A not very fond farewell to the Mercury Grand Marquis

[dhermann1]

I just read this in the NY Times, and thought it worth sharing.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/28/automobiles/autoreviews/28grand-marquis.html?_r=1&hp

 

[scottyrocks]

My dad has a '96 GrandMa and its probably very much the same as the current model.

The author, while exceedingly negative, apparently doesnt understand the target audience of this car, or he does, and is just so would up on modern high performance, that he cant be anywhere near objective.

Look around at who drives these things. Overwhelmingly, it is elderly ladies and gentlemen who couldnt give a hoot about more than four forward speeds, fancy seats and dashboards, rip-roaring performance, etc.

And while the may have thought that reversing the movie title for his article was clever, it actually doesnt make sense.

 

[Widebrim]

Truly is the end of an automotive era...

 

[Foofoogal]

Pitiful.

 

[Mr. Hallack]

I used to sell cars at our Ford/Mercury/Lincoln dealership. Sold probably 6 or 7 Grand Marquis, even if the customer wanted a Crown Vic (which for some reason we never had) And always the same audience (over 60) But I thought they were great cars. It really is sad to see a last piece of auto history go away!!

 

[Pompidou]

While this car might never come back, if there's demand for a bigger car, somebody will produce something similar. The problem seems to be that small cars are in. I don't know if that's entirely because of fuel costs, or if it's a space issue or just a trend in aesthetics, but aside from trucks, people are trending smaller. I'm no exception. My ideal next vehicle is a Mini Cooper. That said, it's a shame consumers won't really have much of an option for the bigger, spacier cars like this one. I'm all about variety.

 

[Foofoogal]

Well, I am not over 60 and I donated my Crown Vic and bought a Mercury Grand Marquis.
I personally want some car between me and the asphalt. Not only that but taking trips in a larger car is better all the way around.
How can there be a demand for something not even being made. V8 means it gets up and goes when you need it to get up and go....Pitiful. Guess I will drive mine till the tires fall off now.

 

[scottyrocks]

V8 means it gets up and goes when you need it to get up and go....Pitiful.

That was one of the author's points. For all its V-8ness, it doesnt have all that much get up and go.

If you want some get up and go . . .

Last year, I went into a local Ford dealership and asked about a Crown Vic Police Interceptor. Its supposed to be available to us regular folk special order, just without the lights and sirens. I was given some vague answer about them not being able to get one. Maybe it was already at the point that they werent being manufactured anymore.

 

[Foofoogal]

The Crown Vic I donated had a Romeo engine in it that honey dropped into it plus the transmission out of a police car that had about 1200 miles on it when it crashed.
We got the engine at a scrap yard. Honey was a GM mechanic once upon a time.
Now that car would get up and go.
I still don't want a small car by any means.

 

[scottyrocks]

Ive driven my dad's Grand Marquis. The seats are awful (for me). The are so soft that my back aches for hours after I get out of it. I liked the idea of the PI package because the seats, as well as the suspension, are supposed to be firmer. Of course, th extra hp, and hd battery and alternator are nice too.

 

[Mr. Hallack]

I'm thinking all states do this, but go to the police auctions and you'll be able to get a police interceptor. Might need a little work but they will go and go and go. One of our local cab companies that I drove for are all former state trooper police interceptors. And they MOVE!!