Overview & Reviews

For years, the Mercury Grand Marquis stood as an example of "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." The big Mercury, a slightly fancier twin of the Ford Crown Victoria, exhibited old-school automotive design with its stout but heavy body-on-frame construction, solid rear axle and softly tuned suspension calibrations. Its more modern American and Japanese peers, by comparison, featured lighter unibody architecture and fully independent suspensions.

The ride and handling performance suffered somewhat as a result, as the Grand Marquis just wasn't nearly as athletic as more modern rivals. But folks prized this Mercury for its roomy cabin, plush, quiet ride and bulletproof construction, not its ability to tear through a winding road at breakneck speed. It's no wonder that for decades its plainer Ford relative was the favorite of cab companies, police departments and fleet operators everywhere.

For the full-size sedan shopper who just wants a big, comfortable V8-equipped sedan and nothing more, a used Mercury Grand Marquis offers compelling value. Just keep in mind that it's affordable for a reason. Premium features like navigation, high-powered audio and Bluetooth are nowhere to be found, and competing large sedans are much more modern in their mechanical makeup and overall design.

Most Recent Mercury Grand Marquis
The most recent Mercury Grand Marquis generation began in 1998. Concurrent with the brand's demise, production ended after 2011. This full-size six-passenger sedan was generally available in two trim levels -- GS and LS. Going with an LS will typically get you more features.

Despite its 2-ton curb weight, the Grand Marquis was reasonably quick off the line thanks to a 4.6-liter V8 engine. Output varied somewhat during the car's run; models from 2003 and later typically had 224 horsepower and 272 pound-feet of torque. A four-speed automatic was the only transmission available. Marquis models fitted with the optional Handling package (it was discontinued after 2007) received a power increase to 235 hp.

The Marquis received a variety of updates throughout the years. The biggest changes took place for '03, when the Grand Marquis received an all-new chassis with a redesigned front suspension and rack-and-pinion steering, all of which improved crash performance and handling. Antilock brakes were made standard that year, and front side airbags became available. Stability control was never offered, however. In general, we recommend shopping for one of these 2003-and-newer models.

For 2003 and '04, Mercury also offered the performance-minded Marauder, a name that harkened back to the 1960s. This blacked-out Grand Marquis featured a firmer suspension, big wheels, bucket seats and a four-cam, 302-hp V8.

On the road, the Mercury Grand Marquis delivered a soft, forgiving ride, but as expected, the handling was mushy. Ultimately, there was just no getting around this big sedan's decades-old design, substantial weight and large dimensions. Inside, the dated design and spotty materials quality were immediately apparent. The vehicle's chief strengths were its solid value for the money and the roomy, comfortable accommodations for five or six. A huge 21-cubic-foot trunk that could easily swallow a week's worth of luggage for a small family was another perk.

Past Mercury Grand Marquis Models
As for older Grand Marquis that followed the end of the previous model's long (1979-'91) run, the '92 Mercury Grand Marquis debuted with a restyled body and a new-generation, overhead-cam 4.6-liter V8 rated at 190 or 210 hp (with dual exhaust). We found that engine much smoother and more powerful than the ancient overhead-valve V8s it replaced. Minor improvements carried through to 1995, when a subtle face-lift yielded a new grille, lights, bumpers, trunk lid and dash. Not much changed after that until the next big update three years later.

User Reviews:

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  solid car - 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By genecz - June 27 - 2:00 am

  reliable vehicle Holds road securely. Lots of room. Great trunk capacity. Nice comfort features

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  Amazing Value - 2005 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By JP - June 10 - 11:56 pm

  This is the most comfortable car I have ever owned. It is quiet, smooth and suprisingly agile for its size. The level of equipment for the price and size of the car is exceptional. I would buy another without hesitation.

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  BEST AMERICAN car you can buy! - 1998 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By John - May 27 - 5:30 pm

  Bought this car in Jan, Wanted a Crown Vic. but couldnt find any.. No-one was selling them.. Settled for this.. basically the same car.. More Luxury than I Needed. but thats just another plus to this car.. Got it with 39,000 miles on it. had it for almost 10 months. and now have 54,000 on it.. Ive own Foreign Hondas, volkswagons, Mitshubshis. Nothing compares to this car.. its just built to LAST. i can tell. I beat on this car. and it takes anything i can give it.. And the Gas mileage isnt bad either for a 3800 pound car.. 21.5 mpg on average! If youre thinking about one. BUY IT! dont hesitate. there arent many of them left! enjoy them while you still can..

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  great car - 1998 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Rick Sowder - May 27 - 2:16 am

  I bought the car just to have an extra car around for family transportation emergencys with over 100k miles, it has become our extended familys favorite vehicle,great car,great value.

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  GREAT GRAND MARQUIS - 2008 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By LS 4dr sedan - May 17 - 6:40 am

  At present, I have a 2002 Mercury grand marquis with 168,000 miles on it. Im getting a 2008 Mercury marquis. The marquis is safe, priced right, comfortable to ride in, handles the road very well. A few years back, I hit an ice slick and collided with a delivery truck--the solid constriction of the grand marquis-saved my life!

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  Best Car Ive Ever Owned - 1999 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By bigcarsrule - May 3 - 11:14 pm

  Bought my 99 Marquis with 65K on it. Now has 275K and never left me stranded. It did require a tranny rebuild at 130K ($1800) but it and the engine run perfectly with just regular maintenance and small expected repairs that are dead cheap compared to other cars. Still my daily driver at the 14 year old mark with 23 mpg in half city, half highway miles. Ive gotten 29 mpg with cruise set to 65. Dont let the laughably adolescent "official" review deter you from buying. If you want a comfortable, reliable, and economical car with plenty of room for people, groceries, or other stuff, dont miss your chance to get one. (BTW, with Nokian snow tires, these are the boss in winter).

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  Fits my personality - 2006 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By css140058 - April 30 - 1:09 am

  I truly love this car. Comfort, Size, Safety, Reliability, Decent MPG, Easy to read controls, feels like I am driving my couch down the road.

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  Mercury review - 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By dlpeters - April 15 - 10:00 am

  No problems with this 2002 vehicle. Economy is great at 25 mpg. comfort and styling also great. Dealer went out of business shortly after purchase.

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  THE BEST CAR EVER - 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Mary Ann Petty - April 10 - 2:00 am

  I bought my 1997 Marquie GS on July8,1997.I can not say enough good things about it. It has yet to give one minutes trouble. I get 20 plus miles to the gallon of gas. For a car this big I think that is great milage. The ride is wonderful. It manuevers easily in traffic. I would not get on an Interstate in any other car. I feel perfactely safe and secure in it. If I buy another car it will be another Grand Marquies.

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  1998 Grand Marquis - 1998 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Jeff - April 4 - 7:23 pm

  Bought this car for my wife with 87k. It is very nice to drive. Smooth and quiet. The best combined MPG to date is 21.72 . Since then I changed out the single exhaust to duals using Walker Quiet Flow mufflers and a Walker H- pipe. Doing this cut almost .6 sec off the quarter mile time. Dont know on the MPGs yet. I cant run the fuel out.LOL.