Considering used 2003 - opinions?

[swc69]

Greetings all,

I'm potentially a convert from the Impala SS crowd to Marauderdom.

My 96 SS is getting a little old, and the Marauder is the only thing on the market right now that is close.

I test drove a 2004 today, but the same dealer had a used 2003 on the lot that I thought I'd ask for input on.

Asking price - $26,795, 5k miles, with a nice aftermarket sunroof (full power/tilt/sunshade - looked like a factory option).

The car also had Flowmasters and a K&N FIPK.

Questions:

A) What do you all think of the price? (the sunroof is probably a $1000 item).

B) Should I run away scared from a car that was somewhat modded and then traded in at 5,000 miles?

I know that I can buy a 2004 for about $31k out the door, should I even consider a used 2003?

FWIW - I was hoping to wait until next summer to buy a Hemi 300C, but my SS is getting too ragged to drive for the next 8 months. Maybe I'll grow to love the Marauder, but if not I'd be trading it in later. I'm trying to determine whether I'd take a smaller depreciation hit on a used 2003 at a higher price, or a new 2004 at $31k.

BTW - I've spent a few days surfing through this forum and I'm amazed at the amount of activity that has been generated for a car that has only been out for a few years. Its assuring to know that if I make the leap that there is a resource such as this to rely on for mods and other help.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Steve C.
96 Impala SS - Black
93 Toyota MR2 Turbo - Black
70 Dodge Charger R/T - Black
95 Ford Explorer - Black
Future??? 2003/2004 Marauder??? - Black

[jrzygrl]

Logan, our fearless leader, seemed to think the hit on trading in and depreciation was not as painfull on a used 03 as a new 04 would be if I remember correctly.

[Bigstan]

That price is high

[merc406]

What's your location?

[miamisilvermm]

I would only pay 24.000 for the 2003 given depreciation, and upgrades and new color choices on the 2004. I have been watching dealer inventories on the 2003, and you should be in a bargaining position.

[jgc61sr2002]

SWC69 - Welcome aboard. You came to the right place, good info and nice folks. The price of the used 2003 sounds a bit high. As far as any mods, if the dealer sells it to you with any Mods the I would think it is his responsibility to warranty it. Good luck on your purchase. Either year you can't go wrong.:up:

[MapleLeafMerc]

swc69-

The 03 Marauder has umm, a few hardware and software bugs that are well documented here. Several have been fixed in the 04, including dual knock sensors, better shift programming, etc., plus they have more experience building it as well (fit & finish, paint quality, etc.)

Knowing what I know now, I'd take the 04.

Welcome to the club! :beer:

[Directedby]

If you mod (Chip etc...) the 03 is great. If you keep it factory without mods, go for the 04.

[Logan]

It's unfair to say the 03 has any "bugs" in it. I've owned two now and been very happy with them. There are countless 03's with no issues. The more common issues are well documented on this site as to what to look for.

Regarding a used '03 w/5k miles, value on that car, regardless of the aftermarket equipment (Dealers never pay for aftermarket on trade-in so why should we pay for it on the retail end? I don't, neither should you). Anyway, real world value is absolutely no more than $23k + TT&L. I SUPPOSE in this case, you might allow an additional $500 for the aftermarket equipment, but certainly not a penny more than that! Any more than that and the price is inflated. Dealers will not pay any more than $21k on a used 03 with nominal mileage.

I can get new 03's for $26.5k + TT&L all day long here in Dallas and new 04's for about $27.5k + TT&L.

That's the bottom line as I see it and lord knows I should know. ;)

[SergntMac]

For the right price, a used '03 (or, the oldest new '03 leftover) could be the best thing going...For the right price, K?

Sorry, I don't think you have the right price on this used MM.

I'm suspicious of any trade in with mods, the K&N FIPK and Flowmaster mufflers are cool add-ons, but they are telling as well. Someone owned this MM and had some ideas about modding it. That's not unusual, however, as we have seen here, one mod leads to another and the former owner may have made a few uninformed choices that the dealer has no idea of.

Believe me, most dealers are clueless, I have already sold a full tilt Stage II MM through CarMax, and they thought it was the standard MM. If you can see a K&N install, what is it you cannot see? Therefore, you really have no idea what this MM has been through, and if I were you, I'd apply some caution.

Besides the price being simply too high for a used MM...Period, at least ask the dealer for the OASIS report on this MM for repair history by VIN before you decide. All service through any dealer will be recorded there. This may be one slick MM, it may be a pig. Everyone of them are pretty once freshly washed and waxed...

The only way I would consider paying this much for a used '03 with 5K miles, is for it to be a dealer demo, which will title (and warrantee) as a new purchasem and surely with no mods. Full warrantee protection too, maybe then?

Give Tim Hembree at Crosroads LM in Indy a call? Tim supplies all FMC products to Kenny Brown and he's an MM owner himself. He has a pristine silver '03 300B new dealer demo with all the extras, for 27, 200 right now. No strings, no gimicks, this 411 is 48 hours old and this MM will sell fast once it's seen.

1.800.532.8736, or, drop Tim a PM here, he's MarauderHombre.

Traveling to Indy for this car, no brainer...IMHO.

Gook luck with your decision.

[03SILVERSTREAK]

Originally posted by Logan
It's unfair to say the 03 has any "bugs" in it. I've owned two now and been very happy with them. There are countless 03's with no issues.

Logan is right . I am one of many that has had no major problems with our 03 . Im just thinking about weather I will have the dealer check my TC . Its been on the blink for around two months now but after reading so many complaints about it in the snow that I might not even bother having it fixed.

[swc69]

Thanks for all the reply's.

I thought that might be a little high 2003.

The FIPK and the Flowmasters really would only cost around $600 or so to do to a new car, it was the stock-looking sunroof that attracted me, but I can probably get that done for $1000 pretty much anywhere.

So - I think I'll still focus on a 2004 - Or look for a 2003 that's a reasonable amount.

I might swing back by the dealer just to drive the 2003 to see the difference that a K&N and Flowmasters make.

FWIW - the 2004 I test drove did break the tires loose from a dead stop pretty darn well. When I first drove a 2003 last year that didn't happen. So - I just might be converted.

Thanks again for all your help and I look forward to being an evangalistic convert.

Steve C.

[swc69]

Also - I'm in Michigan, if that makes a difference.

[CRUZTAKER]

Welcome!

Check the "in service" date as well. That was when the warranty went into effect. I must agree with the others though, that's too much $$$ now. 9-10 months ago and a little milage, say 1500, that price would have worked. Not now.

Good luck and keep looking. They are out there. I went over 50 miles out of town to find mine. Some have gone farther.

-Barry

[MapleLeafMerc]

I hope I don't cross the line here:

I am happy for those who have had no problems with their car.
I am happy for those who have the money to improve their car.

I am not a member of either group; I have a different perspective. I am just talking about my personal experience, which I in no way intend to be a description of the overall Marauder experience.

It's like any statistic- you're either in the minority or you aren't.

I still love the car but I am getting tired of having to fight for satisfaction.

It is a wonderful car...

[merc406]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by swc69
[B]Also - I'm in Michigan, if that makes a difference.




I have been told Michigan sells the most Marauders, so I would expect us to pay alittle more around here. Unless u can get all the discounts floating around, that is.

[RCSignals]

I'd be looking at that '04 I think.
If you look at the '03 again, look under the dash on the drivers side and check the PCM for a chip.

There is this place, advertises a low price on a Marauder, if it's for real http://www.varsitylincmerc.com/autos/marauder.html

[67435animal]

Originally posted by swc69
Thanks for all the reply's.

I thought that might be a little high 2003.

The FIPK and the Flowmasters really would only cost around $600 or so to do to a new car, it was the stock-looking sunroof that attracted me, but I can probably get that done for $1000 pretty much anywhere.

So - I think I'll still focus on a 2004 - Or look for a 2003 that's a reasonable amount.

I might swing back by the dealer just to drive the 2003 to see the difference that a K&N and Flowmasters make.

FWIW - the 2004 I test drove did break the tires loose from a dead stop pretty darn well. When I first drove a 2003 last year that didn't happen. So - I just might be converted.

Thanks again for all your help and I look forward to being an evangalistic convert.

Steve C.

I own an '03 that was a Ford demo. When I bought it, it had 7800 miles on it. It was put into service in August of 02. I bought it in August of '03. I checked the OASIS report and there were no surprises.

I have added underdrive pulleys and Flows. I have a Microtuner and non-resonator tips on order. I upgraded all four speakers and fixed the subwoofer rumble myself. I have replaced the simulated oil pressure gauge with a real one.

Guess I am "somewhat normal" for this board.

Oh, I have found a Ford dealer who specializes in servicing Marauders so I am all set. I also bought the Premium extended warranty (on the internet as the price was lower).

My car is black with charcoal plus the storage option and CD Magazine.

I paid 23K plus tax, tag and title, so, I agree with 23.5 as Logan says.

I absolutely love the car.

Bob

Just to give you a broader perspective of where you are headed!

[swc69]

Originally posted by RCSignals
There is this place, advertises a low price on a Marauder, if it's for real http://www.varsitylincmerc.com/autos/marauder.html

That's the dealer I was at. They had about 18 2004's in stock. Just about any color/interior combo you'd want.

That price on that URL is based on every possible discount available: Direct Ford Employee, AARP, Lease Trade-in credit, etc. Real price around here is $29,300 + TTL.

[tomd]

Did you check out Kelly Blue Book Web site?

www.kbb.com