Marauder vs Cadilllac STS

[scooobydoo11]

I am in a very interesting dilemna. I truly can not decide b/w an 02 STS and a 03 Marauder. I love the looks of both cars and the overall style. I have read that the STS has more pick up down low than the Marauder but thats really a moot point since I already had enough speeding tickets and if I get the urge for speeding I have my GSXR 750 to fulfill that need. What I am more interested in is the ride comfort and maintence. I rode in a '94 Grand Marquis which is bascially what thar Marauder is (-10 years in technology) and I loveeeeed the ride. Felt real smooth and comfortable, almost like I was riding on a couch. What is the maintence like on the MM? Is there plenty of space for backseat passengers? I hope to test drive both ASAP but a little insight would definitely help me. Ideally someone who has been in both would be ideal here but hearsay will work just fine for me as long its a credible source and not my uncle's cousin's friend's girlfriend's 2nd brother from another mother. Please feel free to ad anything that might help me in choosing. Thanks.

[Shaft333]

Hm. First, (my future wife - a librarian) would make sure that I suggest hitting up your local library. Ask the librarian there and they'll pull up a lot of info.

I love my Marauder. It's unique. It looks good.
It also has the worst paint I've ever seen and has been to the dealer for three warranty repairs in the three months I've owned it.
The ride in a Marauder is not exactly plush. It's a sportier ride. So if you want plush... the Caddy is the way to go.

The Marauder, to me, is about personality. It's mean. Blacked out, bucket seats, a motor that isn't the elderly neighbors Grand Marquis' motor.

I think the Caddy will be a better quality car. And it may have the personality that better suits you.

[scooobydoo11]

So how is the ride quality of tha marauder? Is it that much worse than a grand marquis from 94?

[ckadiddle]

I owned a 1997 crown vic and 2001 crown vic prior to the Marauder. They both rode a little softer over bumps, but definitely not sporty at all in handling. The Marauder rides a little stiffer, but sticks to the pavement like glue in the turns and leaves the grand marquis/crown vic in the dust when it comes to acceleration. The Marauder also feels more stable to me than the crown vics at ridiculously high speeds on the highway. Steering is tighter, more responsive. I drive the Marauder because it is easy for me to enter and exit than a low slung full out sports car, as comfy seating as a crown vic, but looks and drives sportier. This is also the grocery-getter, the going-outter, the long-tripmaker, the friend-limo. The rear seat will acommodate three fairly large adults.

Scooby, if you are near Orlando, lets take a ride!

[Shaft333]

Worse? That depends on how you look at it. The reviews describe it best. Whereas, to summarize, the Marauder has a much stiffer ride that the typical Grand Marquis buyer would probably object too. One review made the colorful description as the Marauder is a Grand Marquis the "de Sade" option... Marquis de Sade... :rolleyes:

[scooobydoo11]

Thanks for the offer but im in VA.

[01 Interceptor]

Just remember...MM = RWD, STS = FWD (Until recent models which include an AWD version.)

Also, the Northstar has some problems after 100k YMMV. All that power to the front wheels, you're not going to be able to hot rod the car as much since these parts are more likely to fail than a rear drive car. I personally love the STS, and have since they redesigned the front end in 1998. I am awaiting their STS-V model, available later this year.

[LVMarauder]

That one is easy. How many Marauders do you see everyday and how many STS's do you see everyday? I think you know the answer.

[scooobydoo11]

That one is easy. How many Marauders do you see everyday and how many STS's do you see everyday? I think you know the answer.
I did think about that some also. STS's are quite abundant. I think I like the styling better of tha Marauder also. I made an appointment to go test drive both on Saturday since this dealership has both there but it is a nice little drive to Baltimore.

[LordVader]

I considered both the STS and MM myself. Once I drove the MM it was a no brainer. The rareness of the breed and the fact it was RWD all were great influences.

[scooobydoo11]

I considered both the STS and MM myself. Once I drove the MM it was a no brainer. The rareness of the breed and the fact it was RWD all were great influences.
If you drove the STS also, what were the biggest differences you noticed comapred to the MM? Besides the fact that RWD.

[ADE 1000]

I was pondering the same question myself a few years ago. We have had several STSs in the family and I spent tons of time driving them. They are among my favorite cars. Here is a summary of how I think both cars stack up against each other.

STS
Advantages:
- Better ride quality, overall a more refined car
- Faster is stock form
- More bells and whistles (HIDs, stability control, etc..)
- Excellent Bose 4.0 audio system
- Better interior quality and materials
- Runs on regular fuel
- Better winter traction
Disadvantages
- Torque steer
- No potential for modifications
- Older vehicle with potential reliability issues with all the gadgets
- Somewhat dated (although still very handsome) design.


Marauder
Advanatages:
- Rarity
- Badass looks
- More space
- Newer vehicle
- Simple, more reliable design
- Tons of modification potential
- RWD
Disadvantages
- Poor winter traction without snow tires
- Poor acceleration and shift quality in stock form
- Poor factory sound system


In the end, the fact that I could get a new Marauder for the same price as a 3 year old Cadillac won out.

[scooobydoo11]

Thanks 4 that Info. Very helpful.

[woaface]

I don't think the acceleration stock is all that bad, I've driven several stocks, serveral naturally aspirated modified and one supercharged Marauder.

I drove a 1999 Grand Marquis for a year and half myself and the Marauder is LIGHTYEARS ahead of it. I LOVE the Marauder. Yeah, so what, you can't take off at stoplights in the rain. But the modifications you can make to this car are vast.

It will handle REALLY well stock. It feels like a small car and you can manuver around anything (or at least I've been able to.) You'll scare the ***** out of people all the time at first glance, and a lot of states use them undercover and people are aware of this. It's made national news (dateline.)

You can add a new rear gear, a cold air intake, a supercharger, an intake spacer, a computer chip or custom tune (there are several places that do it.) You can mess around with the exhaust a lot, such as Kooks headers. You can change out the control arms, the watts link, get better shocks, Eibach springs, and sway bars front and back! And you can supercharge!

Your STS can't do this!

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/12/web/504000-504999/504356_5_full.jpg

There are many members in the VA area if you want to look them up. I can see that you're 20. I'm 18 and people either love this car or hate this car. But once you show them what it can do, they generally love it.

And it's rear-wheel drive. Common, you can't beat that. And you can supercharge it too! (If I haven't mentioned that already.

Our fastest naturually aspirated (no supercharger, turbo, NOS) runs 13.2 in the quarter mile. I've driven that car and it's a BEAST. It's sooooo much fun.

HEY VA MEMBERS, WE'VE GOT A POSSIBLE BUYER HERE! SOMEONE SHOW THEM AROUND TO A NICE TIME!

[jgc61sr2002]

A 94 GM and a Marauder are totally different vehicles. The suspension in the Marauder is a bit more firm than my 2000 GM with the handling package. Test drive the Marauder and you will be hooked. :)

[woaface]

Yeah, major changes to the Panther platform I think were made in 96, there were also more changes made in 2003 to the frame.

They're nothing alike pretty much.

CHECK ONE OUT! It'll make a difference in your opinion.

[Bobby Clobber]

It all comes down to whether you want to see an STS grill in your rear view or a Marauder in your windshield. :beer:

[texascorvette]

I am in a very interesting dilemna. I truly can not decide b/w an 02 STS and a 03 Marauder. I love the looks of both cars and the overall style. I have read that the STS has more pick up down low than the Marauder but thats really a moot point since I already had enough speeding tickets and if I get the urge for speeding I have my GSXR 750 to fulfill that need. What I am more interested in is the ride comfort and maintence. I rode in a '94 Grand Marquis which is bascially what thar Marauder is (-10 years in technology) and I loveeeeed the ride. Felt real smooth and comfortable, almost like I was riding on a couch. What is the maintence like on the MM? Is there plenty of space for backseat passengers? I hope to test drive both ASAP but a little insight would definitely help me. Ideally someone who has been in both would be ideal here but hearsay will work just fine for me as long its a credible source and not my uncle's cousin's friend's girlfriend's 2nd brother from another mother. Please feel free to ad anything that might help me in choosing. Thanks.
A friend has an STS. It's a very nice car, but the trunk and passenger compartment are far smaller than the MM. Boils down to how much room do you want for people and cargo versus more modern looks and faster low end.

[ckadiddle]

A 94 GM and a Marauder are totally different vehicles. The suspension in the Marauder is a bit more firm than my 2000 GM with the handling package. Test drive the Marauder and you will be hooked. :)
I agree! I was only at the dealer for a harmless test drive.... Had been reading about Marauder for months, was pretty sure I couldn't afford it. Just wanted to test drive and see if they were as good as the reviews I had read. Wanted to see one up close for myself. Dang thing followed me home, checkbook be darned. I economize in other areas to make up the difference in my car payments. :D It's well worth it. Now I look forward to driving back and forth to work every day, and it's only a ten minute trip.

Transmissions are easier to get at in RWD cars for repair/replacement - less labor hours involved.

Might also want to price extended warranties plans on each of the cars if they are at relatively low mileage now. I am assuming that whatever you buy will be kept for the long term. I have such lousy luck with mechanical things I always get far more out of them than I put in.

[gpfarrell]

I think you've picked a couple of interesting cars.

We picked the Marauder because...
#1) I'm a "Ford" guy... which likely doesn't make a difference to you!

#2) Space = comfort

#3) I really like it's subtle appearance. It's not plain... it attracts lots of attention... people know it's "something"... but it doesn't have the "look at me" image of a Caddy.

#4) Durability. Time-tested rwd parts... look at how many 200,000 mile Town Cars and Crown Vics that still pound the streets of NYC every day. You just don't see Sevilles doing that.

#5) Its unique.

Have fun either way, and be careful on the crotch rocket... we'd like to keep you around these parts!

Oh, that reminds me of...
#6) And this might be #1... the passion and excitement on this website speaks volumes for how much all of these car nuts appreciate their Marauder. They come from various backgrounds, incomes, & ages and have driven/owned most everything. IF they're this excited about a Mercury, you might like one too!

[David Morton]

I found out at an early age when dad and I traded in my tricycle for my first bicycle.

FRONT WHEEL DRIVE SUCKS!

More room for cargo, passengers...

...and ego! People notice this car. I lost count of the times guys wanted me to roll down the window at that "next light" so they could say something like, "WOW MAN! THAT'S AN AWESOME CAR, MAN!"

I just smile and say,

"I know." :D

[Bradley G]

Generic looking, uni-body downsized, wrong wheel drive, POS!
Can you guess, which one I like better? :D
Bradley G

[scooobydoo11]

Thanks 4 all the help guys but in the end I decided to go with neither and instead I am picking up a 02 'Lac Deville. I just got a great deal. $21,000 with only 17,000 something miles. Blue book is almost $8,000 higher. Later.

[Bradley G]

Yeah!, But, now what will you do, when you retire? :D
Probably a shorter line, :eek: Eh?
Bradley G


Thanks 4 all the help guys but in the end I decided to go with neither and instead I am picking up a 02 'Lac Deville. I just got a great deal. $21,000 with only 17,000 something miles. Blue book is almost $8,000 higher. Later.

[ckadiddle]

Thanks 4 all the help guys but in the end I decided to go with neither and instead I am picking up a 02 'Lac Deville. I just got a great deal. $21,000 with only 17,000 something miles. Blue book is almost $8,000 higher. Later.
Hey, with that eight grand you save, have it Supercharged!!!!:burnout: