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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  Lots of fuel pumps - 1999 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By mattamypat - February 2 - 10:00 am

  My car has slightly over 36,000 miles on it. I just had to replace the fuel pump for the second time, imagine with only slightly over 36,000 miles. I am 76 years old, I had to have my car towed yesterday in 90 degree heat. It cost me over $540 for a stinking fuel pump for the second time. I have contacted Mercury via phone, both the 800-521-4140 number and the number you get when you join their user club or whatever it is. They wont do a thing, they wont let you talk to anyone who can make a valid decision. You get to talk to phone-flunkies answering flunkies and that is it. Some support, I have owned my last Mercury.

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  Problems never addressed - 1999 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By tools1 - December 9 - 2:00 am

  A consistant problem is the head gasket on the 4,6 liter engine. it commonly leaks and costs +/- $1,500 to fix. Ford also used a plastic manifold that crack with wear, which cost $500 +/- to fix. The last problem is a brake line bracket on the rear crossbeam that can cut & ignite the gas tank during a severe rear end crash. Ford has recalled and fixed public vehicles but has not done the same for everyday consumers. Overall I would never buy this vehicle Ford or Mercury ever again.

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  Mother Earths Revenge - 2006 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Jared Chesler - July 6 - 6:03 am

  This car is junk! The leather is cheap, the quality is no Toyota Avalon, It looks like junk, It is junk, it makes KIA look nice! The seats have no support and there is no rear leg room. The Mercury is great if live in the 1940. For the same price buy: Toyota Avalon For less buy: Honda Accord For more buy: Lexus or Linclon

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  A real disapointment - 2005 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Log01 - June 14 - 11:40 am

  I have one good thing to say about the car it does get pretty good gas mileage, I get 19 in town and 28 on the Highway. Other than that its a real disapointment. Road noise is excessive. The interior is cheap, the passengers seat rattles, it sounds line the window arent all rolled up. We wont even go into the ash tray/cup holder pain in the shorts. The passengers in the back see cant see around the head rests, not confortable on long trips, poor real leg room. If you open the trunk lid in the rain the water off the trunk lid drips into the truck. The car is lacks power for a v8. I dont like the car and would like to trade it, but with only 8 thousand miles on it it has lost $20K value

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  35 mph - 1995 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By george - October 12 - 9:43 am

  at 35-40 mph when i accelerate the engine halts and then goes on. in 2 and 1 there is no halting. I have been told it is the overdrive torque converter in the transmission. Is that all it is?

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  G-Man loves his Grand Marquis - 2005 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Mercury Man - September 3 - 2:33 am

  I bought this car for my 40th birthday. It had 76,000 miles on the odometer. And the car was in PERFECT condition. As a Dad with 3 kids in the house, safety is number one. I paid $6,500 FOR THE CAR AND HAVE CONSIDERED THIS CAR THE BEST i HAVE EVER OWNED. It isnt the prettiest. But, I KNOW I could put 200,000 miles on this car. I just put a new set of Goodyear Eagle GTs on this car and it handles great. And for the harshe winters here in southern Michiagan, the car is exceptional.

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  Very Disappointed - 2007 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By upset-grandma - June 23 - 8:53 am

  Very disappointed with the quality vs. value. Wanted to get rid of it within 2 months, but now very upside down on loan (because a lousy quality vehicle) and now have to keep until loan is paid down! Which makes me dislike it more! Outside too big, inside too small, ride is very rough. Just stuck with a lousy car that I dont enjoy driving! The only positive thing about the car, its been dependable. But so have my other cars, which makes us regret the day we bought this car. No wonder the car companies are going bankrupt, the quality is not worth what theyre charging. As soon as its driven away, it immediately drops in value $10,000?? But the new ones are still priced at $27,000??

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  Axles are soft, fuel pump is weak, lighting faulty - 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By SJ - August 31 - 9:40 am

  Pass on it. Ford put soft axles in them, faulty lighting control modules and other sub par parts (fuel pumps, coils, etc)

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  Deteriorating Quality - 2008 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Rob in NY - August 6 - 6:33 pm

  This is my third Grand Marquis LS and most disapointing from purchase to quality. Love the big cars but this model has taken a step back. The materials used on the interior are cheapened plastics with sharp edges of the molding process left untrimed. Cup holder is sub standard, rubber shift arm cover prematurely wearing. Poor gas mileage, round town and hwy, avg 17.3mpg. Engine noise horrible, like a desiel, Mercury says its the fuel injectors and normal. Normal or not, its not quality. Exterior paint was not complete in hard to reach areas like inside door edge. After 5000 miles developed intense, intermitant, front end squeek of indetermined cause.

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  Not so "Comfy" Marquis - 2006 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By MetroMan - August 27 - 8:40 pm

  When I purchased my Marquis "Ultimate Edition" brand new, I thought for sure Id be buying a car that would ride like a cloud. Instead, I have a 4,200 pound modern day buckboard. This cars suspension is very unforgiving and downright hard riding. If you must purchase one of these cars, be careful, and dont buy one with the optional "handling package" ($615.00), because the suspension will be set up whereby you will feel every little blemish in the road surface. And also, the $895.00 "Premium Plus Audio Package" is a waste of money, since the rear speakers distort and rattle, but the dealer insists that this is normal. Need I say, this is my very last purchase of a Ford product....ever.