8th Jun 2005, 19:02

All Ford owners manuals say use genuine Ford parts, and go to the dealer for work. It seems like you're getting ripped off. Grand Marquis' are very good cars; I've seen one with 425,000.

30th May 2007, 23:06

I own a 1989 Mercury Grand Marquis. I acquired my car it will be 2 years in July. Up until this year I have only performed regular maintenance or normal wear and tear items.

Now since Febuary I had the timing cover gasket replaced just because it was starting to leak and summer was coming. With that I also replaced upper and lower hoses, bypass hoses, thermostat, waterpump, tires, etc...

Now I have worked in the automotive business for about 7 years. I have found with my experiences with car repair. If you are going to be performing any type of repair or services. Check and see what other recommended services that may be overlapped in labor so you don't end up spending more in the future because of having to pay for labor again. With the Grand Marquis if you are doing a power steering pump it makes sense to replace the hoses with it. They have to come off to work on the p/s pump. So why would you not replace them at the same time. It saves time and money.

Now back to my car. In April it decided not to start, alternator died and killed the battery with it. Along with that I had to have a battery terminal replaced.

Today the hubby goes to work and when he goes to leave the car won't start.

Thinking possible fuel pump, couldn't hear it running.

So back to the shop for her. Now since Febuary I have put almost 1500.00 into her, but as reliable as she has been over the past couple years I think I will fix her up some more.

Oh by the way did I mention that the car had only 130k miles on it 2 years ago. I have over 188k now.

If you research your car you maybe able to find some history on it.

Also a lot of what you were replacing is about the mileage and time to replace. Don't be too upset with the car.

Sounds like it just wasn't taken care of properly prior to acquiring it.

2nd Mar 2008, 22:43

I bought my 1989 Mercury Grand Marquis in 2006. It had only 35,000 miles on it. Basically a one-owner car. The old lady who had it donated it to her church, and I bought it from the church after she died. Since it had sat (garaged) for a long time, the transmission went out about a year after I bought it. It was about $1,500 for a rebuilt transmission and installation. In the two years I've had it, I put on new tires, new battery, new alternator (went out). I just changed the spark plugs and plug wires today. It now has just under 60,000 miles on it.

The car had failed to start some days -- when it was damp and the temperature was such that there was condensation on everything. I suspected the moisture was playing havoc on the plug wires. Coming out of winter, there may have been salt from the road on them, too. I washed and dried them and the car started.

I had the same problem intermittently. But the car always started by drying the plug wires. Once, I used a blow dryer to dry them off. I finally got a warm day, so I changed the plug wires out. Incidentally, the car wouldn't start this morning before I changed the wires.

When I pulled the wire off the coil, the connection was very corroded. I cleaned it with a wire brush and put a new wire on it. When I got done, the car fired right up. It runs like a top and drives like a new car. Very comfortable.

I have noticed that there are a lot of Grand Marquis of this age in use as taxi cabs, so I figured they must be able to sustain a lot of miles.

Mine needs brakes and new valve cover gaskets, but overall, it's been a good car for the money I have invested. So far, I've got about $3,500 in the car between the purchase price and repairs. I want to get another 40,000 miles out of it at least.

21st May 2009, 12:56

I own an 89 Marquis and unloaded it weighs 5361 lbs. That's well over 2.5 tons.

23rd Aug 2009, 16:30

"but I am hopeful that when all that stuff is done, it will go to 250K."

These cars last a long time, especially if they receive regular maintenance. If you live in a Northern climate, watch out for rust... Especially on the frame-rails.

18th Jan 2010, 21:15

Hello I bought my 89 last year and now am having issues with the transmission.. when going up a hill, when I hit 30 MPH it sounds as if I were hitting it in neutral.. any ideas? I am thinking the hose is loose from the CAM or I just need to rebuild it. It also has a small oil leak which I have no located yet! Email your ideas to fwdbeauty@yahoo.com thanks.

6th Mar 2010, 14:45

1989 Grand Marquis 5.0l. Speedometer and odometer does not work. Replaced vehicle speed sensor. No luck. Any other ideas?

7th Mar 2010, 21:19

A common issue... The gears are plastic and break after a while. It can be fixed. If a shop does the work, labour will be pricey because the dash will have to be removed :(

12th Mar 2010, 03:13

Just bought a 1989 Grand Marquis with 25,200 miles for $2500 from a lady on Craigslist.

I love this car, it feels so new, never thought I'd find something in such great condition. Light blue with dark blue vinyl top and dark blue leather interior. Just love it. Some idiots will say I paid too much, what will you do when a dog barks!

I bought a 1995 Crown Victoria last year with around 60,000 miles for $2000, also from an old lady, it is super clean and super smooth and the gas mileage is surprisingly very good for a V8 engine, it just makes ugly noises when making turns, eeeek, skweeeek, eeeek. maybe need some grease, I don't care.

Too bad people don't know much about those cars. Well, maybe it's good for buyers like me, can get them cheap cheap cheap...

I lived in Saudi Arabia for many years, those cars are very reliable in hot weather, I always hear good things about them, always wanted to own one. I live in Oregon now, don't have to worry about the salt problem :)

I guess I'll have to check the engine before I get on the freeway, make sure nothing needs grease. Thanks for the advice.

I'm not sure, but it feels that the '92 and newer Crown Vic's and Marquis were more reliable than the older generations. I hope not, I love the older ones more.

A 2010 Grand Marquis price starts from $29000, but you can get a used 2009 for less than half the price, can't wait to get one :)

I'm so exited tonight, I know I'm gonna feel silly tomorrow morning writing all this. Huha... I'm gonna go out now and take my car for a spin.. I love city driving with a V8 sedan. I think it's the French press I had at Starbucks..