Marauder vs newer SHO.

[Bluerauder]

The reasons the MM is not seen a lot on the streets:

1. It has been outta production since 2004.

2. It was never a big seller thus the short 2 year production run.

Even in 2004 when there were 11,052 out there, I rarely saw an MM on the streets. Now that there is probably less than half that number, it gets harder to find them on the open road. Many of the ones that are left are now kept in garages or under car covers and only come out on weekends. That also cuts down on how many you get an opportunity to see.

The MM was always planned as a limited production vehicle and probably never would have topped 16,000 of them if 2004 production ran at the same level as 2003.

The Marauder served its purpose in generating interest in the performance side of Mercury business by getting different people into the showroom and onto the sales lots. I bet they are even a little somewhat surprised in the "cult" following that the Marauder has spawned. Too bad that Mercury was already on its last legs when the MM was introduced.

I suspect that the Taurus SHO production in 2012 was closer to 25,000. Will let you know specifically when I get my FPG certificate in a couple days or so.

Man was I ever wrong on this ^^^^^^. Total SHOs produced in 2012 was 1,808. There were 478 made in Tuxedo Black Metallic. Mine is #318 of 478 according to the FPG Certificate received on 5/28/2013. Build date was 24 January 2012.

 

[24shofast]

Dibs on the SB!:beer: We almost got the Tuxedo Black that was at Westland last year but it wouldnt fit in the garage with the tool box....you get one first then I can see if I want to jump ship as well :lol:

 

[lji372]

i do see a lot of them on the road but not many are the sho. i've only seen 2 or 3 of those. but when i pull up to give the driver a nod to let him know i noticed his ride it's been a woman

:dunno: what's proper etiquette when that happens? :dunno:

 

[Vortech347]

i do see a lot of them on the road but not many are the sho. i've only seen 2 or 3 of those. but when i pull up to give the driver a nod to let him know i noticed his ride it's been a woman

:dunno: what's proper etiquette when that happens? :dunno:

If its my woman she'll nod back and go on green. :burnout:

 

[lji372]

If its my woman she'll nod back and go on green. :burnout:

:lol: mine would say take this back, people keep looking at me :lol:

 

[Raleigh Marauder]

I've not seen a whole lot, but then again at a quick glance they don't stand out at...

 

[Vortech347]

I've not seen a whole lot, but then again at a quick glance they don't stand out at...

Exactly, that is my issue. I enjoy a little "bling" I LOVE our new Escape but even it being deck out with every available option I still see 300000 everywhere. I don't like blending in. Its the whole ADD thing I think. "HEY LOOK AT ME!" yea...I like that.

 

[Raleigh Marauder]

Exactly, that is my issue. I enjoy a little "bling" I LOVE our new Escape but even it being deck out with every available option I still see 300000 everywhere. I don't like blending in. Its the whole ADD thing I think. "HEY LOOK AT ME!" yea...I like that.

I know what you mean... (says the guy with a Grabber Orange Mustang...)

 

[BLACKMARAUDER04]

I purchased a 2010 MKS w/ ecoboost in October 2012.
It was certified (6/100 warranty), had 25000 miles on it.
Mileage varies from 13-25 on highway. Yes, it does get better mileage
the the Marauder. However, if you use the pedal, it drops.
I paid $32k, original sticker was over $57k.
I like that you don't see as many MKS's as Taurus's.
I have only seen one other MKS w/ the ecoboost badge.
It is also faster than the Marauder and quieter.
I still drive both cars. The Marauder has 153,000 +.
I am replacing the Blend door actuator as we speak. (I could only remove
one screw on it.) It has a torn ball joint boot and I probably should just replace the entire contol arms.
So maintenance cost is much lower than the 8-10 Year old Marauder.

 

[gpfarrell]

I guess no matter how I look at it. Even with today's cool tech/power. The Marauder STILL stands out as being a unique, cool, and classy car. It may end up just being a great chapter in my book of great journeys made with cars.

Well put!

But time moves on.

My "SHO" is a 2011 MKS with Ecoboost. It's got a tune from LMS and Eibach springs, and it ran a 12.9 at 104mph. I still have my Trilogy-only Marauder... best so far with it was 13.1 at 104mph. Gears, drag radials, pulleys, etc can make the boosted Marauders even faster, but for about $1,000 with labor for the springs and I've matched the acceleration of the Trilogy (and no other mods) Marauder.

I can't see the MKS ever matching the Marauder's attitude though. The Merc has that V8 grumble and the ability to fish-tail is just a push of the "Traction Control" button away. The Crown Vic silhoette is intimidating, and the valve covers... er, coil pack covers or whatever we're supposed to call them... look really wicked!

I intend to keep my MM forever.

But I love my MKS. The Marauders are 9-10 years old now. That's getting out there. I didn't want to run my MM into the ground, so when the MKS came along (in blue yet!) the decision was easy.


The technology of the MKS is relevent to me and easy to use. The AWD makes the performance much more attainable in real road conditions. The luxury features are just fine by me too.

Though I don't care, I think the MKS gets a couple more mpg in the city and the highway is about a wash.

I'm not sure that I'd take the MKS to a cruise... but without the Trilogy I might not have taken the Marauder to many either. However, I think if I wrote "12.9" in white shoe polish on the upper corner of the MKS's windshield it would be an entertaining cruise car!

Marauders were unique. That's why we all like them! I've found the adjustment to an Ecoboost MKS... or I'd assume an SHO... to be a very easy change.

Good luck with your choice.

 

[Panther dude]

I think the offerings will be better in a couple of years, really would like a Chevy SS. I think.

 

[Bluerauder]

I'm not sure that I'd take the MKS to a cruise... but without the Trilogy I might not have taken the Marauder to many either. However, I think if I wrote "12.9" in white shoe polish on the upper corner of the MKS's windshield it would be an entertaining cruise car!

You might be surprised. For grins I drove out to the weekly cruise-in at the Burger King in Manassas, VA last May 2012, parked it in the lot and popped the hood. I got lots of comments and questions. Sherm was there with his Marauder and was giving tours of my SHO to the young ladies. The most interesting and frequent comment since owning the Taurus SHO has been "I didn't know FORD made anything this nice." Seems the "Blue Oval" is still plagued with an image problem that goes back more than 25 years.

Oh yeah, something that hasn't been mentioned .... the trunk is a 50% bigger than the Marauder.

 

[SC Cheesehead]

You might be surprised. For grins I drove out to the weekly cruise-in at the Burger King in Manassas, VA last May 2012, parked it in the lot and popped the hood. I got lots of comments and questions. Sherm was there with his Marauder and was giving tours of my SHO to the young ladies.

Oh yeah, something that hasn't been mentioned .... the trunk is a 50% bigger than the Marauder.

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gall...0-burger-king-2c-manassas-12-may-2012/cat/500

With or without the trunk organizer?

 

[Bluerauder]

With or without the trunk organizer?

I'd say 50% bigger with the trunk organizer and 25% without. The spare for the SHO sits in the tray so the floor of the trunk is open and flat all the way to the rear seats. Need even more room, the rear seats are split and can folded down to give you even more room.

Last year the wife wanted to take her Freestyle to the beach. I told her that I thought I could get everything in the Taurus. I was right. 3 large roll-on suitcases, bags of games and books, my daughter's miscellaneous carry-ons, Linens-Blankets-Pillows-and Towels for the week. It all went in easily with room to spare.

Stop at one of those Maryland produce stands enroute to the shore and picked up a large watermelon and a dozen ears of corn and some other produce and threw that in their. Stop and add a case of beer, sodas and a couple bottles of "spirits" too. Still room to spare.

 

[L.Mark]

Don't like the Eco-Boost. But I really like the look of the Taurus. If I was in the market for a new car, that's where I would head first and ask for the nice Laser red ones...and I swore I not haveanything less than V8 RWD...

 

[Bluerauder]

Don't like the Eco-Boost. But I really like the look of the Taurus. ...

I recommend that you NOT test drive the SHO. When I got mine, I drove an SEL, a Limited, and a SHO in that order on purpose.

 

[71cyclone]

Bluerauder.......

" YEP" Bluerauder -- KEPT his RARE BLUE MARAUDER / best of both worlds [ Police SHO has been clocked at 150 mph ]

 

[MyTMerc]

SHO Upgrade

http://www.hennesseyperformance.com/maxboost445.html

Test drove a SHO last time I was in Detriot. It was a blast to drive. Lots of nice features in the cockpit. Our local dealers don't have any. Haven't pulled the trigger until after the sequestration furloughs.

Check out the linky....

 

[lji372]

What was the out the door price on the sho?
Internet says 39k ? I think I'd rather finish of the marauder color collection for that.

Convincing my wife of that would be the issue

 

[Ms. Denmark]

If your tall and on the heavy side take the Taurus on a good long test drive not just around the block. It's certainly is a nice car what with all the bells and whistles but if it ain't comfortable on a long haul..................


Mr. Man