Lightning or Marauder?
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Chandler Texas
I'd keep the Lightning. 
The Maurader is a little underpowered and way overpriced IMHO ($35k). I recently used to own a 96 Impala SS as well and with a few bolt ons and a shot of giggle gas I was solidly in the 12's. It M I G H T be possible with the Merc and a huffer but I think you'll spend way more than neccessary to have the Merc perform like a modded SS.
According to my information, in 2004 or 5 the Merc will be getting a supercharger. Also, don't get your hopes up on the release of the new Impala SS. The LS1 rear drive option has been scapped by GM in favor of the supercharged 3800 V6 front wheel drive version currently in the GTP.
The car is due out in 2004-5 and the current SS owners are up in arms about it. I think I would hold on the the L for a little while longer and see what the Merc's real world numbers are and hope when the SS owners start smoking it, they will huff it like they did the '03 Cobras...
The Maurader is a little underpowered and way overpriced IMHO ($35k). I recently used to own a 96 Impala SS as well and with a few bolt ons and a shot of giggle gas I was solidly in the 12's. It M I G H T be possible with the Merc and a huffer but I think you'll spend way more than neccessary to have the Merc perform like a modded SS. According to my information, in 2004 or 5 the Merc will be getting a supercharger. Also, don't get your hopes up on the release of the new Impala SS. The LS1 rear drive option has been scapped by GM in favor of the supercharged 3800 V6 front wheel drive version currently in the GTP.
The car is due out in 2004-5 and the current SS owners are up in arms about it. I think I would hold on the the L for a little while longer and see what the Merc's real world numbers are and hope when the SS owners start smoking it, they will huff it like they did the '03 Cobras...
Senior Member
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 858
Likes: 0
From: Elmwood Park, NJ
Brand New Police Interceptor = $24k fully loaded
Brand New Mercury Marauder = $35k plus stock
Do you know how many Go Fast Mods you could do with $11k?
I say keep the L, like I said before... no matter how big of a fan I am of my Panther Platforms... www.jerseyvics.com
--Russ
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 668
Likes: 0
From: Mi.
svtgreg,
I had two Mauraders at the Plymouth/Canton High School Car Show last month. The car will have a 34K window sticker. It has good low to mid-range performance. Not as fast as the SS.
The car will get additional colors later for next production run with an optional moon-roof. Anyone who buys a Maurader also get's a special edition Maurader Leather jacket. 18K will be produced this year.
It's a great cruising car. Rack and pinion steering 18" wheels tuned suspension and exceptional breaking. Forget about supercharging the engine. All Mach 1 Auto's and Mauraders get a cast crank, and have high compression. Not a good idea to add a S/C to that combo.
I would rather have the Maurader than the Mini-Van. I would not give up my Lightning for it. The manual Mach is another story!
I had two Mauraders at the Plymouth/Canton High School Car Show last month. The car will have a 34K window sticker. It has good low to mid-range performance. Not as fast as the SS.
The car will get additional colors later for next production run with an optional moon-roof. Anyone who buys a Maurader also get's a special edition Maurader Leather jacket. 18K will be produced this year.
It's a great cruising car. Rack and pinion steering 18" wheels tuned suspension and exceptional breaking. Forget about supercharging the engine. All Mach 1 Auto's and Mauraders get a cast crank, and have high compression. Not a good idea to add a S/C to that combo.
I would rather have the Maurader than the Mini-Van. I would not give up my Lightning for it. The manual Mach is another story!
Senior Member
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 858
Likes: 0
From: Elmwood Park, NJ
Originally posted by Thor01
Forget about supercharging the engine. All Mach 1 Auto's and Mauraders get a cast crank, and have high compression. Not a good idea to add a S/C to that combo.
Forget about supercharging the engine. All Mach 1 Auto's and Mauraders get a cast crank, and have high compression. Not a good idea to add a S/C to that combo.
--Russ
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 12,632
Likes: 1
From: Stinkin Joisey
Re: Just my opinion...
Originally posted by jaymz
but Marauder = 4 door sedan = old farts car. In my day, the only good cars were two-doors/coupes. Keep the Lightning
but Marauder = 4 door sedan = old farts car. In my day, the only good cars were two-doors/coupes. Keep the Lightning
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
From: Lake Worth, Florida
I gotta chime in here. I work at a L & M dealer and we just got in the our first production Marauder this past week. Car is beautiful, and well equipped, (well at $34,495 anyway) Mercury really did a great job in the styling department but man did they miss the mark on two very important details.
#1 Color- Black only, give me a break! I would never own a black car again (had 3 including a GN), let alone a huge black car while I live in FL.
#2- Performance! This thing is no Lightning. They really picked the wrong powerplant for the car and then did nothing to give it a chance. The DOHC 4.6 doesn't start to make power until 4K rpm and then pulls to 6.5K rpm. Hmmm lets put that in a 4,500 lb car and stick an automatic behind it??? The convertor is a bit looser than a stock Grand Marquis and the gearing is upped to 3.55 but then the tire diameter was increased to almost 28".
I drove this car in the rain and it will not even try to chirp the tires when flat punched. BTW I drove it because the sales staff was concerned that something was wrong with the car and the first customer they had interested in buying one brought in his pre introduction sales flyer that shows the car smoking the tires at the track. My response was, "Did you notice the brake lights were one in the burnout?". It's too bad because although I am not sure about packaging the L motor would make the Marauder a sure thing, will bet that most of them sold will end up being supercharged (Vortch you listening?).
I would keep your L and purchase a Grand Marquis or Crown Vic "Touring package" same seat and console arangement and spend the $11K on mods yourself. Better yet start with a low mileage one owner (many out there, Grandpa hand over the keys now!!) and have $25K to spend on mods.
Just remember the Grand Marquis motto. "Never lift for speed bumps or people in the right of way". Works great with a grey wig on!
#1 Color- Black only, give me a break! I would never own a black car again (had 3 including a GN), let alone a huge black car while I live in FL.
#2- Performance! This thing is no Lightning. They really picked the wrong powerplant for the car and then did nothing to give it a chance. The DOHC 4.6 doesn't start to make power until 4K rpm and then pulls to 6.5K rpm. Hmmm lets put that in a 4,500 lb car and stick an automatic behind it??? The convertor is a bit looser than a stock Grand Marquis and the gearing is upped to 3.55 but then the tire diameter was increased to almost 28".
I drove this car in the rain and it will not even try to chirp the tires when flat punched. BTW I drove it because the sales staff was concerned that something was wrong with the car and the first customer they had interested in buying one brought in his pre introduction sales flyer that shows the car smoking the tires at the track. My response was, "Did you notice the brake lights were one in the burnout?". It's too bad because although I am not sure about packaging the L motor would make the Marauder a sure thing, will bet that most of them sold will end up being supercharged (Vortch you listening?).
I would keep your L and purchase a Grand Marquis or Crown Vic "Touring package" same seat and console arangement and spend the $11K on mods yourself. Better yet start with a low mileage one owner (many out there, Grandpa hand over the keys now!!) and have $25K to spend on mods
.Just remember the Grand Marquis motto. "Never lift for speed bumps or people in the right of way". Works great with a grey wig on!
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,121
Likes: 0
From: Hammer Lane
Re: hmmm
Originally posted by Malibu
but the commercials say the Marader makes other cars shake in their pansy red booties.
i saw it myself, the cars actually scooted over when it parked between them!
but the commercials say the Marader makes other cars shake in their pansy red booties.
i saw it myself, the cars actually scooted over when it parked between them!
Senior Member
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 858
Likes: 0
From: Elmwood Park, NJ
ya man:
I spoke with Scott on the phone today... he's from http://samotorsports.com/ the makers of the natuary aspired V10 Crown Brick below:
actualy his excitement carried over from the e-mail he send me last night:
so these are not your Grandpa Cars Anymore... I'm 19 years old and I'm driving my 6th Crown Vic already... the ladies love it too... and not just because of the big back seat! hehe
--Russ
actualy his excitement carried over from the e-mail he send me last night:
Did you see our article in Car and Driver (July)? ( click for the article )We outran the Marauder in the following areas:
- 0-60
- 1/4 mile
- top speed
- lateral acceleration
Scott
- 0-60
- 1/4 mile
- top speed
- lateral acceleration
Scott
--Russ
Senior Member
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 467
Likes: 0
From: sanford n.c. u.s.a.
being an old fart that hasnt grown up yet i would not get rid of my lightning for a car that cant out run my wifes cadilac deville.i waited 3 years for this car and must say im very disappointed.maybe the mach 1 (automatic ) will live up to its name.had a pre production model in atlanta that ran low 14s so i hope they dont screw that up.but even if i buy the mach 1 my lightning will be parked next to it.
Thread Starter
|
Member
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Lake Worth, FL
thanks everybody for your input!
Sorry, my new thread was supposed to be a reply!
Thanks for all your input. Sorry I haven't responded back in a couple of days but I'm getting married on Saturday and I'm going nuts. The day following this thread I put up, I drove my beautiful "Black" L and said to myself, "self, what the hell is your problem." Needless to say I'm staying with my beloved SVT. I appologized for my stupidity and punch the gas. What a rush!:cool Thanks again for helping me see the light(ning).
Thanks for all your input. Sorry I haven't responded back in a couple of days but I'm getting married on Saturday and I'm going nuts. The day following this thread I put up, I drove my beautiful "Black" L and said to myself, "self, what the hell is your problem." Needless to say I'm staying with my beloved SVT. I appologized for my stupidity and punch the gas. What a rush!:cool Thanks again for helping me see the light(ning).
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 358
Likes: 0
Twin Turbo's for that marauder...
Buddy of mine has twin turbos on his 96 impala...650HP! that boat flies... though his modded L is still quicker in the 1/4 mile... that boat pulls like crazy on the HWY from 60 though... holy crap!
Buddy of mine has twin turbos on his 96 impala...650HP! that boat flies... though his modded L is still quicker in the 1/4 mile... that boat pulls like crazy on the HWY from 60 though... holy crap!
