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:
Showing 21 through 30 of 658.00-
A Mercury or a Kia? - 2005 Mercury Grand Marquis
By Steven.W. Farell - October 30 - 6:20 amthis car works like a Kia! Everything is cheap! The ride is jiggilly, the seats are to soft, There is fake wood, the v8 engine doesnt have enough power because it only has 224 HP, The radio and cd player are cheap. this car has very fine leather and is good in bad weather. In 47,000 miles I have had no mechanical problems.
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Worst car I have ever owned! - 2009 Mercury Grand Marquis
By besaolli - October 4 - 1:29 pmFor the past 25 years I have bought nothing but Ford cars; this is my last one! While many of the most important things about this car are good (comfort, handling, reliability, etc.) too many others are awful! The flimsy grill brackets, both visor mirrors, the gear-shift boot, the heavy plastic guard under the bumper . . . all broke or broke off within six months of the warranty ending. In the past several years many other things have mysteriously gone wrong; the headlights only go on if the cars in gear, the "air-conditioner" and heater both only blow HOT air and they blow it whether or not they are turned on! Hot air ALL the time! Im running out of space so Ill just say "Bye Ford!"
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Grand Marquis - 1996 Mercury Grand Marquis
By mistategrad - June 17 - 2:00 amWe have not been very happy with the interior quality of the vehicle. Both front doors have panels that have come loose. The car has a huge trunk and rides very well. It also has plenty of power. We average about 20 mpg.
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One of the last big cars. - 2000 Mercury Grand Marquis
By Troy Ericksen - May 3 - 11:56 amAncient design. For a car this large interior space is disappointing, Chryslers cab forward design makes offers far more interior space, roomy in front seat but back seat leg room is disappointing. Car is not very nimble. But suspension is not mushy like some cars in this class, body roll not excessive. Huge trunk. Easy to get in and out. Pretty good acceleration.Car has been very reliable but steering wheel locked up and had to be towed to shop. Okay gas mileage for such a big car. Exterior dimensions of car seem excessive, not as bad as the boats of the 1970s but still a very large car.Boring style. Not much fun to drive.
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Okay buy - 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis
By Charles Groves - April 20 - 10:00 amThe Mercury handles terrobly but is comfortable and takes the bumps ver well. The gas is harribole with airbag and gas millalige. I have been in the shop with transmission problems twice in a week.
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beware....its a ford - 2006 Mercury Grand Marquis
By nveragain - January 19 - 2:53 pmpurchased the car in 2007 with 10K miles on it. after 2 years, the "blend" apparatus required replacement. ( this is the little door that opens and closes to give you cool or warm air.) that was a 1K repair and after 2 attempts, have still not succeeded in putting the dash back together correctly. today I learned that one of fords most reliable models requires a new intake manifold. this vehicle has 92K miles on it. have read many forums about this problem however this was supposed to have been corrected in 2005. NOT!! so if youre planning on purchasing a ford or mercury with a 4.6L this will cost you around 1200. will be going back to Honda later this year......
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BY A PODES - 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis
By R PODESTAR - June 11 - 2:00 amI TRADED IN MY 1996 GRAND MARQUIS,IT HAD A GREAT RIDE AND VERY QUITE. BIG MISTAKE, MY NEW 2003 GRAND MARQUIS ULTIMATE IS VERY NOISY AND THE RIDE IS VERY BAD,EVERY BUMP AND CRACK IN THE ROAD IS FELT. (JIGGLY). THE GAS MILAGE IS NOT WHAT THEY TOLD ME. LUCKY TO GET 21MPG ON HIGHWAY.NO ROOM IN THE FRONT SEATS TO STORE ANYTHING.VERY DISAPOINTED.
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poor gas and break pedals - 2009 Mercury Grand Marquis
By ted - May 7 - 11:06 pmthe 2009 mercury grand marquis, changes were made not to my liking. the gas pedal is TOO vertical, ( needs to be more on an angle) this is causing greal nerve pain in the entire leg. The break pedal is too high, can no longer move foot from the gas to the break easly. More pain in the shin portion of the leg. These obvious changes were not present from model years 1992 thru 2007. I had no problem with these models.
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Mercury Grand Marquis -- not perfect - 1999 Mercury Grand Marquis
By Charles32707 - February 21 - 10:00 amthe accessories are very unreliable. My car has been back to the dealer about 12 times in the 3 years Ive owned. Bad speed control; bad keyless entry pad; bad AC (twice); windshield wipers have been worked on at least 6 times (replaced 5 times) and they still stutter across the windshield. Almost no storage room in passenger compartment. When drinks are in the drink holders, you cant access the AC controls. Rides rough for such a large car. Inadequate leg room in the back.
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Dead at 175,000- not feasible to fix - 1997 Mercury Grand Marquis
By tom2002a - September 13 - 5:36 amI bought this new and never had any problems other than a cracked intake manifold which Ford paid for as part of a class actin settlement. Was hoping to get 250k plus - changed oil, trans and other fluids etc. Developed a brake leak and the brake lines are corroded from front to back - $1800 in labor alone to replace. I had noticed alot of the piping under the hood seemed to rot - electrolysis? If youre looking at one of these watch this - great car otherwise.
