WHat to look for in USed Marauder

[9t3ligtning]

Group
well I found a used Marauder by me (2003) i will assume a 300a model since it has the pockets in the front seats, from what i read.
Now what are the things to look for in these cars used???
Frame rust? Body rust? Being thats its only 5 years old.. I wouldnt assume rust yet???
Any recalls to the early 03's or TSB's??
THe car has 100k on it..
thanks
joe

[ImpalaSlayer]

its 5 years old lol. but i wouldnt imagine rust being a problem either

[offroadkarter]

Axle noise and paint issues are the 2 big ones.

[9t3ligtning]

WHats with the paint? Peeling of clearcoat or just bad paint job?
ANd the rear axle's problem?? Bad bearings or axles or both?
I'll assume they kept the 8.8 under it with rear discs

[Vortech347]

*Takes a deep breath*

OKay.... Axle noise just like Karter said. Some 03's didn't have hardened axles I believe and the bearings ate through them causing all sorts of noise and/or chaos. To find out if this has been done send the VIN to Roypita he can run an Oasis and see if the TSB was done at a dealer.

Paint and rust CAN be an issue. The paint will have little cracks in random places aka "crows feet" because they kinda look like bird feet. Ford F'd up and put the paint on some of the black 03's way to thick. The crows feet crack and then let a tiny bit of water in. Once this happens, its doom... When I sold my first MM with just 68k the paint had crows feet all over it and the rear drivers side door had the paint falling off and was rusted all the way along the bottom door and up about 3". When I got the car with 26k it already had a quarter sized hole in the paint and rust on the surface.

Go over the paint with a fine tooth comb. Also check around ALL the doors to see if there is any rust starting or paint bubbling.

Other than that they are great cars!!!

[9t3ligtning]

How about the motor.. will it go 200k miles?? I'll assume most of these cars were beat on, like a mustang, but I'm new to the 4.6 dohc..
the 5.0 and old ford motors i know well..

[ImpalaSlayer]

theres a member here with almost 250k with a blower. but it seems to be hit or miss weather they last long or not.

[offroadkarter]

theres a member here with almost 250k with a blower. but it seems to be hit or miss weather they last long or not.\



The only member i know of on that has a 200k MM (last i saw was 230K) Was My_Rodder and it is 100% stock.

[ImpalaSlayer]

sorry. musta confused him with some one else. im sure hes at 250 by now though

[Bluerauder]

sorry. musta confused him with some one else. im sure hes at 250 by now though
Mongoose was pretty high up in mileage, too. Not sure whether he broke 200K on his first engine.

[offroadkarter]

sorry. musta confused him with some one else. im sure hes at 250 by now though


Your very confused, Its a She :P

[KillJoy]

I am sure any TSB's have been done by the 100k mark. It now, I would assume if the car had the issue... it would be OBVOIUS!

If the car is black, and an '03, the paint most likely sucks! The quality is spotty at best.

If the car is clean, inside and out, perhaps it was someone's long distance commuter w/ those kinds of miles. :dunno:

What is the asking price for this car?

KillJoy

[ctrlraven]

the rear drivers side door had the paint falling off and was rusted all the way along the bottom door and up about 3".

Mine has the same thing but its just on the back side of the body going up the rear quarter panel area, nothing on the door.

It must of been a weak spot when the body was prepped and painted at the factory.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a164/ctrlraven/DSCF1294Medium.jpg

[9t3ligtning]

there asking $9000 for the car..

[Iowa Rick]

I believe "my_rodder" 's MM has 245K with original engine and trans. I saw the car last week and was amazed by its looks and condition. Never would have guessed it had that many miles. It is a 03 300A. Rick

[Marauder2005]

Drivers side valve head tick. Ford had a TSB on the heads in the Mustang

Cobra but not the Marauder. My 2003 had a real loud drivers side head

tick when the car was warm. Used to be a big topic here along with

the blue smoke on start up a few years ago.

[Vortech347]

Oh yea, thanks for mentioning that.

On my 03' about every 3-4th start it would puff a ton of blue smoke even with an oil seperator installed.

[Aren Jay]

Drivers side valve head tick. Ford recalled the heads in the Mustang

Cobra but not the Marauder. My 2003 had a real loud drivers side head

tick when the car was warm. Used to be a big topic here along with

the blue smoke on start up a few years ago.


Which might have something to do with us not having cobra motors. Blue smoke went away for me.

If you have a Vin # post it and we can tell you about it.

[Marauder2005]

Which might have something to do with us not having cobra motors. Blue smoke went away for me.

If you have a Vin # post it and we can tell you about it.


Yea thats right, but are heads are the same as the Cobra's.

[Blk Mamba]

There are a ton of little things, most have a few of these minor defects, a few have them all, pinched wiring harness, causing shorts, is the worst for me, but regardless I wouldn't trade it for anything else.