So I drove an 02 today....ehhh...it's o..k.

[AZ94Q]

Come on heavy..

The marauder?

That is literally the slowest car EVER with 300 hp... Look at the 1/4 mile times..

Simply AWFULL..

Please, don't buy that car.

It plain sucks..

Even if you do modify it.. It's still a big POS.. Crappy old chasis, crap suspension.. Crap interior..

It's like modifying a crx.. unfortunately it's still a crx..

There is a reason they dropped down to 27k without flinching.. the cars suck, and nobody is buying them.. They are turdish slow for their power output.. They handle and brake like ***..

The interior is pure FORD, which means pure ugly.. the exterior is kind of mean looking.. The best thing about the car is the exhaust note, which the performance can't back up..

Please, don't do it.

[WesAllen]

Somebody stop me, I just got back from a test drive of an 04 Marauder.

Sticker 35k, dropped his drawers to 27k without batting an eye, bet I can get it for 25k.

Don't tell me about all the negative things comapred to my Q. I already know, but sometimes you can't always get what you want, plus an 03 Cobra swap could be future project.

QX56 too large, Brian. Really don't want a Ute, but the QX45 was kind of a crossover-ute-not-a-ute-not-a-van-not-a-stationwagon thingy.

I think that you mean the FX45. Which I think would be a good choice.

[szh]

QX56 too large, Brian. Really don't want a Ute, but the QX45 was kind of a crossover-ute-not-a-ute-not-a-van-not-a-stationwagon thingy.

My original confusion is whether you meant a QX4 or an FX45. Based on this post, I think you are refererring to the FX45, right?

Z

[Rex]

Well, since the FX35 & FX45 are the same size (& it's not my money), I say FX35 with the SC .

[HeavyDuty]

Now I'm really looking like a dumba$$, yes, the FX45, not QX4, sorry.

The funky looking crossover ute with the V8.

[szh]

It's certainly an interesting vehicle - I hesitate calling it a car - and the engine is certainly great! My wife and I thought about the FX35 last fall for her, but came to the conclusion that it is too "non-car-like" for her. So, the G35 was a better choice (although we actually ended up getting an M45 )!

But, you may well think otherwise! The FX35 and FX45 seem to be getting some sales traction ... maybe even better than the M45.

Z

[HeavyDuty]

I *kinda* like the FX, but think I'd be bored with the 35 as opposed to 45.

Marauder, Vortech aftercooled, gears, converter, full exhaust I'm in the 12's standing on my head.

Not to turn this into a marauder discussion, but there were some nice upgrades to the suspension & steering systems in 03. I drove one as a rental last weekend, wasn't too bad. BIG but not awful.

I know I'll wind up doing nothing, probably, but time's drawing near where I can't afford the down time here & there on my 91Q.

Thanks very much for all you guys' input.

[Rex]

Ok, am I the only one that thought he was talking about the Murano?

Sorry for the confusion that some of my posts may have made.

[Rex]

If you're gonna go that way, then GO





She likes ...

Looks best with no front tag

[AZ94Q]

Sorry, but the excuse of "you can modify the hell out of it" is the excuse ford flag wavers have been using for decades, for absolutely atrocious performance..

You can take a crown vic, and make it do that as well..

It's still an age old chasisA nasty interioretc etc..

For all that money you need to make the maurader "decent" you can easily get a supercharger for the Q, and make it do the same thing..

If you want a ford/lincoln, why not a get a late model mark VIII LSC.. those are nice rides.. quick from the factory, better handling the the maurder, and way sexier..

[Rex]

Keep in mind he needs to be able to fit 3 kids seats in the car, BTW is the back seat of the Marauder big enough?

Oh wait, next year the G35 Wagon will be out

[AZ94Q]

I just hate the maurader.. I hate the kenny brown edition as well..

It's fast, but the suspension hasn't been addressed at all (except lowered springs) and only the front brakes have been modified...

I could do so much more with 16,000 to a Q..

Heavy: you should go check out the new Chrysler 300C with the hemi.. maybe that will be up your ally..

[Rex]

... Heavy: you should go check out the new Chrysler 300C with the hemi.. maybe that will be up your ally..

Now THERE'S an idea, the wagon would offer 3rd row seating.

[Jesda]

I drooled over Marauders before I finally got my Q. Hell of a nice package. Never drove one, just looked at a few up close. I wish the interior was nicer... but if you can score one for $25k why not? The resale on Crown Vics/Grand Marqs isnt that bad. And its a proven design with a decent aftermarket.

I bet by next year a 300C will go for around $25k. I trust Chrysler more than DaimlerBenz. We'll see how that goes.

-Jesda

[maxnix]

Ahhh...you mean FX45. Kinda of fun in a big get-out-of-my-way manner. I figure it is the car a teenage mutant ninja turtle would lust after. I do like the rear seats and how they are set up higher than the front for visibility.

I wonder if it is as fast as an M45? I bet it is very close, but AWD may make it faster in some real world conditions.

[HeavyDuty]

02 Q at a screaming deal: ~30k, but avg mileage 24-30,000 mi.03 M45 leftover, ~35k, totally cool, but too small.04 Marauder also good deal, ~25-28k but new, 0 mi.03 FX45 ~37-40k, avg mileage, 12-15,000 mi

Thing is, I know the Marauder will have a shorter lifespan, as indicated by my 170k mile Q45. Plus all the little stuff on the Marauder will start being an issue at around 120k mi?

Marauder would be cheap & easy to repair, though.

I do like the new Chrysler 300C, just a little concerned about quality there more so than the Mercury.

My children are 2x 3.5 yrs @ 30lbs each (twins), and one 7yrs @ 45lbs. All need to be in car seats until 80 lbs. They can play soccer in the back of the Marauder, and if they get unruly, I can get all three of them in the trunk along with enough luggage for a trip to California. By buddy called it the Soprano sized trunk.

[rsiwicki]

I just don't trust American cars yet.....reliability just is not there as compared to the Japanese. Year after year....The Japanese cars are always consistently ahead in reliability. Even the European cars are now tied with American reliability.

I don't know the true statistics...but I notice a lot more 90-96 Q's on the road compared to 90-96 Mustangs or Cameros and they built a ton those Mustangs & Cameros.

[Jesda]

You cant modify anything, when considering modifications in a practical context. Ford products have tremendously more aftermarket performance potential due to mass-market distribution. So if performance is the end goal, a Ford product would be an affordable and fitting purchase.

I wouldnt call the interior "nasty" at all. I sat in a Marauder and found it comfortable, coherently laid out, and very pleasant, but not ritzy enough for the price. It looks good for a $27k sedan, but looks cheap for a $35k performance vehicle. Of course, if luxury was a vital part of the Marauder at all, it would be a Lincoln and called something entirely different. I dont think Ford PAG wanted Marauder sales to eat into the Lincoln LS V8.

Perhaps a Crown Vic is the way to go (there's a sport edition now), then add your own modifications.

And 8-10 year old Mustangs and F-bodies are like insects. Theyre everywhere. Kids dig 'em! Theyre rattly, smelly, and unrefined but they do what most young buyers want them to do -- go forward fast. And any teenager with a part time job is willing to give his entire paycheck for that kind of cheaply available torque.

I dont see many 90-93 Qs on the road as much as I used to in years past, thanks to suicidal engines. But the 94-96 models are scattered about in decent numbers.

If it were me, I'd take an M45. If I had kids, I'd make the wife drive them around and pick up a used $5000 Plymouth Voyager. Dont need ice cream and vomit on my fine leather surfaces.

-Jesda

[Rex]

... If I had kids, I'd make the wife drive them around and pick up a used $5000 Plymouth Voyager. Dont need ice cream and vomit on my fine leather surfaces.

I think he's going through the big D and I don't mean Dallas , thus his car needs and budget constraints.

[HeavyDuty]

Rex is the reminder of the purpose of the thread. Thanks Bud!

I'm getting a little panicky about needs that are coming quicker than expected.

Jesda, thanks for the vote of confidence. I don't see anything wrong, necessarily, about the Marauder interior. Beats the crap out of the mom & pop Panthers. Sometimes a good deal is just that & no more. You can't always get what you want, but you get what you need. I could think of worse things than a 14 or 13 second Panther to bust around in.

AZ94Q, may I ask how old you are? I just turned 37 & suspect that if you're in the teens or twenties, I could expect no other response than what you're giving. I was the same way, suddenly when I turned 35, I started lusting after high horsepower sedans. Guess that's good fodder for the 35-49 age group, huh?

[AZ94Q]

I will not bash on the marauder anymore.

Go read that kenny brown article

It sums it up right there...

Read the first two paragraphs.. They sum up the stock peformance of the marauder quite clearly..

[AZ94Q]

Heavy,

For the record..

"I was the same way, suddenly when I turned 35, I started lusting after high horsepower sedans."

Hey now I love high horsepower sedans, I am driving Q right?

Yes, I'm in my twenties

I doubt you want a BMW, but a 740il with the sport package, is a very nice car, with more then adaquete legroom.

The 740i sport is even better, if you don't need the rear legroom.

[QShip]

HD, get what makes you happy. Like you, I'm a car lover. Not a Nissan only lover.

I'll be 35 next month and I have 3 boys; 10, 9 and 2. Life keeps getting better for me each day.

I do what is best for me and my family. I doesn't matter to me what people think about my decisions.

[maxnix]

Jason, I think you need two vehicles (at least) for your roles. One should be a tank (Suburban or big Ford sedan) for transporting the kids and their stuff, the other vehicle should be for you alone, and maybe a friend.

It's difficult to get a tank to handle and go like a motorcycle.__________________Brian1995 Q45 & Q45t & 2000 Q45

Discover the power of the button!

[Q45Viper]

Heavy said..." do like the new Chrysler 300C, just a little concerned about quality there more so than the Mercury."

HEAVY, HEAVY....Listen up! Go shop that car right now. The transmission, and both complete front and rear axle and suspension packages are off the E class mercedes. All the switch gear is Mercedes. Mercedes content is close to 80%. Built in Canada. 0-60 5.2 I drove one this weekend, with every single option you cannot break $38,000 at STICKER. Knock off a few options like Nav and you're lower than $35,000. Did I mention power adjustable pedals, Sirius radio all included at that price. This car is at a USED M45 price! Very impressive, people in BMWs and Mercedes were hitting the brakes and roaring in and gushing over it when I was at the dealer. I've got a connection at a dealer that ships nationwide and gives good deals if you want a hook up. Oh, has HUGE back seat and footroom, comparable to 7 series BMW, more that twice our Qs footroom. I was SHOCKED by this car, this is the kind of vehicle that is finally being produced by the Chrysler/Mercedes merger, a Hemi in a car that is mostly E class. And if you don't need the Hemi at 340HP the car starts at around $22,000 and with the big V6 at around $27,00 or so, still 250HP at that level.

[Jesda]

Viper makes a damn good point. And it seems (looking at thie Automobile Magazine article) the the 300C incorporates a lot of DaimlerBenz mechanicals, while avoiding their trashy electronics.

[HeavyDuty]

HEAVY, HEAVY....Listen up! Go shop that car right now. The transmission, and both complete front and rear axle and suspension packages are off the E class mercedes.

I liked it at first sight, although, as Jesda mentioned, Automobile magazine editor Mr. Davis is fond of the pentastar brand, I'll give credit and opportunity its due.

Man, that 300C does eloquently state "Poppa's home."

Sorry to knock the brand, but my first (and last) experience was a 79 Dodge Aspen wagon with a 225, (after I totalled my SS454 in high school)

Yeah, Dad fixed my a$$ with THAT one.

Oh the blasphemy!! I'll have to pull the headlights outta my 88 5.0 coupe if I bring that beast into the garage!

I've really enjoyed this interaction with you guys. Thanks for taking the time.

[bbdaines]

this thread has been truly entertaining.. mostly useless, but... oh, by the way, tell us how you really feel about the maurader. lol

Good Night Gents

[Jason B]

IIRC - there's a TSB for throttle tip in, that may address this issue, Jason B can you confirm or deny?

Yes, this is true. There are about 3 updates and replacement of the TCM. Fact is, most 2002's don't have this done. It's a tsb, not a mandatory dealer fix, unless you complain about it.

I had these fixes done and it's a NIGHT and DAY difference. 2002's will be better gas mileage than 2003's with new gearing. 2

Autospies even did a write-up on the fixes for the 2002.

________________________

Dear 001,

For a car with 340 horsepower and 333 foot-pounds of torque, you would think that the new Infiniti Q45 would be "snappier" than it is. The ads claimed 0-60 in 5.9, but that must have been downhill. In a hurricane. The car didn't "feel" that fast. Quick, but not fast.

At least that's how I felt before I took my car into the Infiniti dealership for a software reprogram. It seems that everything electronic is getting updated these days. You buy a new piece of software for your computer, and there's a patch out the very next week. You buy a new digital camera, and the manufacturer has an "upgrade" with new features for you to download off of their Web site. With a car as technically complex as the Infiniti Q45, a software "upgrade" didn't surprise me.

What surprised me was that this upgrade wasn't for a new radio or navigation feature. It was to give the car more muscle. And oh boy, did it work.

Infiniti calls it the ITB-02048 update. The first part of the fix replaces the accelerator pedal with one with a bit less lag in the pedal itself. Nice update. Good update. The second part of the update doesn't involve any new parts - it is all ones and zeros, but it's what makes the big difference.

It reprograms the Engine Control Module. Shifting and acceleration are totally different. Night and day difference. The car shifts like the little G35. It's gone from Oldsmobile shifting (no offense) to German shifting, and from a stop the car feels so much faster.

The Infiniti service manager says the reprogram changes shift points, spark firing timing, and fuel injection timing. For marketing's sake, I can't believe that Infiniti isn't promoting this update more, as it would make all current-generation Q45 owners very happy and also get the media to take a look at the car once again. And thankfully, for Infiniti's sake, it's a very nice improvement.

FULL ARTICLE on AutoSpies - http://www.imakenews.com/autospies/e_ar ... s3,aNvhT3N

[SFBayQ45]

Now THERE'S an idea, the wagon would offer 3rd row seating.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think these Magnums have a 3rd row seat option...at least not yet.