New to forum

[wm_sorg]

Hey Guys,

My first post here. I am thinking about get a MM in a year. Is 04 the last year? What does 300a and stuff like that mean? I have seen it in a few posts.

Please post driving impressions if you have a moment.

Cheers,
BILL

[RF Overlord]

Welcome to the board, Bill...

Yes, '04 IS the last year...300A means it's the first version of a given model year...there were 300A and 300B cars in '03, so far just 300A cars in '04...300As for '04 are the same as 300B cars from '03...with minor exceptions...

Rather than try and give impressions or comparisons in a word format like this, the best thing to do is find a dealer that has one and test drive it...it's not like anything you've ever driven before... :D

[O's Fan Rich]

Welcome aboard! Don't dilly dally... get into one of these things!

[Dr Caleb]

It's been a half hour since you posted. Have you bought the Marauder yet? And you were waiting for ________?

Welcome!

[wm_sorg]

Thanks for the replies. Any real difference between the 03 and 04's? Any specific issues should I condiser a used one?

[Haggis]

Originally posted by RF Overlord
Rather than try and give impressions or comparisons in a word format like this, the best thing to do is find a dealer that has one and test drive it...it's not like anything you've ever driven before... :D

Or try and make it to one of our many gatherings, maybe someone will take you for a ride and then you will get an impression.

[Brutus]

Hello wm_sorg. Welcome aboard. Maybe you can come to the next CAM meet and drool over Haggis' KB!!!

[wm_sorg]

Thanks for the invites. Let me know when the next meeting is. I will try to get out there.

[jgc61sr2002]

wm_sorg - Welcome to the site. Test drive a Marauder and you will be hooked like the rest of us.:D

[UncleTim]

Hey...welcome. I'm new to this stuff, too. but, I can give you my driving impressions. I have an 03 MM(Black) and I love the car with the exception of the same stuff everybody else complains about. Poor lower end power and crappy shift points. Especially in traction control mode. It shifts as if it has 7 speeds rather than 4. The motor lugs around town and it pays to shift manually allowing the motor to rev properly before shifting. I am happy with the power once you get it over 3 grand...then whoopie! It winds very tight and has a cool whistle past 5500. If you turn off the trac control you can bark the tires in 2nd and drift a little throught the turns.
Thank god for aftermarket companies that can remedy some of these problems. (look around the site)Cosmetically I am happy except I tinted the windows at 65% and blacked out the stupid SS window moulding and lowered it 2'' all around.. Also I'm getting the blacked out tailight lenses. The interior is nice except for the fake carbon fiber moulding and the door handles are tiny and plastic. Comfortable and easilly adjusted seating and wheel positioning makes for an easy cruise...or a firm feel for hauling ass. I find the car very responsive if you keep the revs up. Very fun on the twisties.
the seats could have been more form fitting but, alas...it is a sedan. the coolest part of owning the Marauder is the comments you get from people. Like ..."What the hell is that?...a cop car?
This is nice because people tend to pull over when you approach them at high speeds.(heh heh) And...That car is f*&%&in' BAAAAD!Did you black it out like that?..what the hell is it? A Mercury? No ****? Get outta here...a Mercury? No way! anyway..it's fun.
Over all I give the MM an A-, but after I get done, I will re-grade it. I really dig the car and I wish I had more people in my area to chat with about the posibilities.....difficult. As far as I know there are only 13 (mine) in Calif. (*sheeesh*)
so there ya have it....just my viewpoint. Get some others.

Welcome...Uncle Tim

[usgecko]

Haggis - just curious - are you from Scotland ?

[bigslim]

Welcome wm. This is the place to be for MMs.

[JGaignat]

Welcome Bill.

Don't hesitate.....get one ASAP. I've had mine since March. 13,500 miles and I love it. I drive it every day. I bought a set of snow skins I need to put on so I can drive it through a Kansas winter. It's big, it's bad, it's fast. I don't listen to the radio.....it drowns out the sound of the engine.

[Paul T. Casey]

Welcome to the both of you. wm, the car is awesome, even in the stock form. You won't find anything like it out there in today's market. IMHO the nearest thing to it are the El Durado (sic) which has a major fault (front drive), and the top of the line Mercedes and BMW's which also have a major fault ($$$$$). Keep in mind that you're not getting a Cobra or a Trans Am , and enjoy the ride in a 2plus ton monster.

[RedMM]

The most beautiful and FUN car that you have ever driven! The look both inside and out is:up: Welcome!

[O's Fan Rich]

Originally posted by usgecko
Haggis - just curious - are you from Scotland ?

I don't know for sure, But he like the food!:beer:

[kurly]

I love my Marauder! I often work through lunch, but have to take her for a quick 5-10 minute spin because she's out there waiting for me at the far reaches of the parking lot! (My Bosch friends and associates don't give me any lip though! They love it too!) I have a 95 Continental with similar but detuned engine for a daily driver, but the MM needs me more !!! Crazy huh?
(Her Flowmaster 40 DeltaFlows are a little aggravating though???)

[RoyLPita]

Welcome aboard. If you have the VIN of a MM that you might like to purchase, PM me with it to see if anything has been done to it beforehand. I'm there to help out.

[wm_sorg]

Thanks for the offer. I have seen some good pricing on 03 models. I wish spring were hear already.

[TJH]

Like you, I as torn between the '03 and the '04. Finally, the decision was made based upon financials- when you find a 6400-mile '03, you grab it and don't look back.
As for the differences and what the codes mean, a 300A is a Job #1 car, from any given year. The 2003 300B's are Job #2 cars.
Changes made between the 300A and 300B for 2003:
- Electric-release fuel filler dorr deleted for 300B;
- Traction control became standard-equipment on 300B;
- Heated seats became available, as an option;
- Full-sized spare tire/unpolished Marauder wheel was replaced with smaller, conventional spare/steel wheel for 300B;
- Rear speaker grilles deleted for 300B.
- Silver and Blue became availabel at Job #2.

The 300A 2004 changed included the following changes:
- Upgraded 4R75 transmission (replacing the 2003 4R70), with revised lower gear ratios for improved low-end response;
- Dual knock sensors, for more agressive ignition timing;
- Downsized overhead console, with forward rear dome lights deleted;
- Underhood light deleted;
- Black powder-coat on cam covers deleted (now bare aluminum);
- "Intech 32 Vlave V8" engine nameplate deleted from LH cam cover;
- Color availability: Added Dark Toreador Red, dropped Blue Pearl.

So, as in all things in life, there is some give and take. I'd prefer the 4R75 transmission, but really like the larger overhead console. I wanted traction control, but would have preferred the aluminum-wheel spare, and remote fuel filler release.
For me, the 2003 300B was the best compromise, given the monetary savings.

[wm_sorg]

Thanks for the great information.