Anyone drive a Mercury Marauder?

Nuts to all of the slicing and dicing of performance specs... The Marauder is one of those cars you buy just because you like it. Yes, it's a bit over-priced, heavy, and slow--as performance cars go. But the big Merc ain't really a performance car. More like a fast boat...

I still haven't bought one, though when my son finally gets his driver's license and I give him my old Taurus, I just might. I work in the powerhouse at a former Ford facility (it Visteon now :barf: ), and I didn't even know the Marauder existed until a local dealer brought one to an open-house at the plant last year. It was love at first sight.

Virtually all car purchases have a strong emotional motive involved (that is, rational thought sort of gets relegated to the sidelines in the process once it runs its course), but with a car like the Marauder it's even worse. Driving this rig would probably bring back memories of driving my mom's '69 429 4V Marquis when I was a teenager. I don't know the performance specs on that old hunk of pig iron, but it'd likely leave the Marauder looking at its tail lights, at least in a straight run. Big Mercs in those days didn't do the twisty stuff too well. (They still don't, but they were MUCH worse in 1969!) Looking back, I have to question mom's basic sanity for letting me drive it. :rolleyes:

Let's see: It burns half again as much gas as a Focus or a Taurus (and it wants Premium to boot), it's a rear driver and I live in snow country, I only drive 3.5 miles to work each day...

Buying a Marauder would be DUMB. But I might just buy one anyway!

Shalom,
Mark
 
I thought the Marauder was getting axed for 05, but now have heard that Mercury is adding a blower (rumor has been going around for awhile actually). Which is what they should have done from the start, especially considering the price. The number I read was putting the car at 350hp.
 
Originally posted by Mr.BadExample
Why they didn't just put the 390hp s/c cobra engine in, I do not know.
Click to expand...

I agree, guess Ford feels the target audience would be content with 350hp. Who knows, if the Maruader happens to stay around maybe they will just surprise everyone with a 390hp number.

That would be nice :cool:
 
There is a reason Ford(actually Mercury) hasn't put 390hp Cobra motors in the Marauders. PRICE!! The blown 390hp Cobra motor is hand assembled like all 4.6litre DOHC motors, but the blower and extras needed for it, take longer to assemble, machine, and purchase. Not making it really cost effective in the Marauder.

Also, a local car club member of mine, has an '03 Marauder with a blower and 4.30 gears. Pumping out 437 horsepower and 417 ft/lbs of torque at the rear wheels! Tremondous numbers for a motor displacing 281 cubic inches. It's not a slouch and will kick just about everything's ass off the road. Z06 Corvette hunting is the owners favorite past time.

-Random

PS: I say buy the Marauder!! Of course, I'm a biased Mercury fan. :rolleyes:
 
If they're really putting a blower in it, I'm going to wait then. Worst case I buy a leftover or used Marauder and have a blower put in myself.
I have a feeling the prices of the NA engine cars will drop once the S/C comes out.
 
Any updates on the Marauder?

Is it getting killed off or getting a higher output engine for 05?

Thanks,
 
ohen cepel said:
Any updates on the Marauder?

Is it getting killed off or getting a higher output engine for 05?

Thanks,
Click to expand...

According to the latest Car and Driver magazine it's dead.
 
A friend of mine owned a police interceptor and a Marauder...each for about 6-8 months. I drove both of them...the Marauder is ok in a straight line but it is no Lincoln LS (my mother has one of those...I agree with Kit, one of the best sedans out there)...the Marauder does have the style though...here I am with my friend's (former) car :)

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RL
 
www.mercurymarauder.net
www.crownvic.net

I've been around both. For my money, I'd go with a Crown Vic, put in a MM airbox & MAF, and then have it chipped. The standard CV is capable of 300HP with some elbow grease. The 05 Police Interceptors go 250HP due to the "Redesigned Airbox and MAF", which can easily be seen as borrowing the MM's equipment.

ACMarina
1996 P74, Silver
 
Sad if they kill it off.

Thanks for the info on mods for a CV. That may be a more viable option if the stop making the Marauder. I think if they would have done it right (more hp) it would have lasted :(
 
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