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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  2000 Grand Marquis - 2000 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Nancy - February 20 - 11:10 am

  This car has been the best in reliability of any cars Ive owned. I have had the car for 8 years and never had to put a dime into it. It still looks and runs great. The gas mileage around town is about 18 miles a gallon and about 22 on long drives. It would be great for older folks who cant get in smaller cars.

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  Great road car - 1997 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Opajim - February 12 - 2:00 am

  Had a bit more trouble with this one than the 89. Idle air control and intake manifold were problems I would not expect to have. Other than that only normal items such as alternator.

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  Quality - 2001 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Mike - January 23 - 6:50 pm

  For road, long distance driving this cannot be beat. Comfortable, low noise, 22-24 mpg road. Good trunk space

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  Tried and True... Still The Best! - 2005 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Joel Nazaretian - January 15 - 5:00 am

  I am only 35 years old, and grew up in a household that always had a Lincoln. My father was a Master Mechanic who always stated Fords were build the best, so I may be a bit biased. However, I buy a vehicle based on styling and ride quality. Years of reading all the reports that state front wheel drive and imports are best, I still prefer a domestic, body on frame, rear wheel drive configuration over anything. The ride is SUPERIOR, and CANNOT be duplicated in a unitized body, front wheel drive car, PERIOD! So everyone can laugh all they want at my Grandpa Car, or Police Car, including the yuppies passing me in their Bimmers who think they drive a far superior and advanced car.

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  Floats my boat! - 1999 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By rubleman420 - December 22 - 1:26 am

  Good solid comfortable car for the whole family. Im only 25 years old and people say that I drive an old man car but so what. With a V-8 that gets 25 mpg and all the power in the world, I cant complain at all. Smooth, smooth, smooth!

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  Large Merc. - 1999 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Coolbreeze - December 12 - 2:00 am

  The engine is very smooth, starts easily and runs well. Fuel economy is surprising to me (24 highway). Trans shifs smoothly, but not always very timely. Ride is stable and quiet.

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  great car - 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Bob C - December 12 - 2:00 am

  Very nice car with plenty of room and great ride. Engine slightly noise but with plenty of power, but price to pay with less than desirable mileage.

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  Perrenial Winner Grand Marquis - 2007 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Chucktee1 - November 23 - 10:00 am

  This is my fourth Grand Marquis and Ive averaged around 200,000 miles on the previous three. The reason that these Ford/Mercury autos are used for livery and police cars is comfort, fuel economy, longevity and value. Buy Japanese, or German instead? I think not. Generally my experience is relatively negative to foreign autos contrary to published opinion. My 1998 GM repair bill was under $3,000 for eight years of use while I averaged 25 miles per gallon on the highway. Everyone loves the room and comfort of these autos on a long trip. You could buy smaller and perhaps average another 15% better gas mileage but the repair bill could easily reach 300% more, relative to my experience.

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  No more Fords - 1999 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Nomorefords - October 29 - 7:13 pm

  Even though it only had 50,000 miles it seemed to use oil. At least a couple of quarts per 3,000 miles. But no smoke. Go figure. Auto climate control also had problems. Rode worse than previous Grand Marquis even through I had new original equipment shocks installed

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  Reverse Cool (aka: Happy Motoring) - 2011 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By ejfudd - September 3 - 12:39 pm

  That some bemoan the Grand Mercury for being a poor handling automobile is unfortunate. The Grand Marquis was never meant to handle like a car half its weight, but rather this American chariot was meant to isolate its occupants from the bumps in the road and all the outside noises. When I think of the Grand Marquis, the engineering adages "Keep it simple" or "Simple is best" come to mind. Admittedly, theres not much current styling going on here, to the point that my teenage son calls it "reverse cool". Still the Grand Marquis achieves the classic Americana pitch & roll feel that will slowly fade as these classics dwindle on the roads. As for me, I just bought a used Grand Marquis 11.