Looking at a Marauder

[mrogerc]

Hi,

I am considering buying a Marauder, probably ordering it to get a red one, and then possibly supercharging the beast.

I have a few questions:

1) I need a fully drivable family car. Will the Marauder fit the bill---for example, is it reasonably quiet at highway speeds?

2) Is there a good tuner in the Twin Cities who could install mods?

3) What is the down side to the 4.11 rear end?

Thanks!

Mike

[CRUZTAKER]

1) I need a fully drivable family car. Will the Marauder fit the bill---for example, is it reasonably quiet at highway speeds?

2) Is there a good tuner in the Twin Cities who could install mods?

3) What is the down side to the 4.11 rear end?

Thanks!

Mike
First off, great choice for size and safety, other than every other driver trying to kill you, your good to go. You will get alot of opinions to your questions, so take them with a grain of salt, and thoroughly test drive one first.

1) I bought this car for the family. It's big, big luggage trunk, good child seat applications. Great on the long haul with reasonable gas milage (24-26 mpg).
With stock rear and exhaust, it's reasonably quiet at 80 mph.

2) Don't know about your area, but you have many great members in town, and your proximity to the mod shops should be reasonable.

3) There is no particular down side to the 4:10 gears besides an approximate loss of 1.5 to 2 mpg fuel change, slightly higher rpms (about 230) at highway speeds, and your soon inability to keep your foot out of it at traffic lights.

S/C....if your wallet says yes, DO IT!!!

[woaface]

1)I've been in one stock Marauder. Yes, it was beautiful on the highway. Great family car, but we can't get one because if my dad gets anything it'll be a mustang GT with a Rousch package:shake:

3)Not as good gas mileage. It can make bad noises if it's used.


^^^^^^Cruztaker said it better, safety is unbeatable and it'll carry the luggage for 4 people in my family for a week plus 2 guitars and food and drinks^^^^^^^^^^^^^

[jgc61sr2002]

Mike - Welcome aboard. The Marauder is probably the safest car on the road today. I definitely fits the bill as a family car. The standard side impact air bags are another safety feature. Test drive one and you will be hooked. Good luck. :up:

[bigslim]

Hi,

I am considering buying a Marauder, probably ordering it to get a red one, and then possibly supercharging the beast.

I have a few questions:

1) I need a fully drivable family car. Will the Marauder fit the bill---for example, is it reasonably quiet at highway speeds?

2) Is there a good tuner in the Twin Cities who could install mods?

3) What is the down side to the 4.11 rear end?

Thanks!

Mike
Here in the Motor City we have several MMs with superchargers. I will say that the drivability is the same as a non-supercharged MM until you get into the boost. No one will know that it is supercharged until you punch it. There are several vendors on this site that offer diferent upgrades and superchargers. It all depends on how much you want spend.

[jstevens]

It is a great family car. My wife loves it as much as me. Says it brings out the tiger. The only advice is once you get one its very hard to keep your foot off the gas. Great amount of room for me and the kids. Even my 14yr old son likes it. My choice was between this and a mustang. Wife wouldn't let me even think about the mustang. And the MM fits the bill for fit and function.

[Haggis]

...There is no particular down side to the 4:10 gears besides an approximate loss of 1.5 to 2 mpg fuel change, slightly higher rpms (about 230) at highway speeds, and your soon inability to keep your foot out of it at traffic lights.

S/C....if your wallet says yes, DO IT!!!

Listen to Barry^^^^Go for it you will not regret it and as it has been posted here so many times in the past. Get use to the permanent smile on your face. :D

[67435animal]

1) I need a fully drivable family car. Will the Marauder fit the bill---for example, is it reasonably quiet at highway speeds?

It is the most comfortable car I have ever driven. It is the ONLY car that my wife has enjoyed on a long trip. Yes, it is very quiet but you can change that.

2) Is there a good tuner in the Twin Cities who could install mods?

Dunno, but I would think so. Maybe look at a Superchips tuner which you can use yourself without help.

3) What is the down side to the 4.11 rear end?

Gas mileage will decrease slightly and your RPMs at highway speeds will be higher than stock.

BTW, I was hit in the back end on I-75 last night. I am hear to post because I was in the Merc. My former commuter, an Escort would have been totalled and who knows where I'd be right now.

Buy the MM; it is the greatest car for the money that you can buy today.

Bob

[GarageMahal]

Welcome :)

I agree that it is the most comfortable car I have ever driven and the performance is great with only a simple chip or tuner load. It is also the best driving car I have ever had (Note that I have only ever owned full size Fords and Chevys).

So far I have not done any mods but am seriously looking into a supercharger this spring. I have not found a dealer in the area who doesn't say that even a simple mod voids the warranty but having it for nearly two years I am getting ready to say I don't care about that anymore.

Aside from minor interior rattles, I have had no problems at all.

I wish I could recommend a Mercury dealer in the area but I am not impressed with mine and have been using Midway Ford for servicing.

There is a good group of us here in the cities with at least one running a supercharger. Hopefully we will be getting together sometime soon as those who store it for the winter start getting them out.

jta

[MarauderMike]

Although you do lose a little mpg at highway speeds, I found a 1-2 mpg improvement in the city driving with the 4.10 gears. You can't go wrong with a Marauder. Comfort, driveability, performance all in one package.

[Petrograde]

^^^what they said^^^

Like driving a leather couch down the highway! :up: ...a leather couch that can do mid 14's in the 1/4 mile! (with only a few mods)

Tom

[Marauderer]

If your interested to see what one can do with a S/C and custom tuning, give me a call sometime and we can go for a ride. I'm over in Shakopee!

Bill Bowker
952.334.5096


Hi,

I am considering buying a Marauder, probably ordering it to get a red one, and then possibly supercharging the beast.

I have a few questions:

1) I need a fully drivable family car. Will the Marauder fit the bill---for example, is it reasonably quiet at highway speeds?

2) Is there a good tuner in the Twin Cities who could install mods?

3) What is the down side to the 4.11 rear end?

Thanks!

Mike

[mrogerc]

Well, I put the money down an a new red Marauder today. If I am lucky, it will be ready for me to take to see Bill on Saturday (so I can understand the potential!).

[67435animal]

Well, I put the money down an a new red Marauder today. If I am lucky, it will be ready for me to take to see Bill on Saturday (so I can understand the potential!).

Excellent! Welcome to the club!

Bob

[Paul T. Casey]

Well now for the downside. Be prepared for your face cheeks to get real sore. Also, your maturity level may diminish, I know I've lost about 30 years of mine.

[Mad1]

1) I need a fully drivable family car. Will the Marauder fit the bill---for example, is it reasonably quiet at highway speeds?

As has elequently been stated, it's a great family car. I can only offer this humble example.

This past weekend I drove the Marauder from Nashville to Dallas, Texas and back with my fiancee, her 14-year old daughter, and another teenager. In fact, we drove straight through (about 10 hours) on Sunday.

Today, the fiancee suggested we drive the Marauder to North Carolina for our honeymoon. You can't get a better endorsement than that for how great and comfortable a family car the Marauder is.

Mad1
Jeremy

[teamrope]

The only down side I've experienced is the fact that my jaw hurts from grinning too much, and I'm getting pre-mature laugh lines. :D

My wallet aint deep enough for a S/C yet, but I'm accepting donations :help:

[CRUZTAKER]

Well, I put the money down an a new red Marauder today. If I am lucky, it will be ready for me to take to see Bill on Saturday (so I can understand the potential!).
Excellent!!!

Welcome to fun...and invest in 'oil of olay', it's good for those smile marks.
Tylenol helps with the sore (grinning) jaw!:D

[HookedOnCV]

Well, I put the money down an a new red Marauder today. If I am lucky, it will be ready for me to take to see Bill on Saturday (so I can understand the potential!).
Have Bill call me when you are headed his way and I'll drive down to take a look at your new purchase. I'm only about 15 minutes from Bill's house and haven't seen the DTR color in person.

Congratulations!!! You're gonna love that car!

Todd :rock:

[jgc61sr2002]

mrogerc - Welcome aboard. Congrats on the purchase of your DTR Marauder. Now the fun begins. IMO the Marauder is the ultimate family car. Good luck. :D

[Haggis]

Congrats on the new ride and welcome to the Collective. The only downside I have to owning a Marauder is wrestling with my wife to see who will drive.

[mrogerc]

Today, I told my wife in detail about the Marauder. My prediction is that she will think it is just too big when she first sees it.

When we take our first trip to the cabin (120 miles) she will not want to ride in anything else!

About right?

[DL04]

Congrats-You're going to love it,your wife will too until she realizes that 90 mph feels like 50! Nice color choice even though this car was made to be black DTR looks really good on her too.Good luck and enjoy the site.

[GarageMahal]

Today, I told my wife in detail about the Marauder. My prediction is that she will think it is just too big when she first sees it.

When we take our first trip to the cabin (120 miles) she will not want to ride in anything else!

About right?
Sounds right to me :) My girl friend loves taking the MM to the cabin, but she allways laughs at me when I go 3 miles an hour down the old dirt driveway. Too many roots and ruts to risk hurting my baby on.

I hope we can meet up sometime. I have not seen the DTR in person and I think I will really like the color.

Now the real question... think you will make it to Indy this year for Marauderville II? I missed last year in Texas and really regret it.

Welcome to the club (or is it a cult;) )
jta

[bubba]

Congrats on the new DTR MM - I have had mine since Dec '03 and it is great. I have done no mods and am still having a ball with it. The Trilogy guys are great and will take the time to talk you through your questions and concerns on installing a S/C.

BTW I am being teased all the time at work about my maturity level. I am in a position where I must direct many people and they are have fun taking shots at the guy ( old guy) who leaves work doing burnouts and so forth. My 16 year old daughter just got her license and was teasing me at first for buying "an old man's car" - since she has driven it that has all changed and she wants to take my car out.

I take customers and associates out 3-4 times per week and the car is very quiet and comfortable. Most of the time the people with me ae very impressed with the car and encourage me to "get on it" so that they can see what it does.

I am a very happy owner - I hope you like yours as much as I enjoy mine.

Take Care and Drive Safe

[CRUZTAKER]

I love happy endings....er beginings:D

[geves]

I can only answer for your first question. I put two child seats in the back and there is still room for my 10 year old. It is still pretty quiet.

I also like the fact that it is very safe. I know someone who had a Hyundai total itself on a the rear bumper of a Grand Marquis (no other damage) and that is basically the same car.

[mrogerc]

Today, I picked up my Marauder. It turned out that the timing was perfect: I picked up the car and immediately drove to Bill's (Marauderer's) house to check out what expert mods can do. Todd (HookedOnCV) came later to check out the DTR color.

First of all, Bill frightens me. He knows more about engines and tuning than I could hope to assimilate in two lifetimes. We took a drive in his car, and Bill did a burnout that left a cloud the National Weather Service will be tracking for weeks! His car is lighting fast, faster than anything I have ever been in before, and I was amazed to see any tread left on his tires. And to top it off, he let me drive his car! He is a hell of a guy.

Todd's black CV is classic and beautiful, even in its police interceptor wheels with winter tires. In fact, the cop wheels give his car a menacing look (it would scare the hell out of me to see those wheels passing me when I was, say, 20 over the speed limit), he should post some pictures in that trim.

Bill and Todd basically talked tech while I pretended to understand. Fortunately, Bill sent me some links to begin my education. I look forward to learning from both of these guys as I play with my new toy.

My new toy, by the way, has exceeded my expectations. At first I thought the exhaust rumble seemed a bit loud--within an hour, I learned to love it. My kids are amazed at the size--my younger daughter commented that her elder sister could not even reach her to pinch her! The only downside is that the stereo needs MAJOR improvement.

I am planning to get to know Red for a while, then think about mods. In the meantime, happy Maraudering.

[CRUZTAKER]

First of all, Bill frightens me.... :lol: You are in good company...and see how many new friends you just made?

Come down to Indy this summer and bring that bad boy! This is a great bunch of folks, and new friends galore.

[mrogerc]

I would love to come to Indy, but it looks like the family reunion will confict, dag nabbit.:down:

But if it is possible, I will be there.

[GarageMahal]

Today, I picked up my Marauder. It turned out that the timing was perfect: I picked up the car and immediately drove to Bill's (Marauderer's) house to check out what expert mods can do. Todd (HookedOnCV) came later to check out the DTR color.
....
Grats! Wish I could have met up with you all too. I think its time to plan a local get together although I really need to get the car cleaned up after winter.

Hope to meet you soon,
jta

[lgetz]

I would love to come to Indy, but it looks like the family reunion will confict, dag nabbit.:down:

But if it is possible, I will be there.Remember family is something you don't choose your friends you do.:up: Congrats on the MM purchase.