newbie with questions

[mbz560]

so i'm thinking about getting a marauder. need some help.

is there one year of car better than other years?
what major mechanical issues are there with these cars? ie. timing chain, water pump, a/c
whats the most common problem(s) with these cars?
are there any things i see that i should just walk away from the car?

thanks for the help

[JBeezy]

Welcome... Others will chime in, but I just wanted to add that I've had my '03 for over 3 years with no problems at all. Love it and wouldn't trade it for anything


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[L.Mark]

The 04's have traction control, moonroofs and the loveable heated seats. But loose some others like the remote gas lid and map pockets...

[jwibbity]

rear air supsension will be a problem unless owner switched pumps and swiss cheesed the case it sits in.....ask me how i know

[Ms. Denmark]

____________________

[Bluerauder]

is there one year of car better than other years?

Differences between the 2003 and 2004 Marauder are negligible IMHO. The '04 came with dual knock sensors and a beefed up transmission. Some claim that the '04 MM is faster than the '03. Stock for stock, I think this is a bogus claim because the difference is measured in 0.01 or 0.001 seconds in the 1320. I have had mine over 10 years and had no major problems at all in that time except for "wacky wipers" and the "EATC O-ring" problem. Very reliable IMHO. Some of the '03 Blues are also showing signs of blistered paint on the roof. :(

The '04 is one year newer and probably will have less miles (on average). Moonroofs were only offered on the '04s.

Find a good, low mileage MM of either year that has been well-maintained and cared for and you can't go wrong.

[Mr. Man]

Differences between the 2003 and 2004 Marauder are negligible IMHO. The '04 came with dual knock sensors and a beefed up transmission. Some claim that the '04 MM is faster than the '03. Stock for stock, I think this is a bogus claim because the difference is measured in 0.01 or 0.001 seconds in the 1320. I have had mine over 10 years and had no major problems at all in that time except for "wacky wipers" and the "EATC O-ring" problem. Very reliable IMHO. Some of the '03 Blues are also showing signs of blistered paint on the roof. :(

The '04 is one year newer and probably will have less miles (on average). Moonroofs were only offered on the '04s.

Find a good, low mileage MM of either year that has been well-maintained and cared for and you can't go wrong.What they said but the '03's were faster especially the Black ones. :P

Minor differences between both years, actually 3 years as many cars were built in 02 but were sold as 03's. Both years for the most part share the same issues so one year is no more or less reliable than the other. Listed above are common issues but they are readily fixable.

[whitey]

03s came with a 4r70w tranny, 04s came with 4r75w tranny. COP issues at around 100k, lcm's go bad, eatc's go bad, the paint can go bad, luckily all the mechanical/electrical problems are easily fixed and the wealth of knowledge on here is priceless.

[JimmyXR7]

The Marauders are fully optioned cars, so they have the luxury car problems (electronics)
1) I currently have an early 2003a - had the soft rear axle problem starting when I purchased it with 25,000 miles 1 1/2 years ago. cost $660.00 to fix. no other problems to date.
2) Before I had a 2003b - Build date of Dec 2, 2002 - purchased with 28,000 miles on it. At 61K the BCM - circuit card blew - $70.00 and a Saturday to replace (used directions from this site) BCM - blower control module changes the fan speed. Also had the EATC go out. The EATC - Electronic Air Temp Control directs the air vents -the default is defrost. Using directions from this site I replaced the O-rings for a cost of $10.00 and a saturday.
3) At 67K, the thermostat started sticking and not opening fully, the new replacement from O-reilys was also bad. With the cooling system burping procedure, it was not worth the cheaper price. Purchased a Stant thermostat and worked good. Other members have overheated their Marauders, so check the temp gauge periodically.
4) At 68K the LCM, Light control module, circuit board went out. The LCM controls the headlights and the dimming interior lights. It was repaired thru a guy at this site for $25 at the time. The car was down for a week during shipping and repair. On the circuit board, the Relay that controls the headlights was bad.
5) With the posi-traction, the rear tires wear out quickly.
6) The transmission should be serviced every 30,000 miles as many Marauder owners drive them harder that taxis. With 30,000 miles on my first MM, I opened it up getting on the freeway (WOT) and it was having problem with the 2nd to 3rd shift. So I serviced the trans, the pan bottom was full of the black muck so I started servicing the trans every 30,000 miles.
7) AT 65K I replaced my Spark plugs as a preventative measure. As the COPS were going out on other members Marauders.
8) My 2003b was wrecked at 76735 miles, salvage titled, sold, and rebuilt by the new owner. (Front bumper, grille, fender, hood, and air bag) I liked my Marauder so much I purchased a second. They are a factory custom. I looked at the Mustangs and still purchased a MM. A lot of Mustangs and Hondas around here and only one (my) Marauder.
Jim

[RF Overlord]

They are a factory custom. I looked at the Mustangs and still purchased a MM. A lot of Mustangs and Hondas around here and only one (my) Marauder. Agreed.

While Mustangs, 'vettes, BMWs, etc may be "more car", there are a billion of them so they are nothing special. The Marauder, with all its faults, is way more special.

And **** Hondas.

[Melon]

03s came with a 4r70w tranny, 04s came with 4r75w tranny.

I know you can JMod a 4R70W - I assume you can with a 75W as well? I'm in the market for one and want to double check. If I don't ask, it will bother me :)

[RF Overlord]

I know you can JMod a 4R70W - I assume you can with a 75W as well?Yes, you can.

[Melon]

Yes, you can.

I figured as much, but wanted to make sure. Now I just have to decide on a color and find one in my price range :)

[RF Overlord]

Now I just have to decide on a color FYI, black is the fastest colour.

[Mebot]

FYI, black is the fastest colour.

Truth right here

[IwantmyMMnow!]

FYI, black is the fastest colour.


Truth right here

To get dirty? Yes, I have to agree....:D

[Melon]

I'll keep that in mind :) although I found a DTR that I'd like to go look at. I just have to convince the wife into letting me trade the Taurus.

[IwantmyMMnow!]

I'll keep that in mind :) although I found a DTR that I'd like to go look at. I just have to convince the wife into letting me trade the Taurus.

Well, good luck with that! ;)

And good luck with your search...always glad to add one more to the clan.

What are you doing in early April? You could show off your new MM at the annual spring meet in Louisville...we even have a special parking area reserved for DTRs....

[Melon]

Thanks :) Before I start planning to attend any events, I want to find one first.

[VMARAUDER]

I'll keep that in mind :) although I found a DTR that I'd like to go look at. I just have to convince the wife into letting me trade the Taurus.

DTR's are the best
I never could convince my wife until I came home with it.
It was the easy way for me
BTW keep the Taurus

[mnrauder]

I might be wrong on this but I think some of the marauders don't have staggered tires. I'd go with that year. It would be less expensive on the rubber.

[RubberCtyRauder]

I might be wrong on this but I think some of the marauders don't have staggered tires. I'd go with that year. It would be less expensive on the rubber.


They all came with staggered tire sizes..03's without traction control allow you to easily run tires the same size. it can be done with Marauders with traction control, but you have to turn the traction control button off each time you get in and start the car. The default is always on. Quite a few members here do it.
Personally I like the staggered look.

[mnrauder]

They all came with staggered tire sizes..03's without traction control allow you to easily run tires the same size. it can be done with Marauders with traction control, but you have to turn the traction control button off each time you get in and start the car. The default is always on. Quite a few members here do it.
Personally I like the staggered look.

Is your spare tire the same size for the back wheel or the front wheel?

[RubberCtyRauder]

Mine has a mini spare (04) early 03 came with o rwere optioned with a full size in the size of the front tires. I have a spare rim, just haven't put a tire on it. It can still be used on the rear, traction control would need to be turned off for the trip home/tire store etc..

[mnrauder]

If I were to put the same tire size around would I have to change the air suspension in the back? would there be a bigger wheel gap?

[RubberCtyRauder]

you can change ride height it if you want to..yes, there will be a bigger wheel gap if you go with tires the same size as front (235-50-18) an option would be to go to a 235-55-18,,they are about an inch taller.. You need a 3% or so difference in height for traction control not to be effected unless you are willing to turn it off each and every time you drive if so equipped..there will be a light onthe dash that displays t/c off.

[Gryphonzus]

Any year will be a good one if you find a low mileage car. My favorite is the DTR. I also have a DBP and a Black. I love them all. I have had no major problem with any of the cars. The worst so far was the alternator went out on my Black with over 80,000 miles. But it is Supercharged so it gets much more abuse. The biggest problem is deciding which color to get. There are more Black than any other color. Then Silver Birch, Dark Toreador Red, and last and least amount (328) is Dark Blue Pearl. Good luck in your search and in finding the one you want.