Buying a used Marauder

[MichaelGarmon]

Hi Everyone. I've been reading for a while, this is a nice forum community you guys have here. I was wondering what the main differences between a 2003 and 2004 were and what I should look for or be weary of when trying to buy a used marauder. I currently drive a 2001 Z28 but need something more practical (4 doors) and still want some power with it. I love the body style of the Marauder. Any tips or advice would be GREAT.

Thanks!

[sd8683]

Hi Everyone. I've been reading for a while, this is a nice forum community you guys have here. I was wondering what the main differences between a 2003 and 2004 were and what I should look for or be weary of when trying to buy a used marauder. I currently drive a 2001 Z28 but need something more practical (4 doors) and still want some power with it. I love the body style of the Marauder. Any tips or advice would be GREAT.

Thanks!

There's not much differance between the two, you can't go wrong with either one.

[baltimoremm]

always check carfax

[jdando]

Not too many differences between 2003 and 2004. The "major" differences came between early and later 2003. Do a search on 300A and 300B. The 300A are the earlier production and the later ones are 300B.

What to look for?
blue smoke at start up
soft axles on early 300A
a few early 300A had "bad paint"
verify the tranny shifts smoothly and TC locks up correctly
I would be very leery of a car that is not properly maintained, these engines require premium fuel, I think if someone is cheaping out and running 87 octane it is a recipe for disaster.
Watch out for any bumper damage, replacement parts are very expensive.

The best advice is to get together with your local owners and have one of them look at the car as well as you.

[Stranger in the Black Sedan]

Make sure you don't pay too much. Some dealers (and probably private sellers) are still advertising 30-40k mile cars near or over $20k, which is rediculous.

[Aren Jay]

04 is rarer, has a better transmission, and some other rear end improvements.

04's came in Black, Silver and DTR (Dark Toreador Red).
03's came in Black, Silver and DPB (Dark Pearl Blue)

Black 03's are either 300A's or the later 300B's.
silver and DPB 03's are all 300B's.

Typically for 2003
The 300A did not have traction control, or heated seats.
The 300B came with traction control, some had heated seats.

You can tell the difference easiest by the centre dash mounted clock. 300B's have the clock in the radio.

All 2004's are called 300A's but have similar specifications to the 2003 300B's.

2004's are typically worth more, and run slightly faster, when stock.

After modificaiton though it makes little difference.

You will modify your car.

Shop around there are many available with low miles for a good price. See the Marauders for sale section here.

Good luck.

I once had my Mustang GT "cobra" and I used to miss it when I was driving a lesser 4 banger. Now that I have my Marauder, I no longer miss it.

[RoyLPita]

always check carfax

Welcome aboard. Enjoy the site. Use Carfax when you are very serious with which MM you are interested in. An OASIS report from Ford can tell you other things, too.

[Paul T. Casey]

I was wondering what the main differences between a 2003 and 2004 were
Thanks!

The cool people all have '03's, usually 300A order numbers. ;)

[Stranger in the Black Sedan]

See that's what I thought too

[J D]

Make sure you don't pay too much. Some dealers (and probably private sellers) are still advertising 30-40k mile cars near or over $20k, which is rediculous.

indeed, a good number would probably be in high teens


04 is rarer, has a better transmission, and some other rear end improvements.

04's came in Black, Silver and DTR (Dark Toreador Red).
03's came in Black, Silver and DPB (Dark Pearl Blue)

Black 03's are either 300A's or the later 300B's.
silver and DPB 03's are all 300B's.

Typically for 2003
The 300A did not have traction control, or heated seats.
The 300B came with traction control, some had heated seats.

You can tell the difference easiest by the centre dash mounted clock. 300B's have the clock in the radio.

All 2004's are called 300A's but have similar specifications to the 2003 300B's.

2004's are typically worth more, and run slightly faster, when stock.

After modification though, it makes little difference.

You will modify your car.

Shop around there are many available with low miles for a good price. See the Marauders for sale section here.

Good luck.

I once had my Mustang GT "cobra" and I used to miss it when I was driving a lesser 4 banger. Now that I have my Marauder, I no longer miss it.

they are worth more as they are 1 year younger than their counterparts, and because of which often have less miles.

Also refer to this sticky here (http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=31102) for the most up to date and agreed upon difference in 300A and 300B. And 2004 being faster is hearsay.


The cool people all have '03's, usually 300A order numbers. ;)
+1

[Stranger in the Black Sedan]

I was trying to sell my MM when it had under 30k miles, more than a year ago, and nobody was interested for $17,500. I had lots of interest but I got a lot of "I can't afford that much, thanks". I would think the same car now is worth a good bit less, maybe $15,500, in my same mileage and condition. I'm just guesstimating but I'm probably not too far off.

[RocsMerc]

2004's are typically worth more, and run slightly faster, when stock.

And 2004 being faster is hearsay.
I think that statement is referring to the fact that the 2004 models have a slightly higher stall torque converter than the 2003 ones. I'm pretty sure that's a fact.

[jgc61sr2002]

Welcome aboard.:D:welcome1:

[Bluerauder]

Hi Everyone. I've been reading for a while, this is a nice forum community you guys have here. I was wondering what the main differences between a 2003 and 2004 were and what I should look for or be weary of when trying to buy a used marauder.
Thanks!
Hey Mike and welcome :welcome1: to the MM.Net. Find one that you like and that has been taken care of ... '03 or '04 doesn't matter that much if at all. Check the vehicle history to make sure there's no undisclosed damage, Katrina flood time ;), or other problems. Make sure you give it a good test drive. Check tire wear -- especially front edges and rear centers.

[kj31067]

I think that statement is referring to the fact that the 2004 models have a slightly higher stall torque converter than the 2003 ones. I'm pretty sure that's a fact.


yep....and 04 have 4r75w vs the 4r70w for the 03......

[B.C. Bake]

If you find one go "04". Although there might be nick nack problems with both years, 04 a little less IMOA.;)

[MichaelGarmon]

Thanks for all of the tips, guys. I plan on putting them all to use when buying my MM.

[Ms. Denmark]

One feature I liked about the '03 is the overhead center console had a nice place to put your sun glasses. The '04 does not. But the '04 has a switch to turn off the traction control in case you're into smoky burnouts. I went for the '04. (wish it had the sun glasses compartment tho)