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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Great car for the money - 2006 Mercury Grand Marquis
By T Barber - March 13 - 8:13 amCar is comfy, but seats need more support. Car runs really well for the size of car & engine. Transmission seems to always be "in the zone" with very good 1st gear power and ready willingness to downshift to appropriate gear when passing. Mileage is very good at 27-28 hwy, 16-17 around town. The tach is a good addition. Car steers and handles very well for being over 2 tons.
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Great buy. Cheap insurance for a V8 - 1996 Mercury Grand Marquis
By JayJay - February 25 - 12:53 pmNot a fast car, Im 20 and like to speed. Great big boat and roomy except the rear back leg room. The car really needs bigger rims 17 inches to help with the handling. The car came with a crappy sound system so I put a new head unit, speakers, and amp. Never had any problems with it. Im allways putting the gas to the floor. Driving it as crazy as I do, I still get 15 mpgs. I put 20,000 miles on it in a year and still running great!
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GS Convenience with 2 tone package - 2005 Mercury Grand Marquis
By GS Convenience - February 20 - 2:30 amIve now owned this car for 5 months and love it. It is a very quiet, comfortable car and rides like a Town Car. My 2 tone package came with nice extras such as a hood ornament, brushed aluminum scuff plates that say Grand Marquis, the Mercury emblem debossed in the two toned leather seatbacks and body color door handles. The car seems rock solid and has decent fuel mileage for the all city driving I do (19- 20mpg). It handles like a much smaller car but has the big car ride without being floaty or wallowy. It is also quite a bargain for a full size car with a V8 engine. Id recommend it to those of any age. Im not a grandpa even though the car might be considered a "grandpa car".
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give me the old grand marquis - 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis
By bernie moon - February 17 - 6:00 pmTraded a 95 Marquis with 98k problem free, quiet, comfortable miles. New grand marquis after 1 month needed a new air conditioner compressor. Wiper motor and blades are incredibly noisy,wind noise is worse as Ford went to thinner glass all around in 97, seats have much less support,and I am getting more squeaks with dry seals in the steering linkages. Considering how Ford has used the same platform for years they are profiting handily from cheaping up the car.
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100,000 Plus Miles and Going - 1997 Mercury Grand Marquis
By Dave in Des Moines - February 6 - 4:56 pmI purchased the car with 77,000 miles and now have over 180,000 miles on the vehicle. It has been extremely reliable on the most important item; the engine. Just regular maintenance. Have had problems with temperature controls air/heat switching, check engine light always on, and recently the suspension but those problems occurred well past the 120k mile arena. Great car for my teenage son to learn on.
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A solid, traditional, reliable car - 2007 Mercury Grand Marquis
By Paul - December 11 - 9:53 pmI find the official review from Edmunds a bit irresponsible! I fail to see the logic in urging folks not to want a so- called "throwback" of a car when the Grand Marquis is a solid, reliable US/Canadian vehicle that gets the job done in comfort and safety. Competitor cars have iffy build quality are costly to repair. Does Edmunds want us to pay more for something "new" just because newness is somehow better? I disagree! I have a 2008 BMW 5 series too and the iDrive is a mess, the dopey flipper shift knob gets in the way, parts break often and its back to the $$$hop; its constantly nagging at me too! A lousy personality I pay a fortune for. Ill take the familiar, old school Ford V8 anyday.
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2 ton of fun! - 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis
By drjjjj - December 9 - 6:54 pmFord F150 engine, drive train and frame with car body! Very reliable, cheap to maintain, upscale in out and 20mpg on regular! 2003+ are the best years-big changes in suspension & steering! Dirt cheap to buy used now and they stopped making them in 2011! May have baby boomer demand coming-sleeper used car?? They make driving relaxed and there is no substitute for a V8, long wheelbase and 4000 lbs of quiet ,mass on a long freeway trip!
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A 2003 Mercury Gr. Marq. review - 2006 Mercury Grand Marquis
By W. Shideler - November 6 - 9:40 amWith all its looks, the dusgusting thumps, bumps and grinding wheel noises (dealer says tire is noise cause; he shyed away from:which tire is it?) its a much improved driving experience. I believe the noise is ignored for business reasons. It is disturbing and I will have an independent garage check it out.
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Big Highway Cruiser - 2001 Mercury Grand Marquis
By roknrob - October 12 - 2:00 amThis is standard suspension LS (not the performance version), well equipped w/leather, 8-way power seats both sides, factory CD, power pedals etc. I use this as a highway commuter, 66 miles/day. GOOD: 4 disc brakes, fuel economy (26 hwy), reliability, passenger and luggage space, safety, value for low buck. NOT SO GOOD: Numb handling, sensitive to cross winds. So-so ergonomics...long reach to radio, wide but unsupportive seats, no tachometer, slooooow power windows, no usable cupholders or driver storage (dumb split armrests...coulda been storage). Aging old-man styling, but still a respectable old-fashioned Detroit cruiser.
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GREAT VAULE AND LOTS OF POWER AND ROOM - 1996 Mercury Grand Marquis
By MERC MAN - September 21 - 10:00 amI BOUGHT THIS CAR AS I WAS LOOKING AT A NEW MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. IT WAS ONE OF THOSE CARS THAT YOU HEAR ABOUT, YOU KNOW THE LITTLE OLD LADY WHO DROVE IT TO CHURCH EACH SUNDAY THAN KEPT IN IN THE GARAGE. IT WAS NOT FAR FROM THE TRUTH, IT ONLY HAD 36M MILES AND WAS IN PERFECT SHAPE. I PUT ALOT OF MILES EACH YEAR AND IT MADE SENSE TO ME TO PRUCHASE THIS CAR VS. A NEW ONE DUE TO THE HIT YOU TAKE ON DEPRECIATION. AFTER THE FIRST 30 DAYS I AM VERY SATISFIED.
