New Owner: Ten Years after Test Drive

[braddick]

I live in a sleepy little coastal community just north of San Diego. Back in 2003 when the Marauder was first introduced my wife and I went to the local Mercury dealership in Carlsbad "mile of cars" and test drove this fantastic car.

At the time I was driving a stock 1996 Impala SS.

I loved the Marauder, of course but couldn't justify a new car payment and sadly passed.

Not a week would go by and I wouldn't think about that test drive. Fast forward to a week ago and add to the ingredients that although it is rare, the occasional sighting would simply fuel my wants and desires of ownership.

I'd check eBay and sometimes AutoTrader but only half heartedly as most were hundreds of miles away. I did locate a super clean model in Palm Springs a little over a year ago, but it sold before the original owner could even return my phone call.

You know the old adage of stumbling upon what you are seeking when you are not really looking?
That was me when I happened upon a black 2003, original owner Marauder just one town east of me.

I quickly called the seller, we met that day in a Home Depot parking lot and within two hours struck a deal; drove to the bank for payment, and a trip to AAA for title transfer and now here I am a proud owner!

Sure, I still have that 1996 Impala SS. Last summer dropped some coin into refreshing it and bringing it back to life. I'll never part with it as it was the car I drove when I met my wife and we went out on our first date! The Marauder is proudly parked next to it now.

I have much to learn and things to do.
Honestly, it is bone stock- just passed smog with flying colors, and other than and inside/outside deep clean plan to keep it that way (for now).

I am learning much digging into older threads here and already have an 'at a distance' appreciation and respect for many of you.

I will, after a through cleaning, post some pics, but did want to get this introduction up and running.

[slickster]

You sir are a worthy mm owner. Welcome

[slickster]

List it here. http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=83677

[Curless]

Welcome!!!! I too own them both, a 96 SS and an 03 Marauder. I love them both. Fantastic American Full Size Right (rear) wheel drive cars!!!!!!!!

By the way, don't even try to avoid modding your car....RESISTANCE IS FUTILE!!!!!!!

[CWright]

Enjoy your ride buddy! I bought mine stock with no plans to mod. Man was I ever wrong!! :D

[braddick]

Some quick photos:
http://i869.photobucket.com/albums/ab257/patphotobucket/marauder3_zps6a9ecac1.jpg
http://i869.photobucket.com/albums/ab257/patphotobucket/marauder1_zpsa00991ae.jpg

Here is the door jam built sticker.
(I have yet to learn how to decipher its code.)
http://i869.photobucket.com/albums/ab257/patphotobucket/marauder2_zpse99b3c58.jpg

[Curless]

Pics of the Impala as well??? LOVE ME SOME LT1!!!!!

[Gryphonzus]

Well at least you have the best color Impala SS. Glad you finally got a Marauder! and welcome!:banana2:

[Jeffonebuck]

I think these Cars pick us, Not the other way around !,

[babbage]

Congrats! Nice story. My buddies got a 96 SS with a cam in It, I love it.

I'd recommend changing the coolant, changing the rear differential oil and changing the spark plugs if you're not sure of the service history -- fuel filter too.

Cooling system Is unique, Many people including shops mess it up-- do it like this: http://reischeperformance.com/refill.html

Welcome!

[braddick]

Thanks for the warm welcome.

Now... first question right out of the box. . .

How do we get our wives on board?
Liz shows indifference when I attempt to explain this vehicle to her.

:(

[braddick]

Congrats! Nice story. My buddies got a 96 SS with a cam in It, I love it.

I'd recommend changing the coolant, changing the rear differential oil and changing the spark plugs if you're not sure of the service history -- fuel filter too.

Cooling system Is unique, Many people including shops mess it up-- do it like this: http://reischeperformance.com/refill.html

Welcome!

Day two of ownership I took car of all of these small issues!
The previous owner, salt of the earth as he is, had green coolant instead of the yellow. Needed to be completely flushed and replaced.

All other internal oils have been changed along with the air filter.
(Even installed new wiper blades!)

[babbage]

Day two of ownership I took car of all of these small issues!
The previous owner, salt of the earth as he is, had green coolant instead of the yellow. Needed to be completely flushed and replaced.

All other internal oils have been changed along with the air filter.
(Even installed new wiper blades!)

Nice! Keep an eye ion the temperature because there might be air in your cooling system - very common. Remove the coolant crossover cap (Near alternator) and top off with fluid when it's cold.

[braddick]

^
Will do.
Thanks for the tip.

[Curless]

Thanks for the warm welcome.

Now... first question right out of the box. . .

How do we get our wives on board?
Liz shows indifference when I attempt to explain this vehicle to her.

:(


As for the wife...I am lucky when it comes to this. I met my wife at our vocational school during high school. Her father was into cars and she took the classes to learn how to take care of her cars. Have your wife drive the car around, let her see how many people comment or go out of their way to say "nice car" or "how much would you sell it for". Then maybe she'll understand what draws us in...let her get into a "competition to get to the next stop light before the guy next to her" that should get her going!:beer:

[SC Cheesehead]

Thanks for the warm welcome.

Now... first question right out of the box. . .

How do we get our wives on board?
Liz shows indifference when I attempt to explain this vehicle to her.

:(

I've been trying for 10 years with mine, good luck...:(

BTW, :welcome1:

[L.Mark]

Nice story!!!! Welcome!!!! Wish I could have kept my 95 Fleetwood then I too would be in the party of having the last two REAL full sized cars. If I end up letting go of the LSC I'm going to look into getting it back. Or another one...or who know, maybe an Imp SS...:D

[L.Mark]

As for getting your wife onboard...bring her to a Meet or gathering...Worked real well for my wife TJ...ask Chris how he knows???:eek:

[WhatsUpDOHC]

Welcome!
As for wives: Be extra nice because you'll want to buy a 2nd Marauder soon enough. :beer::beer::D

[guspech750]

Welcome to the show bubs.

That's great you finally were able to locally find a Marauder.

Now on to modding it. Then the real sickness will grab hold of you and drain your wallet:burnout:

I love my Merc more and more. So unique and more rare than the Impalas, (which I wish I had too).


Sent from The White House on taxpayers dimes.

DTR + 4.10's + Eaton swap = Wreeeeeeeeeeeeeeedom

[MyBlackBeasts]

Welcome to the site & the club! An elite group of people who own a pair of TRUE American dream machines (as you can see in my sig)!

:burnout: :burnout: :burnout:

[MyBlackBeasts]

Welcome!!!! I too own them both, a 96 SS and an 03 Marauder. I love them both. Fantastic American Full Size Right (rear) wheel drive cars!!!!!!!!

By the way, don't even try to avoid modding your car....RESISTANCE IS FUTILE!!!!!!!


Too funny Chris! I told you so... You were as I was - "I'm NOT going to mod this car!" Then I got a set of 410s as a birthday gift.... :shake: That was that! I was assimilated in to the collective! (damn them Borg!)

[braddick]

Nice welcomes, thanks to all!
Surprisingly, Liz does like cars- just more of the sixties classics. Although she "got it" with the Impala SS as we attended get-togethers and whatnot back in the late 90's, early 2000. Sadly a popular club sort of disbanded when there was contention among board members.
The Christmas parties were spectacular!
(We would meet in one member's business warehouse.)

There were trips to Santa Barbara and Palm Springs. Nothing like a parade of Impalas lining up on the 405 as far as the eye can see.

I do look forward to meeting other like minded individuals.

Again, I appreciate the warm welcome and look forward to pleasant times here.

[Mr. Man]

Welcome. There is a California contingent of MM owners but the size of the State makes meets a challenge. I know the group up in the Bay area is fairly active but that's along drive.

If you wanted to plan a meet of your local area MM owners it's really as easy as picking a restaurant someplace and posting it here. You might only get one or two the first time but that's how stuff gets started. I know there are members in the LA area so perhaps something between your two cities. Our local area MMer's often meet at a Fuddruckers burger joint. We extend an invitation to the CV crowd as well.

The other common aspects of our community aside from the car itself is our inherent love of food. :lol::)

[dohc324ci]

Welcome and congrats! I always wanted an 96 SS Impala but the big Mercury is a great platform to mod as well.

[ncmm]

cool story
:welcome:

[jus4kix03MM]

Congrats on the MM! Welcome to the wonderful world of Maraudering!

[Guittard22]

Great story and welcome to the web-site were we become family :)

[braddick]

Just had a "Bumper Medic" arrive early this morning and completely redo my front grill and bumper. All the roadrash is gone and he totally brought my lenses back to life! Seriously, they were tinted that gosh-awful whitish/hazing/yellow and now appear as new.

I had ordered and received a new stock front license plate bracket and had gone to AA for a pair of new plates.

The combination of these small repairs makes the car appear refreshed and seriously so much better.

Over the weekend I'm going to clay and bring back- to the best of my ability- the front windshield.

Fun stuff!

[cpe6]

Welcome at least I know I am not the only owner of both cars.