear and the front from a tractor-trailer rear that buckled the roof--all with me in it-----

It all got fixed over a four month period --driving that same car now---hey!! it did get a new completed paint job--that's why I never experienced that problem---matter of fact--most all the problems with the earily builds I never experiences cause they were all fixed from that wreck ---so now--its been happy every after--that-and two weeks later joined this site while roaming around the net looking for info for the car.......----and as they say the rest is for story telling at the meets...see ya then---------------take care--Tom

[slickster]

I followed the Marauder since Ford announced it,I knew I was going to get one.I was going to wait untill the 2005 or 2006 model year because they were suppose to have a super charger option. But then I heard on the radio that Ford pulled the plug. So that is when I decided to go and see what I could find. I wanted a blue! But none could be found.So black was next the dealer had to get one in. And the rest is history, I never thought I would meet the people that I have and its been great.I hope that it continues for along time. Its a great ride and it brings alot of people together...

This would be my story except black is the color I want

[prchrman]

owned a triple black 69 w/429 Marauder so I went black again.

[rakkar]

I originally went to the dealership to look at the Lincoln LS. I test drove it and hated it. They had a brand new 2003 blue Marauder sitting in the show room. I didn't know anything about them or the colors offered. I didn't know I was looking at 1 of only 328 cars being sold in that color. I liked the look of it, test drove it and bought it that night. I must have been smiling for 30 minutes after the test drive. What a fun car. I have loved everything about it ever since, except of course for the incredible amount of front tires I have had to put on it due to alignment issues, but it's worth it.

[Marauderman]

I have loved everything about it ever since, except of course for the incredible amount of front tires I have had to put on it due to alignment issues, but it's worth it.

Will you guys up there in his area give him the solution on that front end so he can have long tire wear..............thanks...... .

[JOEMERC]

Had a 2001 mercury grand Marquis before I got the Marauder, might of seen a commercial for it and the rest is history. Also got tired of people asking if I was retired being I was driving a marquis and I bought it new at the same dealer as the Marauder.

[Bradley G]

I was scheduled to take delivery of a 2003 Crown Vic Sport, till I spotted my first Marauder.
I was working as a salesman @ a Ford store so I had acess to all the dealer inventory.
I saw at the time there were 6 remaining 2003's in my favorite color Blue.
The remaining blues' were all west coast cars(Cali), someone scared me into a 2004 in Black.
He replied after hearing my plea,"There is only one color for the Marauder", he followed with,

"no other color does the car justice"
One week to the day I took delivery of a 2004 Black Black with 63 miles on her 12/30/2003.
The only time I feel like maybe I got the wrong car, is when I look at how much attention I have paid to it.

[javiloh]

I walked into the parts department of a dealership which I had done business for years, but never purchased a car from them. The parts manager asked me if I saw the Marauder on the lot, to which I replied that I had not. He said let me get a dealer plate and we will take it for a spin. We came back and I ordered a DTR Marauder on the spot ( I got it for dealer invoice let the rebate Ford had on it ). That was December of 2003. It now has 32,000 miles and sits on a lift in my garage with a car cover. I liked to drive it but was to finicky with it to take it out, so recently I had 2 other Marauders ( 1 with a trilogy ) to drive. Then I decided I had too many cars and I sold the Black stock Marauder, so I am back to just 2 Marauders, 2005 CV LX, 2005 CV LX Sport, Town Car, GT Mustang, Mark LT, Excursion diesel, and a 2007 GT 500. Guess I am a Ford guy.

[Marauderman]

Hey --Kyle----you enjoying the read so far---great isn't it!!!!!!!!

[jabird56]

It was simple really,.....back in April 2003 I was suffering from my MID-LIFE CRISIS. Enough said.

[IwantmyMMnow!]

...so I am back to just 2 Marauders, 2005 CV LX, 2005 CV LX Sport, Town Car, GT Mustang, Mark LT, Excursion diesel, and a 2007 GT 500. Guess I am a Ford guy.

Ummm...you wanna adopt a 41 year-old son? ;)


Hey --Kyle----you enjoying the read so far---great isn't it!!!!!!!!

You betcha...I know there's more 'OO's out there that haven't posted up yet...FYI, I'm coming to Charlotte this weekend. PM/email/call me if you wanna get together. I'll have my kids with me, so it'll have to be PG-rated activity...:lol:

[IwantmyMMnow!]

It was simple really,.....back in April 2003 I was suffering from my MID-LIFE CRISIS. Enough said.

Gotcha, but just one thing...usually when one goes through a mid-life crisis, they tend to do irresponsible things.

You did something smart...you bought a Marauder! :)

[Ms. Denmark]

Dealers are your best friend...he had this gorgeous 04 Silver Birch with moon roof that, made my heart race, and he let me take it home. How lucky can one guy be...
You were very lucky indeed, Pat. :cool: ;)

[jabird56]

Gotcha, but just one thing...usually when one goes through a mid-life crisis, they tend to do irresponsible things.

You did something smart...you bought a Marauder! :)

Ah,...no. The smart thing was marrying the other half 2 years later....

[Fman]

I was not even in the market for a new car, but my brother sent me the brochure that came out with the CD of, among other things, the Marauder on the track. At the time I thought, this is too expensive and had no intention of purchasing one. However, as I was passing North Park Lincoln Merc in SA, I noticed they had probably 9-10 Marauders...a couple of DPB's and the rest Black. I didn't really care for the blue color, but was a fan of Black. After the first test drive, I was sold and when the wife didn't squawk, I made the move in July 2003. This is probably my favorite vehicle I've ever owned and I'm still amazed at the comments I get from perfect strangers...at the car wash, at street corners, in parking lots, etc. etc. I've never owned a car that everyone wanted to talk about. Still happy at 95,000 miles and plan to keep her for another 95!

[Architect]

I'd seen a couple around Memphis and then saw one up close at a local
new car dealers show... 2004.
Called my friend who managed a local mercury/lincoln dealership and he said "why didn't you call me sooner... the've stopped making them and last year and I couldn't give them away...:eek:
He said that he would pick me one up at auction, low mailage probably for $15,000...I said OK... he calls me back in about two weeks and says..
"well the CAR GUYS have just figured out that there aren't any more and that they NOW WANT THEM... so none available at less than probably $20-22,000."
So I get on the computer and find a 2004 Black one with only 5,000 mile on it at a Pontiac dealer in Phoenix, AR. for $25,000 firm. Young guy bought it locally and didn't like it...traded it in for a new GTO..:eek:
Bought the car... flew out to Phoenix and drove it back to Memphis. Got all the way to Texas before a state trooper stopped me... 80 in a 70 zone...:o...he gave me a warning ticket and let me go... after we talked about the Marauder for 30 minutes...:)
It drove nice, but it was a dog..:eek:.. You would turn a corner around town and it would shift into overdrive and fall flat on it's face. Got it home... bought the SCT Xcalibrator... and all was right with the universe..:D
Architect