'nother new guy

J

JThw8

New member
Figured I'd pop in and do a proper introduction.

My name is Jim and I have a car problem ;) More on that later.

My wife runs a company (Asphault Adventures) which plans group road trip adventures. We were doing a Rt66 trip this year and my plan was to buy a car and sell it when we hit Vegas (our end point) then fly home.

I like the Panther platform so I figured I'd cruise the local auctions for a cheap P71 since it should be easy to sell off a CV in Vegas.

Well to make a long story short I stumbled on a very cheap CV LX Sport. I ended up having to put a lot more time and money into it than I expected but I really came to love the car, enough so that I decided not to take it to Vegas (the last minute availability of a free rental car helped with that decision too) But I did decide to sell the Sport just because it convinced me I liked the concept enough to own the best of the breed, a Marauder of course.

So the Sport is sold and funds are on the way, I'll have some other available funds as well that I can use and I'm on the hunt for a Marauder.

Im a wrench and a tinkerer so a perfect car is not only out of budget but would probably bore me a bit. I also like to drive my cars so I see no point in paying a premium for a low mile car that won't stay low mile for long. The car won't be my daily but it will still see a fair amount of use.

I'm located in southern NJ near Philadelphia and there's a few local candidates but nothing that's just really struck the right balance yet. I'll keep hunting and in the mean time I'll keep learning more from this group.

Thanks!
Jim
 
Welcome!
Do you have a budget in mind? Lower mile cars generally get more $$, although the platform is proven to be worthy of well over 200,000 miles with care and maintenace. Do you have a mileage limit/preference? Any plans to modify it?

This will help the members here steer you towards better candidates for cars.
 
Welcome Jim ..... good name.. I like it!

Make it a must do for next June: You must come to Carlisle to meet & greet... and we'll even share the Sangria.... or a few of us will share.
 
RubberCtyRauder said:
Welcome!
Do you have a budget in mind? Lower mile cars generally get more $$, although the platform is proven to be worthy of well over 200,000 miles with care and maintenace. Do you have a mileage limit/preference? Any plans to modify it?

This will help the members here steer you towards better candidates for cars.
Click to expand...


As I noted above I'm not really looking for a lower mile car, in fact below 50k is actually a detractor to me. 100+k miles is not a concern as long as priced accordingly.

I haven't set any hard budgets or criteria because I'd rather not miss out on something great just because I set a low budget and missed out. Money is tight, the toy budget is semi self sustaining so I've sold some things and for the right car I'll sell some more or find other means.

In a money is no object world I'd be convincing member Glenn that I'm the right caretaker for his car, from a value proposition his is hard to beat.
http://mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=93780

But being reasonable with myself and my needs a sub $10k 100,000 mile plus car is probably more along the lines of what I'm looking for.

No real preferences beyond that, I'm not opposed to mods if they are tastefully done and more importantly well done, no hackjobs.

I'm not opposed to the unique colors and rather like Torreador Red.

Generally I guess I'm saying I'm fairly open, I have no problem with a fly and drive for the right car either. Heck I just drove to Vegas and back...I like driving. But fitting the time in my schedule is always difficult.

Thanks for the warm welcomes everyone.
 
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WhatsUpDOHC said:
Welcome! Exit 4, here.

Here's a DTR that's local (Mt. Laurel).

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=93783

I know that you said that you are not interested in a low mileage Marauder but wanted to let you see this car.

Mark
Click to expand...

I have run across that one in my searches and its a beauty for sure, just not what I'm looking for although I appreciate you pointing it out. At that price point I'd go for a car like I posted above (the one Glenn is selling)

Low miles just don't command a premium from me, any money spent for low mile cars is a waste because I won't leave them low mile for long :)
 
WhatsUpDOHC said:
You've seen this 300A?

http://southjersey.en.craigslist.org/cto/4510564620.html
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I have, and I've seen the carfax on it which shows different mileage than what the cluster is showing and a history of frame damage.

I'm still dumb enough to not rule it out entirely, but it would have to come down even more in price to justify the risk.

Newb question time. I see cars listed as 300A....educate me. I don't know enough of my Marauder history to understand what that means but I can't find it explained anywhere.
 
In the community forum section there is a sticky thread near top with info on 300a and 300b differences.

I would try to find one that has not really been thru winter/ snow and salt if possible unless you plan on using it in winter , IMO
 
RubberCtyRauder said:
In the community forum section there is a sticky thread near top with info on 300a and 300b differences.

I would try to find one that has not really been thru winter/ snow and salt if possible unless you plan on using it in winter , IMO
Click to expand...

Ahh, much thanks that clears it up.

My CV Sport was a winter car for someone, it's not pretty but it's nothing a few hours with a wire wheel and some chassis black couldn't fix :) Of course I didn't bother because as previously noted I hate to clean things up for sale. The salt treatment did make replacing the front suspension fun though.
 
JThw8 said:
As long as I'm getting great input and feedback this one has my attention. Thoughts? Anything stand out to you?
The over cleaned, armor all'd up engine bay annoys me. I don't like cars which are cleaned for sale, seems like something it hiding. But beyond that it seems to have potential.

http://www.gometroamerica.com/2004_Mercury_Marauder_MANHEIM_PA_228370981.veh
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Doesn't look too bad. Isn't there an auction in Manheim, PA?

I'd be wary of a Marauder on a used car lot.

Did you run this VIN?
 
WhatsUpDOHC said:
Doesn't look too bad. Isn't there an auction in Manheim, PA?

I'd be wary of a Marauder on a used car lot.

Did you run this VIN?
Click to expand...


No I haven't run this one yet and I agree I'm wary of buying off a lot, especially a car which seems well priced off a lot. (Most of the ones I see on lots are way overpriced) But if the car is as advertised its about exactly what I'd want at close to a price I'd pay.
 
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