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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  WOW!! - 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By JR1949 - February 20 - 10:00 am

  I went from an 85 Crown Vickie to this 2003 Grand Marquis LS Convenience. What a difference! The 03 handles like a car 1000 pounds lighter. The non-air suspension offered in this model offers just enough "road-feel" to make it fun to drive. Considering its size, frontal area & mass, the fuel economy isnt bad!(22 MPG avg-mixed city/hiway, ~26 pure hiway) My heart sunk when I realized I had left the windows open one evening during a moderate rain, yet the leather wiped off perfectly. So far, its about the BEST car overall, Ive ever owned; I consider it a mini- Lincoln! Ford-this ones a keeper!

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  High mileage Grand Marquis - 1997 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Steve Du Bose - February 18 - 5:16 pm

  I have owned full frame RWD vehicles all of my life. That said, the medium sized Mercury GM is a delight to drive on a day to day basis. (I have owned larger and smaller full framed cars). I have been know to drive 800 miles in a day and not need bed rest for a week. Fuel economy has been 14mpg city and 24- 25 highway. Modifications include, duel exhaust with flow masters, K&N air intake system, computer recalibration, police shocks, Bigger sway bars, after market suspension bushings and Police pursuit tires. Over all reliability has been very good. Other than normal maintenance, the coolant runner in the front of the intake manifold has been the only issue. Just normal things

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  Head out on the highway! - 2000 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By rsu11 - February 17 - 5:26 am

  Drove it from south Florida to North Carolina and averaged 29 mpg around 65 mph! Outstanding! A big comfortable highway cruiser for our occasional road trips. Ive since added dual exhaust, rear air shocks and replaced those awful plastic wheel covers with the cast aluminum laced wheels. Will also have to replace the original intake manifold (with plastic coolant passages) before our next trip. Only design flaws are radio and heater controls not in easy reach, wide floor sill under doors makes exiting the car a little clumsy. Power windows are getting slow, common for Fords.

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  1996 Grand Marquis - 1996 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By grandmarquis - February 16 - 12:33 am

  My 1996 Grand Marquis now has 79600 miles on it and it still runs strong. No one would guess its age (especially since new ones look simliar). Good accelaration and pick-up, lots of power. I have had to have all the O2 sensors replaced, and the mass airflow sensor has been replaced twice. It still has its original battery. I have also replaced the spark plugs. I change the oil ever 3000 miles. Fuel economy is good for the engine size but still very expensive to use for city driving (I get about 16 mpg city/23 or 24 highway)

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  Pretty good so far - 2006 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Martin - February 15 - 3:20 pm

  This is my first Grand Marquis and I have owned it for 14 months. I primary use it for work and recreational driving on the weekends. I have put on 31,000 miles and its been pretty reliable so far. I get about 21-22mpg doing both city and highway driving. I think it handles pretty well for such a big car. The traction control came in handy in the snow.

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  Bubbling and Peeling Paint - 2001 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Great Dayne - February 13 - 10:00 am

  I have purchased Ford products for 44 yrs! From mustangs to Lincoln town cars! I own a 2001 Mercury grand marquis ls and a 2004 Mercury grand marquis gs! The problem is the bubbling and peeling paint on both my Mercurys! The 2001 is peeling in the seams around the back window and roof and have started to rust! The 2004 has the major paint problem! I have the same problem as the 2001 but, much, much worse! The roof paint is literally bubbling off the metal as it is around the back window! The weird thing is that I met a woman at the gas station (that has a 2003 marquis). Her gd marquis is peeling in the same places as mine! Rust is all over this car!

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  2005 Grand Marquis ultimate edition - 2005 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By PAUL COUGHLIN - February 5 - 6:30 am

  After two trips to dealer for oil chg/filt. I have had no issues re: Quality or driveability. Vehicle is a pleasure to drive on hwy and secondary roads. It is responsive and as dependable as i expected it to be. I have experienced better than 20 mpg in local town traffic and expect high 20s on highway. It gives a ride that is incredibly smooth and quiet, but firm on curves etc. All systems satisfactory so far.

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  FORDS BETTER IDEA - 1997 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By 1967z28 - January 16 - 8:26 am

  I just experienced my 8th power window failure. This is my wifes car, no kids to abuse the system. Ford has been building cars with power windows for over 50 years and still cant get it right. Other failures include the dreaded plastic intake manifold. The improved Ford replacement manifold is now leaking around the heater hose nipple. Ford has been building cars for 100 years and has difficulty building a manifold that holds water. My wife has been stranded twice with no start issues due to poor crank trigger connector placement, it takes on water when driving in the rain. The rear seat belts were replaced under warranty and still have ratchet issues. The clear coat & paint have failed.

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  My 5th GR MARQUIS - 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By dadof9 - January 14 - 2:00 am

  My only real complaints have to do with the road/air noise on the highways. To the point where the radio/ CD are not enjoyable. Disturbing enough to make me think of another vehicle.

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  Owned mine 8 years so far. - 2000 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By wallywow - January 9 - 7:30 pm

  Purchased this brand new. Excellent car. No breakdowns in over 8 years. All I did was routine maintenance. The coolant temperature sensor went bad 3 years ago, but everything still works fine. Surviving 8 Michigan winters with no rust, and the original exhaust system still in great shape is a miracle. If gas werent so high Id be buying another one. I do mostly city driving, but my car still gets great mileage on the highway. Its like driving in the safety of a tank with a sofa inside.