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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  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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  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.

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  Great Car for the price. - 2005 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Broadus - May 7 - 8:16 pm

  Ive owned many cars. The Mecury Grand Marquis is a great car for the price. Although not a car for everyone, for long distance driving its comfort, speed and handling suits me.

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  Disapointed - 2008 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Jim D - May 6 - 12:53 pm

  We have a 2003 Crown Victoria that we have loved. We just bought a 2008 Grand Marquis with the new 17 inch wheels and I hate it. The car seems to have a mind of its own when you are on the open highway. This is where the 2003 Crown Vic. is the most fun to drive but the 2008 Grand Marquis wants to drift all over the road. I think the problem may be that the front end is set up for the old 16 inch wheels and with the 17 inch wheels you are getting a wider bite of the road which causes it to want to drift. The high beams are also pretty useless. They do a great job of illuminating signs and trees but dont put much good adding light to the roadway. This may also be a 16" vs 17" setup issue.

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  My 3rd Grand Marquis! - 2000 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Rob Hepler - April 28 - 4:57 am

  For the money, its difficult to beat. Very reliable, comfortable, handles well, not bad on gas, and repairs/parts are affordable. I highly recommend them.

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  Cant see - 2001 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By mpeeb24 - April 26 - 2:00 am

  Great Car, but I cant see where Im going at night. The headlight beams are so scattered that they dont reach very far down the road. My old truck with sealed beams has better lights! Otherwise, the car runs and drives great. Having been a Japanese car mechanic for 20 years, I can honestly say that the overall fit and finish, mechanical quality and performance of this car is more than a match even for more expensive imports. My family needed a bigger car, and all it took was one test drive to sell me on this one.

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  This is a Sedan - 2006 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By mongo - April 22 - 5:20 pm

  I have had this model for 15 months and it is still in the "teething" stage because of the low miles. So far, there have not been any major problems with this unit and rather enjoy the road-boat. I can zip-zip thru traffic, room permitting, as if I were in a coupe and not a full-sized sedan. The style is quite nice but rather chintzy on the inside and outside trim. The trunk space is partially taken up by a full-sized spare and think a smaller spare would be adequate. The gas mpg is rather low but will wait for the engine other components to "seat-in" and then see what the mpg will be with more miles on this car.

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  buy used! - 2000 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By aguywhoiswritingthis - April 16 - 10:00 am

  Compared to 1992 it replaced it has better construction quality, I think. But, worse ride, (still very good) more unattractive, smaller gas tank,(a mere 350 mile range) and an oddly shaped, although still large trunk.

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  RADIO ANTENA - 2005 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By A. BUYER - April 13 - 3:10 am

  MERCURY HAS TAKEN A VERY BEAUTIFUL CAR THAT ALWAYS HAS HAD STYLE (MERCURY OWNER SINCE 1986) AND MADE IT A SECOND CLASS CAR BY PUTTING THAT "CHEAP" ANTENNA ON THE OUTSIDE!!!!!(REAR FENDER) IF IT MUST GO ON THE OUTSIDE MAKE IT A POWER ANTENNA!

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  A "solid" car - 1996 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By MrLypage - April 1 - 2:00 am

  "Solid" because it has meet / exceeded exxpectations. I bought this car in 9/2002 with ~ 70K on it and for $6300. Within the following two months, put in a CD player (a must!), 4 new tires, a tuneup, and a battery (a little over $1000 total). And it hasnt disappointed yet. Although Ive never had to do this with previous vehicles (maybe because of GMs big engine size), I did have to make it a habit to put in a bottle of Heet with each tank in the winter to counter hard-starting probs.