2004 LX Sport as daily driver?

[chief455]

very nive SB exterior, perfect silver leather interior, new tires, very nice example in great working order, stock. 98k miles.
What is fair market value? What can I expect for gas economy, with a tune? will it run out on 87 octane? no idea what rear gear is in the car yet. ~300 miles/week is my commute.
Love it as a suedo Marauder - hope to justify paying for the fuel to NOT be in a Honda every darn day:help:

[Mr. Man]

I think it's the same engine as the regular CV so it should burn 87. 24-7 hiway less around town. Not sure about the ratio.

[jwibbity]

I think the LX sports came with 355 gears in them, but they still run on 87

The only current panther to use 93 was the marauder

[RubberCtyRauder]

I had an 03 Cv sport before my marauder..3.27 gears..yes , runs on 87 octane..can get a tune for 87,91,93 and MartyO can provide one too. I didn;t know Marty O at the time so I never ran a tune....Never got over 23mpg for me in the 2-3 years I had it. average was 19-21..lower in winter on winter blend fuel, higher in summer on summer grade fuel...I did not drive it on average in a city environment but more open country type roads..where speed avg was 45-50 mph...If you get, let me know..If silverfrost is the color, i have a honeycomb grille with the surround painted silver frost I would sell cheap.

[MERCURY 2003LSE]

It will be a lot cheaper on fuel than a Marauder .
No Prem fuel needed .
3:27 rear end gearing on the sport LX.

[chief455]

I had an 03 Cv sport before my marauder..3.27 gears..yes , runs on 87 octane..can get a tune for 87,91,93 and MartyO can provide one too. I didn;t know Marty O at the time so I never ran a tune....Never got over 23mpg for me in the 2-3 years I had it. average was 19-21..lower in winter on winter blend fuel, higher in summer on summer grade fuel...I did not drive it on average in a city environment but more open country type roads..where speed avg was 45-50 mph...If you get, let me know..If silverfrost is the color, i have a honeycomb grille with the surround painted silver frost I would sell cheap.
same driving style in my life, 1 mile in stop lights, a few miles 45-50 then 25 miles on the highway each day to/from work. 60 mile round trip x 5 days = 300 miles/week = 15 gal fuel x $4 = $60
My Honda will go 425 miles on $60.
I'll feel that increase.

It will be a lot cheaper on fuel than a Marauder .
No Prem fuel needed .
3:27 rear end gearing on the sport LX.
I'm getting dead on 18mpg with my Marauder for 3,000 miles various driving. Stepping up to 20mpg will and paying around .30 cents less per/gal may add up...
guess it will boil down to paying ~$20/week to be in a CV Sport rather than a Honda

[EMAS]

How you drive it will have the biggest impact on the fuel economy. Unless you are really heavy on the throttle it should do a little better than a 4.10 geared Marauder but definitely not econo-box like fuel economy. However vs something like an Accord or Camry with the V6 it will only be about 1-2 mpg worse and well worth it to not drive something like that. An 04 should have 3.23 gears, 3.55 gears were available on 03 LX sports during part of the model year.

[RubberCtyRauder]

Sports has 3.27..they never had 3.55 gears in 2003..Back in like 2000, before the "sport" designation, the HPP models had 3.55 gears..but I believe it was for only one year. Member GDMjoe will know, he has a sport and numerous facts and info about sports, vics etc...

[clmrt]

If I was going to buy a 2nd car, I'd want something different. Like a 240z, a truck to haul stuff in, a big SUV, an old GTI, something other than a less-potent version of what I already have.

Is the MM your only car at the moment?

[MERCURY 2003LSE]

chief455 here is some info


GDMjoe site on the SPORT LX

http://www.gdmjoe.com/gothvic/documents/lxsport/lxsport.html


Rays site on the LSE

http://mercurygrandmarquislse.com/index.html

:beer:

[slickster]

very wrong choice if ur looking for even decent mpg. if you want size and mpg the mkz hybrid or 13 14 accord hybrid are very great choices. or any timing chain corolla

[chief455]

All good input guys, thanks.
It may take the place of my brothers tired high mile 99 Park Avenue Ultra,
I'll keep Marauder and 30mpg Accord daily driver as is.
At least we would have 2 SB 2004 sporty Panthers in the driveway.
$4500 good price for a very nice example with 98k and minimal paint wear?

[RubberCtyRauder]

4500 doesn't sound bad, but I'm not up to date on CV pricing since going to a Marauder..I was going to estimate $4500 -$5500 pending condition, does it need tires right away or a brake job?

[sflrainmaker01]

If I was going to buy a 2nd car, I'd want something different. Like a 240z, a truck to haul stuff in, a big SUV, an old GTI, something other than a less-potent version of what I already have.

Is the MM your only car at the moment?

I sometimes miss driving a stick shift car. So, I like the idea of an old Foxbody (or maybe newer) Mustang as a second car. I know those cars and they are easy and inexpensive to work on (and values are going up). If you drive them normal, I used to be able to get an easy 20+ MPG driving and probably more looking at chief's daily commute. Just don't let the mod bug get you too bad! :rolleyes:

Otherwise, that sounds like a decent deal, depending on what it needs. Also, for a panther platform car, the older Town Cars are great too! You can buy those cheap! My old 1992 got ~18-19 in town and as much as 27 on the highway!

[chief455]

4500 doesn't sound bad, but I'm not up to date on CV pricing since going to a Marauder..I was going to estimate $4500 -$5500 pending condition, does it need tires right away or a brake job?
has recent tires and the rest is recently sate inspected - seems like a solid turn key ride. the link above shows they are pretty rare, too!

I sometimes miss driving a stick shift car. So, I like the idea of an old Foxbody (or maybe newer) Mustang as a second car. I know those cars and they are easy and inexpensive to work on (and values are going up). If you drive them normal, I used to be able to get an easy 20+ MPG driving and probably more looking at chief's daily commute. Just don't let the mod bug get you too bad! :rolleyes:

Otherwise, that sounds like a decent deal, depending on what it needs. Also, for a panther platform car, the older Town Cars are great too! You can buy those cheap! My old 1992 got ~18-19 in town and as much as 27 on the highway!
the LX ort doesn't need anything to drive right now, interiors is mint, mechanics are very good and everything typically wrong, is all working.
I would have my brother put a tune in and that's about it.

I gave up on it as my daily, fuel economy and as pointed out, why drive a car like Marauder every day? would take some fun away from my weekend toy.

If we miss on this Sport, I see he Town Cars are cheap these days - could be something to watch for.

[ChiTownMaraud3r]

Just had a spark plug back out on the highway on my grand marquis. Was seriously thinking about replacing the car this morning. I found brand new Focus STs are only $24k around here. Not too bad for a turbo 4 banger with a manual that gets way better mileage than these cars.

[CoreyM75]

Well, this is a topic I actually know about. My daily driver is a black 04 Sport. This last week I bought my Marauder. To me they are both different enough that I don't get bored with either. I will have to see how I feel about that in a few months. For know it's very nice to have both. My commute is 15 minutes one way to work, so the mileage hit isn't that bad. My wife has a 4wd FJ so that takes care of any towing or hauling that we could need.

http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt153/2000-cvpi/20140722_144626.jpg (http://s607.photobucket.com/user/2000-cvpi/media/20140722_144626.jpg.html)

[chief455]

Well, this is a topic I actually know about. My daily driver is a black 04 Sport. This last week I bought my Marauder. To me they are both different enough that I don't get bored with either. I will have to see how I feel about that in a few months. For know it's very nice to have both. My commute is 15 minutes one way to work, so the mileage hit isn't that bad. My wife has a 4wd FJ so that takes care of any towing or hauling that we could need.


Nice! thanks for the input. I'm pretty sure I'd be happy in a panther 7 days a week, a few days with twice the power of the other :eek:
the price of gas is the killer on my commute.
And my daily is a 2013 Accord EX-L coupe all black, so it doesn't really suck to drive. It actually gets attention and compliments too.

[RubberCtyRauder]

Well, this is a topic I actually know about. My daily driver is a black 04 Sport. This last week I bought my Marauder. To me they are both different enough that I don't get bored with either. I will have to see how I feel about that in a few months. For know it's very nice to have both. My commute is 15 minutes one way to work, so the mileage hit isn't that bad. My wife has a 4wd FJ so that takes care of any towing or hauling that we could need.

http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt153/2000-cvpi/20140722_144626.jpg (http://s607.photobucket.com/user/2000-cvpi/media/20140722_144626.jpg.html)


Ok, Spill the beans..you bought a Maraduer...looks like DTR..pics, details, mileage etc..not worried about price..you bought what you wanted.. oh and congrats!:beer:

[MarauderCyclone]

Sports has 3.27..they never had 3.55 gears in 2003..Back in like 2000, before the "sport" designation, the HPP models had 3.55 gears..but I believe it was for only one year. Member GDMjoe will know, he has a sport and numerous facts and info about sports, vics etc...


RubberCty is Dead Accurate on the 2000 HPP.

I have one with 81k on the clock and it get far less gas mileage than my Dads 1997 HPP with the 3:27 rear ratio. My 2000 with the 3:55 on it's best day with the cruise control set on a thrifty 65 MPH will get 24 MPG at best...in town , 15MPG is about average.

I think the Crown Vic Sport is a nice and cheaper alternative for a Daily Driver...My only Beef with the SOHC 4.6 L is the damned plastic intake manifold. Whomever thought that up should have their ass kicked right off the planet. It's an expensive and labor involved fix. It's a mother of a price if a dealership does the work.

98k might sound like a lot of miles , but with the PI heads on that model , you should have No real issues under the hood for a long time , assuming it was cared for as discribed.

[gdmjoe]

Ford Crown Victoria LX Sport (http://www.gdmjoe.com/gothvic/documents/lxsport/lxsport.html) ««« -click-

[chief455]

Well, it's a nice car in person and to drive. It has enough front bumper scrapes to need repaint, and he did lower door touch up himself, not horrible, but to be excellent - no. great car for $4500 - but he won't budge from $5200 posted price :(

Who advertises a car at excellent condition book value, and won't negotiate for obvious flaws in condition?
I almost want to step up because it is not a common car and mechanically is ready to use for some time.
It won't sell, I'll try him again in a few days....

[MarauderCyclone]

That sounds like a smart course of action. Every dollar you pay past your comfort zone is another dollar lost to correct the flaws you mentioned.

I agree...The Sport is a neat and unique car and if you were apart a couple of hundred or even say $500.00 , I'd say step up to the pump and get it.

The guy obviously doesn't know how to rate cars and maybe his arrogance will blow up in his face and he'll come in line with your way of thinking? Keep your eyes peeled for other options.

We had a saying during my days of selling Fords. "There is an A$$ for every seat" You'll find the seat you want if you don't get too antsy about buying now.

[EMAS]

Well, it's a nice car in person and to drive. It has enough front bumper scrapes to need repaint, and he did lower door touch up himself, not horrible, but to be excellent - no. great car for $4500 - but he won't budge from $5200 posted price :(

Who advertises a car at excellent condition book value, and won't negotiate for obvious flaws in condition?
I almost want to step up because it is not a common car and mechanically is ready to use for some time.
It won't sell, I'll try him again in a few days....

I went and looked at a 03 LX Sport last week for a daily driver and it was as similar deal, priced at $4500 and front bumper cover was scratched and had a small tear. The rear was even worse and there were lots of scratches on the rear driver's side door. The AC didn't work the climate control panel was flopping around, cruise control off switch didn't work. Needless to say I walked but 3 days later it wasn't on Craigslist so I would guess someone bought it.

[chief455]

That sounds like a smart course of action. Every dollar you pay past your comfort zone is another dollar lost to correct the flaws you mentioned.

I agree...The Sport is a neat and unique car and if you were apart a couple of hundred or even say $500.00 , I'd say step up to the pump and get it.

The guy obviously doesn't know how to rate cars and maybe his arrogance will blow up in his face and he'll come in line with your way of thinking? Keep your eyes peeled for other options.

We had a saying during my days of selling Fords. "There is an A$$ for every seat" You'll find the seat you want if you don't get too antsy about buying now.
_^^^This. My brother and I came away with these exact words!

I went and looked at a 03 LX Sport last week for a daily driver and it was as similar deal, priced at $4500 and front bumper cover was scratched and had a small tear. The rear was even worse and there were lots of scratches on the rear driver's side door. The AC didn't work the climate control panel was flopping around, cruise control off switch didn't work. Needless to say I walked but 3 days later it wasn't on Craigslist so I would guess someone bought it.
^_^^This too! He may be wrong on value, but someone else will want the Sport just a couple hundred dollars more than I'm at, and have a pretty nice car.
While used cars come up 600/day in my local Craigslist - not mint interior, very nice 2004 LX Sport in silver/flint. Under 100k and only minor cosmetic flaws.
Oh, I'm torn
:confused:

[sflrainmaker01]

_^^^This. My brother and I came away with these exact words!

^_^^This too! He may be wrong on value, but someone else will want the Sport just a couple hundred dollars more than I'm at, and have a pretty nice car.
While used cars come up 600/day in my local Craigslist - not mint interior, very nice 2004 LX Sport in silver/flint. Under 100k and only minor cosmetic flaws.
Oh, I'm torn
:confused:

Hang in there bro! If it was meant to be, then the car will be there in a couple days when he gets more motivated.

FWIW, I just went through this same thing with the Prizm I just bought my daughter. She really liked it, it had super low miles, all the maintenance records and some minor cosmetic flaws. So, I stepped up about $300-400 above my "comfort zone" and guess what? Aside from the things I already knew, the AC just ran out of R134 and apparently is leaking from the compressor.:mad2: I would have been happier to deal with the AC surprise if I would have stayed at my price (however a Prizm is not a CV Sport, just a similar situation).

[1Marauder]

I paid more for a clean two owner 2005 sport w70,000miles, that has the dreaded Ford paint issues, and will need paint.

Mine had perfect wheels and new Michilin tires, and needed some window regulators replaced as well.

Sports are hard to find, and mine drives sweet and true. When I am loath to drive the Marauder (bumper to bumper traffic) or leave the Marauder out (late movie etc) and still want a smooth ride, the sport is perfect.

If it does it for you... Offer to split the difference.

If gas mileage is your primary concern, as others said--not the best choice, but if a tertiary concern the sport is an overall nearly perfect fun, sporty, safe ride.

OR you can wait it out for another to come along. Either way, you won't lose much, if any, when you go to sell. These sports have a huge following.

[1Marauder]

One on eBay right now 59,000 miles at $6.000. Looks clean

[chief455]

One on eBay right now 59,000 miles at $6.000. Looks clean
thanks! Another member tipped me to that car yesterday. My brother does not want another black daily car, and $6k is over budget. So he should just pay the extra few hundred on the silver car in my opinion.
I don't think the seller is in a hurry or will take less than $5k
so it comes down to = do we want that car...we drove it and know it's worth $4500 - so, pay a little more to get the right colors and car? My bro is struggling to just wait and see or buy high and hope it doesn't bite him!
He did enjoy the sporty drive, I personally would buy it based on desire and being close. Out of my hands now...

[CoreyM75]

My sport has the bad black paint, two of the rims are not nice. Other wise there is not a flaw on the interior. It was a one owner dealer serviced car with 95k. It was listed at 5795 and I bought it for 5 after haggling the death out of the guy. I was looking at 4000 to 4500 and made the decision that 500 wouldn't keep me up at night.

[CoreyM75]

Ok, Spill the beans..you bought a Maraduer...looks like DTR..pics, details, mileage etc..not worried about price..you bought what you wanted.. oh and congrats!:beer:

I don't want to de rail the op thread. I will make a new post tonight. DTR, low ish miles, etc.

[lifespeed]

I gave up on it as my daily, fuel economy and as pointed out, why drive a car like Marauder every day? would take some fun away from my weekend toy.

I agree. As fun as these cars are, it is nice to save the V8 driving time for the truly great version of the panther. It has always made sense to me for the second car to be more fuel efficient. One hot rod, one good-quality "economy" car that doesn't give up too much in compromise. Put a tow hitch on the hot rod and you have the "truck" requirement covered too!

[lifespeed]

My wife has a 4wd FJ so that takes care of any towing or hauling that we could need.

Shoot, I tow and haul with the Marauder. Properly outfitted they can tow 5,000 lbs without breaking a sweat. I usually tow less :)

[CoreyM75]

Shoot, I tow and haul with the Marauder. Properly outfitted they can tow 5,000 lbs without breaking a sweat. I usually tow less :)
Yes, but here in Michigan we get this thing called snow. Snow sucks and I wouldn't want to risk driving my Marauder or the rust that would destroy the car.

[lifespeed]

Yes, but here in Michigan we get this thing called snow. Snow sucks and I wouldn't want to risk driving my Marauder or the rust that would destroy the car.

I thought it was called salt.

[Chevyguy]

Well, it's a nice car in person and to drive. It has enough front bumper scrapes to need repaint, and he did lower door touch up himself, not horrible, but to be excellent - no. great car for $4500 - but he won't budge from $5200 posted price :(

Who advertises a car at excellent condition book value, and won't negotiate for obvious flaws in condition?
I almost want to step up because it is not a common car and mechanically is ready to use for some time.
It won't sell, I'll try him again in a few days....

Even $5200 is a GREAT price. A member on CVN just got $9000 insurance settlement for his totaled 04 sport with 79K miles. KBB seems a bit low in this case, my 04 LX book value was nearly 5K with more miles 2 years ago

Having 2 panthers is neat, lots of common parts makes upkeep easy buy FL820S by the case1!1 MY lx is the winter beater and mostly daily driver till the AC compressor seals blew out this spring.

http://i348.photobucket.com/albums/q329/folingo/2004%20Marauder/20130427_095530_zpsc18885b3.jp g (http://s348.photobucket.com/user/folingo/media/2004%20Marauder/20130427_095530_zpsc18885b3.jp g.html)

http://i348.photobucket.com/albums/q329/folingo/2004%20Crown%20Victoria%20LX/20131117_135648_zpse44c79d3.jp g (http://s348.photobucket.com/user/folingo/media/2004%20Crown%20Victoria%20LX/20131117_135648_zpse44c79d3.jp g.html)

The 17" wheels fit some Blizzacks pretty good, had a set for the MM but got a staple in the rear tire ruining it. Plus only want to use for emergency in winter


http://i348.photobucket.com/albums/q329/folingo/2004%20Marauder/20121104_120629_zps14ca93d9.jp g (http://s348.photobucket.com/user/folingo/media/2004%20Marauder/20121104_120629_zps14ca93d9.jp g.html)

[gnxtc2]

My '03 CV Sport before I sold it to buy the Marauder.

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w274/gnxtc2/P9020036_zps73503363.jpg

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w274/gnxtc2/P9020043_zps30caa38a.jpg

Billy T.
gnxtc2@aol.com

[89TxDPSstang]

I'm hoping to find a 2006-2008 LX Sport or the right Marauder. I like the Cluster in the 2006 up. I had one of the first 2001 LX Sports to hit he market, it now resides somewhere in Saudi.


Tom

[stryker]

I think the LX sports came with 355 gears in them, but they still run on 87

The only current panther to use 93 was the marauder Greetings Marauderer, I own a CVLX-HPP too is easy to check the gears ( if is still stock) on the Differential cover there's soppose to have a steel tag where it have the type of gears it has ( 2.73, 3.55,3.73,4.10 etc ) in my CVLX-HPP comes with 3.55 due that it has the sport package. :burnout:

[88CuttyClassic]

same driving style in my life, 1 mile in stop lights, a few miles 45-50 then 25 miles on the highway each day to/from work. 60 mile round trip x 5 days = 300 miles/week = 15 gal fuel x $4 = $60
My Honda will go 425 miles on $60.
I'll feel that increase.

I'm getting dead on 18mpg with my Marauder for 3,000 miles various driving. Stepping up to 20mpg will and paying around .30 cents less per/gal may add up...
guess it will boil down to paying ~$20/week to be in a CV Sport rather than a Honda

I have an identical commute in my marauder... i would have no reservations about $20 a week to be in a CV LX sport over a honda. Because of my 25 mile highway commute is why i abandoned fwd. I even had a Buick which is a comfy car but fwds just dont feel nice to drive on a highway.