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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  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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  2000 Grand Marquis LS - 2000 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Fred Nelson - September 2 - 8:13 am

  I bought this car used in 2003 and it had only 9,200 miles on it. It now has 100,000 miles on it. The actual repair costs have been less than $1,000. I get 21 MPG around town and 25 MPG on the highway at 70 MPH. Its, without question, the best car I ever owned. I cant understand why Ford is discontinuing manufacture of the Mercury line. I guess they are trying to force us into "golf cart" cars.

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  Disappointed in new Mercury - 2006 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By B. Haworth - August 27 - 6:36 pm

  I bought a new Mercury Grand Marquis Premium LS about 2 weeks ago. I had it up to Interstate speed earlier this week and discovered that the wind and tire noise are horrible. It is so loud that it drowns out the radio. I took it back to the dealer who claims to have test drove it along with another new Mercury. He claimed the other new car noise was as loud or louder than my car. His conclusion was that the noise was a design flaw and there was nothing he could do. I have a hard time believing Mercury would manufacture a vehicle with this much driving noise, but apparently they did. I cannot and will not recommend this vehicle to anyone.

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  Transmission Gone Wrong - 1999 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Grand Master - August 20 - 11:23 pm

  My 1999 Grand Marquis has had 2 rebuilt transmissions. It was a rental. Buyers beware because most 1 or 2 years old cars are rentals sold to various dealers. A good price can be had. The only thing is that in 30 years of renting cars most of them have had some kind of major defect.

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  2 ton of fun and 30 mpg @ 60! - 2011 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By drjjjj - August 16 - 8:08 am

  Truck frame, truck engine, truck tranny with car body, excellent visibility, reliability and cheap to maintain! Add isolated chamber quiet, wide, safe and easy to find a nice used one and this car could be the sleeper used car find for the wise! Buy 2003 or newer, run only 5-20 synthetic, replace the LCM lighting control module (see ebay-weak relay) and you have a cheap, reliable upscale ride for $5k+/- that should hold its value and get you 21 mpg avg for most and late 20s at 70! Easy to find a low miler that been driven by an adult too Look under the car and youll be impressed-very robust frame, suspension, etc! Lots of car for the money and a choice used car !

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  The best of the best - 2001 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Scott - August 14 - 7:50 pm

  I have owned the Marquis for over three years. Got the car with 54,000 miles and after the three years of beating it down with delivery service for almost 100,000 of my own miles, the car is still running magnificently. My mom had a 96 and put 308,000 miles and it was still running. These cars are reliable

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  2003 Grand Marquis - 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By JD-Iowa - August 13 - 2:00 am

  I like the appearance and enhanced steering compared to my 1996 Grand Marquis. Only disappointment is noisey trim chirping on back doors on gravel road when car is cold.

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  Love it - 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Bacardirobb - August 11 - 2:00 pm

  Purchased a second hand Marquis LS Ultimate Edition. This is my second Marquis. First one was a 1991 and I have noticed that the ride is more stiff on the 04. Same gas mileage as my 96 Cougar and with a larger engine.

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  Best buy on road - 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Bob - July 28 - 8:06 am

  Feel very safe. Had major accident with older model. Mileage very good. Over 25mpg at 80 mph. Good sound system as bonus. "Convenience group" great addition to style.

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  I like the key pad door locks - 2000 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By KitGerhart - July 26 - 12:26 am

  Im a "snow bird" and leave this car in Florida year round and drive another car back and forth from Indiana. The Grand Marquis has been reliable so far, and is comfortable. The steering feels kind of numb, but the handling is ok for such a big tank, helped by the handling package on my car. Considering the size of the car and my many short trips, it gets decent gas mileage, 17-18 ave. I get 25 on the highway, better than most 6 cylinder SUVs.