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  #1  
Old 06-12-2010, 07:33 PM
Jim B.'s Avatar
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Location: N. California./ N. Nevada
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Death of the Mercury brand of FoMo cars.

3 days before I bought one!!!!

I bought mine on May 30, 2010, and the news was not out yet.


I knew the Panther was going to be a goner, but not the MERCURY brand!!!

The finance manager asked me, a week or so, ago, at the Ford/Lincoln/Mercury dealer where I had recently bought it, have you heard the news? There will be no more Mercury !!!!


My new "orphan" works just fine, it's my 3rd Panther platform one after a great time for years, with my prior history of owning my 1982 and 1988 Crown Vic's for many years -- happy, trouble free years.

Best and cheapest, cars, dollar for mile, to own that I have ever had.

Friend asked me, yesterday, how come a new Panther Mercury Grand Marquis?

I knew they were coming to an end, I told him, and wanted to start out new with one of the last ones, in a color I liked.



I plan to keep it forever. I love driving it, and the room and comfort, easy on cheap gas.


I will soon add the ADDCO front and rear sway bars, and install a cloned Police Interceptor dual exhaust for 25+ instant horsepower. I have already bought a fifth matching wheel and put a brand new FULL size spare, in there just like on the Ford Crown Vic Police Interceptors.


This was the last of the good old V8, body on frame, big family cars built for US highways.


I feel very happy to have gotten one of the VERY last ones.


I would have never, and never will, gotten any other car from a US car maker other than this. This is the very last one, I will have to get rid of my second 560SEC Mercedes Benz, a 1990 model, but I am not sorry, every time I see the gleaming toreador red Grand Marquis, decontented, ignored and abandoned by FoMoCo, at the end, sitting there inside the garage.

__________________
1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)
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  #2  
Old 06-12-2010, 07:38 PM
Jim B.'s Avatar
Who's flying this thing ?
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: N. California./ N. Nevada
Posts: 3,611
The news arrived today in an unsigned undated letter from Ford.

Ford Motor Company
P O Box 312290
Detroit MI 8231

(888)333-7813

www.mercuryvehicles.com


( undated )


Dear Jim B. :


You may have heard about an important announcement we made recently to end production of Mercury branded vehicles in the fourth quarter of this year and discontinue the brand.

As a Mercury owner, you are an important part of the family of Ford Motor Company customers, and I want to assure you we are very sensitve to your concerns and needs.

Ford will work closely with Mercury dealers and customers during the transition, including providing current Mercury owners with continued access to parts and service support at Ford and Lincoln dealers, and by honoring current warranties, and Ford's Extended Service Plans. Pleawse refer to your vehicle warranty boklet for specific details on your vehicle's coverage.

As Ford Motor Company continues to reinvent itself for you, and our future customers, we want to thank you for your business. we will work hard to keep you in our family, providing vehicles that are fuel efficient, safe, smartly designed, and of the finest quality in the world. If you have any immediate concerns or questions, please visit www.mercuryvehicles.com of call our dedicated Mercury Customer Assistance Center at 1-888-3337813.



Sincerely,


(unsigned)


Ken Czubay
Vice President, U.S. Marketing, Sales and Service


Ford Motor Company


__________________
1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)
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  #3  
Old 06-12-2010, 07:43 PM
TylerH860's Avatar
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Wichita, Ks
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A thread was started for you Jim. Many people reminiscing about Mercury cars they've had, or had in the family.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=278627&highlight=mercury

For $1600 , I was able to get my GF a near turn key single owner Grand Marquis with barely 100k on her. Just needs a few window motors and a front trim piece to be a fully functional, extremely comfortable, reliable and good looking driver. Not a very thirsty V8 too.

__________________
1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
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2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
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  #4  
Old 06-12-2010, 07:56 PM
Hatterasguy's Avatar
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The introduction of the 2011 Mustang more than made up for the loss of Mercury.
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  #5  
Old 06-12-2010, 08:11 PM
The Clk Man's Avatar
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim B. View Post
3 days before I bought one!!!!

I bought mine on May 30, 2010, and the news was not out yet.


I knew the Panther was going to be a goner, but not the MERCURY brand!!!

The finance manager asked me, a week or so, ago, at the Ford/Lincoln/Mercury dealer where I had recently bought it, have you heard the news? There will be no more Mercury !!!!


My new "orphan" works just fine, it's my 3rd Panther platform one after a great time for years, with my prior history of owning my 1982 and 1988 Crown Vic's for many years -- happy, trouble free years.

Best and cheapest, cars, dollar for mile, to own that I have ever had.

Friend asked me, yesterday, how come a new Panther Mercury Grand Marquis?

I knew they were coming to an end, I told him, and wanted to start out new with one of the last ones, in a color I liked.



I plan to keep it forever. I love driving it, and the room and comfort, easy on cheap gas.


I will soon add the ADDCO front and rear sway bars, and install a cloned Police Interceptor dual exhaust for 25+ instant horsepower. I have already bought a fifth matching wheel and put a brand new FULL size spare, in there just like on the Ford Crown Vic Police Interceptors.


This was the last of the good old V8, body on frame, big family cars built for US highways.


I feel very happy to have gotten one of the VERY last ones.


I would have never, and never will, gotten any other car from a US car maker other than this. This is the very last one, I will have to get rid of my second 560SEC Mercedes Benz, a 1990 model, but I am not sorry, every time I see the gleaming toreador red Grand Marquis, decontented, ignored and abandoned by FoMoCo, at the end, sitting there inside the garage.
Hey man, are you somebodies grandma?
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  #6  
Old 06-12-2010, 08:21 PM
Jim B.'s Avatar
Who's flying this thing ?
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: N. California./ N. Nevada
Posts: 3,611
Exclamation Thanks, I guess I missed the thead, and will go look.

Quote:
Originally Posted by TylerH860 View Post
A thread was started for you Jim. Many people reminiscing about Mercury cars they've had, or had in the family.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=278627&highlight=mercury

For $1600 , I was able to get my GF a near turn key single owner Grand Marquis with barely 100k on her. Just needs a few window motors and a front trim piece to be a fully functional, extremely comfortable, reliable and good looking driver. Not a very thirsty V8 too.

Wow that is a nice one. Those ones are called the "Aero", mine is called the 'Whale", they sell VERY well in Saudi, as did the old Chevy Caprices.


I have just bought a decal for the side rear window for my Grand Marquis:




__________________
1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)
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  #7  
Old 06-12-2010, 08:39 PM
Skid Row Joe's Avatar
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They're not 'bad cars' they're just has beens.....in total terms of moving forward in the auto industry.

They're still a good value in my estimation to own one..

You can always go out and buy a newish Mustang, Jim.
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  #8  
Old 06-12-2010, 09:05 PM
Moderator
 
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Location: Southern California, U.S.A.
Posts: 8,538
Jim,

Why did you sell the blue one you just bought to buy this one?
__________________
Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".
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  #9  
Old 06-12-2010, 09:16 PM
JiveTurkey's Avatar
Nicht verantwortlich
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
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I know I'm a dork, but do you have more pics? It's a good looking Merc in my book.
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  #10  
Old 06-12-2010, 09:32 PM
Ara T.'s Avatar
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Location: Santa Rosa, CA
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Good riddance... they don't need any more rebadged cars.
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  #11  
Old 06-12-2010, 09:33 PM
Jim B.'s Avatar
Who's flying this thing ?
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: N. California./ N. Nevada
Posts: 3,611
Exclamation Ten reasons. Probably there are more.

Quote:
Originally Posted by suginami View Post
Jim,

Why did you sell the blue one you just bought to buy this one?
Paul,

Here is why:

1. 16k miles LESS than the blue one,

2. In the color I liked, (it's just like yours, and very rare)

3. For FIVE DOLLARS less than the one I'd bought on 02/22/10

4. The Mercury dealer let me remove EVERTHING that was from the blue one, and put it on the new red one, including a brand new full size spare tire and wheel, floor mats, custom valve stem caps, full size spare tire cover, etc (over $700 worth of stuff)

5. The build date on the red one 4/09) was later (10/08 on the blue) and the factory warranty was MUCH
longer in terms of time AND miles (13k on red, 29k on blue)


6. The blue one traded in was running on fumes, and I made them put in a full tank of gas (the dealer was a small one 55 miles away from me). About $60 right there saved.)


7. The blue car was just 250 miles shy of an expensive $400 service at 30,000 miles and the red car only had 13,000 miles and needed nothing and was just serviced.


8. the blue car had flaws like the scratches on the back bumper I put on it because the garage door hit it, the very first night I brought it home from the dealer, I did not drive far enough into the garage, so when I hit the garage opener, the door hinges scraped the bumper in several places, AND the blue car just had its lumbar support fixed but the dealer restitched the seat horribly and it needed to be redone and looked all wrong from factory.

9. At 29k the blue car had noticeably more general wear and tear than the red one, which looked and felt brand new.

10. I am retired now and unmarried and nobody or nothing can stop me from doing what I want and can afford. MSRP is 30k, and after just a year they lose almost FIFTY PER CENT of their value, the depreciation the first year is nuts.

Giving up 13,000 - 24,000 miles and floor mats is worth fifteen thousand dollars you can save from new.


(each were rental returns: blue from Hertz, red from Avis/Budget (one company - purchased at auctions by the Ford LM dealers to resell)


I had to pay tax and license all over again, and got hammered on the trade. around $1700. But I am truly happy now though.


I used the 560SEC to go everywhere last year, run over 40,000 miles on it.


Now I will use the Grand Marquis for most of that. It gets a LOT better mileage on cheap gas and the Mercedes Benz drinks Premium Persian Perrier - LOTS of it.

Grand Marquis rides lots smoother quieter and softer than my old 19 year old AMG, but it handles a LOT sloppier. No question the Mercedes is a LOT more fun to drive.

That is the long and short of it, Paul. I think the question was very reasonable.
__________________
1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)
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  #12  
Old 06-12-2010, 10:12 PM
Jim B.'s Avatar
Who's flying this thing ?
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: N. California./ N. Nevada
Posts: 3,611
Here are some pictures.

Quote:
Originally Posted by JiveTurkey View Post
I know I'm a dork, but do you have more pics? It's a good looking Merc in my book.




















__________________
1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)
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  #13  
Old 06-12-2010, 10:12 PM
Skid Row Joe's Avatar
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Location: #KeepingAmericaGreat!
Posts: 7,071
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim B. View Post
Paul,

Here is why:

1. 16k miles LESS than the blue one,

2. In the color I liked, (it's just like yours, and very rare)

3. For FIVE DOLLARS less than the one I'd bought on 02/22/10

4. The Mercury dealer let me remove EVERTHING that was from the blue one, and put it on the new red one, including a brand new full size spare tire and wheel, floor mats, custom valve stem caps, full size spare tire cover, etc (over $700 worth of stuff)

5. The build date on the red one 4/09) was later (10/08 on the blue) and the factory warranty was MUCH
longer in terms of time AND miles (13k on red, 29k on blue)


6. The blue one traded in was running on fumes, and I made them put in a full tank of gas (the dealer was a small one 55 miles away from me). About $60 right there saved.)


7. The blue car was just 250 miles shy of an expensive $400 service at 30,000 miles and the red car only had 13,000 miles and needed nothing and was just serviced.


8. the blue car had flaws like the scratches on the back bumper I put on it because the garage door hit it, the very first night I brought it home from the dealer, I did not drive far enough into the garage, so when I hit the garage opener, the door hinges scraped the bumper in several places, AND the blue car just had its lumbar support fixed but the dealer restitched the seat horribly and it needed to be redone and looked all wrong from factory.

9. At 29k the blue car had noticeably more general wear and tear than the red one, which looked and felt brand new.

10. I am retired now and unmarried and nobody or nothing can stop me from doing what I want and can afford. MSRP is 30k, and after just a year they lose almost FIFTY PER CENT of their value, the depreciation the first year is nuts.

Giving up 13,000 - 24,000 miles and floor mats is worth fifteen thousand dollars you can save from new.


(each were rental returns: blue from Hertz, red from Avis/Budget (one company - purchased at auctions by the Ford LM dealers to resell)


I had to pay tax and license all over again, and got hammered on the trade. around $1700. But I am truly happy now though.


I used the 560SEC to go everywhere last year, run over 40,000 miles on it.


Now I will use the Grand Marquis for most of that. It gets a LOT better mileage on cheap gas and the Mercedes Benz drinks Premium Persian Perrier - LOTS of it.

Grand Marquis rides lots smoother quieter and softer than my old 19 year old AMG, but it handles a LOT sloppier. No question the Mercedes is a LOT more fun to drive.

That is the long and short of it, Paul. I think the question was very reasonable.
What about a newish Mustang?? They're certain to depreciate like crazy too!

Nice car for $16K +/_........
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  #14  
Old 06-12-2010, 10:40 PM
Ara T.'s Avatar
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Location: Santa Rosa, CA
Posts: 2,075
I bet they are making some good deals on the 4.6 Mustang GT's with the new 5.0's coming in. The new V6s have 300 HP and 30 or so MPG. Finally did away with the POS cast iron 4.0 V6.
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  #15  
Old 06-12-2010, 11:01 PM
Moderator
 
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Posts: 8,538
Jim,

I'd do the same thing as you did, plus I love the color.

I love Grand Marquis....rented a ton of them, and they drive like a dream.

I might buy one some day myself.

__________________
Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".
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