Why I love my Panther(s)

[CalmSeasQuest]

Greetings all,

I'm a long-time Panther enthusiast and as of today - owner of a 04 MM :D The story about how I became a such a Panther fan is worth telling...

The story begins with a shot of my 01 LX CV

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n622/CalmSeasQuest/image-2.jpg (http://s1143.photobucket.com/user/CalmSeasQuest/media/image-2.jpg.html)

One sunny Sunday last year, the kids and I were on the highway, heading to our favorite pizza joint for dinner. The car in front of us stopped suddenly, causing me to brake hard to avoid a collision. While we stopped well short of the car ahead, the driver behind was apparently too busy texting to notice the stopped cars in front of her and slammed into our car traveling in excess of 50 MPH.

The force of the impact caused the car that hit us to slide under our car moving us more than 6 feet and into the car in front of us. The entire undercarriage was rammed up and into the trunk.

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n622/CalmSeasQuest/Vibe.jpg (http://s1143.photobucket.com/user/CalmSeasQuest/media/Vibe.jpg.html)

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n622/CalmSeasQuest/Accident.jpg (http://s1143.photobucket.com/user/CalmSeasQuest/media/Accident.jpg.html)

As you can see in the photos, her car was completely destroyed and she sustained significant injuries whereas my 12 year old Ford Crown Victoria while totaled, did a great job of protecting the occupants.

While we sustained injuries requiring an EMS trip to the hospital, everyone was fine with a few days of recuperation. Based on the magnitude of the collision, I am incredibly thankful that our injuries were relatively minor (I was able to drive the CV the collision shop.) The police and emergency crew on site made it clear that had we been in a smaller car or had we not been wearing seatbelts, they would have expected serious injuries. So...

• NEVER text while driving
• Seatbelts save lives
• NOTHING beats tons of American (or in this case, St. Thomas Ontario Canada) steel.

Despite the insurance companies claim the vehicle was a lost cause, this old girl was in the collision shop the following day being restored to her original condition and continues to serve as my DD. It was the least I could do as thanks for protecting us.

Which brings us to today....I've been searching for a new car - but nothing I've driven "feels" like my CV - that is until I stumbled across a near-mint 04MM with 60K miles...SOLD.

I'm hoping to pick it up this evening :) Pics to follow thereafter.

Sorry for the long intro and story. Looking forward to the mods and having something "proper" to park next to my other favorite ride.

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n622/CalmSeasQuest/2013%20Anniversary%20CVO%20Roa d%20King/569ac68c-15c8-4af6-b3ba-d73bca70844e.jpg (http://s1143.photobucket.com/user/CalmSeasQuest/media/2013%20Anniversary%20CVO%20Roa d%20King/569ac68c-15c8-4af6-b3ba-d73bca70844e.jpg.html)

[WPG_Merc]

Glad everyone is ok,

In my province texting or using a phone well driving is a heavy fine & points
against a License (http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CDEQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia. org%2Fwiki%2FLicense&ei=a7RSUqu_NoTuyAG664HwBw&usg=AFQjCNG6si8dHZYD1sUOfFE6kS DJTXzqXg&sig2=fbLODTjKTkqYDE69_0Jmog&bvm=bv.53537100,d.aWc&cad=rja) & or worse of caused by an accident. :shake:

All the Panther cars were built in St Thomas Ontario Canada. :canada:

[CalmSeasQuest]

Glad everyone is ok,

All the Panther cars were built in St Thomas Ontario Canada. :canada:

LOL Thanks, I've adjusted the OP.

[RubberCtyRauder]

Welcome!!!

I had a 03 CV Sport before my Marauder...You mentioned SAP for yours..SAP is part of the police options for P71..SAP = Street Appearance Package.. A sport or CV LX does not fall into that category

[Guittard22]

Man happy your safe .... Man that other car got killed big cars = safe

[CalmSeasQuest]

Welcome!!!

I had a 03 CV Sport before my Marauder...You mentioned SAP for yours..SAP is part of the police options for P71..SAP = Street Appearance Package.. A sport or CV LX does not fall into that category

Thanks for the correction - I thought I recalled the dealer using the term "SAP" for the monochromatic appearance but in looking at the sticker, you're right. I'll update the original post.

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n622/CalmSeasQuest/0e2eb919-0f0e-40a4-aa31-954749d3a872.jpg (http://s1143.photobucket.com/user/CalmSeasQuest/media/0e2eb919-0f0e-40a4-aa31-954749d3a872.jpg.html)

[RubberCtyRauder]

It's not an issue at all..just pointing it out..Glad to see you are able to keep it:beer:. There are alot of well informed members here with a wealth of knowledge about the Marauder. I've had 3 CV's before the Marauder.

[Roadwarrior]

Great story. I'm glad you & the family are okay. I like the Panther platform vehicles from Ford so much that I have 2 & wish to have more of them.

[RF Overlord]

I like the Panther platform vehicles from Ford so much that I have 2 Same here...too bad America is so stuck on FWD that Ford couldn't continue the platform.

[FW_Linc/Merc]

2008 Rav4 turned in front of me while driving the 1997 Town Car. They towed away the Rav4 with a busted radiator and broken front suspension. I drove away with a scrape on the bumper cover and a broken headlight lens. The headlight still worked.

I have more stories of how the panther's performed well and glad you found a Marauder they do drive and ride nice.

[Ninoblack1]

glad everyone is safe. THIS is why i wanted a panther so badly among all the obvious reasons of badassery. im still searching for my Marauder dream car soon...some day untill then my First and Only car is a 03 CV Sport and i love it glad to know how safe these cars can be.

[WPG_Merc]

my other car is a 03 crown Vic LTfully loaded civilian car. I had 3 others and they were fun too.

[L.Mark]

First..Welcome...second...ther e is NOTHING like a big car protection. Been in several wrecks, one invovling a tractor trailer and to have a full size beast is a peace of mind you will never get in a Prius or Not Very Smart car!!! They rule!!!

[LOWBUCKMM]

Glad you and your family were ok. Love driving big full framed cars. I got rear ended by a grand am while I was in My 73 f-100. Little dent in the tailgate bent tail pipe....that's it grand am was totaled.

[CalmSeasQuest]

Thanks all - The new MM is safely tucked into the garage. Although it was difficult to park my old friend of 14 years in the driveway. Photos and mod list to follow ( a few Gods head emblems (http://www.carmotorsports.com/products.php?cat=462) already en route.)

[CalmSeasQuest]

Got an oil change done (Mobile 1) and a quick bath and wax. All in all, I'm very pleased. It's very clean for a 10 year old car and has only 63K miles. A few shots. With the exception of K&N cold air intake, tinted rear lenses (which will be fitted with very bright LEDs and still might be replaced) and Hooker mufflers, for the moment a basically stock 04MM...

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n622/CalmSeasQuest/82f825823c8c311ead05e62e19a387 cb.jpg (http://s1143.photobucket.com/user/CalmSeasQuest/media/82f825823c8c311ead05e62e19a387 cb.jpg.html)

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n622/CalmSeasQuest/6a01f467605856ed78dece3b1e3bc1 8d.jpg (http://s1143.photobucket.com/user/CalmSeasQuest/media/6a01f467605856ed78dece3b1e3bc1 8d.jpg.html)

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n622/CalmSeasQuest/51bfd029ab2d96d94e04d380e64a56 cd.jpg (http://s1143.photobucket.com/user/CalmSeasQuest/media/51bfd029ab2d96d94e04d380e64a56 cd.jpg.html)

Mods being planned include,


OEM spoiler
Remote starter and alarm (perhaps Viper with Drone)
Undercoating (primarily for cabin sound reduction)
New sound system (thinking Radio App 3) with back up camera
Replace all incandescent bulbs with LEDs - perhaps HID for head/fog lights
Cabin soundproofing (new carpeting with soundproofing)
Custom floormats
The requisite God's Heads
Painted or caliper covers
Tune (car came with a Diablo tuner - no clue as to usefulness)

Should be enough to keep me busy fiddling with it over the winter. I'll likely drive the CV, keeping the MM tucked away till spring.

Thanks for all the comments and please feel free to make any suggestions regarding any of the above (including source for a painted OEM spoiler.)

[1Marauder]

I read some where that the CrownVic/MM was the ONLY five star rear end crash safety car of its time--which is the PRIMARY reason the Highway patrol used this vehicle extensively and why to this day if you ask a police officer, most will tell you it is/was one of thier favorite cars.

Further, I was first in line at a stop light the other day... next to a freeway on ramp and a freeway side street (parallel).... where I saw a 2009 Crown vic--full lights--full siren.... running full speed through the red light I was stopped, at litterally glide (drift) through an S turn-- at approx 55-65mph... sliding 1/2wide each way... onto the the onramp where he hit 100pmh beofre he merged onto the freeway. When he went my the front of my MM--he was 8 feet way... and from my angle the negotiated S turn drifting was an absolute thing of beauty. I meant to post up elsewhere--sorry to share here.

Glad you and your family is safe--Yes this is the car to be safe in.

[CalmSeasQuest]

Thanks 1Marauder,

I ordered a painted OEM "Style" spoiler through Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DEP4QIA/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie= UTF8&psc=1) - Fingers crossed.

I think the floor mats will come through CAR Motors (Fingers crossed). Charcoal with the Marauder text and Gods head.

Still researching the new Head unit (maybe an AVIC) and remote starter/alarm (likely Viper 5104 with Smart Start)

In addition to relamping with LEDs, I found a local shop also does BiXenon headlight installs for less than $200, although I don't yet know what they are using.

[CalmSeasQuest]

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n622/CalmSeasQuest/20131010_160257.jpg (http://s1143.photobucket.com/user/CalmSeasQuest/media/20131010_160257.jpg.html)

The left is the CARId PlaZma, 420 lumen LED - It's incredibly bright and focused, much more so than shown in the photo. To my eye, at close distances at night It's like having headlights in the rear.

I've ordered LED replacements for every bulb with the exception of the headlights and fogs and dash (dash is fine to me and I'm planning on going HID for headlights/fogs.)

Spoiler was painted and should ship on Monday, working out colors for custom mats through CarMotorSports.

[Joe Walsh]

Welcome aboard and congrats on your 'new' Marauder!

Glad to see that everyone was OK in that nasty accident.
I had some idiot in a big Chevy truck ram into the Marauder's rear end a few years ago. Did $9,000+ damage to the Marauder....:mad2:

Looks like another numbnut in a Toyota was not paying attention while driving!
We have so many jacka$$es occupying while moving (NOT driving them...because that requires your attention!) Honda and Toyota road going appliances in my area that I seldom drive my Marauder at rush hour anymore!

Where is a good source for LED conversion bulbs?

[CalmSeasQuest]

Welcome aboard and congrats on your 'new' Marauder!...

...Where is a good source for LED conversion bulbs?

Thanks much!

I'm still researching but here's what I've found so far,

The CARiD PlazMa line seems to be top notch, but very expensive (the reverse lights above were ~$30 ea.) Both Vled and SuperBright LEDs also look like great resources. For the remaining of mine (interior and exterior LEDs and load resisters) I ordered through various Amazon retailers. I suspect the quality and output will be similar at significantly lesser costs. Time will tell.

I may go back to CARiD PlaZma for the brake LEDS as the prior owner of my car tinted the rear lenses. Having been a victim of a rear-end, I want the maximum amount of brake light available to offset the tint.

I'll post more pics as the remaining LEDs are installed.

I'm also still researching the HID options for the headlights and fogs. I wish we had better LED options - My Phase 7 LED headlight, passing lights and turn/DRLs on my Road King are the best lights I've ever ridden/driven behind.

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n622/CalmSeasQuest/23cb33ef-f057-46a4-9852-8a50959ede3b.jpg (http://s1143.photobucket.com/user/CalmSeasQuest/media/23cb33ef-f057-46a4-9852-8a50959ede3b.jpg.html)

Those "literally " turn night into day.

[CalmSeasQuest]

Just decided on floor mats...

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n622/CalmSeasQuest/MarauderMat.png (http://s1143.photobucket.com/user/CalmSeasQuest/media/MarauderMat.png.html)

The mockup shape and location of the single retention hole is different than the actual Marauder mat and is for illustration only. I went with the heaviest carpet and backing available in Ebony w/Steel gray serging. The rear mats will have only the Gods Head emblem.

Hope to get them in a couple weeks

Lots of LEDs have come in, hope to have time to get them installed over the next few days.

[RubberCtyRauder]

Where are you getting custom floor mats made and do you mind sharing the cost? We used to get nice replica mats from Redline, but their mat supplier went bankrupt so they discontinued them

[CalmSeasQuest]

Where are you getting custom floor mats made and do you mind sharing the cost? We used to get nice replica mats from Redline, but their mat supplier went bankrupt so they discontinued them
Of course,

I ordered these through CarMotorsSports.com (http://www.carmotorsports.com/embroidered_premium_quality_fl oor_mats.php). The base mats were $105, but selecting the heaver carpet, and logos increased the cost to $247.90 delivered. That's for all four mats - fronts are Marauder Logo and Gods Head. Rears are just the Gods Head.

[RubberCtyRauder]

Thanks!..That's really not bad for a custom mat and for 4 of them..heck NIB mats here sold for up to $300 before..when you get them, can you take some nice pics of them up close before they are in the car etc? I'm sure others might be interested..I was not aware they did custom ones.

[CalmSeasQuest]

Spoiler (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DEP4QIA/ref=oh_details_o06_s00_i00?ie= UTF8&psc=1) came in today - looks good with a clean paint job. Hope to get it installed this weekend.