Reflections on the first 800 miles!!

[427435]

First of all, it's exactly what I expected---maybe better.

I do think that Mercury blew the advertising (what little there was). This isn't a modern, muscle car (not in stock form anyway). It is, however, an extremely comfortable touring car and they may have had better luck advertising it as such. It is quiet, comfortable (love those seats for long drives), but with taut handling and good steering response for "touring" (not for gymkanas). And the power is more than adequate for "touring"---100 mph comes up quick when one floors it at 65-70 mph to pass or put some ricer in their place!!!

Mileage has been just over 20 mpg (first 700 miles) despite fresh engine and "spirited" driving including "leaving rubber" on several occasions. The 0-60 checks I did were just under 8 seconds which is pretty close to the times I got with a hemi Dodge Magnum on the same stretch of road---and the interior is so much nicer.

Will be changing oil this weekend to Mobil 1 5w-30 and will try and take a couple of pictures of my two dark red cars that are 37 years apart in age!!

[SergntMac]

Will be changing oil this weekend to Mobil 1 5w-30 and will try and take a couple of pictures of my two dark red cars that are 37 years apart in age!!
You gonna call them pics of a secret project?

[HwyCruiser]

4....,

Nice to hear someone post their satisfaction with the Marauder just the way Mercury made her. Keep her clean and enjoy the ride. :coolman:

- JD

[Jeff]

I have been a-hootin' 'bout mine on this board for over a year/ 26500 miles
now. I just love it. It's two of my favorite hours each day that I am plugged
into the thing. I must admit to no dearth of displacement envy but this Big
Black Baby is flat fun to drive! It is truly a luxury car with the heart of a sports
car.

Now, how much for that roots blower? Man... :banana2:

[RCSignals]

427435

I'm glad you like the Marauder. I agree, it is a great touring car. It is however more than just a great "touring" car.
I believe the stock steering and suspension will hold it's own in a "gymkhana" for a car of this size and weight.
I can't think of many "muscle" cars that would.

I still believe the car is exactly what Mercury advertised it to be. I don't think they advertised it enough.
Others have had expectations that go beyond what Mercury said the car was.

What we know for sure, is that like any "muscle" car of the past, this Marauder in stock form has plenty untapped potential and power.

[FiveO]

Took me about 12 hours to put 800 miles on my MM.

:D

Ditto. Great highway car.

[RCSignals]

12 hours? you've had it that long?

[FiveO]

I put 1933 miles on it the first 34.5 hours I owned it.

Bought it in CA an drove it back to MN.

[RCSignals]

Thats a good introduction to your Marauder!

[MENINBLK]

I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only one hooked on this car.

BTW, you can get Mobil1 0W-20 (accepted for FORD 5W-20 applications) at the low price of $4.75/quart at your local WalMart store.
Grab a box of 6 quarts and let your dealership use the Motorcraft Filter.

While at WalMart, drop a suggestion note that it would be a great deal if you could get Mobil1 0W-20 in a 5 quart size.
If enough of these suggestions make it back to WalMart Corp., they will ask Mobil to produce the 5 quart container.
Then we'll all be able to buy 5 quarts for $18.75 !!!

[David Morton]

The salesman said, "It's like a Grand Marquis on steroids." I heard that! I had stopped in after seeing the only 'advertising' I have ever seen to date, someone driving a black one down the street. The dealership had none in stock so I gave them a check for $2000 and told them to get one, post haste. I have never regretted it.

I always liked the '97 GM I was driving so I gave it to my mom. And when I take mine in for service and warranty repairs, (I look for every flaw and note them down so they get them fixed, trim pieces mostly) I borrow my old car from mom and wonder what it was I was so impressed with.

It's more than just a souped-up GM, it's TOYS! :rock:

[MARAUDER S/C #5]

While at WalMart, drop a suggestion note that it would be a great deal if you could get Mobil1 0W-20 in a 5 quart size.
If enough of these suggestions make it back to WalMart Corp., they will ask Mobil to produce the 5 quart container.
Then we'll all be able to buy 5 quarts for $18.75 !!!

:nono:......Our cars take 6 quarts......:shake:

Thats what it says in the owners manual--page 202

[dwasson]

My buddy called my Marauder, "a Mustang with a decent job and a mortgage."

[Bluerauder]

Took me about 12 hours to put 800 miles on my MM.

:D

Ditto. Great highway car.
Obviously, you were holding back some or spending far too much time in the rest stops. :lol:

[duhtroll]

You can get Motorcraft 5W20 synth blend at Wal-Mart for something like $1.60 a quart.

Why use anything else?

Anyway, this seems like an idea for a new thread. What type of oil do you use? What is the best oil out there?







(No, I am NOT serious, for the newbies on board. This has been done to death/undeath and again death.)

-A

[dwasson]

Anyway, this seems like an idea for a new thread. What type of oil do you use? What is the best oil out there?

Have you heard that the Marauder may come back in 2005?

[Jeff]

You can get Motorcraft 5W20 synth blend at Wal-Mart for something like $1.60 a quart.

Why use anything else?

Anyway, this seems like an idea for a new thread. What type of oil do you use? What is the best oil out there?







(No, I am NOT serious, for the newbies on board. This has been done to death/undeath and again death.)

-A

...and to death a couple of more times! Did we ever come up with an answer...? :confused: :argue: :alone:

[MENINBLK]

While at WalMart, drop a suggestion note that it would be a great deal if you could get Mobil1 0W-20 in a 5 quart size.
If enough of these suggestions make it back to WalMart Corp., they will ask Mobil to produce the 5 quart container.
Then we'll all be able to buy 5 quarts for $18.75 !!!


:nono:......Our cars take 6 quarts......:shake:

Thats what it says in the owners manual--page 202

DOH, I knew that ! :shake:

So you buy a 5 quart container and a single quart.
The costs are as follows...

5 Quart - 18.75
1 quart - 4.75

Total $23.50

6 quarts - 6 x 4.75 = $28.50.

Which price do you like ? $28.50 or $23.50 ??? :shake:

[MICA Racing]

My buddy called my Marauder, "a Mustang with a decent job and a mortgage."
:lol: :up: LOL That's the best description I've heard yet! BTW, love the quote in your signature!

[MARAUDER S/C #5]

DOH, I knew that ! :shake:

So you buy a 5 quart container and a single quart.
The costs are as follows...

5 Quart - 18.75
1 quart - 4.75

Total $23.50

6 quarts - 6 x 4.75 = $28.50.

Which price do you like ? $28.50 or $23.50 ??? :shake:
DOHHHHH, Then why not request a 6 quart container? To heavy???? :shake: :stupid: :lol: :P

[RCSignals]

Every great thread turns into an oil discussion......

[Redster]

Welcome to the red rauder sub group.
I like the touring analogy. I took my first long trip a couple of weeks ago and it was super. I'm not sure I would want to run it in an autocross, but I had it on a road course and it was great coming onto the straights and going WOT without wondering if there was a cop around the next corner. The biggest limitation was behind the wheel.

[427435]

You gonna call them pics of a secret project?

:banana2: :banana2:

Good one-----------one secret project has already become one to many!!!!

[427435]

Every great thread turns into an oil discussion......


Don't get me started on oils----after working on engineering aspects of engines, their installation requirements, and their maintenance for over 35 years, I'm very opinionated :argue: (and hopefully a little knowledgeable :shot: ).

[RCSignals]

Don't get me started on oils----after working on engineering aspects of engines, their installation requirements, and their maintenance for over 35 years, I'm very opinionated :argue: (and hopefully a little knowledgeable :shot: ).
Maybe you and RF could push for an "Oil" forum :D

[duhtroll]

I like $9.60, which is $1.60 x 6. :D

-A


DOH, I knew that ! :shake:

So you buy a 5 quart container and a single quart.
The costs are as follows...

5 Quart - 18.75
1 quart - 4.75

Total $23.50

6 quarts - 6 x 4.75 = $28.50.

Which price do you like ? $28.50 or $23.50 ??? :shake:

[dwasson]

Don't get me started on oils----after working on engineering aspects of engines, their installation requirements, and their maintenance for over 35 years, I'm very opinionated :argue: (and hopefully a little knowledgeable :shot: ).

We're friends here. You don't have to know anything to have an opinion.

[427435]

We're friends here. You don't have to know anything to have an opinion.

Good point. Opinions are also easy to come by-----knowledge can be an SOB to obtain :beer: !!

[RCSignals]

Welcome to the red rauder sub group.
I like the touring analogy. I took my first long trip a couple of weeks ago and it was super. I'm not sure I would want to run it in an autocross, but I had it on a road course and it was great coming onto the straights and going WOT without wondering if there was a cop around the next corner. The biggest limitation was behind the wheel.
I personally wouldn't autocross it either, even if the car does handle very well "in the twisties"

At least one person here does autocross his Marauder though

[RCSignals]

Good point. Opinions are also easy to come by-----knowledge can be an SOB to obtain :beer: !!
very true.

[MENINBLK]

I like $9.60, which is $1.60 x 6. :D

-A

Ah yes...

The Mobil Oil commercials come to mind...

"You can pay NOW or you can pay LATER..."
tick...tick...tick :lol:

[MENINBLK]

DOHHHHH, Then why not request a 6 quart container? To heavy???? :shake: :stupid: :lol: :P

Maybe because no oil manufacturer MAKES a 6 quart container ?? DOH!

[MARAUDER S/C #5]

Maybe because no oil manufacturer MAKES a 6 quart container ?? DOH!
Have you requested it? DOH-DA