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 71 through 80 of 658.00-
Excellent Sales Rep car - 2001 Mercury Grand Marquis
By dwightex - November 6 - 9:33 pmCar will hold 4 or 5 persons with luggage. Car handles well on the freeway, very stable, very smooth, very reliable, very safe. I have origional rear brakes at 86000 miles. I get 20 mpg over the life of the car. Virtually NO PROBLEMS over the last 4 years, bulletproof reliable. A keeper And all for $20,000 total
-
Above avrage - 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis
By Sherwood I. Franson - October 19 - 5:53 amA good Car for the Price. Should have changed the looks more often Full Frame
-
3rd One - 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis
By theshoedog - October 9 - 10:00 amIm on my third GM, and have loved them all. If you want a larger size car, dollar for dollar, these cant be beat!! My biggest complaint is the cupholders. I love the ride, and quiet of the car. Dealer service is great!!
-
Good Car Good Value Good Size. - 2007 Mercury Grand Marquis
By George Mitsos - September 5 - 10:13 pmI purchased the Mercury Grand M. LS I paid a good price I got a Full size car and I am very happy ! Believe it or not a traded it a Honda accord. My Lower back was killing me the car had a lot of noise. I do not like Japanese cars! I am 45 years old and I enjoy the soft ride of my new car The size is perfect for my family and I can put all my luggage for my long trip. This car is either you love it or hate it. There si nothing in between powerful and solid made.!
-
Will never buy another - 2008 Mercury Grand Marquis
By TONY - September 3 - 4:23 pmI have owned MGM since 1992 (that was the best I owned) Purchased the 08 brand new, I took the car in for oil change and to check out a noise at 2100 miles, 9 days later I had new engine installed! The Ford rep actually instructed the service manager to take the engine apart and repair it. Only after much shouting and going back and forth did the service manager convince Ford to give me a complete new factory engine. This will be the last MGM I will ever own.
-
2 ton of fun and 30 mpg @ 60! - 2011 Mercury Grand Marquis
By drjjjj - August 16 - 8:08 amTruck 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 !
-
I like the key pad door locks - 2000 Mercury Grand Marquis
By KitGerhart - July 26 - 12:26 amIm 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.
-
Great gas mileage - 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis
By mcoll1 - July 24 - 11:09 amJust 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.
-
Reliable - 2001 Mercury Grand Marquis
By Chris - July 14 - 8:06 pmI 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.
-
Reliable car good value - 1997 Mercury Grand Marquis
By marquis97 - July 8 - 5:03 amI 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.
