Hey all, I'm fixing to buy a 2006 Mercury Grand Marquis GS, I took one for a test drive and really enjoyed it, may more comfy than 1990 Colony Park, but about as fast.

I just have some questions for Grand Marquis owners;

Are these cars reliable? I know the 98 and older models had cruddy transmissions (the CP went through 2).

Friends of mine are saying the modular 4.6L V8 won't get me the 25+mpg on the highway as my 302 did, but I hear alot of people saying they do get 25 or more on the highway, can you confirm this? (I mean the car does 1500 rpm @ 70mph)

How are they in the snow? The one I looked at had traction control, but I don't know how they'll compare to the posi I had in the Colony Park.

Is there anything I should watch out for when owning this car? I know they're slow, I wouldn't be interested in buying a Detroit Dinosaur if they could run toe to toe with a Challenger SRT8 lol.

 

many things can be done to a Colony Park to upgrade it... i know a guy who has i think a 1990 Country Squire that used his for autocross... i personally prefer the 5.0L power due to cheaper mods and fact parts for repairs are cheaper...

 

I have a 2009 Mercury GM LS which is basically the same as the 06 & on a round trip from Seattle WA to Galveston TX I averaged 28 mpg on a 5,500 mile round trip. City mpg is 14-16 with the low winter driving & the high summer driving. The trip to Texas was done last November. There were problem with the early 4.6L when they first come out int the 1990,s but those bugs have been worked out & the car is highly reliable as it should be with nearly 2 decades of use.

I did real good in the snow with Bridgestones Blizzaks snow tires, which were the tires that were on it when I went to Texas. I left a comment on them in the tire section.

 

That is what I have been hearing, they sound like solid cars but I figured I would try a forum and get some input.

After doing some more online shopping I have found 8 more '06 or newer Grand Marquis that have up to 10,000 less miles and cost 2000 to 3000 less than the one I test drove yesterday

*Yesterday's test drive was a 2006 LS Premium with 42,000 miles but the asking price at Kenny Ross Ford was 13,900, which seemed incredibly steep, and as I have seen it's the highest priced LS in the area with under 50,000 miles*

I also stumbled upon a 2005 LS with 28,000 miles for about $10,000

 

There are many newer models for sale for what seems to be a reasonable price. That is because they are rentals that are now on the market. They are easy to tell. They all have the emblem "Executive Edition" on the front fenders, they do not have fog lights, only the driver's seat is power, missing center overhead console, no rear speakers, have rear coil springs instead of air bags which results in a rougher ride, but better handling.

This is what I have as the price was right. But it is something you want to keep in mind.

 

air ride is nothing more than a headache to repair when it goes bad... cheaper to maintain springs and shocks then air ride... plus crashed police cars are becoming easier to find for suspension upgrade to these cars in the handling area...

 

Between Tucson and Phoenix trips (approx 100 miles), my 2009 GM LS averages 28.2 MPG in every fill up. I drive around 82MPH on these trips.

Around town, the car seems to be in the 16 to 19 MPG range.

FWIW, I use off brand 89 octane gas.

My previous cars have been a 2001 Impala (with 3.8 V6), and a 1991 Crown Vic before that (with 4.6l V8). Comparing the experience of Impala vs Crown Vic ownership made me head straight for a Grand Marquise.

BTW, there are many 'fleet return' 2009 and 2010 Grand Marquise out there that sell for $16K, and have remaining 3/36 warranty.

Let us know how you make out, Bill

 

My 2008 GM has only 15,000 miles. Last summer at 12,XXX miles my fuel pump died on a trip down south. I have lost a lot of confidence in this car after that incidence. Stranded in 96F heat waiting for Ford Roadside assistance took 4 hours, and I had to fight them for 3 months to pay for my rental as they fixed my fuel pump under warranty.