2004 JD Power Survey Results For Marauder

[BlueMarauder]

JDPower.com lists the initial quality survey for the 2004 Marauder. The overall quality rating after the initial 90 day ownership is two out of five stars. :( The categories of mechanical quality as well as body & interior quality are also 2 stars. Feature & accessory quality is 3 stars.
Conversely, the overall quality rating for the 2004 Grand Marquis is five out of five stars. In fact, all of the 2004 Grand Marquis ratings are 5 stars except 4 stars for mechanical quality.
Do you think that we Marauder owners have higher expectations than Grand Marquis owners? Maybe there are actually quality differences between the two? Are the two cars made on the same assembly line in the same plant? :shake:

[Fourth Horseman]

Just speaking for myself here. Not trying to be negative or a downer. But for $35k, I expected better. Don't get me wrong, I love the car and would buy one again. I paid full price knowing what I was getting, so obviously it was worth it to me. But for $35k I think the fit and finish, quality of interior trim, paint, etc. could have been a lot higher. I'd give the quality 3 out of 5, personally. The car definitely gets a 5 out of 5 for style, comfort, fun and attitude. :)

[prchrman]

2 stars...about right IMHO...paint, squeaks, brakes, alignment, fogged up headlights, idiot service managers...I like the car but expected more...with the MM being their premier car you would think they would have done better...I have owned several mercs (1968 cyclone, 1970 marauder) and this one has the worst quality of all...flame me if you want but just being honest...best thing about the car is the new friends I have met through this site and some I have not met yet...you guys are pretty straight up...willie

[SergntMac]

I've bought two now, and I think the Marauder is the best damn car on the road, if you are a high performance freak like me.

It's just 5K overpriced...

[Macon Marauder]

Sad. Particularly since Powers results are based on owner surveys. Yeah, I had a few problems with my '03, but I gave it high marks on the survey. Some of us apparently weren't very kind.
:(

[jerrym3]

Willie, I also owned a 68 Cyclone GT fastback, Madras blue, white stripes, black buckets.

It was only a 302-4V (didn't want the 390 and the 351 wasn't available until 1969), but I put on the functioning ram air scoop and hood tape stripe from the 69 CJ428, hood locking pins, dual point distributor, a 3:50 rear, removed the lower tape stripe between the front/back wheels, added Keystone Classic wheels with Goodyear Polyglas tires, blacked out the four headlamp rims, converted to a 4V Holley, removed the smog pump (4 speed car), and added the 1969 right/left side view mirrors (painted teardrop shape instead of chrome). (My employer was Ford at that time.)

Also installed functioning gauges across the dash (vacuum, temp, oil, and amps-similar to the 70 Cyclone Spoiler), and the shorter Mustang gearshift.

At the dragstrip, they made me run Modified Production because Ford never listed the 302-4V in the 1968 Montego/Cyclone NHRA information. Instead, they used the Torino specs, which did not offer a 302 4V option.

Very sharp, peppy car which really stood out in a sea of Pontiac, Chevy, Olds, and Chrysler cars. Highway mileage, not that anybody cared in 1968-69, was almost 30 MPG.

What was yours like?

[Ross]

I never got a survey. I'm obviously very happy overall, and intend to keep this car for a long time. If asked by Powers, I would have had to complain about fit and finish. The GM is a quiet car, not much wind noise at high speeds. My MM is pretty noisy at highway speeds. Also, the obvious complaint about the subwoofer.

[jerrym3]

How could the GM get noted and not the Crown Vic? They're twins.

[TripleTransAm]

I think it's a combination of both.

Firstly, we have different expectations and are coming from a different customer base. So far based on my first year of ownership, my feelings on the interior fit and finish are that they are of good quality. I think I'd give it a 4 (or 4.5) out of 5, and this is based on prior and present ownership of many Honda products, several Trans Ams, and many previous North American automobiles. Why not a perfect 5? Because of the seat squeak, which they did not address on the assembly line quickly enough (ie. I suffered this even though my car was a Feb build), and the seat cover front flap coming loose for some reason.

The other aspect is that this is a unique combination of powertrain and chassis. Being the only application of the DOHC 4.6 in the Panther chassis, you get nasty things as harness-slicing incidents (it's a much fatter engine sitting in that bay). Possibly the increased power can bring out the weak C-clip transmission issue. The axle recall? Not sure, it's not Marauder specific, right?

The rest of the problems... have me scratching my head (and not because of lice). Headlight housing moisture? Groaning hood latch? Ticking valve guides? The weak paint? Doesn't this stuff happen to Grand Marquis owners too? I understand that wheel alignment perhaps isn't the most important thing on a Marquis owner's mind (hence they don't notice the new aluminum front end's propensity to lose alignment specs at stock bolt torque), but still...

So there doesn't seem to be a clear cut answer to this dilemma.

Assembly quality: I'd give it a 3 out of 5 (just because of the harness issue and the hood groan and other assembly glitches, and the paint quality).

Powertrain quality: well.... I'm not terribly proud of the ticking issues I've had... and I'm not impressed with the tranny C-clip issue... and the failing axle bearings... the single knock sensor... the overheating rear cylinders.... if it wasn't for the fact my car is capable of pulling good results on a track, I'd not feel guilty for wanting to give it a 2.5 out of 5.

[Ross]

if it wasn't for the fact my car is capable of pulling good results on a track, I'd not feel guilty for wanting to give it a 2.5 out of 5.

Yep, it's funny how a lot of those complaints slip to the back of your mind after one good high speed run! :D

[REpson]

BlueMarauder:

Thanks for the information. I had to go to the web site myself and just see how they did the rankings. Not that I did not believe you but just for informational purposes.

MM Owners:

Below is the link. Click the icon that states "I know what I want and follow the menu prompts".


http://www.jdpower.com/cc/auto/index.jsp#
:beer:


JDPower.com lists the initial quality survey for the 2004 Marauder. The overall quality rating after the initial 90 day ownership is two out of five stars. :( The categories of mechanical quality as well as body & interior quality are also 2 stars. Feature & accessory quality is 3 stars.
Conversely, the overall quality rating for the 2004 Grand Marquis is five out of five stars. In fact, all of the 2004 Grand Marquis ratings are 5 stars except 4 stars for mechanical quality.
Do you think that we Marauder owners have higher expectations than Grand Marquis owners? Maybe there are actually quality differences between the two? Are the two cars made on the same assembly line in the same plant? :shake:

[prchrman]

Willie, I also owned a 68 Cyclone GT fastback, Madras blue, white stripes, black buckets.

It was only a 302-4V (didn't want the 390 and the 351 wasn't available until 1969), but I put on the functioning ram air scoop and hood tape stripe from the 69 CJ428, hood locking pins, dual point distributor, a 3:50 rear, removed the lower tape stripe between the front/back wheels, added Keystone Classic wheels with Goodyear Polyglas tires, blacked out the four headlamp rims, converted to a 4V Holley, removed the smog pump (4 speed car), and added the 1969 right/left side view mirrors (painted teardrop shape instead of chrome). (My employer was Ford at that time.)

Also installed functioning gauges across the dash (vacuum, temp, oil, and amps-similar to the 70 Cyclone Spoiler), and the shorter Mustang gearshift.

At the dragstrip, they made me run Modified Production because Ford never listed the 302-4V in the 1968 Montego/Cyclone NHRA information. Instead, they used the Torino specs, which did not offer a 302 4V option.

Very sharp, peppy car which really stood out in a sea of Pontiac, Chevy, Olds, and Chrysler cars. Highway mileage, not that anybody cared in 1968-69, was almost 30 MPG.

What was yours like?

Mine was a dark green and maybe a pinstripe...but had GT wheels... and also a 302-4v...I know it was stock but like you say no one believe that there was a 4v 302 put into 68s...bench seat...auto on column...sold it to a good friend with it having over 160,000 miles on it...he drove it another 40,000 miles before retiring it...I never had one problem with it, HONEST...and the guy only retired it because he was a little drunk (not too smart) when it blew a hose and he would not stop driving...the only problem he had with it was I liked country back in those days and listened to KVOO country out of Tulsa...he liked rock and roll and soul music...he said it took him 2 weeks before he could get it to pick up a rock and roll or soul station...wish I still had that car and the 70 marauder...willie

[deerejoe]

Not being overly critical on any American automobile having come through the late 50s to the present 2K+, I find the build quality AND the technical advances to be outstanding.
FOMOCO like the other American manufacturers all have their growing problems with ever newer models and performance issues.

If the assembly teams could keep their acts together with the ever changing complexities and government mandates of new design plus the increased volume required to make a 'projected' profit, there might be time for uniform quality across the line.

I don't know about anyone else, but I lost the ability to keep up with ALL the various models each manufacturer puts out a long while ago!!
Thats not to say that we (consumer) want 'cookie cutter' cars.
I still find it amazing that parts assembly can be so transitional from one year to the next.

Aircraft assembly is much more sequential and labor intensive, yet glitches surface there as well.

The DIFFERENCE between my FIRST automobile; a 1947 Cadillac convertible and the Marauder I drive today is beyond my ability to describe.
There is no way that I would go back to that era except to chase the same women all over again...maybe excepting a few!!

[Marauderjack]

I got a bunch of surveys and a couple congratulated me on my new Grand Marquis!!!!!!! :shake: :uzi:

I refused to answer any questions until they figured out what car I have!!?? ;)

Could be they just translate this into all bad answers??? :down:

Hope not!!

The ones I answered....I GAVE THE CAR GREAT MARKS!!! :rock:

Now that I have the transmission and TC under control.....THE CAR IS TRUELY GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!! :D :rock: :bows: :bows:

Marauderjack :rasta:

[woaface]

Have any of you sat in one of the new Acura TLs?

I'd buy a Marauder over it...but I agree, it could have been done better.

But I don't think Ford expected it to go for long, and/or expect to fix/update the quality issues if/after it really took off in sales...which it never did. This is common with most manufacturers I think.

[mcb26]

Interesting the 2003 ranked better in Mechanical and feature quality, They both get 5's in the issues I was looking for Perf,comf,style,features.

[JamesHecker]

I absolutely love my car! I did not get a JD Powers survey, but if I had I probably would have given the car higher marks than it deserved for fit, finish and quality. I am very dissatisfied with the axle, the tire wear and alignment issues, the paint quality, the sagging rear bumper, the intermittently disfunctional power windows, the woefully inadaquate winshield wipers, the moisture in the headlights, the hole in the carpet on the passenger side of the console, the soft shifts from second to third (before the chip), and the lack of a moonroof! All that and I still love this car!

[Bradley G]

I got at least 4 surveys j.d. powers being one of them . I brought the curve up for us . sweated rear tail light lens, align front(center steering wheel) didn't pull. I hit a deer Two months ago still have slight steering wheel shake . Just had all four tires balanced yesterday . I didn't notice any shake up to 80mph . today after work (raining) just above 60 mph it still shakes slightly . I notice a couple small pits in the wheels . and the chrome is'nt uniform in the corner of the spokes .I asked the dealer (now where I work) to replace the instrument cluster screen due to scratches and they did but there is a piece of plastic stuck on the inside . And the tech scratched the trim bezel in a couple of places in the process. Am I being too picky? I also hear tick at an idle only sometimes its not real loud but I still notice it when it does occur.I love this car was built 10/30 . I want to come to indy and asked the owner about time off he said to ask his brother, so tomorrows the day!:rock:

[junehhan]

I probably got nearly 12 surveys on my Marauder including the JDPower one, and I gave it very high marks. Of course, it always helped that I had just came back home from a WOT run when I saw the survey in my mailbox..........

[teamrope]

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=595 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD height=23>


</TD><TD>Mechanical Quality (http://www.jdpower.com/cc/auto/jdpvs/JDPowerVehicleSelector.jsp?bac kref=102&step=3&page=301&vid=1179#)</TD><TD width=122>http://www.jdpower.com/images/blobs/2blobs.gif</TD><TD width=209>Comfort (http://www.jdpower.com/cc/auto/jdpvs/JDPowerVehicleSelector.jsp?bac kref=102&step=3&page=301&vid=1179#)**</TD><TD width=122>http://www.jdpower.com/images/blobs/5blobs.gif</TD></TR><TR><TD width=18 height=23> </TD><TD width=209>Feature & Accessory Quality (http://www.jdpower.com/cc/auto/jdpvs/JDPowerVehicleSelector.jsp?bac kref=102&step=3&page=301&vid=1179#)</TD><TD width=122>http://www.jdpower.com/images/blobs/3blobs.gif</TD><TD>Features & Instrument (http://www.jdpower.com/cc/auto/jdpvs/JDPowerVehicleSelector.jsp?bac kref=102&step=3&page=301&vid=1179#)Panel (http://www.jdpower.com/cc/auto/jdpvs/JDPowerVehicleSelector.jsp?bac kref=102&step=3&page=301&vid=1179#)**</TD><TD>http://www.jdpower.com/images/blobs/5blobs.gif</TD></TR><TR><TD width=18 height=23> </TD><TD width=209>Body & Interior Quality (http://www.jdpower.com/cc/auto/jdpvs/JDPowerVehicleSelector.jsp?bac kref=102&step=3&page=301&vid=1179#)</TD><TD width=122>http://www.jdpower.com/images/blobs/2blobs.gif</TD><TD>Style (http://www.jdpower.com/cc/auto/jdpvs/JDPowerVehicleSelector.jsp?bac kref=102&step=3&page=301&vid=1179#)**</TD><TD>http://www.jdpower.com/images/blobs/5blobs.gif</TD></TR><TR><TD width=18 height=23> </TD><TD>Overall Quality (http://www.jdpower.com/cc/auto/jdpvs/JDPowerVehicleSelector.jsp?bac kref=102&step=3&page=301&vid=1179#)</TD><TD>http://www.jdpower.com/images/blobs/2blobs.gif</TD><TD>Overall Appeal (http://www.jdpower.com/cc/auto/jdpvs/JDPowerVehicleSelector.jsp?bac kref=102&step=3&page=301&vid=1179#)**</TD><TD>http://www.jdpower.com/images/blobs/5blobs.gif</TD></TR><TR><TD height=23> </TD><TD>Performance (http://www.jdpower.com/cc/auto/jdpvs/JDPowerVehicleSelector.jsp?bac kref=102&step=3&page=301&vid=1179#)**</TD><TD>http://www.jdpower.com/images/blobs/5blobs.gif</TD><TD> </TD><TD> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>At least it gets 5 stars for overall appeal

[NOMARQUIS]

I never got a anything from JD Powers, but Ford asked me about my Grand Marquis. :confused: If I got one, I would give it a :down: for paint quality, fit, and finish. All the exterior problems are forgotten once I'm in the driver's seat. As long as the hood has a deep glassy shine and the windshield is clean, the Marauder rates a :up: for performance, comfort and even reliablilty. Four thousand miles and only a few problems adressed in TSB's. Perfectly acceptable in a new model year car. (Except for Ford's headlamp moisture policy :bigcry: )

With questionares like JD Powers and others, it seems that only people who are cronic complainers take the time answer them. Sometimes today's world forgets to say "Nice Job" or "Great." I really don't give a hoot about JD Powers on anything. I'd rather make my own conclusions by testing products myself. :)

[nexstar7]

here's crap for you. motor trend may 2004 quote ( cool, but doesnt have right stuff to back up bad boy looks.

[Fourth Horseman]

here's crap for you. motor trend may 2004 quote ( cool, but doesnt have right stuff to back up bad boy looks.

Blame it on CAFE. Without that restriction Ford would most likely have put in some more aggressive gears and programming by default. That alone probably would have shut up all the critics.

[nexstar7]

very well put.

[Bradley G]

I never got a anything from JD Powers, but Ford asked me about my Grand Marquis. :confused: If I got one, I would give it a :down: for paint quality, fit, and finish. All the exterior problems are forgotten once I'm in the driver's seat. As long as the hood has a deep glassy shine and the windshield is clean, the Marauder rates a :up: for performance, comfort and even reliablilty. Four thousand miles and only a few problems adressed in TSB's. Perfectly acceptable in a new model year car. (Except for Ford's headlamp moisture policy :bigcry: )

With questionares like JD Powers and others, it seems that only people who are cronic complainers take the time answer them. Sometimes today's world forgets to say "Nice Job" or "Great." I really don't give a hoot about JD Powers on anything. I'd rather make my own conclusions by testing products myself. :)I took the time and the dollar they sent me to fill out the surveys as I stated before . I know I brought up the average by my responses. I don't think of myself as a complainer .If I dont like some things about MM, I'm going to(with the help of this site)figure out a way to correct them.ie:moisture in light fixtures. F##k Ford's policy don't:cry: find a dealer that will help you ;) ;)

[Cordoba1]

I'd like to weigh in on this issue. I think that I might be able to offer another point of view because, although I was raised in a Mopar family, I've lost my brand loyalty. Not because Chrysler did anything to me, or some of the Family cars failed, but because I started making my own decisions. And now there really isn't a huge amount of quality differential between the brands. To wit: When I was young, there was a whole list of cars that one should stay away from -- anything from Hyunday, the venerable Le Car, blah, blah, blah. With only one or two exceptions, ANY car you buy today is going to get you to 150,000 miles with only minimal amount of maintinence.

So my take on the survey? Yeah -- the fit and finish of the MM isn't up to par. Like many of yours, my paint sucks, the rear-facia seems to be barely attached, my sub rattles, my engine ticks, and all the rest...

Somebody said in an earlier post that these cars have alot of style. Style is in the eye of the beholder, but MM's aren't partiularly stylish, either. (I know I'm going to get flamed on THAT statement!)

Mercury Marauders are all about EMOTION. And based on everything I've read on this site, Mercury Maruader owners are VERY emotional about their rides!

And I LOVE my big Merc -- I love to mash the pedal, I love the second-gear scratch - I love the exhaust note... And I love that I can take my friends with me for a go-fast-ride. Everywhere I go I get questioned about it, looks, etc.. It's great fun, and like many of you, I'll hang on to it for a long time!

--Adam

'03 300A
Tint
Red Inserts
4:10's
Superchiped
No Resonators

[Amsoil_Dealer]

It is too bad that the marks are so low because the Marauder is a neat car. The only thing I can think of is that some of the owners surveyed may have moved over from BMW, Mercedes, even Toyota. Despite the fact that I agree with the fact that all US automakers have made tremendous quality strides from the dregs of the mid-late 70s, the overall quality of these cars are not up to the mfgrs I mention above.

Don

[SouLRioT]

You guys missed the part below the Power ratings, kinof off topic, but still related. It gave a PIN score of 5 (that it will retain it value over other cars in its class).

[silverbullitt]

I received a total of about 5 surveys on the car (JD Power being one of them), and in every case I gave the car 5 out of 5 marks. Is it perfect? Probably not. To me it sure as heck is. I'm 27, and honestly, I'll take my Marauder's musclecar good-looks, throaty exhaust note, and 300+hp V8 over some vanilla Toyota's fit and finish, good gas mileage, and me-too styling any day. That's why we bought these things in the first place, isn't it? Because when push comes to shove, our highest priorities rest with the style and performance that the Marauder has to offer? The fact that most people (including, unfortunately every Mercury sales and service person I've had to deal with) just don't get the point of this car is a given of owning it. But those of us who do own it and love it ought to give it nothing but high scores. The message the auto company ought to take away from the JD Power results is "here's a car that people love that we should tweak and improve the quality of." Unfortunately, what they really hear from those low scores is that even those of us who actually showed up and bought this car don't like it. If you want to see more cars like it out of Ford or other manufacturers in the future (are there any other manufacturers? ;) ) then you have to give it nothing but love when asked. Just my $.02.

[Freddyss]

I've bought two now, and I think the Marauder is the best damn car on the road, if you are a high performance freak like me.

It's just 5K overpriced... The ss is 2:)

[423REED]

Just speaking for myself here. Not trying to be negative or a downer. But for $35k, I expected better. Don't get me wrong, I love the car and would buy one again. I paid full price knowing what I was getting, so obviously it was worth it to me. But for $35k I think the fit and finish, quality of interior trim, paint, etc. could have been a lot higher. I'd give the quality 3 out of 5, personally. The car definitely gets a 5 out of 5 for style, comfort, fun and attitude. :)*
What you pay extra for in a Marauder, is the engine and all of the high performance parts, etc. That's why a Marauder costs $ 36,000+, and a GM costs anywhere from the low twenties to the mid/upper twenties. But, I always find it amazing that two similar cars being produced on the same production line can have such a different rating. The same men and women are bolting similar parts onto the cars at the same time. Why then would one model receive 5 stars? An example comes to mind when Consumer Reports compared the Taurus SHO (V6 DOHC engine modles) and the Taurus LX. The LX received higher marks, and the SHO received lower marks. I still don't understand the logic. Except for the engine and performance parts, they're the same cars!

I've owned my 2004 Marauder since June 5th, 2004, and it has been virtually trouble free. When I received the quality questionaire last year, I gave the car 5 stars across the board, based on my personal experience to date. I'm very happy with the quality, comfort, and high performance of my Marauder. A co-worker of mine has a 1997 Pontiac Bonneville with a long list of serious problems, and a 2001 Buick Park Avenue which has been in the GMC shop a dozen times for problems, including replacing the entire sterring rack and pump! All my Marauder goes in for is routine oil changes. How many Marauder owners could have knocked the Marauder so badly, to pull the overall rating for all 11,000 Marauders that low? Do they only talk to a handfull of owners, or what? I've never trusted these so-called quality surveys. If you don't survey every owner, what is it worth.
Jim
______________________________
2004 MARAUDER 300A - DTR
1994 TAURUS SHO - DK GREEN

[kurly]

I've bought two now, and I think the Marauder is the best damn car on the road, if you are a high performance freak like me.

It's just 5K overpriced...


I'm with SergntMac! :twocents:

[ncmm]

I give mine 5 stars, it rocks and beats the crap out of the my SHO's ('95 & '99)
and SVT Focus('03) I've had. It's even above my other current vehicle, '01 Bullitt Mustang.

[Pat]

I have an 04 Marauder purchased in July 04 but never received a survey of any kind. I did get a dealer sales experience evaluation questionaire. But for the first 90 days my MM performed and looked exceptionally well. Not one gripe. I have two Grand Marquis and the MM doesn't take a back seat in any of the areas previously discussed. So.......Now if you ask me how it performs after 6 months, I would have to say the SAME THING, it's an exceptionally good vehicle., no gripes, regular service at the dealer, tire wear OK, performance as good as it came off the lot. A real keeper.

[Vortex]

First, I guess those of us who bought our cars more recently probably feel much better about what we got for what we paid due to the big discounts. That said, Im pretty happy overall with my car. Its big, it looks cool and I doubt there are many cars twice the price that will seat 4 adults in Lincoln-like comfort (with luggage) and go pretty damn quick. Yes, there are quicker cars, but they come with other sacrifices in size, cost, usability. On quality, other than a few minor interior sqeaks when its cold and the occasional buzzing from the rear subwoofer, mine has been just fine. Ive owned lots of decent cars and so far this one is just about the right combination for me.

[de minimus]

This morning I went to a tire shop to buy some McGards...all of the tire guys came out of the shop and stood around the M while one of them put on the nuts. Comments ranged from "sweet" to "she looks fast".
At lunch I parked across from a body shop. When I came out of the restaurant two of the body shop guys were looking at the M....they were quite complimentary.
On the way home I was stuck in traffic. The guy next to me in the Civic rolled down his window and said "nice wheels dude".
Who gives a rats ass what some survey says.

[wsmylie]

I couldn't agree more amigo!
This morning I went to a tire shop to buy some McGards...all of the tire guys came out of the shop and stood around the M while one of them put on the nuts. Comments ranged from "sweet" to "she looks fast".
At lunch I parked across from a body shop. When I came out of the restaurant two of the body shop guys were looking at the M....they were quite complimentary.
On the way home I was stuck in traffic. The guy next to me in the Civic rolled down his window and said "nice wheels dude".
Who gives a rats ass what some survey says.

[Two Hawks]

... Comments ranged from "sweet" to "she looks fast".
....they were quite complimentary....said "nice wheels dude".
Who gives a rats ass what some survey says.:2thumbs: Well said. :coolman:

[Bobby Clobber]

This morning I went to a tire shop to buy some McGards...all of the tire guys came out of the shop and stood around the M while one of them put on the nuts. Comments ranged from "sweet" to "she looks fast".
At lunch I parked across from a body shop. When I came out of the restaurant two of the body shop guys were looking at the M....they were quite complimentary.
On the way home I was stuck in traffic. The guy next to me in the Civic rolled down his window and said "nice wheels dude".
Who gives a rats ass what some survey says.


Do I recognize the flag in your avatar? :beer:

[valkyrie]

The MM is a five out of five for PIN Retained Value though. That is a good sign.

[mcb26]

Aparently since the CEO of JD Power drives one, he doesn't pay much attention to his own companys ratings. I think the biggest reason for the low marks in some catagorys is you expect more from a Marauder. I give mine 5 stars across the board.

[JohnnyB]

Overall, I gave my car high marks. My major complaint is that the paint job sucks. It could have used another coat. My dad has a 2003 Grand Marquis GS and his paint job is much better. Overall quality of the interior fit and finish is what I expect from a FoMoCo product. What does bother me are the little things like head lights fogging up, steering wheel grip coming loose, crappy sub-woofer. Considering the age of the Panther platform and the price of the MM, these things should have been worked out.

[de minimus]

Do I recognize the flag in your avatar? :beer:
I hope so! Hope your not driving your Marauder in those NS winters.
Cheers

[rumble]

*
But, I always find it amazing that two similar cars being produced on the same production line can have such a different rating. The same men and women are bolting similar parts onto the cars at the same time. Why then would one model receive 5 stars? An example comes to mind when Consumer Reports compared the Taurus SHO (V6 DOHC engine modles) and the Taurus LX. The LX received higher marks, and the SHO received lower marks. I still don't understand the logic. Except for the engine and performance parts, they're the same cars!

,Jim


______________________________
2004 MARAUDER 300A - DTR
1994 TAURUS SHO - DK GREEN

Your question goes to the heart of one of the fallacies of these surveys. The problem
is different customer bases with different perceptions buy different cars. People who by
a car for transportation look for something totally different than people like us who buy a car
for a more visceral feeling of élan. Obviously, for better or for worse we are going to judge
a car differently than those folks.

[Bobby Clobber]

I hope so! Hope your not driving your Marauder in those NS winters.
Cheers


The MM is replaced for a few months by a beater Tercel, way--------- too much salt here. But you seem to know that , displaced? :beer:

[LordVader]

:burnout: IMHO it seem there is a consensus regarding paint, squeaks, and road noise. After that it all becomes irrelevant to those of us who love this car. Once you turn on the key "all is forgiven" and the "thrill is on". As others have stated you have to beat the gawkers off who want to look and touch and comment on the car. Forget the survey, enjoy the ride!

[de minimus]

The MM is replaced for a few months by a beater Tercel, way--------- too much salt here. But you seem to know that , displaced? :beer:I'm originally from Halifax and moved to the west coast about 15 years ago. I get homesick, especially for the Midtown Boiled Dinner, London Dock Rum and Donairs @ 3:00 a.m. The weather is dismal in Nova Scotia and I don't miss that. Plus here you can golf year round.
Cheers

[teamrope]

I'm originally from Halifax and moved to the west coast about 15 years ago. I get homesick, especially for the Midtown Boiled Dinner, London Dock Rum and Donairs @ 3:00 a.m. The weather is dismal in Nova Scotia and I don't miss that. Plus here you can golf year round.
Cheers

You're welcome to join us in Issaquah on the 27th for the Marauder meet. :)

[MENINBLK]

Sad. Particularly since Powers results are based on owner surveys. Yeah, I had a few problems with my '03, but I gave it high marks on the survey. Some of us apparently weren't very kind.
:(

I never got a survey... :(

[de minimus]

You're welcome to join us in Issaquah on the 27th for the Marauder meet. :)
Very kind of you. I just may if I can take care fo a few things before the weekend. What is the address where everyone meets ( so I can mapquest)....

[Romo53]

I remember putting my two cents in a quality thread soon after I purchased the MM. The JDP survey really does not surprise me, and here again are my two cents: not poor, but horrible paint quality, the carpet on the door panels started peeling, the passenger window weatherstrip came off, pass window motor quit, power pedal motor quit, headlamps fogged, fuel sending unit quit, automatic headlamp sensor failed, rear deck lid fit is poor, the jackass tech at the lincoln dealership wants to rotate the tires....everytime I took it in. And, although it has nothing to do with the car itself......the customer service after the sale was/is criminal. I paid $34,612 for this MM.

Now, before you send the hate mail, given the above "set backs", I love driving the car. I like the way it looks, sounds, feels, and I especially like the interior of the car. I drive a crown vic everyday for 8 hrs, and it is therapy when I slip into the MM. Past problems and all! :D

[David Morton]

It seems obvious to me Mercury didn't intend to sell a lot of Marauders, no advertising is a dead giveaway to me they did this car for themselves, for the engineers as an exercise, for the execs to drive and just for the hell of it.

I like that part. For the hell of it.

And I'm glad they did it. I'm glad they pretended the inside was a Lincoln Town Car and pretended the outside was a stripped down Gran Marquis. And I'm glad they pretended the drivetrain was a Mustang Mach 1. I love this car.

This survey doesn't suprise me a bit. Because 1/4 of the buyers expected a Town Car and the tires are noisey. 1/4 expected a Gran Marquis and you feel every bump. 1/4 expected it to turn a 12 second 1/4 miles and outrun Mercedes Kompressors.

Only 1/4 of us knew what we were buying. I call it a police interceptor interceptor. A big cruiser with lots of horsepower, stiff suspension and a pretty nice interior. Show it off to a cop sometime and see if they don't let on how jealous they are.

Seems most of the guys here at MM.net get it.

None of my business if 3/4 of the buyers didn't.

[teamrope]

Very kind of you. I just may if I can take care fo a few things before the weekend. What is the address where everyone meets ( so I can mapquest)....

I posted the info in this thread.

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=15879&page=1&pp=15

[spub]

JDPower.com lists the initial quality survey for the 2004 Marauder. The overall quality rating after the initial 90 day ownership is two out of five stars. :( The categories of mechanical quality as well as body & interior quality are also 2 stars. Feature & accessory quality is 3 stars.
Conversely, the overall quality rating for the 2004 Grand Marquis is five out of five stars. In fact, all of the 2004 Grand Marquis ratings are 5 stars except 4 stars for mechanical quality.
Do you think that we Marauder owners have higher expectations than Grand Marquis owners? Maybe there are actually quality differences between the two? Are the two cars made on the same assembly line in the same plant? :shake:
I find this exeedingly odd, as in Oct. of '04 J.D. Power and Ass. released the results of a study on owner satisfaction with their cars withen the first 90 days of ownership. This survey concentrated on how consumers liked both the features and performance of their cars. In the full size car catagory, the Marauder was #1! Followed by the GM and the CV. Go figure.:loco:

[423REED]

It seems obvious to me Mercury didn't intend to sell a lot of Marauders, no advertising is a dead giveaway to me they did this car for themselves, for the engineers as an exercise, for the execs to drive and just for the hell of it.

I like that part. For the hell of it.

And I'm glad they did it. I'm glad they pretended the inside was a Lincoln Town Car and pretended the outside was a stripped down Gran Marquis. And I'm glad they pretended the drivetrain was a Mustang Mach 1. I love this car.

This survey doesn't suprise me a bit. Because 1/4 of the buyers expected a Town Car and the tires are noisey. 1/4 expected a Gran Marquis and you feel every bump. 1/4 expected it to turn a 12 second 1/4 miles and outrun Mercedes Kompressors.

Only 1/4 of us knew what we were buying. I call it a police interceptor interceptor. A big cruiser with lots of horsepower, stiff suspension and a pretty nice interior. Show it off to a cop sometime and see if they don't let on how jealous they are.

Seems most of the guys here at MM.net get it.

None of my business if 3/4 of the buyers didn't.
Very well thought out and stated!
Jim

[GordonB]

Well people, guess you know my thoughts on this one -- bought 2, faults and all, and have not regreted it one bit. I also noticed last Falls' 2004 JD Power survey and our MM was the ONLY North American 4 dr. to get recognition!!

GordonB

[Two Hawks]

It seems obvious to me Mercury didn't intend to sell a lot of Marauders, no advertising is a dead giveaway to me they did this car for themselves, for the engineers as an exercise, for the execs to drive and just for the hell of it.

I like that part. For the hell of it.

And I'm glad they did it. I'm glad they pretended the inside was a Lincoln Town Car and pretended the outside was a stripped down Gran Marquis. And I'm glad they pretended the drivetrain was a Mustang Mach 1. I love this car.

This survey doesn't suprise me a bit. Because 1/4 of the buyers expected a Town Car and the tires are noisey. 1/4 expected a Gran Marquis and you feel every bump. 1/4 expected it to turn a 12 second 1/4 miles and outrun Mercedes Kompressors.

Only 1/4 of us knew what we were buying. I call it a police interceptor interceptor. A big cruiser with lots of horsepower, stiff suspension and a pretty nice interior. Show it off to a cop sometime and see if they don't let on how jealous they are.

Seems most of the guys here at MM.net get it.

None of my business if 3/4 of the buyers didn't.
Very well thought out and stated!
JimWhat he said.


You know, I get a little :mad2: reading about all the problems with the Marauder.
In my world, nothing is expected to be perfect, and if it is, man did not create it.
Besides, no one forced any of us to buy this car.
We WANTED this car! :D

[Katmandu]

Only 1/4 of us knew what we were buying. I call it a police interceptor interceptor. A big cruiser with lots of horsepower, stiff suspension and a pretty nice interior.

Seems most of the guys here at MM.net get it.

Well...I've been itching for awhile to sell my CV Police Interceptor and would absolutely LOVE to get a MM!

I gotta admit it's got pretty annoying driving an old cop car. :( Even though my car has has low miles and is pretty plain, people are still afraid to pass me on the highway and the harsh ride and uncomfortable seats make my long commute a literal PITA!

Now, if I could find a way to fit a MM into my budget! :burnout:

[Big House]

The thing I wouild like to say on this is this. Show me a 4200 lb car with nice ammenities running 13's easy and I will show you a Merc Marauder. Ask about a car that gets looks no matter where you are and I will show a Merc Marauder. Sometimes you have to look past the little things to get to the real picture, we got a well refined muscle car that has the potential for real greatness. I have had my Merc for less than a month and I am hooked. To hades with JD Power...

[Svashtar]

I remember putting my two cents in a quality thread soon after I purchased the MM. The JDP survey really does not surprise me, and here again are my two cents: not poor, but horrible paint quality, the carpet on the door panels started peeling, the passenger window weatherstrip came off, pass window motor quit, power pedal motor quit, headlamps fogged, fuel sending unit quit, automatic headlamp sensor failed, rear deck lid fit is poor, <rest snipped=""> Wow, some of this sounds familiar. Mine is a pre-decontented 300B manufactured 10/23/02 and bought exactly 21 months later on 7/23/04.

Overall I have to say the fit and finish of the interior is good. I had the carpet on the door panels peel, but mixed up a batch of epoxy and reglued them. For one day the drivers side window would just not roll down. Nothing worked on that side. I couldn't figure out what the problem was, the motor just stopped working. The next morning I got in to take it to the dealer and it worked perfectly, and has for many months since! (?) BTSOM?

The paint was so bad (luckily) that the service manager didn't even blink. She said that although Ford "was not known for it's black", that the clear coat on mine was the worst she had ever seen. She gave me a rental car and they kept my MM two weeks. I got a repainted hood, trunk lid and one of the doors. The rest of the car was sanded and re-clearcoated, and I have to say I think they did a great job, but of course it should have come from the factory that way.

It pulled to the right, but they aligned it and that is a lot better know, and the tire wear seems fine after close to 7K miles now. (I do 36 psi all around as recommended for the '04's.)

The standard wipers look fine to me, and seem to work very well, so I don't know what was up with that for some folks. The trunk lid should have a liner, and also didn't close well until I adjusted the overtravel stops, now it fits fine. I'll get a liner for it soon I hope with this group buy going on.

I "fixed" my stereo bass by removing the foam insert from the subwoofer, and adding a 4" long X 2" diameter port to the subwoofer enclosure as described by one of the guys here in the Garage. The whole thing sounds much better to me now, although the radio reception is still poor with no external antenna.

The service folks are idiots when it comes to the car, and have tried to rotate my tires front to back as well. They also didn't listen to me when I tried to tell them about the alignment target points on the Hunter machine scratching the rim, so got to buy me a brand new LF rim 5 minutes later, even though I told them to let out the air and use a bit of lube. Their stupidity, their money, so again fine with me.

What's left? Only two things: despite 4:10 gears, cooler MC copper plugs and 180 stat, stud & girdle kit, a JLT CAI, MMX shaft, Steeda UD pullies, front & rear sway bars, metco control arms and a Reinhart tune for 91 octane on my 9100 tuner, the car has never even spun the tires at WOT, let alone chirped them in second, AND my mileage is lower than it should be, I think, at only 15 mpg average. So I may be running too rich. (?) I think I should be making a boatload more of HP than what I am getting.

My daughter is going to summer camp down by San Diego this June, so I will bite the bullet and drive her down there (I HATE long drives!) for 7 hours to have my car dyno-tuned by JBA Racing, who Dennis Reinhart recommends.

(If I could do one thing it would be to get the car to Dennis and just have him do everything in one fell swoop so I wouldn't have to screw with it piecemeal. I mean, what do I do if I add exhaust mods later? Drive it another 14 hour round trip to get it re-dynoed?)

Final, minor complaint: there is a squeak coming from the left rear of the car, that can only be heard when driving slowly with the stereo off, that bugs me. Someday I'll find it and kill it! (-:

That's about it. So far with the 24,800 purchase cost, I have about $30K into it, which isn't bad at all I think. That inludes new floor mats, Ford Racing coil covers, thumbscrews for same, steeda bling caps, SS inserts, KB dead pedal, dynopro pedals and sills, Silver stars, wheel locks, fender badges, trunk organizer, door guards, Megs delete tips, rear spoiler, DS loop, and about $800 total install labor for all the stuff that wasn't self-installable.

Need to figure out what type of Torque Converter to get and more importantly how to configure it with the tuner, so that I don't have all these problems some of you have described at 2000-3000 RPM's. Maybe get the tranny upgraded at the same time. I need to call Dennis again about that stuff, and maybe JBA can install if to me and then retune.

Overall, the favorite part of my car that I love is the daily commute to and from work; I hit this one 3-4 mile section of wide open fat 2-lane road only one gentle curve and wide open visibility, and floor it. The sound of the engine kicking in and the sound of the exhast through the delete tips is just great, and the car pulls like hell. The other day I was in the middle of the run with at least 2" - 3" of pedal left and the car running effortlessly and looked down to see 105 on the speedo. Felt like I could go on forever! :)

Sorry for the long post, but wanted to mention the few problems I had had as well.

Regards,

Norm</rest>

[B.C. Bake]

Ok, mabe not the paint!!! I had some bird poop issues they could not fix.:( well to be fair they did offer to paint it....I DON'T THINK SOOOOOOO I've seen repaint jobs:bs: And things like subwoofer issues don't bother me, but you guys are right, it does vibrate, the fix it thread worked good though.:beer: But I still make any excuse to drive that mean machine" WHAT WAS THAT YOUR OUT OF BUTTER I'LL GO AND GET SOME ,,,BE BACK IN A HOUR":burnout:

[chicago_cop]

2 stars...about right IMHO...paint, squeaks, brakes, alignment, fogged up headlights, idiot service managers...I like the car but expected more...with the MM being their premier car you would think they would have done better...I have owned several mercs (1968 cyclone, 1970 marauder) and this one has the worst quality of all...flame me if you want but just being honest...best thing about the car is the new friends I have met through this site and some I have not met yet...you guys are pretty straight up...willie


It seems that some of the members have had many problems with their cars, and others like my self have never had a problem of any kind. The car is perfect in everyway that I can think accept it should have had a 5 speed trany and another 40 hp. Some car mags. speak about plastic like it was poison. (they make guns out of plastic) What do I care about real wood or aluminum. Alll that junk is just braging rights. 10-15yrs from now will prove out one way or another. I totally lost intrest in cars until I stumbled upon the 03 MM. My son in law has an S600 Benz. His car is more refined to say the least. Only $125. K but parked next to the MM they both look outstanding.
IMHO.

[de minimus]

It seems that some of the members have had many problems with their cars, and others like my self have never had a problem of any kind. The car is perfect in everyway that I can think accept it should have had a 5 speed trany and another 40 hp. Some car mags. speak about plastic like it was poison. (they make guns out of plastic) What do I care about real wood or aluminum. Alll that junk is just braging rights. 10-15yrs from now will prove out one way or another. I totally lost intrest in cars until I stumbled upon the 03 MM. My son in law has an S600 Benz. His car is more refined to say the least. Only $125. K but parked next to the MM they both look outstanding.
IMHO.
Extremely well said!