Car guys check in...

[daddyusmaximus]

Any car guys here? I bought a new (to me) 2003 Mercury Marauder in late Dec after destroying my truck in a crash. I have been wanting a Marauder since they came out. Based on the Panther platform (same as Crown Vic and Grand Marquis) this was Ford's answer to the Impala SS. It's a big four door family car, on a full frame, with a large trunk, and a V-8. In this case the V-8 is the same all aluminum 4.6L DOHC engine used in the Mustang Cobra. American design through and through. It has power brakes, power steering, power windows, power mirrors, power door locks, and power seats. All standard fair these days, but it also has POWER. I call it "The gentleman's hot rod." The 4.6L (261 cid) engine is rather small compared to the big blocks of the 60s, but with double overhead cams, and modern computer controled fuel injection, it is quicker than you'd think. This car handles very well on the curves for a 4,000+ lb beast, and will be getting suspension and brake upgrades to improve on that. 

 

Feast your eyes...

 

 

Gravel driveways suck...

 

 

Miles per gallon, or comfort and speed?

 

 

Now the fancy stereo, I had added after I got the car. The JL Audio amp and 12" sub tuck in nicely next to the full size spare. The amp also runs the door and rear deck speakers, also JL Audio.

 

 

JVC head unit has lots of features, and plays DVDs. The Eagles play Hotel California. RIP Glenn.

 

 

Let's see those cool rides...

 

 

[Boog]

A kid down the street from me has one with the Cobra blower in it. He is in a local car club and touts it at local shows. I will say it does have a certain presence that most cars does not. He has some car club logo spread across the back window, but other than that, it is a nice car.

I was going to buy a Pontiac G8 GPZ but they shut down just before it was released. Now my only option is the Chevy SS, at least it has a stick shift and can be built to high heaven...

[shepp]

2 hours ago, Boog said:

A kid down the street from me has one with the Cobra blower in it. He is in a local car club and touts it at local shows. I will say it does have a certain presence that most cars does not. He has some car club logo spread across the back window, but other than that, it is a nice car.

I was going to buy a Pontiac G8 GPZ but they shut down just before it was released. Now my only option is the Chevy SS, at least it has a stick shift and can be built to high heaven...

Those G8's were awesome GM really kicked them self in the balls letting that go when they cut Pontiac. It has European styling something really not seen in an American motor company. I'm not really a car guy unless it's old cars but that g8 was sharp. 

[unforgiven]

That Merc is sweet.Badass tunes and room for a few bodies....priceless.....hahaha

[daddyusmaximus]

1 hour ago, shepp said:

Those G8's were awesome GM really kicked them self in the balls letting that go when they cut Pontiac. It has European styling something really not seen in an American motor company. I'm not really a car guy unless it's old cars but that g8 was sharp. 

I think the new Mustang has European style cues. A little too much for my taste. I also prefer the older styles. 

[shepp]

1 hour ago, daddyusmaximus said:

I think the new Mustang has European style cues. A little too much for my taste. I also prefer the older styles. 

Yea they kinda killed the mustang with this newest body style, I seems to big

[Sisco]

Nice wheels! As the picture below shows, I went a different route. But I am looking at a Dodge Charger with the Police Pursuit package with AWD for a winter car. Got a rusted out 4wd Ram for the really bad days. Thinking about a supercharger to put me up around 500hp.

Edited April 30, 2016 by Sisco

[392heminut]

Nice car daddyusmaximus! Your post reminded me of this;

Edited April 30, 2016 by 392heminut

[daddyusmaximus]

8 hours ago, Sisco said:

Nice wheels! As the picture below shows, I went a different route. But I am looking at a Dodge Charger with the Police Pursuit package with AWD for a winter car. Got a rusted out 4wd Ram for the really bad days. Thinking about a supercharger to put me up around 500hp.

Didn't know they made an AWD Charger. Nice Vette.

[Sisco]

Had an AWD charger  for a company car with the 250 hp V6 back in 2008. Really enjoyed it for what it was. For a while, you could order the Charger R/T's with AWD and also the Chrysler 300's. Now you have to order the Police Pursuit package to get it. I was impressed with how it handled the snow way up north here. The Vette is a garage queen from November to April. Had a choice three years ago, Get a new Dodge Ram truck, or drive my old Ram into the ground and get the car I have wanted since I was a kid. The kid in me won out. Enjoy the heck out of it, but the kid is now saying how much more fun it would be with another 150 hp.

[Boog]

I saw this on the news feed today and thought you'd enjoy it too: http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2016/05/02/five-muscle-machines-that-broke-mold/?intcmp=hpff

It doesn't mention the Marauder but some of the others...

[EasyEJL]

On ‎4‎/‎30‎/‎2016 at 9:34 AM, shepp said:

Those G8's were awesome GM really kicked them self in the balls letting that go when they cut Pontiac. It has European styling something really not seen in an American motor company. I'm not really a car guy unless it's old cars but that g8 was sharp. 

the real thing with the G8 was that it was available with manual transmission :D

[Boog]

Agreed, that is why I hope to get an SS before they too are discontinued...

[shepp]

1 hour ago, EasyEJL said:

the real thing with the G8 was that it was available with manual transmission :D

What's that??? Lol 

 

i I saw a younger college coed driving a Saab with a manual trans last week told my buddy she was a 7.5 till I noticed that she knew how to shift and jumped up to a 8.5