Looking to buy a Marauder as a daily what do I need watch out for?

[StevenMike]

Hi all I'm looking for a new daily driver and I'm really wanting a Marauder, I'm wanting to know what to look out for in these cars, how many miles are too many? Which year is better 2003 or 2004?

I found one on CarGurus that's in my price range and appears to be in great shape but has 182,000 miles on it so that's a concern.

Heres a link to it, what do you guys think?

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/l-Used-2004-Mercury-Marauder-c2756#listing=248466149

[Invective]

First, make sure there isn't a massive lien with TitlesRus. Does current owner know any of the car's history? Coil spring conversion? Mods? Boom Boom radio preset to all of the local ghetto stations? Tapping from #8 cylinder (port side rear)? Rear cylinder head crossover cooling mod performed? Keep in mind these are not true 'performance' cars, but 'boutique' cars, meaning they are 'dressed up' for the dance - some well thought out mods (many inexpensive) and Marauder can rock the dance floor. Many of us here in the Southern US consult with MartyO of the speed shop that bears his name, located in Dallas, GA. Probably the top Marauder authority here in the SE US.

[StevenMike]

Ok so I asked the seller some questions heres his responses so far.

I am the second owner. It was bought new in Delray Beach. No modifications. Completely stock. Recent trans rebuild. Timing tensioners, guides replaced. Starter newer. Front lower control arm bushings and rear trailing arms replaced. Drivers left seat bolster and center console cover recovered

Ive done most of the work. I have parts receipts. I work for Ford in pompano beach for 26 years. No engine noise. Never heard of a tick in the rear head. Timing chain noise, which was replaced.

[decipha]

Mileage has no affect on the vehicle at all. My 260k mile 03 marauder runs circles around our 70k 04 and 40k 03 marauders. Its just smoother, idles better, pulls harder and pretty much better all around.

As with any vehicle you never want to purchase from the elderly or a cautiously slow driver. The most reliable cars are those that get driven hard. Which also means you dont want a vehicle thats been sitting for a long tome either.

The timing chain tensioners are the most common problem. Verify it has a motorcraft oil filter on it and that its only had motorcraft filters. All other filters cause the timing chain tensioner failure since they dont have anti drain back valves. When I had the ford contract we made millions on rebuilding heads for the 3v 5.4 engines and the aluminum 4.6 4v engines due to timing chain tensioner and cam phaser failures. Not a single one of them had a motorcraft filter.

Typical maintenance items on these cars is going to be suspension. Make sure the car is solid and there isnt any excessive suspension slop.

Other than that just check over all the basics. Make sure the oil is golden and not black and neglected. Same for trans fluid, power steering, coolant and brake. Pull the oil cap and look on the bottom side for any milky mixes indicating it may have had problems in the past.

These engines are known to have leaky valve seals so a little smoke out the exhaust on start up is to be expected. Just make sure its not excessive. It wouldnt be a bad idea to do a compression test to while your at it if you want to be more thorough.


As always when buying a new vehiicle it would be a good idea to crawl underneath and inspect for rust or any signs of repairs from accidents.

With the age of these cars now power window and door lock failures are becoming increasingly more common. As well as the ac blend door actuator, ac blower motor resistor, radiator fan failures and ac issues (leaking compressors). If it still has the original rear air bags they may be on their last legs as well so if they hadnt been done expect them to be needing it sooner than later.

You can also ask if the ford recall on the light control module was done.

That should cover the majority of it.

[Invective]

Ok so I asked the seller some questions heres his responses so far.

I am the second owner. It was bought new in Delray Beach. No modifications. Completely stock. Recent trans rebuild. Timing tensioners, guides replaced. Starter newer. Front lower control arm bushings and rear trailing arms replaced. Drivers left seat bolster and center console cover recovered

Ive done most of the work. I have parts receipts. I work for Ford in pompano beach for 26 years. No engine noise. Never heard of a tick in the rear head. Timing chain noise, which was replaced.




No way we can tell for sure without being there. Looks like a very good deal from what I've seen and read from this vantage point. No one has to tell you NOT to pay for the car sight unseen. For the money, I would take a chance on it. My concern is that you really know nothing about these cars. Also betting most of the indicated mileage is 'highway miles'.

[sailsmen]

Old Cars things break and wear out. Need access to a good repair shop.

[StevenMike]

So far all the questions have been answered satisfactorily so I'm going to start the buying process, I'm getting the financial stuff on my end straight then go see the car in person, get it inspected by a third party and then if everything looks good make a deal, I'm really excited to be joining a great community of car owners.

[Invective]

So far all the questions have been answered satisfactorily so I'm going to start the buying process, I'm getting the financial stuff on my end straight then go see the car in person, get it inspected by a third party and then if everything looks good make a deal, I'm really excited to be joining a great community of car owners.

Congrats! Do keep us informed of your travails. I bought mine from a collector in Michigan last year. Marauder had never had any fluids changed beyond the engine oil and differential. I paid to have the old fluids changed with the exception of the power steering fluid and brake fluid, before putting the car on the road back to NC. In hindsight, I should have had the fuel filter changed but that happened after getting home, along with the power steering fluid. Brake fluid will wait until Marauder's first brake work. Had a trouble free trip home.

[StevenMike]

So I made an offer which the seller accepted, I told him I had a few more details to work out and I'd set up a date to look at it in person and make the deal, just got a message that he sold it so back to square one.

[Peace2Peep]

First, make sure there isn't a massive lien with TitlesRus. Does current owner know any of the car's history? Coil spring conversion? Mods? Boom Boom radio preset to all of the local ghetto stations? Tapping from #8 cylinder (port side rear)? Rear cylinder head crossover cooling mod performed? Keep in mind these are not true 'performance' cars, but 'boutique' cars, meaning they are 'dressed up' for the dance - some well thought out mods (many inexpensive) and Marauder can rock the dance floor. Many of us here in the Southern US consult with MartyO of the speed shop that bears his name, located in Dallas, GA. Probably the top Marauder authority here in the SE US.

What does THAT have to do with anything? Makes no sense....

Find clean car with excellent maintenance history and clears mechanical inspection...BUY.

[StevenMike]

So what's the main differences between 2004 and 2003 marauders, which one is better?
The transmissions are different, sunroof, color choices and traction control right?
Also are the sunroofs in theres cars ok or are they trouble?

[gdmjoe]

StevenMike - So what's the main differences between 2004 and 2003 marauders ...
Excerpted from the 2004 overview document .....



2004 Marauder Overview

New for 2004


• Heavy-duty 4R75W transmission with improved shift response
• New exterior colors: Dark Toreador Red and Silver Birch
• New interior color: Light Flint/Dark Charcoal two-tone
• Needle bearings and Teflon seals on torque converter
• Dual knock sensors for improved response at low engine speeds
• Standard traction control
• Standard Audiophile entertainment system




Reference: Docments - Mercury Marauder (https://www.gdmjoe.com/marauder/documents/documents.html) ««« -click-
.

[decipha]

The 03 is widely believed by ford enthusiast to be the better vehicle. In 2004 it seemed as though ford was cutting corners on the vehicles trying to make more profit. The 04 has base crown vic struts and shocks which they revised the suspension 4 times. They down graded the wiring in the doors to thinner gauge wire. They removed the clock in the dash.

The 04 did get heated seats which is nice in the winter. The traction control on the 04s is pretty crappy which most people dont like.

[RubberCtyRauder]

Where do you get your info? Never in 8 years has anyone said or proven the 04 has crown Vic struts... 03 has paint issues, 4 thread spark plug holes...

[StevenMike]

So 04s have spark plug issues? As far as I can tell 03s are more common, 04s are harder to find.

[Invective]

2003: Half as many spark plug threads, possibility of damaged heads, especially after improper repairs. '04 transmission is supposed to be better, with a higher stall torque converter? Dual knock sensors are supposed to allow the PCM to respond quicker to fuel octane/quality. '04 was de-contented slightly too - actually started during the '03 production cycle. Beware of coil spring conversions, improper front end alignment, damaged spark plug threads, generally mistreated cars overall.

I made an offer on my car right away, bought a cashier's check the same day and sent copies to the seller to prove I was legitimate (he is a collector), snagged a neighbor to ride with me and we were on our way in less than 48 hours. While the car was being serviced after changing hands, we drove to the next town south to a state DMV office to get a temp transport tag ($10). Produced the title, bill of sale and proof of insurance - trouble free trip from MI back to NC. Image taken in Jackson, OH on the trip home.

https://i.imgur.com/st2m8vKl.jpg

[MyBlackBeasts]

The 04 has some better stuff but what was given up on the 03 to get there wasn't worth it IMHO. Thumb gas door and traction control (yuuuuk!) on the 04 = no thanks.

But! I'd rather have an 04 than no Marauder at all.

Just what ever you get, you get a black one. JPB is the fastest color! :-)

[justbob]

I wouldn’t swap my early ‘03 for any other. Zero paint flaws, never once a spark plug issue, and the trans remained perfect till the day I took it out with 92,000 miles, more than half of which were supercharged. Soft axles were the only thing it had and I used that as a chance to upgrade.

Take care of your car and it won’t plaque you with issues..


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[offroadkarter]

The 03 is widely believed by ford enthusiast to be the better vehicle. In 2004 it seemed as though ford was cutting corners on the vehicles trying to make more profit. The 04 has base crown vic struts and shocks which they revised the suspension 4 times. They down graded the wiring in the doors to thinner gauge wire. They removed the clock in the dash.

The 04 did get heated seats which is nice in the winter. The traction control on the 04s is pretty crappy which most people dont like.

I would love for you to cite your sources. All of the 03's I've seen, including my own, were assembled with a lot less care than my 04. but hey, it has map pockets!

I'm sure you are also unaware that the 04's received dual knock sensors which resulted in a more aggressive timing setup, a 4R75W trans (03 had the 4R70W) and I'm sure this is still up for debate 16 years later but supposedly a higher stall converter.

Yes they did remove the clock from the dash, it went into the radio. Meanwhile, where are those factory 2003 moonroof cars? Oh wait, I have a crappy ASC 840VSS in my 03 :rolleyes:


Where do you get your info? Never in 8 years has anyone said or proven the 04 has crown Vic struts... 03 has paint issues, 4 thread spark plug holes...

Agreed, even to this day you can go on a dealer site and find Marauder specific shocks for 03 AND 04.


So 04s have spark plug issues? As far as I can tell 03s are more common, 04s are harder to find.

2004's have the revised 8 thread heads which are less prone to ejecting spark plugs if not torqued properly. This is true for all 4.6 and 5.4 modulars, not just Marauders.

[StevenMike]

So is it enough of a difference to make and 04 a better purchase over an 03? Could a 03 be modded to make up for it? (New heads, different trans, reprogrammed ecu?) Of course I would package and store any major parts I replace (heads, trans, ect) to preserve the cars pedigree should I choose to sell down the road.

[sailsmen]

Variances in individual cars will offset any due to model year. Buy the best Car!

[StevenMike]

Ok so I've found an 03 Marauder in MS for 9k and has 104k on the clock, the only issue is the seller doesnt really have much history on the car, so I've contacted the local Ford dealer to get it gone through, they want 70 for that and I figure I'll give the mechanic an extra 20 or 30 to really give it a once over, I'll also set it up to test drive it and see it myself before dropping 100 bucks on the inspection, it's just 70 miles from me so I'll probably test drive, get inspected, and if satisfied make the deal all in one day.

[SilverPhoenix]

Excerpted from the 2004 overview document .....

2004 Marauder Overview

New for 2004

• New exterior colors: Dark Toreador Red and Silver Birch


.

I have a 2003 that's Silver Birch...and 400+ others came in SB in 2003




The 04 did get heated seats which is nice in the winter.

My 03 has heated seats.




Yes they did remove the clock from the dash, it went into the radio.

My 03 does not have a clock in the dash, but does have one on the radio.

Not trying to play the 'prove people wrong' game...just want to point out that there really isn't a marked difference between an 03 and an 04; both years have their own specific list of pros/cons, with none of the cons being deal-breakers, IMO. If I were in OP's position, I'd look to buy from an established member here first and keep in mind you probably aren't going to find the 'perfect' Marauder. Just find one that has the fewest, no-big-deal issues.

[StevenMike]

I'm currently looking at the one in MS for 9k with 104k miles on it and then there's one in the For Sale section here for 4900 but has 253k on the clock and its in CA, the up side is the owner has had it since low miles and knows the history, the guy in MS is selling to pay attorney fees in a divorce so probably won't be negotiable and doesn't really know much about the car.

[StevenMike]

Is this one still for sale?
https://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?108065-2003-Black-Mercury-Marauder

[offroadkarter]

I have a 2003 that's Silver Birch...and 400+ others came in SB in 2003



My 03 has heated seats.



My 03 does not have a clock in the dash, but does have one on the radio.

Not trying to play the 'prove people wrong' game...just want to point out that there really isn't a marked difference between an 03 and an 04; both years have their own specific list of pros/cons, with none of the cons being deal-breakers, IMO. If I were in OP's position, I'd look to buy from an established member here first and keep in mind you probably aren't going to find the 'perfect' Marauder. Just find one that has the fewest, no-big-deal issues.

You have a Job 2 MY2003, aka a "300B". Off the top of my head the only options a 04 had that were not available on any 03 were DTR and the moonroof.

I agree with what was said earlier, buy the best car you can afford.