Where did you spot your first MM?

[Bradley G]

I'll start,
While I may have noticed the Early Marauders as a kid,
I saw my first recent Marauder @ Buss Ford Mchenry Il. / Christmas'04
Black '04, I bought one shortly after.:P
OH, hockey sticks! :D
Just cause I have little recall of "Vintage" Marauders, When/where did you see your first Marauder of any era?

[Bluerauder]

I saw my first Marauder (concept photo) in MotorTrend magazine about a year before they hit the street. :D

Saw my first "real" Marauder in front of my L-M dealer when I followed my son over there for a service appointment on his car. I refused to sit in it or do a test drive 'cause I have very weak resistance on such things. :rolleyes:

After I bought mine in October 2003, I didn't see another one on the street until I hooked up with Merc and Mad-3R over in Chantilly a couple months later --- that was the beginning of my CAM experience !! :up:

[Rider90]

N40GL's Marauder at a plainfield event I hosted :bows:

[fastblackmerc]

My 1st Marauder experience was in 1972. My mother bought a used 1970 Mercury Marauder X100.

[Tallboy]

ST. Charles, Il. It was March of 2002, and the car was going over the Fox River Bridge [I was heading down to the Duck Inn]. I knew then I had to have one.

Now, People say they weren't available yet, but I am quite sure of the date. The car had "standard" Illinios tags.

[SID210SA]

My fist view of the MM in person was at North Park L/M in San Antonio...there were 11 in three different colors. The salesman asked me which one I wanted to test drive and I told him the Silver one with the sunroof and it had a dead battery...I bought it the next day...no, I take that back...the first one I saw in person was at the San Antonio Auto show...I told my girlfriend at the time I was gonna get one of those some day...and I did two years later....now the car is spoiled and the ex is still an ex.

[Sully008]

The first time I saw the Marauder was in that one commercial where it parks between the two cars and they slide over.

The live viewing was in sometime in early 2003. I just got my Taurus SEL and I was visting my friend at the dealership. It was in the showroom and as much as I wanted it at the time, I couldn't afford the $46,000 Cdn. they wanted for it.

[CBT]

The first one I actually saw 'on the street' is the one I own. Almost didn't even go look at it because the guy said it was blue, and all I had seen in pictures and on that one commercial were black. Glad I went and looked.

[RoyLPita]

I saw a pre-production model on display at Delray Lincoln Mercury. I also thought that the small wiper blades were just part of the concept. I was worng there.

[Jolly Roger]

I think it was at Norwalk Raceway (Fun Ford Weekend) and I think it was Barry's (Cruztaker) car shortly after he broke into the 13.20's.
He was very polite and explained a lot about the car to me even though he probably thought that I as being a P.I.T.A. with all of the questions.
He probably wont remember.
But I remember those black wheels.:)
Thanks Barry.

[Marauder2005]

I first saw it back in 2002 on the web as a concept. Thought I would

never be able to afford one. But, I made some changes :D

[mrjones]

Well, that was interesting. It actually made me think. I of course saw all the magazine articles, requested the info from Mercury and got the packet with the poster and the DVD including the Tommy Kendall Test Drive show from Speed, but the first MM I saw in the flesh was at Cleveland Ford in Cleveland TX. It's interesting because I bought my 03 leftover from Superior Ford in Athens, TN, just up the road from Cleveland, TN.

Another interesting point: This is the first car that I've EVER bought without test-driving several models. I'd never driven a MM before I showed up at the dealership to pick mine up.

[MM2004]

New generation sighting -> Hooter's :D

Old generation. My father bought a new 1969 X-100.

The rest is his-to-ry.

Mike.

[MarauderMarc]

November, 2003. I passed the L/M dealership on State Street in Salt Lake City and there was a DTR in the fron row but up on a stand. The first thing I noticed was the rims and that sick looking exhaust. Knew I had to have one, but I had just bought a new Mazda Millenia. Well almost a year to the date, I totaled the Millenia (not my fault) and used my insurance $$$ to buy a 2003 black 300a. That was the beginning of a still strong love affair.

[wsmylie]

The first "vintage" one I saw was a new 1963 (pretty sure on the year) as a teenager while attending a party at a classmate's home near Cleveland, OH. The car was sort of a coral/red mix in color, had 400 (?) something C.I. engine badges on it and a floor shift. It belonged to one of the girls fathers and he was nice enough to let a few of us "car nut" boys sit in it behind the wheel. A few years later I bought a used/sorta beat-up 1965 MM that was kind of a POS...but that's another story.
First late model MM seen "in the flesh" was a 03 black 300A sometime in late 02. It was parked at the Pembroke Shores (FL) baseball fields complex and was wearing dealer plates. I heard it start-up to leave with that now familiar growl later-on and the seed was planted. :D

[merc6]

had to be either Bighouse's or the one at mir...can't remember which came 1st.

[SergntMac]

ST. Charles, Il. It was March of 2002, and the car was going over the Fox River Bridge [I was heading down to the Duck Inn]. I knew then I had to have one. Now, People say they weren't available yet, but I am quite sure of the date. The car had "standard" Illinios tags.
Quite possible, Chuck. Though "official" production began around mid May (10th, or, 13) there were a number of pre-production cars on the pavement. "Official release" must mean "taking orders from dealers".

Back then, I was waiting for the Aviator to come out, and my friend John Hayes at Napleton L/M called to say that he had a pre-production Aviator I could come see, but not purchase because it was a Regional sales car. As we walked to the Aviator, I walked past the Marauder. Walking towards it, I thought "where's the spotlight?" but as I passed by, the tips stopped me dead in my tracks. I never saw the Aviator.

John said I could not have this car either, as it (like the Aviator) was being used as a training car for sales, and it moved around from dealer to dealer. I pushed the issue, and picked it up after the release date. This was my first Marauder, VIN 610xxx.

My good friend Bill Karrow ordered his Marauder from Rizza and got it about the same time, first week, or, so of June, '02. He lived in Downer's Grove back then. This Marauder later became the Kenny Brown #1x, and my second Marauder in May of '03, VIN 623xxx.

Like I said, quite possible.

[tbore007]

the first one i saw was in person while i was looking at a used cv at a dealer. i saw it and said,whats that...made my wife get a pen and write down MARAUDER..went home and looked it up on the net a knew i had to get one...

[Mike Poore]

I can't recall ever seeing one of 'em, until the night I picked mine up. (made the deal by phone)
As far as seeing another, it's only been the CAM guys, Carlisle and of course MMVIII at Detroit. Other than our guys at planned events, and traveling with them, I've never seen another one on the road, but did see one parked at Boyd's bears about a year ago. :)

You'd think they're rare ...or something. ;)

[BruteForce]

I saw lot of pics first. The first one I saw in person was the one I drove home. :D

[jgc61sr2002]

Saw the first 03 Marauder in the fall of 2002 at Smithtown L/M.:D

[rumble]

I saw my (and possibly the) first Marauder at the Dallas Auto Show, April 2001. Of all the cars there
this one grabbed my heart. I stared at it for over a half hour before my wife and friends finally dragged
me away. The next time was in (I think) Car and Driver, very small photo with a caption that went something
like "Bad Mercury rising". I kept thinking about it over and over, perusing MercuryMarauder.net and
talking about it. Finally my wife talked me into it. As they say, the rest is history.

[jimlam56]

Great question and interesting posts!
My first in the flesh siting was at the Jacksonville International car show in early 2003. I remember telling my boys as I sat in it that it was real nice, but too much money. Bought mine in November 2005 sight unseen, 1000 miles from home, having never even driven a Marauder before. I didn't even test drive it. Gave the man his money and was on the road at 4am the next morning for home. No regrets...

[Blackened300a]

I saw my First Marauder in a Motor Trend Issue about a year before they came out, Then I saw my first one in person at the NY Auto Show of 03.
Only took 2 years to own one but better late then never

[Paul T. Casey]

Saw the concept in Hot Rod about 2 years prior to production. I was a whisker away from buying a mint, low mileage SS Impala at the time (was going to test drive it that week). Decided to wait. Then in late Sept, early Oct. of 2002, one showed up at Millstone Nuclear Plant where I was working. I waited for the owner, talked with him, and stopped at the dealership that afternoon on my way home. They tried to get $2000 over sticker for it. I left. Came back about a week before Halloween. The dealer was a little friendlier on the price. As I was reading over the sales agreement, I noticed one of the salesmen sitting on the hood of the car. I flipped out, yelled at the offending salesman and left. My salesman called me at home. I told him if the car wasn't damaged when I returned from a short trip to Alabama I'd buy it. It was fine and on Nov. 5, 2002 I became owned. I can also recall the 70, 71 or was it the 69, 70 Marauder. I was young, but it was cool. I still have the little plastic one that was in Honey Combs cereal at the time. Now who else can remember those?

[mcb26]

Saw it on the Merc website as a concept. in person at Ray Pearmon L/M.
Interesting enough. I bought my first car from them in 1969. They had an Orange special order Eliminator with Boss 429 motor and a Red X100 next to it.
My dad said no way, pick one of the used 4 door 63 Galaxie 500's.
That 63 I bought had a 427 :D , but all dad saw was a big safe looking car.
Liked big fast cars ever since.

[rumble]

I noticed one of the salesmen sitting on the hood of the car.

You have GOT to be kidding!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As Sheriff Buford T. Justice said "What in de Hell is da world commin to"?

[Paul T. Casey]

I was a little less polite the Buford.

[Todd]

I saw my first MM at KB's shop in Indy while I was at the PRI show up there.

[bugsys03]

The first time I saw the Marauder was in that one commercial where it parks between the two cars and they slide over.


Me too. The first one I saw one in person was leaving Chicagoland Speedway's Nascar event in July 2002

[Fastronald]

Leaving a family party with the in - laws. On the outskirts of Naperville.

[69marquis conv]

My first sighting was a '69 X/100 that a neighbor owned when I was a child. What a cool car that was! My Mom had a '69 Marquis 4-door at the time but that long '69 Marauder next door was the one that I wished Mom owned. Second was the concept pictures of the 2003 in a magazine in 2002. The third was on the DVD and promotional material I requested from Mercury after seeing the mag pics, and fourth was a black 2003 at Friendly L/M in Salem, VA-- that's when I KNEW I had to have one!

[MarauderMark]

I dont really remembering any of the older models until i bought my 03.But Hot Rods artical is what did it for me.But the first one i saw was in detroit when we we're working at the hospital(i can't remember the name) near ford and saw 1 at the light near ford company take off with authority with my workers in the truck and windows down and all heads turned to listen to it:burn:.That was it for me.

[2003_MM_FYRE49]

The first one that I saw was either at the 2000 or 2001 Chicago Auto Show, I can't remember which one. It was concept car at the time and the Dufus at the Mercury display said that they would never be made. I fell in love with the car instantly and knew I had to have one if they were ever produced. Well the rest, as they say, is now history.

[Joe Walsh]

I liked the way my Mom's 'sport package' GM rode and handled and began thinking about buying a new GM and hopping it up.
Then I saw a small photo in a car magazine from the 01?/02? SEMA show of the S/C SOHC Marauder concept and KNEW that I was going to own one!
OH MAN! A BIG BLACK 4 DOOR SEDAN with bucket seats, gauges, 18" wheels, sport suspension, 3" chrome duals and a hot motor that MOVED!!! :drool:
I NEVER, EVER saw a Marauder commercial...I did send in for the Marauder CD/brochure.
I waited and waited......and in Fall '02 they were on the dealer lots....I test drove one in Tysons Corner Va. and was in love.
Safford LM in Maryland had 7 on the lot in late December '02 and would sell them at a discount so I bought mine!!!
I've owned some nice cars BUT I still love driving the Marauder the most overall.

[Bradley G]

Thanks for all the replies!
For every Marauder, there are lots of interesting circumstances.
I can't believe they were in production over a year, before I spotted one.

[Roger D]

My "first time" was in Westport CT - I heard it before I saw it (must have had a Kooks system installed) - and I didn't see it for long . . . . :eek: The next 25 or so I saw were on Varsity LM's lot in Novi, when I flew out to pick up Trilogy #35 being dealer-preped after Lidio had his turn - great way to buy a car.

Roger D.

[drobin]

In 2000 at a showing in New Orleans I spotted the concept Marauder, I told my friends that I will own one if and when produced. In June of 2002, I was the first in my area to purchase a 2003A and still love the car since the first sighting. At 19K on the odometer she purrs like a kitten and runs great.

drobin
Donald

[Johnman]

I had read about the Marauder in the car magazines, butI first saw one at the (September) 2002 Texas State Fair here in Dallas, Texas. I wasn't in the market at the time, but I took note. By June 2003 I was ready to buy, and I lucked into a blue one at a dealership close to where I work. I love this car!:banana:

[QWK SVT]

I first lay my eyes on a Marauder at the 2002 Canadian International Auto Show.
http://www.qwksvt.com/Marauder_Files/Story/02TAS.jpg

I saw this shiney black beast spinning around in front of me, and... :lovies2:

My mouth watered as though it was a BBQ chicken on the rotisserie:drool:

I was 24, still fairly fresh out of school, and I hadn't even had the Lightning for a year (still was making payments), but I tried desperately to figure out how I could make it work. In the summer of 2003 I visited the local dealer (Shanahan Ford, in Toronto) several times and test drove the MM a couple times (once with the salesman, once without). With the $48.5K sticker, I just couldn't make it fly.

Along came May 2004, and the very same Marauder I had wanted so desperately a year ago was still sitting on the lot. I kept an eye on it, and it saw very few test drives (I had actually put on the majority of the milage myself, before buying it). There had not been a lot of interest, and NOW the time was right to pounce! After another couple visits, test drives and negotiating sessions, I drove away with a price reduction of 33% :bandit:


Oh... My first time seeing a vintage MM in person wasn't until MVIII :cool:

[txmarauder]

Saw the new Marauder as we were building the concept at Roush back in 98 or 99. It was either silver or light blue Grand Marquis roll in, we tore it down to nothing and on the surface plate it went. Did'nt get to involved with it since I was building the roush mustangs and F150 at that time.

[Black 04]

I seen my first Marauder at the NY Auto Show, it was on display and it was love at first site.The black beast gleaming under the lights, I knew I had to have one.

[jimlam56]

Saw the new Marauder as we were building the concept at Roush back in 98 or 99. It was either silver or light blue Grand Marquis roll in, we tore it down to nothing and on the surface plate it went. Did'nt get to involved with it since I was building the roush mustangs and F150 at that time.
Pretty cool to have seen the poor unsuspecting GM that was the Daddy of 11,000 cool rides!:beer:

[txmarauder]

Pretty cool to have seen the poor unsuspecting GM that was the Daddy of 11,000 cool rides!:beer:

At the time i really did not think too much about it. Had i known i would have one someday i would have broken the rules and took a bunch of pics. Greg

[AzMarauder]

I'll start,
While I may have noticed the Early Marauders as a kid,
I saw my first recent Marauder @ Buss Ford Mchenry Il. / Christmas'04
Black '04, I bought one shortly after.:P
OH, hockey sticks! :D
Just cause I have little recall of "Vintage" Marauders, When/where did you see your first Marauder of any era?


I do not recall the early Marauders... but remember they were cleverly disquised with the names Monterey etc. I saw plenty of them.. just didn't know they were Marauders per se.

The 2003.... on the hoof? Ford 100th Celebration in Dearborn, Michigan!
Sat in the car in the L-M display... fell in LOVE... and that started the mental process that led to my ownership of the car I have today.

[dwasson]

I had read Car & Driver's Lounge Lizard article, where they modded a Crown Vic. It was poorly done but it was a cool idea. Then I heard about the car coming out and was mildly interested. I saw my first one in person at the Detroit Auto Show ands was more impressed.

What I thought was telling though was, when a friend in Atlanta emailed me, telling me that she had "just seen a Marauder and this is the car for you!"

[DEFYANT]

My friend and I were out cruising around in our mustangs when we decided to check out Ramsey's SVT F/L/M to see if they had and new 05 GT Mustangs.

No Mustangs, but they had a certian silver Marauder in the showroom.

Worst part was, it was Sunday and the place was closed. I felt like that lil kid "How much is the doggie in the window"! I just wanted to touch it - to become one with the machine. haha.

Originally, the MM was to replace Lisas mini-van. But after 1 month of owning the MM, the van and the Cobra, I realized the MM was the car to make special. Bub-by Cobra - hello Jerry Barnes.

[O's Fan Rich]

Well, thgat would be a 69.
But the first tiem I saw one wast at Fords @ Carlisle in '02. Ordered it 2 weeks later.
Imagine that, a none impulse purchase.

[Svashtar]

I somehow missed all the TV spots and magazine ads for it, but I wasn't paying attention. Wish I had been in late 2002, but i was out of work and broke so maybe that's why. I saw a young mexican kid in Salinas driving down main st. in a Black '03 MM in June of 2004. I followed him in my truck until he stopped. He probably thought I was stalking him or something and was some kind of nut.

He really didn't know what he had; to him it was just a cool Grand Marquis. i called around and bought my Black '03 3 weeks later! I told the guy I wanted an '04 in order to get traction control and a sunroof, but he showed me the pre-decontented '03 has the TC and I was too tall to really have a sunroof anyway. I kept him waiting for a week and after he knocked 10K off the price I went for it. It had 300 miles on it, but I was very lucky on the deal.

Norm

[Bluerauder]

I somehow missed all the TV spots and magazine ads for it, but I wasn't paying attention.

Norm
You mean both, right !!! :rofl:

[StevenJ]

I think I heard about the M&M by flipping through Ford's web page. At the time in 02', I just crashed my dad's Sable Wagon and I was looking for another Ford to convince him to replace it with but that failed miserably because he bought an Accord. I never really liked that car so I kept my dream of wanting to go back and get an American car. At first I just wanted a CV LX Sport. I was looking for a good classic four door Ford that would last forever and not break down to rub it in my old man's face for buying two Hondas. Then, he found out through a co-worker at work that their neighboor was selling a Grand Marquis. Turns out it really was a Silver Marauder, my future car. I test drove it once before deciding, and once after I went through the process of buying it. Love at first sight. I still remeber the first ride in it. Now I thought the Sable wagon was big, damn, I remeber going thorugh a horseshoe and having to make a u-turn and I was amazed at the hugeness of the car. That wore off quickly though after I started driving it every day. I still love my car but I'm used to it now so the newness has worn off. As to the first time I saw a Marauder in person, I think it was on the road but Cobra25 had his car for a while so I saw it whenever I drove by his place, he lives right down the block from me. I didn't really know him then. Well now I do know him so end of story!

[mattgw86]

The first Marauder I saw passed by my work sometime in 2003. I just thought it was a Crown Vic with rims and exhaust... then I went to the New Orleans auto show. It was beautiful. I knew I had to have one, but I saw the price tag and lost hope- of course I was still in high school too. Now I'm so close to buying one I can taste it. I can't wait!!:D

[CBT]

I saw Chuck Norris driving one on Walker, Texas Ranger. It had re-inforced carpet so his legs of death would be comfortable when he wasn't roundhouse kicking people.

[99SVT]

The first time I saw the Marauder was in that one commercial where it parks between the two cars and they slide over.


Same here. The first time I saw one up close was when I was in the dealership after the intake manifold on my Tbird cracked. It was the summer of 03, and I thought about trading the Tbird right then, but the price kept me away.....until now.:D