Used 2000s Mercury Grand Marquis: Good?

Farmer · 04-09-2012, 06:39 PM

I'm looking at used daily drivers. The goto options (i.e., Civics, Camrys) are around $7K for around 100K miles.

For around $6K-$7K, I can find used mid-2000 era Grand Marquis or Crown Vics at around 50K-60K miles.

What do you guys think? I've never imagined myself getting a land boat but they seem fine cruisers.

Other options in that price range are welcome.

Zenmervolt · 04-09-2012, 06:46 PM

Gas mileage is poor in the city (~18 mpg) but on the open freeway they can pull 26-27 mpg. Don't expect to average better than 20 mpg if you do much mixed driving though.

Despite being RWD, they're still front-heavy so they can be a bit iffy in the snow (sandbags and snow tires can help out though).

That said, they're roomy, comfortable, and cheap to keep running. In terms of sheer volume of space for the money, they're damn near impossible to beat. Used to love getting them as rentals. If the gas mileage, the RWD, and the rather nautical handling don't bother you, they're fantastic cruising options. As much fun as sportiness can be, there's a lot to be said for floating down the road on your couch too.

ZV

RavenSEAL · 04-09-2012, 07:50 PM

I have been seriously considering one as an option now that all the good Altimas in a fucking 100 miles radius around me technically disappeared. But then again, I don't think driving a Oldsmobile is gonna do for me picking up chicks at my age and hell, for a 60 mile daily commute, my wallet will hate me.

postmortemIA · 04-09-2012, 08:48 PM

better get Taurus, they are even cheaper, have better gas mileage, and many many still on road.

halik · 04-09-2012, 09:00 PM

One of the worst cars i've ever driven.

RavenSEAL · 04-09-2012, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by postmortemIA

better get Taurus, they are even cheaper, have better gas mileage, and many many still on road.

Via · 04-09-2012, 09:44 PM

I used one of these as a business car for a long time, and I had a great experience with it.

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...19267099&Log=0

No major repairs in over 100,000 miles, from about 70,000 to 180,000.

SearchMaster · 04-10-2012, 05:41 AM

My dad had one, he liked it pretty well (of course he's in his 70s). He had problems with the coil packs which cost several hundred bucks and the air suspension, which I think he had to have serviced twice. His MPG was in the mid 20s in general, closer to 30 on the highway.

franksta · 04-11-2012, 02:22 PM

I believe the 2003 and 2004 to be the best years for these. They got new suspensions and rack and pinion steering. 2005 went to throttle by wire of which I am not a fan.

Mine is a 2004 with 2.73 gears and it's an incredible freeway cruiser. I get around 20MPG in town and as high as 29 on the highway. Averaging about 22 overall.

MovingTarget · 04-11-2012, 05:53 PM

I'd pull the trigger on one in a heartbeat. I had a 97 Grand Marquis a few years back. I'd still be driving it now if I hadn't been hit by an uninsured/unlicensed driver, totalling the car. It was extremely reliable, solid, and comfortable. You don't really get to know what a real (non-sports) car feels like until you drive a RWD body-on-frame sedan.