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 gas mileage - 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By mcoll1 - July 24 - 11:09 am

  Just finished a trip getting as much as 29.9 mpg on a tank of gas. Another tank full got 29.7 mpg. Overall, driving 2600 miles I averaged 27.5 mpg. The vehicle has been very reliable.

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  Awsome car - 1995 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By jamesl8 - July 17 - 11:19 pm

  95 grand marquis ls has got to be the best car ford built i bought the car frome a friend for 500 and it had 219000 miles on it now it has 285000 on it all ive replaced is a water pump 24 bucks and thats it besides add a little oil every now and then cheak engine lite has been on since 240000 but everything still works great ac is very cold heat is hot car rides good the power is great with the intercepter engine the trans is strong no slips no hard shifts no leaks. the car has never failed to start i plan on driving it till it blows then ill haul it to the crusher because its not worth fixing just buy another over all the value of the car is great for 500 dollars u cant go wrong

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  Reliable - 2001 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Chris - July 14 - 8:06 pm

  I have a 2001 Grand Marquis LS and it is a very reliable car even with over 174,000 miles on it. The only things that kept this thing from starting was a few bad alternators and at about 170,000 miles a bad ignition switch. The gas mileage in this thing is a killer. I get about 15 city and 22 highway, but I dont drive like the car is made for, a grandma. For a V8 this cars horsepower is way less than impressive, most V6s and a lot of l4s nowadays have more power than it. If you want a safe, reliable family car then the Grand Marquis is the way to go. If I were to buy it again I would rebuild it to how Ford should have.

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  Reliable car good value - 1997 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By marquis97 - July 8 - 5:03 am

  I bought a Marquis for my son 5 years ago for $2700 and was in perfect shape with clean title. It had 72000 miles on it. Since then he put 142000 miles on car. Had some repairs over the 5 years that I believe are common on Marquis. Replaced intake manifold(Rock auto) Has to replace front ball joints and tie rod. Had to replace window actuator on driver side door. Replaced battery and just recently replaced rear bearing. Fortunately I was able to do these repairs myself otherwise they would cost a lot of money in my area. Bought parts through Rock Auto, Autozone & Advanced Auto.

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  Probably good for another 200,000 miles - 2005 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Chris - July 6 - 9:43 pm

  What more could I ask for? I dont want all the techno crap and I dont want to bump my elbow every other minute, which I seem to do in smaller cars. Granted, the cupholder is only just usable and the car could use a bit more storage in the front seat area. But you know what-I like every other aspect of this car just fine. I like its heft without being too hefty and I like how it moves. The rack and pinion steering is precise and the air suspension is great without totally isolating you from road feel. Leather, air ride, quality construction and a good stereo. For what I paid for a virtually new car with only 22K miles, I could never get a better deal.

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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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  great salesman car - 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Jim - June 6 - 11:36 pm

  i feel that this car was built for all sales people. great trunk space and great ride

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  room for six - 2002 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By madman350 - May 28 - 2:56 pm

  dumped 95 sse pontiac for a car that could hold 2 extra people for trips to town etc.,(bucket seats are for college kids- not FAMILY cars) and could never bring myself to buy a top- selling Asian car with no trunk or interior capacity, and front wheel drive durability inconsistencies, and wound up with the only option available that wasnt MEGA- Bucks,foreign, or a glorified station wagon (aka SUV). True more people would look at us if we had 23s, or full-fledge aero kits, flip down DVDs,etc. Oh well, the price you must pay if your wife tilts the scales at 300+, your kids pack enough junk for a weekend trip for a whole summer camp, and you have a lead foot that eats CV joints for breakfast

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  AN OUTSTANDING CAR - 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By RT CROWLEY - May 28 - 10:00 am

  NEEDS LARGER GAS TANK

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  Safe - 1999 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By 99 Merc - May 26 - 2:33 am

  Bought "my baby" new in 1999. Still not a scratch on her. Waxed many times and looks better than new. For long distance driving, this is the way to go. Smooth and quiet, and so safe. Riding in other cars now,feels so choppy and harsh. Great to get back into my Grand Marquis. Will never buy a smaller jolty car again.