ok, im hooked

[scarey]

Hi,ok, I am hooked, that is on my first whale! I recently bought a very nice,clean 2000 GM, LS premium package, traction control,abs. Has 184k miles, 1 owner,never hit, all original paint,few scuffs on the bumper and its a CA. car. Light blue, dark slate blue int. single exhaust car. I replaced fuel pump,filter,plugs,flushed cooling system,replaced idler arm,pitman arm,upper ball joints,and the intake manifold,as it had a crack in the rear heater outlet.

I like the car,but,really always wanted a Marauder, an 04 in silver or red. I recently did some on line reading and found out about the LSE, made 2001-2003 and 2005 . I guess its like the crown vic sport, dual exhaust,buckets,console.

So, a few questions; whats the best year or, years to avoid ? I thought i wanted an 06-07 dual exhaust car, but, now, an 03 LSE looks good......any input? thanks,scarey

[79lincolnlover]

Aside from the intake manifold, there are very few issues to deal with. IMO, the '03-05 have the best looking front end

[johnunit]

there were noteworthy improvements in 03 and 05. No bad years really past 2001.

[jaywish]

What improvements were made in 05?

[SVT98t]

Throttle by wire (TBW) and further improvements in the valvebody of the transmission to accomodate the TBW.
I believe they changed the front clips in 05+.
I've heard the 04 CVPI's were the best.
I'd take anything 03+. I'd prefer 03 or 04 just because I'm not a big fan of TBW. But you will notice a huge improvement in handling with the rack and pinion and revised suspension.

-ryan s.

[jaywish]

Thanks Ryan

[sxcpotatoes]

Good job on the 2000. 2001 may be the first year with Event Data Recorders: http://www.njlawman.com/news/event-data-recorder.htm

Apparently you may be able to unhook the 2001+ car's Black Box but you'll have to rewire the wipers. http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.f1e0f5f

I guess in the 2005+ Crown Vics the PowertrainControlModule also stores a lot of data: http://www.cdr-system.com/resources/...te_101107.html

[jaywish]

Could be good or bad and with the locking feature it most likely can not be erased on site.

[scarey]

Thanks all, I thought I found an 04 Marauder, called, worked it all out,started the credit/papaerwork , then got a call, it was no longer for sale, the owner of the dealership is keeping it for his grandson's 16the birthday! Geezzzz! I am 47, i got a $200.00 1964 urnal green f100 short bed for my 16th! Yes,it was a 292 and 3 on the tree! (It got a 4V 71 cleavland/C-6 the next year)

Oh well, not in a hurry, the 2000 runs good, and good to know about TWB on the 05 up..... I think 03-04 got my brain wrappped on 2003, as it was the only year of LSE with the updated front end...or was it? seems the performance package was somewhat rare on the GM"s?

[LimitedStreet]

SOunds like you got a nice car, i ran my 01 merc up to 205k miles and it still ran good when I sold it. Plus driving it and not having to touch it other than oil changes saved me some money to buy my 03 CV.

The LSE's are very nice. Just be careful of an 03 because they did have issues with timing chain guides and rear axle bearings, but at this point most of the running and driving 03's have had these issues fixed. 03-04 are the most mod friendly. The Grand Marquis LSE is definitely alot more rare than the CV sport.