Vehicle Description
For all those Ford guys who wanted something like the Impala SS,
this first-year 2003 Mercury Marauder is the answer. A big,
rear-wheel-drive sedan with Ford's most potent V8, reasonable
handling, and big brakes, the Marauder was a cool experiment that
will surely find big appreciation in the future.
Contrary to popular belief, not all Marauders were black, and this
silver Marauder has a performance look that doesn't need to scream
to be noticed. Based on the infamous Grand Marquis, Ford designers
kept the big sedan's gently rounded profile, which was surely
popular because of its resemblance to police cruisers, not despite
it. A few special tweaks like the front and rear bumpers, a
blacked-out grille, special headlights, and a bare minimum of
chrome trim give the Marauder a unique look that's instantly
identifiable as something beyond your average heavy-duty FoMoCo
cruiser. Dutifully kept as a garage queen, this particular Marauder
looks almost new and it's hard to believe it's been almost fifteen
years since it was built, because the paint is glossy and slick and
shows virtually zero signs of use aside from a few small chips on
the lower valence, which is to be expected. The headlights are
clear, the bumpers are not cracked, and the few bits of chrome on
the car look like they've been fastidiously polished from day one.
If you want one of these cars, and they're not too easy to find,
there can't be many nicer than this.
Full-sized luxury was standard equipment, but the Marauder did get
bucket seats and a console to keep with its sporting character. The
charcoal gray leather remains in excellent condition and there's
really nothing like the stretch-out room you get in one of these
cars. The carpets, door panels, headliner, and dash are all in like
new condition, as you'd expect. Marauders came only one way:
loaded, so you get everything from power windows, locks, and seats
(heated up front!), to a powerful climate control system, to cruise
control, and even a set of power-adjustable pedals, which are
extremely trick. White-faced gauges attempt to give the big Merc a
sporting edge and small auxiliary gauges down on the bottom of the
center console have an aftermarket performance look that was surely
intentional. Custom embroidered floor mats are also like new, and
if you're looking for the ultimate road-trip warrior, look no
further than this car with its massive back seat area. There's also
an equally giant trunk that looks completely untouched from new,
including the ultra-rare cargo organizer under the floor.
The Marauder used the Mustang Cobra's 32-valve DOHC 4.6 liter V8
engine linked to a 4-speed automatic overdrive transmission. The
combination was potent, particularly at highway speeds where it's
virtually impossible to pass this car on the roll, I don't care
what you're driving. Special calibrations help with low-end torque
for the heavier Merc, but it still purrs with that precise
mechanical sound that's so delightful in the Cobra and the exhaust
note sounds like ripping silk. Everything is completely stock,
right down to the hose clamps, so no worries about racing or abuse,
and it runs like a new car. Underneath, the suspension was firmed
up for Marauder duty, a disc brake was installed at each corner,
and there's a true dual exhaust system with polished tips just for
extra cool points. With polished 18-inch wheels and giant 235/50/18
performance radials, it rides and handles like a brand new car.
With only 27,874 original miles and just two owners, this is one of
the lowest-mileage Marauders we've seen in years. Only 417 silver
Marauders were built, and fewer still had heated seats. This is
very rare Merc so call now!