2003 Mercury Grand Marquis in Sanford, NC - $5,800

With an exceptionally smooth ride, spacious interior and heavy-duty body-on-frame construction, the rear-drive Mercury Grand Marquis remains popular with traditional large car buyers. The Grand Marquis is one of the last of what was once known as "Detroit Iron" – large V8-powered rear-wheel drive cars that were common during the golden age of American motoring. Its proven components have delivered quality and reliability over its long product lifecycle.

Buyers should not be misled by its conservative good looks, however. This Mercury is a rolling platform of technological advancements. For the 2009 model year, just the upscale LS model is being offered. The Grand Marquis is powered by an E85-capable (FlexFuel) 4.6L V8 engine mated to a four-speed automatic transmission with overdrive.

On the road, the large Mercury sedan is quiet, velvety smooth and impressively responsive. Performance is solid and predictable. The Grand Marquis rides on a sophisticated body-on-frame platform with hydroformed front rails and solid cross members. The robust frame is stiff and serves as the foundation for the control hardware.

The suspension hardware includes an independent short- and long-arm (SLA) architecture with coil springs, monotube shocks and stabilizer bar in front and a four-bar link solid axle, Watt's link, coil springs, monotube shocks and stabilizer bar at the rear. A load-leveling air spring suspension is optional. Speed-sensitive variable-assist power rack and pinion steering provides precision and road feel.

Inside the cabin, the layout of displays and controls is excellent. The driver's view of the road is one of the best. At speed, the cabin is very, very quiet, with wide seats that coddle driver and passengers in a secure and safe environment. The rear windows go all the way down. The trunk is cavernous.



Dimensions & specifications

Wheelbase: 114.6; overall length: 211.1; width: 78.3; height: 58.3

All vehicle measurements are in inches

Engine: 4.6L V8 - 224 hp at 4,800 rpm and 272 lbs-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm

Transmission: four-speed automatic with overdrive

EPA Fuel Economy: 16 city/24 highway

Trunk capacity: 20.6 cubic feet

Safety features

Dual front airbags, front seat-mounted side-impact airbags, remote keyless entry w/SmartLock, SecuriLock anti-theft ignition system, side-intrusion door beams, tire pressure monitoring system, fog lamps, four-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock and all-speed traction control. Optional safety features include: Garmin portable navigation system, remote engine start, vehicle security system, and power adjustable pedals.

Warranty

Basic: 3-year/36,000 mile Bumper-to-bumper

Powertrain: 5-year/60,000 mile

Corrosion: 5-year/unlimited

Roadside Assistance: 5-year/60,000 mile 24-hour

Pricing

The base Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the 2009 Mercury Grand Marquis sedan starts from $28,985. Destination charges add $875.