Faults:
Previous owner crossed wires when jumping causing the radio amp to go bad. I bypassed the amp and rewired it directly to the speakers. Probably could have replaced the amp, but that would have required finding and getting to it!
Window on tailgate didn't roll down when bought. Took it apart and greased it down and it works fine now.
Air didn't work when bought. Not big on air anyway so I've never gotten it looked at. From what I hear though it probably just needs recharged.
Has small oil leak that I haven't tracked down yet. Just keep putting oil in every now and then and it's fine.
Power steering leaked when I got it. Put some stop leak in it and that worked.
Radiator hose busted.
Caliper replaced.
Pasenger side window motor just went out. Haven't fixed it yet. Dreading trying to get to it.
The exhaust had a small hole in it when I bought it. It has gotten progressively worse. I think I'll try the straight pipe idea another reviewer did. Even with the V8 and the bad muffler it's not as loud as my Olds which also has a bad muffler.
General Comments:
This is the Colony Park station wagon. For more Grand Marquis reviews see the Colony Park section. These cars are almost identical except the Colony Park is a station wagon. Mine is a wood grain. I love woodies!
This is a very fun and comfortable car! All the things that have gone wrong were cheap and relatively easy to fix. It's actually fun to work on. Just about every junk yard in America has one so parts are easy to find.
I would agree with some of the other comments about suspension. Mine is a little bouncy.
The instrument panel could be a little more informative. There are very few gauges. If there had been a thermostat I would have noticed the problem with the radiator hose before it started smoking.
My wife drives this car to a from work now, but when we get her another car this is going to be our fun car. Throw the dogs in and go camping! I just wish I had the money to make this car like new again. The seats are more comfortable then our couch.
The V8 is more like a V6 when it comes to gas mileage. My wife is getting about the same as I am in my V6 Olds.
5th Aug 2008, 19:49
At 214,000 I replaced her with a 2004 Town Car which, although a little bit smaller interior, is about her equal. The Marquis is in storage and run on occasion. The Grand Marquis, after all those miles and years, broke down shortly before storage. A coil wire had simply rusted out and fell out of the coil leaving me stranded on the highway.