2003 Mercury Marauder, 392 rwhp, 406 rwtq. $8,400
I am the second owner on this 300a Marauder, purchased from St. Louis and brought to Kentucky a few years ago. Car is a driver and has 196,000 well maintained miles on it, with no real issues, only minor imperfections. Clean clear title, Carfax here as well. Here’s the pros and cons :
Pros :
New Nitto Motivos on front, like new BFGs on rear (was going to upgrade to Motivos when needed)
New Air Ride pump
Fresh Tint
In dash Kenwood DVD / Navigation
Two headrest monitors in back of head rests
Sony Amp and two 10” subwoofers on truck shelf
Upgrades speakers throughout interior
Rear Autometer Oil / Boost gauges, stock volt gauge (3 gauges, lighter deleted)
Two sets of floor mats, both with heel wear on driver side
Powdercoated red cam covers
Eaton swapped, stock upper pulley, 2# lower pulley – 10 psi of boost
Jerry’s brackets with stock front cover and accessories
JLT Catch can
GT40 Improved Supercar pump
Tuned at Blankenship tuning in KY, 392/406 (trans. tune also) – SCT X4 included with tune
90+ PSI cold idle oil pressure, hot idle 20psi, increase 20 psi per 1000 rpm (excellent)
Cons :
Tachometer stops sometimes, a slight tap on the dash starts it
Due to tapping dash, sometimes the radio display blanks out, possibly knocked a wire loose – planned to swap cluster and tighten wire sometime
Eraser size hole in very rear bottom of driver’s seat, hardly noticeable unless looking for it
Variable Power steering solenoid is sticking, not much power steering when you’re sitting still
Rear e-brake shoes are deteriorated, you can hear the pads rattle occasionally – planned to replace
Has the 2003 typical oxidation on the roof in several spots, and one dime size rust spot by a rear wheel, I had planned on having it repaired and painting the roof ($300 quote)
Typical scratches on the car for the age and mileage, few ping dings as well.
Wheels have some imperfections as well, oxidation – good driver quality
Pedal adjustment gear needs replaced, I personally never use it
Those are the only issues that comes to mind. This car is a blast to drive, the trans tune makes it even more enjoyable. I would drive this cross country no problems. I have maintained it expensively, as the previous owner obviously did as well. Many new parts not even listed like thermostat, battery, and more. A weekend of tinkering in you shop and a weekend painting the roof / dime size spot would make this car immaculate. Don’t let the mileage scare you, great oil pressure, no noises, a real performer. Just won Best of Class at the NMRA finals in October, has won several over events as well.
If you’re looking for a museum piece, then keep looking. If you’re looking for a well maintained driver that is a blast to drive and sparks conversation about everywhere it goes, then this is your ticket. Priced well below what I have invested only due to the mileage that might scare some folks. Only reason for selling is to complete some projects around the house before moving out of the mainland.