No MM for me....Mercury is really f--ked up

[427435]

I decided to replace my company lease car (lease up in June) with an MM. I've got a '93 Grand Marquis that I've been especially pleased with. Learned that the orders for the MM are coming to an end this week. Went to the local Mercury dealer (knowing there were $3500 of rebates available) and struck a deal at $150 over invoice minus the $3500 of rebates with delivery in late June so they could get one on order. Went to sign papers Thursday, and the leasing guy said $1000 of the rebates don't apply as the title will be in Gelco's name, not mine (my company leases all their vehicles through them).

Mercury is supposedly trying to change the Mercury image from a "geezers" vehicle to a younger customer and perhaps widen their customer base a bit. So what do they do, give a $500 rebate if you're an AARPS member (I can qualify) and another $500 rebate if you own a Mercury vehicle. But those aren't available to me (or anyone else) if the vehicle is a third party lease.

The really funny thing, is that over at Ford, anyone (including third party leasors) can get a $3000 rebate on a Crown Vic!!!! So much for Mercury widening their appeal!! :censor: :censor:

After reviewing my choices, I think I'll go for a Maxima SE this summer with a 6-speed. It's cheaper and the Maxima's performance is as good as the MM and it is also a comfortable car to cruise in. I drive 130 miles a day (round trip) on a non-interstate 4 lane, so that is important. I also do this in Minnesota, so the fwd of the Maxima is a better deal in the winter anyway. And it's available with a 6-speed manual, which I prefer on snow and ice, also.

I've owned a number of Mercury vehicles, over the years, and thought I would continue with the MM----even though it's a dated body and is being discontinued. I'm just not willing to spend $31,000 (I have to pay anything over $20,000) when loaded Maximas can be (leased) around $28,000 and Mitsubishi Lancer Evolutions for less than $28,000. The Lancer probably won't be as comfortable but it'll blow the doors off the MM and has AWD---I will test drive one before doing the Maxima. And I'm especially not going to spend $1000 more than someone else with an old Mercury and an AARPS card. The way I figure it, Mercury needs me more than I need them!!

I wonder where the product managers at Mercury will go when Mercury does an Oldsmobile??? :flamer:

END OF RANT!!!

[merc406]

Yeah but but, f---it forget it. :banned:

We all know what you mean about the big M. :help:

Those rice products cost that much? I thought the public was going to the crap cars cause of price, I guess not. :flamer: :bs:

[RCSignals]

That's too bad. Personally, I think you'll be sorry you didn't go for the Marauder.

[woaface]

If the MM isn't for you, that's cool. But please, for the love of all things, great AND small. Get a Maxima not a Lancer. IMO...it's just my opinion:D

[427435]

If the MM isn't for you, that's cool. But please, for the love of all things, great AND small. Get a Maxima not a Lancer. IMO...it's just my opinion:D


I wasn't talking about a regular Lancer. I'm talking about the Evolution model.

AWD, 270 hp, Recaro seats and serious Bimba brakes!!!

[01 Interceptor]

Ooooooohhhh Evo! :D That's way better than a Maxima.

[bigslim]

Please buy "American". Don't put me out of a job.

[Thomas C Potter]

Some of us are deicated V8 RWD American iron types, others........

[sailsmen]

Buy what makes you happy.

We had an individual report he had been looking to buy an MM and checking out the board. Changed his mind due to quality concerns, and said he was buying the new BMW 6 series coupe (he obvioulsy never checked out a BMW board).

I went to the new car show on Friday, 6 series $72,500.

I like the Maxima, has a great engine. If you are concerend about price get the V-6 Altima. The only down side to them is massive torque steer.

[89VERT]

To paraphrase BigSlim :

"Buy Canadian."


You'll be glad you did!

[BillyGman]

yeah, but atleast Canada is part of America. I guess the way that I look at is that it all boils down to how much you value a V8 engine, and having RWD. I'm one of the many here who has raced my Marauder on the dragstrip and who also drives my car hard. And I have to state that from a purely performance standpoint, FWD cars are garbage, and IMO you can keep your hi-perf weed wacker sounding Maxima & Mitsubishi. I'm happy w/having a V8 engine under the hood of my car thankyou.

So yes, the deal w/you not getting the extra $1,000 rebate is unfortunate, but if that's the only thing that was going to cause you to decide on a Marauder, or any V8 RWD hi-perf car, then you obviously don't really care too much what type of car you drive. Many of us on this board (including myself) wouldn't even make a comparisant of a Marauder to a rice burner w/a weed wacker engine under the hood. So saving an extra $1,000 wouldn't motivate us to choose the Jap car. So because of the fact that it motivated you to make that choice obviously indicates that you really weren't all that crazy about the Marauder in the first place like most of us who are on this board are. So to each their own....... Just my 2 cents.

[67435animal]

I'd still buy the MM, especially after what happened to me on I-75 last Tuesday. The Nissan or the Mitsu would have been totalled and I would have been in the hospital.

My neighbor owns the upscale Maxima, the G35 with a 6-speed. I like the clutch a lot less than the one on my Corvette (too springy)...and, it is nowhere near as comfortable nor does it perform as well as the MM.

Take another look; the MM is the best value out there.

Bob

[Bigdogjim]

yeah, but atleast Canada is part of America. I guess the way that I look at is that it all boils down to how much you value a V8 engine, and having RWD. I'm one of the many here who has raced my Marauder on the dragstrip and who also drives my car hard. And I have to state that from a purely performance standpoint, FWD cars are garbage, and IMO you can keep your hi-perf weed wacker sounding Maxima & Mitsubishi. I'm happy w/having a V8 engine under the hood of my car thankyou.

So yes, the deal w/you not getting the extra $1,000 rebate is unfortunate, but if that's the only thing that was going to cause you to decide on a Marauder, or any V8 RWD hi-perf car, then you obviously don't really care too much what type of car you drive. Many of us on this board (including myself) wouldn't even make a comparisant of a Marauder to a rice burner w/a weed wacker engine under the hood. So saving an extra $1,000 wouldn't motivate us to choose the Jap car. So because of the fact that it motivated you to make that choice obviously indicates that you really weren't all that crazy about the Marauder in the first place like most of us who are on this board are. So to each their own....... Just my 2 cents.
Well said my man!! I buy you a :beer: for that one:rock:

[Bigdogjim]

Some of us are deicated V8 RWD American iron types, others........
Short sweet and to the point!

Well put sir:rock:

Nothing like a V-8 RWD in a "lead slead":banana: :beer:

[ADE 1000]

The dealer is not likely to cut you a good deal because he is ordering the car for you. I would be willing to bet that you would fare a lot better at a dealership that had one on the lot.

As for the Maxima and Evo, myself and most other Marauder owners would not be caught dead in those cars. Granted, I will admit they offer decent value for the money but they have flaws that I would never be able to get over. The EVO performs extremely well, but is cramped and uncomfortable, and looks way too ricey. I don't care for the styling of the Maxima either, but the torque steer is its main downfall. The one thing I can't stand is torque steer.

[TAF]

I had no idea what a "Lancer Evolution" was...so I looked it up...

http://www.alltheweb.com/r?ck_sm=18fb877c&rpos=11&oid=-&rpge=1&ref=200340086&r=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.home.no%2Fm seather%2Fmitsubishi_lancer_ev olution.jpg

You're kidding...right?

[jgc61sr2002]

To each his/her own. Buy what you want. Some where down the road you will probably regret not buying the Marauder. IMO.

[BillyGman]

Uh, does that thing come w/a height adjuster for doing shag rugs too?

Just put the words "Hoover upright" on the grill and it will look complete.

[chrish]

Uh, does that thing come w/a height adjuster for doing shag rugs too?

Just put the words "Hoover upright" on the grill and it will look complete.
no;hoovers are built in canton Ohio. Remember the bumper stickers in the 80's that read " eat your forein car" how appropriat for this salesman. I love the comparison to the Hoover, funny funny funny. But dont down grade the vacuum with that silly looking thing.

[Sactown]

........

END OF RANT!!!

If money were the issue, I would have gone with a Crown Vic Sport. Same comfort, RWD and regular gas with less HP. Plus the 04 vic has a dark grey that is awesome IMO.

As for the quote, you can probably get the full rebate money if the lease co has a merc in their fleet and if the person who signs the papers joins the AARP (anyone can a member of the AARP, no age limit).

It is easy to blame the dealer for the $ problem, but rules are rules and if you changed the deal by introducing the lease angle late in the game, then you can't blame them. I can't blame Merc for offering better rebates to returning customers and AARP members. But the AARP rebate is low hanging fruit for anyone to pluck.

[gja]

I refuse to purchase something that does not keep jobs in either Canada or the U.S. The way I see it, we are forging our own destiny when he make purchase decisions. Whenever possible I make the choice that keeps the revenue in OUR economy.

Besides that, I have been in wrecks where my big car saved my butt, if not my life, certainly stopped me from having some horrid time to spend in rehab learning to do things like walk, eat, speak and such.

No thanks, I will stick with only double 5 star crash rated vehicles.

[427435]

For those of you flaming me for not being a V-8, rear drive kind of guy, check my signature. You'll note that 4 of the 6 vehicles, I (and my wife) currently own are just that. They were also all US or Canadian built. Trust me, I would like a Marauder, even though I understand its shortcomings as well as its strengths. But I'm not willing to spend another $1000, over what most others are paying, when there are other cars at and (well below) $31,000 equipped the same way.

Oh yes, the salesman was made well aware, up front, that this was going to be leased through Gelco, and the salesman has got a wall full of plaques (he's not a rookie).

The other car, that is going to be available in the next 30-60 days, is the Dodge Ram RT. I've never been a fan of Chryslers, but the styling is new and with 340 hp and 390 ft-lb torque, a 5-speed auto, and independent rear suspension, I'm going to give it a hard look. Without any rebates, it's priced at the MM level with rebates. Oh yes, it's also rated to tow 3800 lbs!! Which says something about its structure, suspension, and drivetrain, even if you're never going to tow.

I understand the differences between FWD, RWD, and 4WD (again, take a look at the cars I currently drive). There's more than a few days, here in Minnesota, where the FWD is much preferred to RWD----and I grew up driving in Minnesota in the 50's when RWD was all there was.

I know you're all MM enthusiasts, but you've got to admit that the product planners and marketing types at Mercury could sure have done a better job. After all, the Crown Vic and Grand Marquis are some of the most profitable cars (per vehicle) in their lineup (see articles on Blue Oval)---if they really wanted to move the Mercury image to a younger and broader customer base, they could have afforded more advertising and lower MM prices.

[martyo]

I had no idea what a "Lancer Evolution" was...so I looked it up...
You're kidding...right?
Stop complaining Todd...Personally I like that car. It will fit nicely in my trunk!! :flamer:

[Rob1559]

That's fine. It leaves more for us. :P

[CRUZTAKER]

For all the folks that inquire here and post their enthusiasm for a Marauder....and then shortly thereafter post a big complaint about , well whatever rubbed them wrong.... and then post that they are now buying a 'so called 'eqivilent ricer'....

I've said it before, and I'll say it again:

...good ridens, the Marauder didn't want you either! Happy ricings.

[Hack Goby]

http://home.comcast.net/~hack_goby/fighting50.gif You posted it,what did you expect.(FLAME ON)

[woaface]

But if you must, the Maxima is so much more luxurious than an Evo. And with almost the same amount of power...they're two different cars. Personally, I don't care what you buy, but it's hard to compare those two cars at all. Besides, a number of the Nissan's now are built in the U.S. I don't know about the Maxima though.

[TripleTransAm]

The one thing I can't stand is torque steer.


Get a Honda Civic, preferably a green 4-door EX, circa 1998 vintage. ;) Guaranteed, you won't have any problem with torque steer. :lol:

[TripleTransAm]

All our flaming aside, we all have to admit one thing:

Mercury's marketing folks couldn't sell a Nitro pill at a Cardiology ward. Frankly, it makes me wish they put up individual resumes on the company web site, so I could take careful note of who graduated from what school... just in case my son ever decides to go down that route, I wouldn't want him stunting his career by attending any of them.

[Paul T. Casey]

Steve, you've got to remember that as in all professions, a full 50% on the folks graduated in the bottom half of the class.

[teamrope]

Steve, you've got to remember that as in all professions, a full 50% on the folks graduated in the bottom half of the class.
Does that include the school of hard knocks? :lol:

[duhtroll]

I have to admit I looked at the Lancer EVO, and the Subaru WRX Sti. I was looking for speed, and both of them will beat the MM there. Then I drove both of them.

What a crappy feel. They are loud, boxy, bumpy, obvious, and have no style whatsoever. The MM is ten times the car for the $. And the STi is much better than the EVO if ricer performance is what you are after. (if "ricer performance" is not already considered an oxymoron)

The MM will last longer, too, (durability-wise) and I'll put money behind that statement.

A couple things to the original poster:

1) MMs are cheaper than the prices you are talking about if you find the right dealer. I got my MM for $28K and I paid more than several here.

2) The Maxima does *not* match the MM in performance. The anti-Detroit magazines say they do, but personal experience knows better than that. (and I like the Maxima)

3) Where in MN are you? Our dealership here in Cedar Falls has at least 3 MMs on the lot - two black 03s and one silver 04 for sure. I would be happy to drive them/look at them for you and put you up if you wanted to come visit.

I agree with the above comments. If $1000 is the difference, then the MM might not be for you in the first place - and I think if you tried hard enough you could get the $1000 difference removed from the picture.

Thanks,
-A

EDIT - forgot to add how embarrasingly small both the STi and EVO are. I was tired of ducking to see through the windscreen/not hit my head on the headliner!

[woaface]

Well, I was thinking, maybe I'll go into public relations and I'll try and work for Mercury so something will happen.

Have you guys seen that Maxima commercial, where the guy is running, and he stops to rest...puts his hand on the Nissan and his eyes get really big and he has visions of driving like stupid in the car, speeding, shifting gears, flying around corners. Then he takes his hand off of the car and his heart is racing and his breath is goin like wild. He starts to walk away and sees a poster of a model. Touches it a few times...and nothing.

Sorry, it's a really funny commercial, and I really wish that Mercury had done stuff like that with the Marauder. Just a bunch of cool ads and stuff. That car would has so much potential.

[Petrograde]

Have you guys seen that Maxima commercial, where the guy is running, and he stops to rest...puts his hand on the Nissan and his eyes get really big and he has visions of driving like stupid in the car, speeding, shifting gears, flying around corners. Then he takes his hand off of the car and his heart is racing and his breath is goin like wild. He starts to walk away and sees a poster of a model. Touches it a few times...and nothing.
It's funny but,.. if that SOB put his hand on my car... :censor: He's better hope I didn't see him!


Sorry, it's a really funny commercial, and I really wish that Mercury had done stuff like that with the Marauder. Just a bunch of cool ads and stuff. That car would has so much potential.

There is a good MM commercial. I think it's in the gallery... if not PM me and I'll e-mail it to ya.

Tom

[spotbearsd]

I rented the top of the line Maxima for a one day round trip from San Diego to Phoenix when I was contemplating a new car. (An 11 hour drive)

All I can say is that car is sketchy at high speed cornering. Although it had the massive tire package option, it was downright spooky in high speed (60+)twisties. I was alone on this trip and verbaly said out loud "Damn!" and had to back off from lack of confidence in this vehicle.

I also though that skinny sunroof was totally useless and was not very impressed with the build quality being all that better than other makes.

At the time I did this, I was driving a new 03 Honda Accord. I much prefered that when driving back home after leaving the Maxima at the rental car store.

But hey, I cant say my Marauder is not defect free or could use some updating. What I do like is its size above all. No more having to get "down into" a vehicle. It's kind of like an adult size car and what other cars wish for when they grow up. I think I might even get a Town Car after the Marauder but not until a bigger garage comes along! A Town Car with a blower? Hmmmm.."Oh Dennis.." :D

[woaface]

It's funny but,.. if that SOB put his hand on my car... :censor: He's better hope I didn't see him!Tru dat! I have a friend that I feel I should beat the malarchy out of for putting a dent in my car with his knee. He "fell" on it" Whudda :censor:


There is a good MM commercial. I think it's in the gallery... if not PM me and I'll e-mail it to ya.

TomYeah, I've seen it, just wasn't played enough, and I never saw a magazine add.