2003 Grand Marquis?

In reply to Keith Tanner:

We have the back-up camera in the Sportwagen, and even I'll admit at how handy it is when parallel parking. So with a LCD screen head unit it gets us back-up camera capability, HD radio, Bluetooth streaming and hands free calling all at once.

Wheels, will stay stock, I can't imagine a reason to change them, unless they're really that ugly, but while we didn't technically buy the car sight unseen, it's been a while since I've seen it, and even then I didn't pay too close attention.

Yes, yes, I agree, exhaust is a little silly for this car, but going down the rabbit hole as one does when researching things got me to the video I mentioned above. Kid gets Borla to give him exhaust to put on his grandpa's car, it's really drawn out, and way too long of a video, but for some reason I watched most of it. That lead me to research exhaust options.

Exhaust install begins at 10:30, yes really that far in, pay off, grandpa hearing his new exhaust begins at about 18:00. https://www.youtube.com/embed/iBZby_UahZ0

I went for a very affordable set of used Mustang wheels with decent rubber for the summer, dedicated snows on the stock rims. I agree with Keith about the exhaust, my wife does not appreciate an exhaust that can set off car alarms. The MGM had mildly tinted windows when I got it, which suit it perfectly. Been driving in Canadian winter with snow tires and the traction control, which seems to be doing fine so far, and yes hooning is inevitable...

In reply to Keith Tanner:

I know it may be a bit off, but the 2v sounds so damn good uncorked.

15 inch wheels? In 2003? I thought all post 98 Panthers got 16s regardless of trim. Unless you just meant 225-60-16.

Anyway, with such low miles, I would definitely check over all hoses and the serpentine. Also, Some years on the MGM had issues with the number pads on the door killing the battery. Yours may not even have it, but if it does, I would do some reading on that. They may have had them sorted out by 2003. My '99 had its door pad disconnected. Another issue that some panthers had has to do with the lighting module going out, causing the headlights to not turn on or worst yet, malfunction at night. I would replace that ASAP, as I am about 90% sure the 2003s are affected. My knowledge is a bit hazy, though.

Places like Crownvic.net are good resources, but as with any marque/platform specific forum, there's a lot of white noise. Just don't pick up the itch to impersonate a cop.

What color is it? My MGM was black. A LOT of people would drive super slowly in front of me at night.

2003 was the year the cars for revised suspension and higher offset wheels. 05+ mustang wheels are a direct bolt on, and we all know mustang wheels are cheap on Craigslist. If you know you need tires...maybe you can get lucky with a set of take offs?

Also, you should definitely not go to ADTR.net

In reply to Esoteric Nixon:

Yes 16", I ninja edited earlier from my phone, but wasn't really where I could write a new post.

It's red-ish I guess burgundy/maroon, don't know if it has the number pad or not. It will get a through inspection, but I still haven't seen it. Well I've seen it, just not in a while, or through the eye's of a prospective owner, you know what I mean.

I'm already lobbying for a push bar, alley light, and a bunch of antennas, fully expecting the road in front of me to part like the Red Sea.

SWMBO's mom was at her mom's (Grandma's) house this week to check on things, she texted that the car started and has 3/4 tank of gas.

In reply to failboat:

Yes the talk of wheels earlier got me to search Craigslist, specifically for Mustang wheels, amazing what $150 will net you in OEM trailer park special Mustang wheels.

I found ADTR the other day via one of the related forums while researching sway bars.

Unrelated, but I don't think I've ever told you just how big of a Frisky Dingo fan I am, I've got the entire series on my media server. Adam Reed is amazing, of course Selab 2021 (also on the server) and Archer are great too.

A coworker has a P71. He says being mistaken for a cop is a PITA. People drive slow in front of you, especially on two lane roads.

My father had an 88 Grand Marquis. My mother referred to it as a "waterbed on wheels"

It's an LS, leather, heated/power seats, analog dash, & needs tires.

It's ours now.

In reply to bigdaddylee82:

You need to take the chrome fender trim off ASAP. It'll look 5x better.

Came here to post this '03 Marauder with 136,000 miles for $6k.

nmna

Also, I have never seen a Matador Red Grand Marquis of that era. That is quite sharp.

G_Body_Man wrote: In reply to bigdaddylee82: You need to take the chrome fender trim off ASAP. It'll look 5x better.

Ehhh, it'll still look like a Grand Maquis. I assume those are original, but SWMBO's grandpa might have put them on there, I doubt it, but I wonder because he did put a thick chrome laurel leaf license plate frame on it.

Grandpa passed away in '13, he was WWII Navy vet, he met his wife in London during the war, so there's a small US flag sticker in the rear driver (his) side and a small Union Jack flag sticker on the passenger (her) side.

Also the car is a 2005, not an '03. I was originally told it was a '98, which we knew was wrong, then we were told by someone who will remain nameless, "I've got the title, it's an '03," which is what I used for my valuation. Now that we actually have the title it's an '05.

It's got a little over 23K miles on it, according to the window sticker it was due for an oil change in July of '15, but is still ~2K miles short of the sticker's recommended mileage it should be changed at. Oil on the dip stick looks fresh and golden still. Did I mention this thing hasn't been driven much?

I've put about 40 miles on it today, so far my general pseudo-car reviewer personality has found: it's comfy, that power lumbar is nice, it's not near as floaty as I anticipated, it's got a respectable amount of get-up-and-go, steering is a little more responsive than I expected, i.e. don't lean too far to reach something with one hand at 12 o'clock, the car will go the direction you lean, the trunk is literally cavernous, thoughts of fitted subwoofer enclosures instantly popped into my head when I opened the trunk. The not so great things that stand out: ergonomics leave something to be desired, the radio is out of reach without leaning for me and there's no steering wheel controls, the cup holders are a joke, and the cruise control is almost useless on rolling hills, but all-in-all it seems like it'll be a great all around appliance.

We haven't decided on a name yet, we were floating around the idea of "The Lusitania II," Lou for short, but our straw polling showed that was a poor choice. "Hermes" was a contender for a short while, but now "USS Gramps" or "CPO Gramps" seems like it might be appropriate. I also pitched out "Pillar of Autumn" and "Forward Unto Dawn," but I'm not too confident that either name will stick.

In reply to bigdaddylee82:

You could always call it The Arbiter. It's hard to argue with 4000lbs of steel, and it looks like it will be a great influence on your family's mobility. The Halo backstory of Arbiter being a bestowed title that was initially of great honor but eventually became a rank assigned to disgraced and shamed Elites is also oddly fitting to the Grand Marquis as a vehicle.

Keith Tanner wrote: A coworker has a P71. He says being mistaken for a cop is a PITA. People drive slow in front of you, especially on two lane roads.

Witnessed this first hand last night. No one does the speed limit around here, I'm normally 5 mph over with a line of tailgaters behind me. Guy in front of me was speeding along until I got behind him, then he was ~3 mph below the speed limit until I turned off.

Esoteric Nixon wrote: Another issue that some panthers had has to do with the lighting module going out, causing the headlights to not turn on or worst yet, malfunction at night. I would replace that ASAP, as I am about 90% sure the 2003s are affected. My knowledge is a bit hazy, though.

Does this lighting module have anything to do with the dash lights too? The dash lights are dim, and flicker a little. I was blaming the dimmer rheostat, but remembered you mentioning the lighting module. Though dimmer may still be the culprit, if I turn the interior lights on and back off again I can get the dash lights to stay full bright for a few minutes before they go dim again.

21.6 MPG on an average-ish commute with some cold morning warm-up idling mixed in on the first full tank. The 340 miles on a tank is a hard pill to swallow when you're used to going ~530+ between fill ups.

I guess that's okay for a 4.6l V8 powered RWD leather couch.

In reply to bigdaddylee82:

Yep. Even the same color as my Mom's.

It's reasonably good handling, for a sofa.

Even if kind of soft, they do handle predictably

Still holding solid at 21 MPGs. I put a set of OE size, Cooper CS5 Grand Touring tires on it about 2 weeks ago, and got it aligned, it was chewing up the inside front tires. I hoped tires and an alignment might boost the MPGs a mile or two, but there seems to be no difference.

Based on some web research, and warnings earlier in this thread, I'm pretty sure it needs a new lighting control module. I got a new-to-me light switch from eBay, and it didn't make any difference to the flickering/dimming dash lights. All interior dash lights are affected, cluster, HVAC, and radio flickering and/or going dim at the same time. There's allegedly a recall for the module, I guess if it's still active a Ford dealer would honor it, seeing as there's no Mercury dealers anymore? Worst case Dorman makes a replacement module with good reviews for ~$80.

I need to go to the dealer to get a new key anyway, so if they can do a recall on the light control module at the same time I might not feel as bad about how they're going to stick it to me for a key programing.

I had a CEL pop on, on the way to work this morning, didn't notice any performance issues, and figured it'd be something minor. Looks like I might need a new gas cap, I'm pretty diligent about making sure the cap clicks 3+ times when closing, and I'm the only one that's put fuel in it since we got it.

I tightened the cap some more and cleared the code, maybe it's "fixed" now?

Otherwise, the car is performing as well as can be expected. The new tires really improved the ride quality, not that it was bad by most comparisons to begin with. If I could get consistent dash lights and a modern headunit in the thing, I'll be satisfied for a little while longer.

I've gotten used to the brakes now, but was really considering some braided stainless lines, a more aggressive pad, and possibly larger rotors there for the first couple of weeks. Even after getting used to them, I wouldn't mind a little more stopping performance, all the years driving those VW diesels with their stellar compression braking have spoiled me.

I won't lie, thoughts of stiffer sway bars for flatter cornering have entered my mind often too, the town we live in has gone nuts with replacing stop lights with round-a-bouts.

All in due time, dash lights, keys, radio, and maybe window tint are priority now.

Any Ford or Lincoln dealer should be able to perform the recall and reprogramming.

Sometimes the gas caps take a couple more clicks on the newer cars. No idea why.

Hawk makes their HPS pads for an 05 Grand Marquis. Pretty good, although they do create a bit more dust than stock. Reasonably priced, too.

The biggest handling thing you can do is high quality monotube shocks and struts. KYB Gas-A-Justs are almost as comfy as stock, but are noticeably better at keeping body motions in check. They're cheap, too. I'd try them before sway bars.

OEM HPP rear sway bar was a huge improvement on my 99 marquis. Of course those earlier cars had a different suspension design and I think were more floaty. I also was running rear P71 springs for a few months.

RE: frisky dingo related... Netflix has a new animated series called Pacific Heat. I am not sure why it has such poor ratings on Netflix, but its like a low budget Australian knock off of Archer. I have been streaming it on my phone and just listening at work, I think its hilarious.

G_Body_Man wrote: In reply to Keith Tanner: I know it may be a bit off, but the 2v sounds so damn good uncorked.

agreed, the muffler on my 5.4 F250 rusted out so i cut it off so nows its just the stock cat to a straight pipe and it sounds like a mustang. since its a stick i can let the rpm hang and on decel brabbles and pops and sounds awesome

I called around, seems the cheapest I'll get a key for is $200.

The internet is wrong, hard to imagine isn't it? There isn't a "recall" on the lighting control module. However, the warranty on it was extended to 15 years or 250K miles. That's quite a warranty extension!

There's also an open recall on the steering shaft, or rack, I forget now which they said, they inspect something and then determine if something should be done.

Bummer of it is I have to approve $129 diag before they can confirm it's indeed the lighting control module or not. Hard to imagine a Ford place in AR higher than the Nissan dealer I worked at in OH, we only charged $99 there. Even thought it's a more expensive gamble than just buying the Dorman module, letting the dealer do it has potential to come out costing me nothing. I know how the game works, I'll approve the diag, and at least figure out whats wrong, all while hoping it is the lighting control module that I suspect.

I should probably get under the dash and start jiggling some wires before I schedule an appointment though, I'd hate to be out $129 only to find out there was a loose connection.