2005 Mercury Grand Marquis

[Johnny]

I think I'm getting ready to buy one of these from a good friend. Car has 40K, it has been maintained with a steady diet of Motorcraft 5W-20. It's the LS model, pretty loaded up with accessories.

Good car? What kind of mileage can one expect?

 

[rg200amp]

My mom has one. Great car. Bullet proof engine.

Being a big V8, the MPG are really not that bad. I have seen high 20s even low 30s mpg on the highway.

You will have a great long life with it**








**After you switch it over to Pennzoil Platnium!! LOL

 

[UNC094]

What a minute, this sounds like a possible company car??!! That would mean less posting on BITOG

Curious minds need to know Johnny

.

 

[daves87rs]

Co worker has a 2002..It's been a good car for her. It has almost 200k on it (between work and school), and I think she just put new tires on it.

I'll ask her if she had to replace anything recently....

 

[oldmaninsc]

Originally Posted By: rg200amp
My mom has one. Great car. Bullet proof engine.

Being a big V8, the MPG are really not that bad. I have seen high 20s even low 30s mpg on the highway.

You will have a great long life with it**


**After you switch it over to Pennzoil Platnium!! LOL


I wouldn't call a 4.6 V8 a "big V8"
But I agree they get very good MPG for a big car. I have an 04 MGM, and I get about 17 - 18 around town, and as high as 29 on the freeway.
Last Thanksgiving I did a 3,000 mile round trip with 4 adults, and a very loaded trunk. I averaged just over 25 for the whole trip and got as high as 27. This was driving from San Diego area to Seattle Washington. Lots of hills, lots of rain.

I also have the LS. I bought it just over a year ago - put about 20k miles on it. No problems at all.
FWIW I've been using Pennzoil Platinum 5W-20 with Motorcraft filter.

 

[Bror Jace]

Dad has had several of these cars over the last 2 decades. The new 4.6L is pretty decent. The first ones (like their 5.0L fathers) could become oil burners once they passed 60,000-80,000 miles. I think the problem was lousy valve stem seals which have since been improved.

At around the 50,000-60,000 point, Dad's PCV system (not the valve, but the hoses) began to leak and the car lost power. I boogered it up with RTV and that tied him over until he could get a new hose system from the dealership for about $25.

I think these motors should last well past 125,000 with typical decent care. The transmissions are much bigger question marks but I wouldn't let this stop me from getting one. So what if you have to rebuild a transmission every 80,000 - 100,000 miles? It's worth it if you like the car and want to keep it ... and it's a lot cheaper than getting a new vehicle.

 

[Johnny]

Originally Posted By: BR549
What a minute, this sounds like a possible company car??!! That would mean less posting on BITOG

Curious minds need to know Johnny

.


No sir, I've just always wanted either a Grand Marquis or a Crown Vic. I like the size and the style of the car. Plus, I have a buyer for my Jeep Wrangler. I loved the Jeep but the gas mileage just plain sucked, and my wife had a hard time getting in and out of it. The Grand Marquis, if I get it will mainly be used for road trips. If I get it the first thing I will do in change out all of the fluids, engine, transmission, and differential. Speaking of differential, what weight do these things like?

 

[Steve S]

I really like the C/V ,Marquis ,Marader myself.

 

[GMGuy]

The cv/gms have your typical ford 8.8. Trac-lok optional. I've got Amsoil 75w90 in mine.

Alex.

 

[terminaldegree]

I rented one once and thought it was quite pleasant to drive.
My only gripes were: backseat legroom (less than you'd expect for a car this size, but still fine), weird shaped trunk (it's still enormous), and tinny sounding doors when you shut 'em. I'm not a ford guy, but I could see myself driving one if I didn't live way up here like you do, Johnny! (or maybe I can get one with snow tires and a locking rear end) It looked like it would be easy to do DIY maintenance on it, though the placement of the oil filter was a little weird and potentially messy.

 

[chevrofreak]

On my 96 Crown Vic the oil filter is a slight pain. I don't know if the position is any different for the newer models.

When I drive it up on the ramps, I have to crank the steering wheel to the right to make room to remove and install the filter.