Another Impala Vs. Marauder comparison article from an author who did not drive one

[FW_Linc/Merc]

https://www.autoblog.com/2020/04/30/chevy-impala-ss-mercury-marauder-retrospective/

Like many of us we have driven both in both stock and modified forms. Yes we are biased but having driven both there is no comparison. On paper comparing the two from a computer is not a fair comparison and an unfair representation. So that is my rant for today...

[blazen71]

I have owned 2 marauders and a 94 Caprice 9C1 (same drivetrain as Impala SS). I will say in stock form the 9C1 outperformed But the Marauder is much more refined and with a few mods brings it up to par with the Impala SS power/torque. Thus why I've had 2 Marauders!

[sailsmen]

I went to a Chev Dealer to look at the Impala. They didn't have any SS demos available to drive.

As I started to leave the salesman said wait the owner just pulled up in his, let me ask him.

He came back and said the owner is ok taking it on a demo drive. I am driving the car and glance at the speedo. I notice something on the console, when I come to a stop I look at it. It's a roach!

I immediately head back to the dealer. The salesman ask why and I reply I have seen enough.

When I drive the Marauder it had the solid feel of a luxury car and that's what sold me.

[Joe Walsh]

Just like CNN slants everything to the left, this guy slants everything towards the Impala.
The author is a Chevy Tard....no doubt.
I bet he's never driven either car, but he rides a mean keyboard.


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[blazen71]

Just like CNN slants everything to the left, this guy slants everything towards the Impala.
The author is a Chevy Tard....no doubt.
I bet he's never driven either car, but he rides a mean keyboard.


Have you driven both? :P

[Joe Walsh]

Yep....almost bought a black '96 Impala SS, but I really needed an SUV and ended up with a black '96 S10 Blazer (4.3 Vortec - 3/4 SBC)
The SS definitely had the low end grunt, ride quality was good....didn't like the cheapo dash. Never hit any hard corners during the test drive.

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[blazen71]

I agree the interior of the SS is basic and cheap!

[fastblackmerc]

Just like CNN slants everything to the left, this guy slants everything towards the Impala.
The author is a Chevy Tard....no doubt.
I bet he's never driven either car, but he rides a mean keyboard.


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As Faux News slants everything to the right.

[Mr. Man]

To bad Mercury couldn't stuff the 5.4l into the MM so we wouldn't have to read these dopey articles comparing the two, and yes I know why Steve didn't. I have never driven an SS, but there are a few around here that come to the cruise nights(pre-Corona). Today the SS shape is meh to me, but I can recall back in the day I thought 'I guess it's the best Chevy could do with trying to polish the turd looking Caprice and the even more horrendous looking Buick'.

[Joe Walsh]

As Faux News slants everything to the right.

Yep, It's good to have a little balance in the mainstream media!*
I can't watch too much of either side or my head will explode.... :argue:
Imagine if either Party could come up with qualified candidates and Presidents!

*It started to really devolve with the 'Dan Rather' incident, as the mainstream media could no longer deny their liberal slant.

Now back to our previously scheduled thread....

[justbob]

Now do a comparison of 80 on up in stock form. The lil Merc will have not only passed the Cheby, but seriously starting to embarrass it..


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[sailsmen]

I went to a Chev Dealer to look at the Impala. They didn't have any SS demos available to drive.

As I started to leave the salesman said wait the owner just pulled up in his, let me ask him.

He came back and said the owner is ok taking it on a demo drive. I am driving the car and glance at the speedo. I notice something on the console, when I come to a stop I look at it. It's a roach!

I immediately head back to the dealer. The salesman ask why and I reply I have seen enough.

When I drive the Marauder it had the solid feel of a luxury car and that's what sold me.

I agree the Marauder has a solid feel.

[Peace2Peep]

The SS was a great car for its' time and is no comparison to the technology and high revving performance of the Marauder. The SS wasn't a vehicle Chevy "held back" from it's promoted state (a la Trilogy or 5.4). But in my not so humble opinion, they are apples and oranges. I would sooner compare the ford lightning truck to the SS as they are closer in displacement and year built. i would compare the marauder with the 2003 chevy impala which was a v-6 joke. They're just not compatible comparisons...the author is just trying to get views...

[Curless]

I own them both, each one had their own attributes.... We all need to remember that without the Impala, Steve Babcock would have never built the Marauder (his own words)... That being said, the Impala has great low end torque (not so much top end), good looks, a beyond proven bullet proof drivetrain (not many Marauders make it beyond 100k without a major repair) and the brakes on the Impala are sweet right out of the box.... but, interior is no bueno, the stereo is garbage, and they made thousands of them.... Marauder is leaps and bounds better in fit/finish, top end charge is crazy when laying into it, interior is very well rounded, nice stereo... low end grunt...not... brakes??? Yikes.... and engine maintenance is costly.... I wouldn't change either one of em!!! I love them both for what they are and what they mean to the automotive world. I can't wait to add a 300SRT8 to my collection of Big Black Beautiful, RWD, American Made Monsters!

[MyBlackBeasts]

I own them both, each one had their own attributes.... We all need to remember that without the Impala, Steve Babcock would have never built the Marauder (his own words)... That being said, the Impala has great low end torque (not so much top end), good looks, a beyond proven bullet proof drivetrain (not many Marauders make it beyond 100k without a major repair) and the brakes on the Impala are sweet right out of the box.... but, interior is no bueno, the stereo is garbage, and they made thousands of them.... Marauder is leaps and bounds better in fit/finish, top end charge is crazy when laying into it, interior is very well rounded, nice stereo... low end grunt...not... brakes??? Yikes.... and engine maintenance is costly.... I wouldn't change either one of em!!! I love them both for what they are and what they mean to the automotive world. I can't wait to add a 300SRT8 to my collection of Big Black Beautiful, RWD, American Made Monsters!

---------^^^ This ^^^------------

Enjoy them for what they are. I own both, they each have pros & cons. Most of the cons can be fixed with mods & aftermarket.

The only thing I will say is the Marauder build quality is hands down much superior (even with the bad paint).

[JoeyP2011]

I have the pleasure of owning both right now. neither were stock when I purchased them so I can't speak on that, but off the bat the Marauder is better riding and more refined while the Impala feels more rugged. Maybe that's just because the steering is heavier

[JoeyP2011]

Too bad Chevy didn't put an LT5 into the Impala. Too bad the LS wasn't invented prior to its discontinuation. All these changes would've made both cars bad mothers for a loooong time. Instead, it's up to me to make these cars the forces to be reckoned with they deserved to be from the get go.

[offroadkarter]

I have the pleasure of owning both right now. neither were stock when I purchased them so I can't speak on that, but off the bat the Marauder is better riding and more refined while the Impala feels more rugged. Maybe that's just because the steering is heavier


The impala has heavier steering with that steering box? The one I drove felt like it steered like a roadmaster

[MyBlackBeasts]

The impala has heavier steering with that steering box? The one I drove felt like it steered like a roadmaster

That's because it is basically. It's not R&P like the Marauder. Even with a sport ratio gearbox, it can't compete with R&P.

[MyBlackBeasts]

The Impala ride is better, glides along like sitting on a cloud.

However, I like the MM rear air suspension better. Load up the trunk with tools & everything for Looseville or something and brrrrrr - rear end levels out like nothing in the trunk!

[JoeyP2011]

The Impala ride is better, glides along like sitting on a cloud.

However, I like the MM rear air suspension better. Load up the trunk with tools & everything for Looseville or something and brrrrrr - rear end levels out like nothing in the trunk!
50840

haha air suspension go brrrr

[JoeyP2011]

The impala has heavier steering with that steering box? The one I drove felt like it steered like a roadmaster
I looked it up recently and the steering ratio is like 15.7:1. Now I'm not claiming I have any idea what that even means but I decided to buy a 12.0:1 box to replace it with. I think it might also have something to do with the 255/50s on the front as compared to the MM's 235s. But again I'm not claiming I have any idea what I'm saying

[Curless]

Too bad Chevy didn't put an LT5 into the Impala. Too bad the LS wasn't invented prior to its discontinuation. All these changes would've made both cars bad mothers for a loooong time. Instead, it's up to me to make these cars the forces to be reckoned with they deserved to be from the get go.

I was in college at Ferris State University for Auto Machine in 1992... We toured Flint V8 plant as a class.... one area of the plant we got to see was research and development... There, on a dyno, running wide open, was an LS engine. The guy leading the tour told us "boys, that engine right there is going to change the world as you know it for horsepower"... yeah... and done!

[offroadkarter]

That's because it is basically. It's not R&P like the Marauder. Even with a sport ratio gearbox, it can't compete with R&P.

Oh trust me I know

https://photos.smugmug.com/Merc/2004-Mercury-Marauder/i-rJTCgvG/0/5a4acdf3/L/DSC_2525-L.jpg


I looked it up recently and the steering ratio is like 15.7:1. Now I'm not claiming I have any idea what that even means but I decided to buy a 12.0:1 box to replace it with. I think it might also have something to do with the 255/50s on the front as compared to the MM's 235s. But again I'm not claiming I have any idea what I'm saying

Tires can have a big impact on steering feel, both in weight and turn in. My M5 reacts completely different on summer tires vs all seasons even at the same width.