Considering an 05 Mercury Grand Marquis

[Elkins45]

I don't necessarily need another vehicle but the idea of having a big ol' trunk to haul stuff on a grocery run or trip to the shooting range has me considering buying some sort of road pig. There a 2005 Grand Marquis with fancy trim level and 60K miles listed at a dealer for $4999. I figure they would probably take $4500 for it. Auto check report is clean.

Good idea? Dumb idea?

 

[TheLawnRanger]

I'm not sure about the price, but it's not a dumb idea if you can afford it and can get good use out of it and it makes you happy. The low mileage is a positive. Check the carfax.

 

[FirstNissan]

I think for the low miles, if in good condition $4500 is a fair price. From what I know, mechanically it is the same as the crown vic, and those have been known to be quite bulletproof as well as very easy/cheap to work on when things need to get fixed.

 

[GMguy84]

$5000 for a 14 year old panther car ?? LOL um NO !!!!!!!! I have owned several police vics and have come to learn those panther cars are CHEAP if you know where to look

I would look on facebook market or Offer up in your area. You won't believe the CRAZY good deal you can find on there !!!

I scored a loaded Sunroof/DVD system clean title '01 Suburban for $1400 on facebook a few months ago. Drove it 250 miles home no issues !!

Also I would suggest the 06+newer versions of those cars, they are a HUGE upgrade vs 05 and older


Dave

 

[Y_K]

I think, it's the first year of the 'bad' AT mod by Ford. And for the money, I could have 2 of those in my market. Low miles may mean nothing, maintenance record should be spotless for the money. A lot of times low mile cars have too many problems.
Bushings, gaskets, seals, etc. Be patient, panthers are not exactly rare birds. AC unit on those: check all positions, they frequently get stuck in defrost only, etc. And easy fix most of the time if you are handy.
And that antenna is a major price negotiation piece.

Good luck!

 

[tig1]

Up to and including the 1995 had problems with valve stem seals leaking with the 4.6. Starting with the 1996 that problem was solved. I owned a 96 Merc GM and sold it with 218K and never had a problem with it. The 05 should be a fine car for the money.

 

[MuzzleFlash40]

I've had many panthers over the years most recent models were a 2004 and a 2006 Grand Marquis as well as driving CVPI's at work. Great cars. On here there is a line where you either love them or you hate them. The same people hating on them would pay that price for the same year Accord with similar miles and condition. $4k is fair for that car with those miles as long as it is in great shape. Used car prices are ridiculous compared to even 5 years ago.

 

[Elkins45]

Originally Posted by Y_K
I think, it's the first year of the 'bad' AT mod by Ford. And for the money, I could have 2 of those in my market. Low miles may mean nothing, maintenance record should be spotless for the money. A lot of times low mile cars have too many problems.
Bushings, gaskets, seals, etc. Be patient, panthers are not exactly rare birds. AC unit on those: check all positions, they frequently get stuck in defrost only, etc. And easy fix most of the time if you are handy.
And that antenna is a major price negotiation piece.

Good luck!


I'm just not finding these $2000 cars you guys are talking about unless they have nearly 200K miles on them. There are some ragged out Crown Vics but they were cop cars that were probably thrashed on their whole lives.

 

[Linctex]

A friend of mine bought a 2011 Crown Vic at an auction with only 82,000 miles

It was a "detective's car", so it doesn't have a million holes drilled everywhere.

$2,300 ...... I think he just about stole it.

 

[HangFire]

No comparison between a low mileage 60K private owner car, and a ragged out police car with 200K miles and many times the normal number of idling hours.

Good news, these cars are very well supported in aftermarket parts, service procedures, and forum DIY knowledge.

 

[dave1251]

Originally Posted by HangFire
No comparison between a low mileage 60K private owner car, and a ragged out police car with 200K miles and many times the normal number of idling hours.

Good news, these cars are very well supported in aftermarket parts, service procedures, and forum DIY knowledge.



I agree and the price is reasonable. OP try to knock a few hundred dollars off the asking price its worth a try.

 

[Y_K]

May be your market is different, no argument there. I have just paid $3k for a 04 MGM in immaculate condition with 72k miles from an old man, who couldn't drive any longer, but took fantastic care of it for his wife. He went by the book, e.g. oil changes every 6 months even it had only 400 miles in the 6 month period, etc. I prefer simple MGM GS models with single exhaust, primitive AC. I put rear anti-sway bar from Police vehicles and stiffer shocks on them. Avoid front Easy Strut assemblies for them, not good at all. But it all depends on your application. Shop the owner more than you shop the vehicle though. Good luck!

P.S. I don't usually pay more than 2k for a civilian model.

 

[Alfred_B]

How about the same thing as Lincoln Town Car? That same age and mileage would command $8k from what I'm seeing in my local market.

 

[Tahoe4Life]

My sister just sold here 07 Grand Marquis LS with 54K original miles for 2 thousand bucks as parking on the streets of Brooklyn is a hassle. It needed to repainted as the paint was peeling and the heating system did not work. Air bag light was on. A/C was ice cold but you could not make the temperature warmer so it would be like a fridge in there in minutes. Oil was changed every 3 months with Mobil 1 . New owner was told of all issues before buying it.

 

[Elkins45]

If any of you lucky folks run across one of these 2K cars please let me know. I would travel a few hours for a better deal.

 

[Anduril]

Originally Posted by tig1
Up to and including the 1995 had problems with valve stem seals leaking with the 4.6. Starting with the 1996 that problem was solved. I owned a 96 Merc GM and sold it with 218K and never had a problem with it. The 05 should be a fine car for the money.

I thought the same thing but I ended up having to replace valve seals on my 2002 Mustang. I know at least one other person with a 2001 who had to do the same.

 

[GMguy84]

Originally Posted by Elkins45
If any of you lucky folks run across one of these 2K cars please let me know. I would travel a few hours for a better deal.


You'll most likely have to travel to score a good deal.


Most of my "Scores" have been in Dallas, Which is a 200 mile 3 hour trip for me


Dave