Looking for a MM, please educate me

[Anothersteveg]

Hi Everyone. I'm starting to look seriously for my 1st Marauder. I've wanted one for awhile now and am finally in a position to pull the trigger. But 1st I have to find the right one.

Other than the obvious things, is there anything specifically about Marauders to consider? I'd appreciate any advice.

I live in KC if anyone knows of something available locally.

Looking forward to participating in this community.

Steve

[RubberCtyRauder]

Plenty of members here to offer advice, experiences or go look at prospetive maraduers if not near you. What is your budget?, goals for the car? daily driver, weekend cruiser, modify it heavily? There is a wealth of knowledge thru the membership here and people willing to do just about anything to help.

Welcome and hope we help you find the right one.:beer:

There is at least two other members in KC ..husband and wife have a blue and a black

[Pat]

Are you willing to travel to get one, or have an agent pick it up for you?

[lji372]

Welcome to the site!!

[Anothersteveg]

I can travel but would still prefer something close. It's going to be a daily driver but I really don't drive much and I have a couple of other toys I play with (Fiat Spider and a Model T ratrod).

The Marauder doesn't need to be perfect, I'm looking to spend less than 12 or so. Eventually I'd like to tinker with it some and liven it up, but stock is ok for now.

[RubberCtyRauder]

Awesome..that helps alot..I would recommend, even if keeping stock, a tune from either Mo's Speed Shop, Lidio at Alternative Auto(both vendors here) or Zack ( a member here if he still offers them) It is done with a SCT programmer and the OBDII port. and can be done thru UPS to your house. It will add 20 or so hp and change the shift schedule to much more enjoyable, whereas the factroy shift schedule wants to get to O.D. as soon as possible..The cost is well worth it..around $400-425. believe me, drive it once as factory and then with a tune, you'll never look back.

[clmrt]

Tell us what you think the obvious things are. You might have picked up something in your research worth discussing. There are quite a few things, and the change a bit depending on the build date, as you may know.

Blend door
EATC
Axles
Paint
Parts scarcity - interior, exterior, mechanical
Head cooling
OD band
Factory tune
Tire wear
Pedal gear

[Anothersteveg]

Good to hear Rubber city, that's definitely in the plan.

As far as obvious, I mean obvious stuff as far as any used car goes. As it concerns the Marauder specifically, assume I'm a complete idiot :). I've been perusing this great site and am learning, but again I appreciate any tips. It's been on my bucket list of cars to own since I first saw one in '03. I woke up a few weeks ago and realized it was finally time. I'm pretty handy and have alot of experience with different vehicles, but I realize there is a lot I don't know about these.

Thanks!

[RubberCtyRauder]

Just like any car, there can be problems..Some 03 black car have some paint issues, some 03 cars might have soft axle issues, "o" rings can go bad onthe EATC (but is readily fixable thru here, LCM issues, once again fixable thru a few members here and as mentioned alot of Marauder specific parts are no longer available..front and rear bumper covers, interior pieces. Brakes parts are same as crown vic and marquis so no worries there.

But on the other hand, most information to fix darn near anything can be found thru the membership, alot of members have parts they will donate or sell when someone needs something. and there are a number of members here pushing 200,000 miles on theirs..some even over 250,000 miles and still running smooth as ever with just maintenance.

[Anothersteveg]

That's exactly what I'm looking for. Stuff like, is there a difference between the two years, model numbers etc. A difference big enough to look at one year vs. the other? That kind of stuff.

I do know I'm looking for a black one. Other than that?......

[Melon]

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=31102

Here's a good thread for the differences.

There is a black one for sale in the Waterloo area (seen on Des Moines Craigslist) and a silver one there in KC. If you're willing to travel, check cars.com and autotrader. I watch those sites more often than I'd like to admit so when I can get one, I have a good idea on the market :)

[RubberCtyRauder]

03 (except maybe late build) do not have traction control so you can run same size tire all around if you want. 04 or ones with traction control need to maintain about a 3% tire size difference from front to rear or the traction control will activate..you can turn it off every time you get in the car as some members do. I believe 04 got dual knock sensors and some slight trans upgrades. I'm sure more info will pop up..weekends are quieter here in the forum, during the week in the evening there is lots of posting going on from what i have seen..give it a few days to gather info. My recommendation is, if possible, have a member go with you/or after to look at any prospective cars, get the vin and I think a memebr here can run an FORD oasis report, althought I think they only go back 10 years so we might be approaching the limit there. POst up pics, link of any you are looking at and everyone will chime in.

I wish I would have been a member longer before I bought mine..casue after, I missed out some nice members cars that were for sale.

[whitey]

Theres a whole 'stickied' thread on differences between 03 and 04. 03 300a have remote fuel door release, 03 300b and 04 dont, however they do have traction control......and the list goes on and on and on....down to the plastic sheets they use in the doors.

[Mebot]

Black Marauders are the fastest color. But the hardest to keep clean. You can't win.

[Anothersteveg]

Hehe, yeah my wife has a black Mountaineer. Funny, never really saw myself as a Ford or Mercury guy.

I have been going through that thread, thanks for pointing it out. Lots of good info. I appreciate the tips and look forward to more advice. When I find the one I will certainly let y'all know.

Steve

[L.Mark]

Awesome..that helps alot..I would recommend, even if keeping stock, a tune from either Mo's Speed Shop, Lidio at Alternative Auto(both vendors here) or Zack ( a member here if he still offers them) It is done with a SCT programmer and the OBDII port. and can be done thru UPS to your house. It will add 20 or so hp and change the shift schedule to much more enjoyable, whereas the factroy shift schedule wants to get to O.D. as soon as possible..The cost is well worth it..around $400-425. believe me, drive it once as factory and then with a tune, you'll never look back.



Yes he does!!!!!

Welcome to the bar!!!!:banana:

Do what I did, keep an eye out for a used SCT programmer, then get a tune for it. Everyone is COMPLETELY right when they say it will wake the car up for a cheap price!!!:D:D Couple that with a CAI and your good to go...Mine was stock for a little over a year, then the CAI and now the tune...and I wish I had done it the second day I had it...:cool:

[mnrauder]

Stay clear of DR. Make sure the seats are in good shape because replacements don't exist. Same with the bumper

[Jeffonebuck]

Welcome !! My 2 cents, Buy your Marauder from someone on this site,,,you will know what your getting!


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[slickster]

You can find a nice one for way under 12! Around or under 100k miles for around 8. If you find one with 80k miles for 6000 you got lucky.

[Anothersteveg]

mnrauder, "stay clear of DR"? Again, treat me like an idiot, what does that mean?

Yes, seats are something I'm looking at. What exactly is not available? The seat, the foam, or the leather with the Marauder insert?

A very sincere thank you.

[Anothersteveg]

And also, yes. I'm pretty sure someone on this site (in KC) is just about ready to sell a Black '03 with 2000 miles, no damage, a blower, New paint, new tires, and a 6' blond maid/driver for $4000. Right? :)

[cpe6]

You may get lucky on eBay, especially with the amount in your budget.

[Marauderjack]

Mercury is extinct and our Marauders are 10+ years old so some parts will be difficult, if not impossible, to find so BE CAREFUL if you buy one!!:(

Several of us are hording rare parts for that reason!!:cool:

Good Luck and WELCOME!!:beer:

[mnrauder]

mnrauder, "stay clear of DR"? Again, treat me like an idiot, what does that mean?

Yes, seats are something I'm looking at. What exactly is not available? The seat, the foam, or the leather with the Marauder insert?

A very sincere thank you.

DR is someone who sells parts to marauder owners.

The seat covers are no longer produced.

[gdsqdcr]

mnrauder, "stay clear of DR"? Again, treat me like an idiot, what does that mean?



DR is a shop/ex? vendor on this site, though he is still a member. Several folks have had issues with him. Not sure if we should say his name here .. but his initials are DR and I believe his shop is in Florida.

[TUXrauder]

PM Sent.... unless redhead is not a good substitute..... lol!!!!


And also, yes. I'm pretty sure someone on this site (in KC) is just about ready to sell a Black '03 with 2000 miles, no damage, a blower, New paint, new tires, and a 6' blond maid/driver for $4000. Right? :)