EDMUNDS.COM 2004 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS
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 Summary
What Edmunds.com Says
A perennial best-seller among older folks who appreciate its large size and reasonable price, the Grand Marquis offers a Lincoln Town Car experience for under $30,000.
Pros
Plenty of interior room, comfortable ride, good crash test scores.
Cons
Large size makes it difficult to park and maneuver, some low-grade interior materials.
What''s New for 2004
For 2004, the Grand Marquis is available with laminated side glass to reduce wind and road noise, as well as provide greater protection in the event of an accident. A CD player is now standard on all models. Side airbags, a moonroof and heated front seats are now optional.
Overview
Introduction:
One of the last surviving full-size, rear-drive American sedans from an earlier era, the Grand Marquis is an aged car. But under that familiar skin are some modern touches. A full-perimeter frame uses strong, lightweight hydroformed steel sections for the front rails to improve frontal and offset crash performance. Last year''s redesigned frame crossmembers and newly optional side-impact airbags improve side-impact crash performance. Along with a stiffer frame, the Grand Marquis received a number of suspension upgrades last year, all of which contribute to the car''s smooth, controlled ride and handling characteristics. Other modern features include a variable ratio rack-and-pinion steering system with variable power assist and a dual-rate brake booster that automatically supplies full braking power in a panic stop. On the inside, the seats are comfortable, and there''s room for up to six people. The Grand Marquis is mechanically identical to the Ford Crown Victoria and similar to the Lincoln Town Car. In fact, Ford, Lincoln and Mercury are the only brands building such cars these days. Decades-old technology allows Mercury to keep the prices low, and the car is a favorite among people who need space and don''t want a minivan or sport-ute.
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For Pricing information, see Edmunds'' Pricing page. |
Body Styles, Trim Levels and Options:
The Grand Marquis comes as a four-door only in two levels of trim -- GS and LS. Each trim is further broken down into base and Convenience for the GS, Premium and Ultimate for the LS. Base GS models include all the family-sedan basics, like air conditioning; a CD player; a power driver seat; keyless entry; power windows, mirrors and locks; cruise control; a tilt steering wheel; and 16-inch wheels. The GS Convenience adds traction control and can be equipped with optional leather upholstery. The LS Premium adds alloy wheels, power-adjustable pedals, a power front-passenger seat and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. The LS Ultimate includes a wood and leather steering wheel and a rear air suspension. Options on both LS models include leather, seat heaters, sunroof, laminated side glass, a CD changer and a handling package, which offers a bump in power as well as firmer suspension tuning for better handling.
Powertrains and Performance:
Only one engine and transmission are offered. Standard models use a 224-horsepower, 4.6-liter V8 and a four-speed automatic. Opt for the handling package on either LS model, and the same engine is upgraded to produce 239 hp, along with a boost in torque. Fuel economy is good for a large V8-powered sedan -- expect about 17 mpg in the city and up to 25 mpg on the highway.
Safety:
You can sleep better at night knowing that the Grand Marquis scores well in National Highway Traffic Safety Administration crash tests; it earned a perfect five stars in frontal impact testing and four stars in side-impact testing. With a crash-severity sensor, safety belt pre-tensioners, dual-stage airbags and seat-position sensors, the Grand Mark protects occupants like few smaller cars can. Four-wheel antilock disc brakes are standard on every Grand Marquis, and traction control is standard on all cars except the base GS. Side airbags for front occupants are a new option on LS models this year.
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For more Safety information, see Edmunds'' Safety page. |
Interior Design and Special Features:
A roomy cabin is one of the biggest selling points for the Grand Marquis, and adults will find plentiful head-, shoulder, hip- and legroom. Bench seating allows this big sedan to accommodate up to six people. A cavernous trunk of 20.6 cubic feet will swallow any luggage they might have with them. Controls and instrumentation are simple in design, though not particularly stylish, and some of the materials seem low in quality.
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For more Interior Features information, see Edmunds'' Specifications page. |
Driving Impressions:
Want a chrome-encrusted, rear-drive V8-powered American sedan without the premium charged for a Lincoln? The Grand Marquis fits the bill perfectly. The standard V8 provides plenty of acceleration in just about any situation, and the car''s smooth, forgiving ride spares occupants from harsh impacts over bumps. The large size of this Mercury can make it unwieldy in tight spots, but the car''s relatively responsive steering helps drivers keep it on track.
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For more Driving Impressions, Recent Articles and Car Awards from Edmunds'' editors, see Edmunds'' Road Tests page. |
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