Overview & Reviews

You're excused if you don't recall the original full-size Mercury Marauder "fastbacks" of the 1960s. Not as hard-edged as their full-sized competition of the early '60s nor as lean or brutally quick as their pony-car and midsize "muscle car" rivals later in the decade, the sporty Marauder sedans and personal luxury coupes sold in relatively small numbers.

The Mercury Marauder offered big-block power, an upscale interior and a persona that projected elegant, refined performance. But by the time it was retired after the 1970 model year, the big Marauder was out of fashion and had simply run its course. Only after a mid-'90s resurrection of the big, bad full-size muscle car genre by the Chevrolet Impala SS did Mercury try its luck nearly a decade later by bringing out its roomy and powerful Marauder.

Based on the full-size body-on-frame Grand Marquis sedan, the Marauder debuted with an upgraded engine, bigger wheels and tires, a sport-tuned suspension, bucket seats, special interior trim and an exterior paint job in "any color you want as long as it's black."

Though there was considerable initial interest in the car, performance enthusiasts never quite fell in love. In particular, although the Marauder's performance was respectable -- it could hit 60 mph in the 7-second range -- it didn't have the tire-spinning grunt off the line that marked a true muscle car. After two years of slow sales, Mercury shelved the Marauder name once again.

Most Recent Mercury Marauder

The Grand Marquis-based Mercury Marauder was produced for 2003 and '04. Initially sold only in black (blue, silver and red became available later), the car had a definite undercover cop car look to it thanks to the blacked-out grille, dark-tinted headlights and taillights, large five-spoke chrome wheels and dual chrome exhaust tips. Inside, Mercury replaced the more traditional big-car column shifter with a sportier floor-mounted selector along with bucket seats and a center console.

Adding an old-school touch was a pair of Auto Meter gauges for oil pressure and volts, while new-school power-adjustable pedals allowed most anybody to get comfortable behind the wheel. Leather upholstery was standard fare, and was wrapped around big, soft power front buckets that reminded some folks of first-class airline seats. Although they featured pronounced side bolsters, we found the padding a bit too soft to provide serious lateral support when putting the Marauder through its paces.

The Mercury Marauder was motivated by a 4.6-liter DOHC V8 with 302 horsepower and 318 pound-feet of torque. The engine -- the same one used in the Ford Mustang Cobra before it received a supercharger -- was connected to a beefed-up four-speed automatic and a limited-slip rear differential. The Marauder's excessive weight precluded neck-snapping performance off the line, but once the four-cam V8 hit its stride, the big Merc really pulled with authority. Driven sedately, the automatic changed gears seamlessly, but with your foot in it upshifts occurred quickly, with a satisfying shove to your backside.

As with Ford's other 2003 full-size sedans, the Mercury Marauder benefited from a major update that year, including a new frame and redesigned front suspension. For the Marauder, Mercury also added a sport-tuned suspension and 18-inch wheels.

In our experience putting the Marauder through twists and turns, fast sweepers and steady freeway cruises, we were impressed with how well this 2-ton-plus car performed. Although it provided a soft, comfortable ride under normal conditions, the Marauder also handled spirited driving with ease. Body roll was minimal with a neutral attitude, and the steering was light yet direct, with its variable-assist feature offering more weight with increasing speed.

A lack of off-the-line snap was the car's major fault. Though we never were able to perform instrumented testing, other published reports at the time pegged the car's 0-60-mph time in the mid 7-second range. Put simply, there was just too much weight and not enough low-end torque.

Still, the Mercury Marauder's lack of success as a new model pretty much guarantees rarity as a used model. We can recommend it without reservation for a used car shopper in search of a traditional full-size sedan with lots of room and V8 power, topped off with a healthy dose of attitude and uniquely American style.

User Reviews:

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  Handles well at speed - 2003 Mercury Marauder
  By eng1neer - May 17 - 10:00 am

  I have about 200 Miles on my Maurader. I have had it up to 110 and it handles pretty well at that speed. I have been babying it a bit since its so new. Car pulls pretty well at upper RPMs and has smooth continuing power but will not burn the tires off the line very well. Ford Tech services claims fuel cut off at 123 but have yet to test this. Seems to handle much better at speed than the Crown Vic Sport pkg Car. Overall the car does very well but wont pass a gas station and it claims that Premium fuel is required. Milage statement on sticker seems to be very pie in the sky optimum operating condition numbers.

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  Great Car - 2004 Mercury Marauder
  By seadog215 - May 2 - 10:00 am

  My cousin talked me into buying it. I have a Lincoln Blackwood and was looking for another car. and this car is a Gas. Fun to drive Corners like a big Saab but has that american feel for the road. Good gas mileage when cruising 60-70 great pickup from 40 on up. its so good I had to get a new radar detector. Huge trunk.comfortable seating. Decent sound system but nothing to brag about. But I think they only made 18000 of them each year for two years. So if you want afun car to drive that may go up in value this is it

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  Mercury Marauder - 2004 Mercury Marauder
  By James Spradling - March 21 - 10:00 am

  Mercury shouldve continued this rear wheel drive musclecar and added a supercharger to it. Mercurys failure to adequately market this model cost it sales in a serious segment of the performance sedan market. Mercury hasnt had any marketing sense, it seems, for 30 years.

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  Old time Muscle - 2004 Mercury Marauder
  By Marauder - February 5 - 2:13 am

  Im very impressed with my 2004 Maroon w/ charcoal interior. Rides, sounds and performs very well. Turns heads with appearance and exhaust sound. I like the feeling of safety in its full frame, large body. Rides a bit stiff in order to give great handleing ability.

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  Nice but... - 2003 Mercury Marauder
  By Fletch2112 - December 17 - 10:00 am

  A very nice car. Not worth the MSRP by any means but the market seems kind to serious purchasers. Mercury had better offer up some more power plant options! Hmmm, I would compare with a like model but I cant think of any. Not for the same money. And dont even think of comparing it to something that is front- wheel drive!!!!!

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  2003 Mercury Marauder - 2003 Mercury Marauder
  By Charles Price - December 11 - 4:00 pm

  Ive been wanting one of these for a long time and it is everything I wanted amd more. Lots of power and it looks great.

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  finally found one - 2003 Mercury Marauder
  By sclwkr222 - October 1 - 10:00 am

  flawless in practically every detail. try as i might, its extremely difficult for me to get over 17 mpg even with a cotton foot. love the power of a muscle car and the comfort of a luxury.

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  The Memphis Marauder. - 2003 Mercury Marauder
  By MemphisMarauder - August 28 - 10:00 am

  The Marauder is everything you would want in a full-sized sedan. With Five passengers in the car riding comfortably they begged me to quit stomping on the gas pedal. Truth is that I was not putting it all the way to the floor only about 3/4 the way!!! Not as strong from a start as my Allen Supercharged 96 Thunderbird but I could not comfortably seat five adults in it. Dual-piston front Brakes are fantastic. Marauder stops very quick with no skidding and its hard to get the ABS system to kick in.

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  This is a Great car! - 2004 Mercury Marauder
  By Love this car! - August 16 - 2:53 pm

  Overall, I love this car, however there are a couple of things I think Ford missed. Obviously, they couldve put the supercharger on the thing. I also think that it would be nice to have a suspension adjustment switch. It rides very nicely most of the time, but when youre on a bumpy road, you feel it! It would be nice to be able to soften up the suspension a bit when youre just not in a performance type of a mood.

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  Muscle at its Best ! - 2003 Mercury Marauder
  By 2003MM - August 16 - 2:00 am

  A great car that seats 5 and has the performance of a sport coupe. Nothing beats the sound of an American V-8. Amazing amount of engine performance increase after the first 5000 miles.