2006 Grand Marquis GS question.

Discussion in 'The Bench' started by PGSS, Dec 11, 2020.

  1. PGSS

    PGSS Gold Level Contributor

    IMG_3994.jpg Please don't kill me guys:oops: "Ford" Yikes! Sorry if this is in the wrong section..
    I need a 2nd driver car. I always liked Crown Vic's and Mercury's versions. I wouldn't mind another Lesabre but finding one in MA without rocker panel rust will be hard.
    A friend happened to drive by this 2006 Grand Marquis and sent a couple pics. He is not a car guy but he said it looked very solid but he didn't climb under it.
    4.6 litre, 141,000+ miles and from what I can read from the window paper it show a few new parts and access to oil change records from the day. They are asking $2,350.

    Google tells me they are known for tranny issues, intake manifold cracks near the alternator, and the AC/heat controls not working and sensors working one day and not the other.

    I am weary of older cars that have alot of electrical gadgets. I do love the smooth riding boats though.
    I have not looked at it yet.
    Anyone here that has owned or driven one for a decent time that can tell me possible issue's?
    Thanks!! IMG_3993.jpg IMG_3993.jpg IMG_3990.jpg
     

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  2. iowacat

    iowacat Well-Known Member

    My parents had one they bought new in 2005. Great highway cruiser. Other than some front end issues that were related to the tires the dealership put on I don't remember them having any problems.

    Thiers had a little less mileage (125,000) and when my mom passed away a few years ago I was going to buy it from the estate for my youngest daughter's first car. Then I thought about an inexperienced driver + rear wheel drive + live in an area with snow/ice = not the right car for her.

    Ended up bringing $3,200 at the auction 2 years ago so unless there is a rust on the underside it looks like a decent price.
     
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  3. Andrew Sury

    Andrew Sury Well-Known Member

    The automatic temp controllers have issues, but if you have the manual ac you are good to go. Look for the aluminum crossover on the intake at the back of the alternator. If it has been done, look for silver coil screws if it's a Ford part, gold if it's a Dorman. The 4.6 is a proven workhorse, and they rarely have issues. Ac systems can sometimes hate their own freon. Trannys are tough and if you do get the shutter, it's just a service and a shot of posi friction modifier away from happiness.

    Window regulators and lock solenoids......at the expense of sounding negative, I'll stop there.
     
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  4. 1972Mach1

    1972Mach1 Just some M.M.O.G. guy.....

    There's a reason the Panther platform was used in taxis and police cars. Tough, tough, tough cars. And drive great, too.
     
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  5. Luxus

    Luxus Gold Level Contributor

    I had my dad's for a while - same era car. Solid car. Only thing is don't expect to be winning any races. But for normal driving, it's a good car. If it you get it and it doesn't have posi, I would recommend that upgrade since you live in the snow belt.
     
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  6. PGSS

    PGSS Gold Level Contributor

    I'm reading the tranny issues are from the front pump failure?? Is the Grand Marquis "GS" the base model under the LS? That I don't mind, less gizmo's and maby it has the manual AC switch?
    I really need to go see and climb under it before anything.
    Andrew, the gold screws and Dorman part means it has been changed?
     
  7. 1972Mach1

    1972Mach1 Just some M.M.O.G. guy.....

    Worked at a Ford/Mercury/Lincoln dealer in the early 2000s and drove Lincoln Town Cars myself back then. Don't ever recall an issue with a transmission happening, especially not pump failures. We serviced all the city and county's Crown Vics, too. Bonus points if it has the "tow package", as that will get you dual exhaust with a factory H-pipe.
     
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  8. PGSS

    PGSS Gold Level Contributor

    Waiting for the seller to message me back, I haven't spoken yet. Having a posi would be nice, it's funny that a friend years ago had just about the same year Marquis and it had a posi.
    Wonder if even they weren't police issue Crown Vic's, that posi was a popular option?

    Everyone thanks for so much info!
     
  9. Luxus

    Luxus Gold Level Contributor

    Don't know how common posi's were in the Grand Marquis, but my dad's didn't have it. After the first winter driving it, that was the first thing I did in the spring. Install a posi unit.
     
  10. pbr400

    pbr400 68GS400

    MIL has an ‘04, rides like a cloud but is surprisingly well controlled-doesn’t lean much in turns, doesn’t dive when braking. Lighting Control Modules were problematic but I think Ford fixed them all on a campaign by now (service records will say). I think the intake problem was fixed by the early ‘00s from the factory. I routinely had cab and limo drivers in Atlanta driving Panthers with mileage at or beyond a half million. (Cabs were usually police cars first!). Run Motorcraft coils and plugs, use good 5w20 and change it regularly. I’ve read that they don’t like thicker oil and will have cam and valvetrain trouble without clean thin oil. It sounds like a great car for the money. Far and away better than anything else for $2k.
    I’ve steered several people towards the Mercurys; the market is well stocked as the elderly, gentle, often meticulous owners give up driving. The demographic combined with such a sturdy car results in a very good car that is cheap because it’s not ‘cool’, not an SUV, has no ‘excop car’ cred. They also have fewer breakable gadgets (auto A/C, rear air springs) than the Town Car.
    Patrick
     
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  11. PGSS

    PGSS Gold Level Contributor

    Brad Conely mentioned a nice Lesabre to me but it's unfortunately in Ohio:(
    Loving ex Crown Vic Police Interceptors but now they are all gone. Yup, Patrick same base with this Gran M. Good oil info.
    How are the cams driven with this 4.6?
     
  12. 1972Mach1

    1972Mach1 Just some M.M.O.G. guy.....

    Chain driven cams. And Patrick is correct on the oil, definitely run the 5w20. The one thing I forgot to mention that happens on them is they like to blow the spark plugs out of the heads. There are kits for repairing them if it happens, tighten the plugs down if you get it or better yet replace them if it hasn't been done with proof.
     
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  13. Andrew Sury

    Andrew Sury Well-Known Member

    There's a really easy fix when that happens. Grab a plug for an 11 Taurus. Lots of extra threads to match the lots of extra threads n the head. I've bailed out a few dozen with that that couldn't do the $250 on the thread repair. Never had one come back.
     
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  14. 1972Mach1

    1972Mach1 Just some M.M.O.G. guy.....

    Did not know about that one, just was doing what the Mothership told us to do back then ;). Good to know if I ever get another one (but I'm thinking I'll get a DOHC Marauder if I do).
     
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  15. PGSS

    PGSS Gold Level Contributor

    :);)
     
  16. The Big Guy

    The Big Guy Nailhead Nation

    I've owned one Grand Monkey and several Vics. The Vics were all ex-cop cars. Never had any serious issues with any of them. The GM wallowed a little too much in the corners for my taste, and was slow, but reliable. Mercury had an optional handling package if you're so inclined to retro-fit those parts. Offer $2000 and enjoy your cheap ride!
     
    Last edited: Dec 11, 2020
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  17. PGSS

    PGSS Gold Level Contributor

    Well the plan is to look at it tomorrow morning. I did get told he has 2 others looking at it?
    The man told me every brake line and related brake parts are new, and very solid underneath?
    Also told me I will be happy with the service records..
    Fingers crossed.. Thanks everyone!
     
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  18. steve covington

    steve covington Well-Known Member

    Avoid the CV/PI packages: They have SO MANY unique to the PI package parts that it ain't EVEN gonna be fun (Rear doors, dash parts, electronics, etc)
    Also, the electronic control A/C is a pain, but relatively easy to repair if you are handy with small tools. (See so many You-tubes on this...) 2003 back earlier had ball joints that will actually FALL APART!!! (Ask me about that!!!)
    But you can't beat the Panther class for comfort and durability, if well taken care of. I get 23/26 MPG local/highway with the 2000 CV.
    My sister had a 2001 Mercury Grand Marquis and loved it!!! Similar suspension issues, but no failures, One emission switch on firewall kept going bad every 25,000-30,000 miles, but other than that it was a beauty.
    She sold it for more than she paid for it after using it for about six years.
    And on the plus AND minus side: People STILL just slow down to the speed limit just seeing a CV!!! (Especially if you have the black grill!!!)

    Oh, if it has the factory cast aluminum wheels, better. I've seen SO MANY Grand Marquis that have lost at least one or more of the bolt-on hub caps go missing. They apparently just work loose and the tabs break on the plastic cap, and BYE-BYE wheel cap!

    And the Mustang / SVO 17x 8 wheels bolt right up for a REAL cool look!!!
    PM me if you want a LOT more details!
     
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  19. Chi-Town67

    Chi-Town67 Gold Level Contributor

  20. buicksWILD

    buicksWILD Well-Known Member

    Buy it and slap some mustang rims on it with drag radials in the back.
     
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