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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  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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  nice car - 1997 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By vondale1988 - January 7 - 4:56 am

  a nice riding grand marquis is exactly what i been looking for and this is a nice car

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  Quality Lacking - 2005 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Phil Little - January 1 - 12:33 pm

  This is my umpteenth Ford product that I have purchased new since 1962. The car performs well, but has a very annoying squeak in the front suspension that the service department hasnt been able to locate and repair. It would appear that quality was not number one the day my car was built. I like the ride, the looks of the car, and am happy with the gas mileage which is in keeping with the original sticker quote. My 2004 Marquis was a better built vehicle.

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  chaddomans 98 is a definite winner - 1998 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By chaddoman - December 9 - 1:13 am

  Bought 3 yrs. ago from a good neighbor. New Michelins (white-walled) improved handling significantly from average/lacking to very good. Gas mileage exactly 27 mpg at 75 mph (pleasantly surprising). (I use Mobil- 1 synthetic oil.)Ranges 13 to 16 in town - a little disappointing. Replaced (slight-leaking) right rear axle seal at 48,000 miles during brake change. Otherwise extremely reliable. Very quiet at highway speeds. Very good braking. Well be buying a new/newer one soon. Also own much less- reliable and highly-expensive (operational and repair), dealer- gouging Infinity Q45. Sure, its more exciting to drive, BUT, BUT, BUT..! (Well soon be selling the Q to buy another Marquis-LS.)

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  Mixed bag - 2006 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Joe Woelfel - November 20 - 8:46 pm

  The exterior styling and colors were very nice. I would choose something other than a light color interior. It shows low mileage wear badly. Great performance. Mediocre mileage both highway and city. Lots of road noise in the interior.

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  Old School V8 Sedan - Very Rare today! - 2009 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Sanjay Mukherjee - November 7 - 10:06 am

  I always wanted to drive large 1970 styling cars like the 1975 Impala and cars of that era. I was surprised to find this car still in production! The Mercury Grand Marquis is for those who love old fashioned large V8 sedans and i bet this car will quench your thirst.

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  207,500 and Going Strong - 1996 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Ralph - October 22 - 8:46 am

  Bought the Merc at 70,000. Car has been the most reliable I have ever owned. Wife loves the soft ride. I wish it had a handling package. Fuel averages 24 on highway. Good for a Big car. Interior is very comfortable. Cupholders block Climate control access. No problems at all. Still has original Starter and Alternator. I will buy my 3rd and 4th GM soon. I will get LS model for my wife and I will get a used Marauder for me. Great Car!

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  2007 Grand Marquis, Great road car - 2007 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Real Cowboy - October 13 - 5:23 pm

  This is my first Grand Marquis and I think its a great car. People seem to want to talk about how it has a lack of handling with some roll in the corners or how it should look more sporty or its lack of power. This is a large semi luxury vehicle, its not a race car. This is a great road car and when buying a nice comfortable vehicle these points are mute. If you want a sporty suspension with more power then doint buy it, but if you want a vehicle that delivers a good ride, decent fuel economy (for its size at 25 mpg highway) and plenty of room for the family at a reasonable price then this is the car for you.

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  Good Car - 1999 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Mark Noonan - September 13 - 2:00 am

  I bought my mercury Grand Marquis LS a year old with 25000 miles on it. It was our alternative to another minivan or SUV. So far it has been great. It gives an incrediable ride and performance is outstanding for such a large car. 0-60 in about 8.5 seconds. So far im very happy with my Grand Marquis except for one problem. After a hard rain, the car sometimes stalls unless at high RPMs.