Another Reason the MM is a GREAT buy!

[Donny Carlson]

Compare it to the Volkswagen Passat W8 -

Here's the MSRP on a spec'ed Passat W8 -

Base MSRP $38,660
Engine: 4.0L W-8 DOHC SMPI STD
Transmission: 5-Speed Automatic w/Tiptronic & OD STD
Tires: P225/45R17 H AS N/C
Wheels: 7.5J x 17" Alloy N/C
Fully Reclining Front Heatable Bucket Seats STD
Leather Seating Surfaces STD
Monotone Paint Application STD
Radio: Premium V AM/FM w/Single CD/Cassette Player STD
Sport Package $1,500 ( Includes Sport Suspension and Tires: P225/45R17 H AS, Wheels: 7.5J x 17" Alloy)

Destination charge $575


Total MSRP*: $40,735 <-------- :rolleyes:

Standard Features -

Powertrain
270hp 4.0L DOHC 32 valve W-8 engine with variable valve control, SMPI
Fuel Type: premium unleaded
Emissions Type: LEV
5 speed automatic transmission with overdrive, sequential sport shift
3.50 axle ratio
4Motion all-wheel drive
Fuel Economy City: 18mpg
Fuel Economy Highway: 25mpg
Fuel Tank Capacity: 21.1gal.

Suspension/Handling
Front independent multi-link suspension with anti-roll bar, gas-pressurized shocks
Rear independent double wishbone suspension with anti-roll bar, gas-pressurized shocks
Hydraulic power-assisted rack-pinion steering
Front and rear 16.0" x 7.00" silver alloy wheels
P215/55R16.0 H BSW AS front and rear tires

Body Exterior
Driver and passenger power remote door mirrors, with tilt down
Body-colored door mirrors
Body-colored bumpers
Body-colored bodyside moldings
Clearcoat paint

Convenience
Climatronic automatic air conditioning
Express open/close glass moonroof
Driver seat memory
Memory features include 3 memory settings, door mirrors
Speed control with steering wheel controls
Power windows with driver and passenger 1-touch down/up (operable from the driver seat only)
Remote power door locks with 2 stage unlock and illuminated entry
Manual tilt/telescopic steering wheel
Day-night rearview mirror with auto-dimming
Internet access capable
HomeLink® garage door transmitter
OnStar Telematics emergency communication system
Front and rear cupholders
Dual visor vanity mirrors
Full floor console
Covered floor storage
Driver and passenger door bins

Seats and Trim
Seating capacity of 5
Front bucket seats
8-way (8-way power) driver seat adjustment
Manual driver lumbar support
8-way (8-way power) passenger seat adjustment
Manual passenger lumbar support
Center front armrest
Heated front seats
Rear bench seat
Leather seat upholstery
Genuine wood dashboard insert
Genuine wood gear shift knob
Leather steering wheel

Entertainment Features
AM/FM stereo radio
Auto-reverse cassette
Single CD player
Steering wheel mounted radio controls
8 Monsoon speakers
Window grid and roof mount diversity antenna

Lighting, Visibility and Instrumentation
High intensity projector beam headlights
Headlight washer
Front fog lights
Variable intermittent front windshield wipers
Rain sensing wipers
Speed sensitive wipers
Rear window defroster
Rear window blind
Front and rear reading lights
Light tinted windows
Tachometer
Outside temperature display
Trip computer
Trip odometer

Safety and Security
4-wheel ABS brakes
Brake assist
4-wheel disc brakes
Electronic stability
ABS traction control
Dual front impact airbags
Dual seat mounted side impact airbags
Overhead airbags
Power remote door locks with 2 stage unlock and panic alarm
Security system with Immobilizer III ignition disable, stolen vehicle tracking system
Manually adjustable front head restraints with tilt
3 manually adjustable rear head restraints with tilt

Specs and Dimensions
Engine displacement: 4.0L
Engine horsepower: 270hp @ 6,000RPM
Engine torque: 273 lb.-ft. @ 2,750RPM
Curb weight: 1,793kg (3,953lbs)
Front legroom: 1,054.1mm (41.5")
Rear legroom: 896.6mm (35.3")
Front headroom: 960.1mm (37.8")
Rear headroom: 947.4mm (37.3")
Front shoulder room: 1,417.3mm (55.8")
Rear shoulder room: 1,386.8mm (54.6")
Passenger volume: 2,614 L (92.3 cu.ft.)
Exterior length: 4,704.1mm (185.2")
Exterior body width: 1,745.0mm (68.7")
Exterior height: 1,460.5mm (57.5")
Wheelbase: 2,702.6mm (106.4")
Turning radius: 5.7m (18.8')




Granted, this car has all wheel drive, and a nice antitheft system, and Onstar, but most everything else is also available on the MM (note the absence of a CD Changer on the VW). This car costs $40K!!

(I do think the rain sensing wipers are cool :) )

This is insane! Why Mercury isn't beating the piss out of VW for potential buyers of the Passat W8 is just beyond me.

[woaface]

It looks like something I washed off my windshield earlier...Like Homer Simpson with his eyes set off to the side...

[woaface]

My sister has tested one on the "Acura Ride and Drive". She said it sucks, almost tipped it comming out of ATL Motor Speedway barely pushin it.

[jgc61sr2002]

For that kind of money go for a Mercedes. The best bang for the buck is the MM.:D

[junehhan]

The Passatt W8 is actually not that bad of a value when you consider where else you could buy a German sedan with a 8 cylinder engine for anything short of $70k. I would seriously doubt that a Passat W8 buyer will be cross shopping a Marauder, although the Marauder is definately the better value. When you consider the sophisticated 4motion AWD system, the interior build quality and quality of the materials, along with other standard extra's like Xenon headlamps which arn't even offered in the Marauder, it's not that bad. You can even get a 6 speed manual transmission now in the W8 which even add's more to it, although it's a very high priced option..............

[RCSignals]

No offense to any Germans here, but I find it humorous that Volkswagon calls this engine "W"8 :)

[Michael_S]

Originally posted by RCSignals
No offense to any Germans here, but I find it humorous that Volkswagon calls this engine "W"8 :)

It actually IS a W8 engine. They couldn't fit a V8 in the engine compartment, so they have to sort of stagger the cylinders... it's difficult to describe without a picture.

On paper it's a good engine, 4 liters and 270 horsepower... but I have read that buyers have had lots of performance and reliability problems. Supposedly they're dropping it in 2004 or 2005 for a supercharged version of the standard Passat V6.

Against the Marauder, you lose 40+ horsepower and end up with a smaller trunk but have a lighter car, the option of a 6 speed manual, a nice interior, AWD, and top tier crash test protection across the board. (The Crown Vic/Marquis/Marauder, from what I understand, has 5 stars all around in the NHTSA.gov crash tests, but I'm not sure of its rating with the International Insurance Institute offset crash tests, hwysafety.org.) I think the Marauder is a better bang for the buck, but the Passat isn't a total rip off.

[chapel1]

Mercury would do themselves some good reading posts on this site.Hey .they even might get some ideas on how to sell cars?

[Krytin]

As far as crash ratings go - the MM wiil hands down afford passengers the greater level of protection. For performance handling I still prefer rear wheel drive over all wheel or front wheel drive. Tires have a finite amount of traction available @ the contact point. If your using most of it up driving the car forward - you have less to steer with and the oposite is true. That's why most of the fastest/high performance cars are rear wheel drive.

[MapleLeafMerc]

I rented a Passat the last time I took the MM in for service.

I was impressed with its acceleration and smooth shifting, but it still felt and looked like a small, hyperactive car. I bought the Marauder because it is a fast BIG car.

[Michael_S]

I dislike the attitude "Well, since X is popular, anyone who is smart knows that it stinks". Led Zeppelin is popular and Mustangs are popular, and just because they are popular it doesn't mean they are bad.


Having said that, I would personally never get a Passat just because it has been constantly reviewed as 'best family car you can buy' by so many automotive magazines and websites that I'm sick of hearing about the darn thing.