1996 Impala SS vs. 2003 Mercury Marauder

[SVT666]

I chose the Impala SS.? Both cars have big aftermarkets, but with the LT1 engine, bigger power is available then with the 4.6L in the Marauder.? When the cars weigh as much as these two, you want as much power as possible.

[The Pirate]

Impala SS for me as well.  Lots of goodies out there for the LT1, and I just love the looks of the car.  I wouldn't complain too much about a Marauder though.

[Eye of the Tiger]

I chose the Impala SS.? Both cars have big aftermarkets, but with the LS engine, bigger power is available then with the 4.6L in the Marauder.? When the cars weigh as much as these two, you want as much power as possible.

I'd take the Maurader becaues I never liked the Impala's interiors, and the Maurader looks like a cop car so people will get out of my way.

[SVT666]

Impala SS for me as well.? Lots of goodies out there for the LT1, and I just love the looks of the car.? I wouldn't complain too much about a Marauder though.

Me neither.  If I was in the market, the lower mileage on those cars might sway me.

[Raza]

Marauder!  I love the way those look.

[the Teuton]

The Imp can be made to go faster cheaper and it looks amazing in the dark teal, cherry, and black colors.  It's a keeper.

[TheIntrepid]

Marauder. I don't want to look like a messican y0.

[Vinsanity]

here's how I look at it:

the Impala has become somewhat of a 90's classic, which like the MkIV Supra and FD RX-7, are way expensive in the used car market (even good condition Caprices tend to be overpriced), but might hold collector value say, 20 years into the future. the Impala is more popular in the enthusiast world, and MUCH more popular in the pop culture world.

with the Marauder, I haven't looked at any listings, but it seems like you can get a better value for your money, mostly because the car is newer. however, they were only produced for two years in very limited numbers (due to its lack of success when launched), so its rarity might push prices up a little bit.

in the end, I chose the Impala, just because I want a vanity plate that says 'PIMPALA'

[the Teuton]

here's how I look at it:

in the end, I chose the Impala, just because I want a vanity plate that says 'PIMPALA'

I'd go for EVILIMP 

[Raza]

I'd go for EVILIMP 

O0O0O00

[SVT666]

here's how I look at it:

the Impala has become somewhat of a 90's classic, which like the MkIV Supra and FD RX-7, are way expensive in the used car market (even good condition Caprices tend to be overpriced), but might hold collector value say, 20 years into the future. the Impala is more popular in the enthusiast world, and MUCH more popular in the pop culture world.

with the Marauder, I haven't looked at any listings, but it seems like you can get a better value for your money, mostly because the car is newer. however, they were only produced for two years in very limited numbers (due to its lack of success when launched), so its rarity might push prices up a little bit.

Marauders in Canada are going for $20 K and up and Impala SS is going for between $10K to 15K

[FordSVT]

The Imp can be made to go faster cheaper and it looks amazing in the dark teal, cherry, and black colors.  It's a keeper.

Before anyone goes off saying "It's cheaper to modify the LT1!", remember that the Marauder has a blown V8 setup already. We all know how cheap and easy it is to add power to those Lightnings and GT500s, the 4.6L shouldn't be any different: pully, ECU, and off you go with 450 hp.

The Impala's advantage is that it's available with a stick, and that's cool. The interior is dated in those cars though, the Marauder's isn't cutting edge wither, but it's much, much better.
-FordSVT-

[Eye of the Tiger]

Before anyone goes off saying "It's cheaper to modify the LT1!", remember that the Marauder has a blown V8 setup already. We all know how cheap and easy it is to add power to those Lightnings and GT500s, the 4.6L shouldn't be any different: pully, ECU, and off you go with 450 hp.

The Impala's advantage is that it's available with a stick, and that's cool. The interior is dated in those cars though, the Marauder's isn't cutting edge wither, but it's much, much better.
-FordSVT-

Stick? What stick? 

[Raghavan]

Impala.

[southdiver1]

Impala for me.
While the 4.6 is a great engine, I am still sold on the LT1 simply for ease of modifications.

[SVT666]

Before anyone goes off saying "It's cheaper to modify the LT1!", remember that the Marauder has a blown V8 setup already. We all know how cheap and easy it is to add power to those Lightnings and GT500s, the 4.6L shouldn't be any different: pully, ECU, and off you go with 450 hp.

The Impala's advantage is that it's available with a stick, and that's cool. The interior is dated in those cars though, the Marauder's isn't cutting edge wither, but it's much, much better.
-FordSVT-

The Impala is not available with a stick and the Marauder is not supercharged.  The Marauder has a 302 hp 4.6L DOHC powerplant that is naturally aspirated.  They both come with 4 speed autos as the only tranny of choice.

[Eye of the Tiger]

Why do you guys like pushrods so much? To change the camshaft, you have to remove the whole engine, or at least disassemble the entire front end of the car! OHC's are much easier to change cams. But that is beside, the point, because all the Maurader needs is a smaller pulley on the SUPERCHARGER ALTERNATOR!?  

[SVT666]

Why do you guys like pushrods so much? To change the camshaft, you have to remove the whole engine, or at least disassemble the entire front end of the car! OHC's are much easier to change cams.

In a lot of cases you have to pull the engine to put long tube headers in too, so you may as well do both when you have the engine out

But that is beside, the point, because all the Maurader needs is a smaller pulley on the SUPERCHARGER!?

There's NO supercharger.

[Raza]

There's NO supercharger.

"Now Ford has produced its own monochromatic Lizard, with a far more digestible price: $34,495. Dearborn's version eschews the standard SOHC modular V-8 in favor of a naturally aspirated twin-cammer with 9.85:1 compression."

I'm sure it could take a supercharger, though.

"So Brown developed a centrifugal blower for the Marauder that's bolted to the front of the engine and driven by the accessory-drive belt. There are more than 150 pieces to his new engine kit, he says, including an air-to-air intercooler and larger fuel injectors. The maximum boost is a modest 7.0 psi, and the engine internals remain stock.
It's a slick, lively engine, with a powerful rush to redline and a wonderful V-8 roar. Since a centrifugal blower tends to work more like a turbocharger and provide the most benefit at higher rpm, Brown also included a shorter final drive (4.10:1 versus 3.55:1) to further increase throttle response and acceleration. The Marauder's four-speed automatic transmission is unchanged.

The results are staggering. The sprint to 60 mph took only 4.5 seconds?three seconds quicker than the stock Marauder. The quarter-mile zipped by in 13.1 seconds at 108 mph (versus 15.5 seconds at 91 mph for the stock car). Right about the time the factory car hits 100 mph, Brown's car is doing 130. "

And I swear someone does a stickshift conversion on it.

[SVT666]

"Now Ford has produced its own monochromatic Lizard, with a far more digestible price: $34,495. Dearborn's version eschews the standard SOHC modular V-8 in favor of a naturally aspirated twin-cammer with 9.85:1 compression."

I'm sure it could take a supercharger, though.

Anything can take a supercharger Raza, but it didn't come with one like some members are saying.  The engine in the Marauder is the Cobra's without a supercharger...which is also the same as the Mach 1 engine.

[SVT666]

The results are staggering. The sprint to 60 mph took only 4.5 seconds?three seconds quicker than the stock Marauder. The quarter-mile zipped by in 13.1 seconds at 108 mph (versus 15.5 seconds at 91 mph for the stock car). Right about the time the factory car hits 100 mph, Brown's car is doing 130. "

And I swear someone does a stickshift conversion on it.

I saw a test of the same car in MM&FF or 5.0 Mustang I think.? It wouldn't be hard to do a stick conversion yourself because the auto gear selector is floor mounted already and a tranny from any Mustang will bolt up to the Mustang engine that is in the car.

EDIT:? I think my mind may be changing, the more I talk about the Marauder.?

EDIT 2:  There!  My mind has been changed.  I changed my vote to the Marauder.

[S204STi]

I think I accidentally voted for the Impala, but although I am a huge fan of the 90s SS impala, I have to say the Marauder is more appealing due to the fact that you can get one that is less than 5 years old, whereas any Impala SS is going to be near or over 10 years old.? If you can get a modern classic like that you might as well get it new(er).

[edit] fixed vote!

[ChrisV]

Why do you guys like pushrods so much? To change the camshaft, you have to remove the whole engine, or at least disassemble the entire front end of the car! OHC's are much easier to change cams. But that is beside, the point, because all the Maurader needs is a smaller pulley on the SUPERCHARGER! 

It's not that hard to do a camshaft on a pushrod engine, otherwise it wouldn't be such a popular mod. Working on the LT1 is easy. (as is bolting on a supercharger)

I've also seen Impalas with the Camaro 6 speed, and I've seen them on autocross tracks outcornering much more traditional sporting cars.

Impala for me, although the prices of each is what steered me towards the equally evil E38.

[Raza]

I saw a test of the same car in MM&FF or 5.0 Mustang I think.  It wouldn't be hard to do a stick conversion yourself because the auto gear selector is floor mounted already and a tranny from any Mustang will bolt up to the Mustang engine that is in the car.

EDIT:  I think my mind may be changing, the more I talk about the Marauder. 

EDIT 2:  There!  My mind has been changed.  I changed my vote to the Marauder.

I was on the debate team for a short time in high school.   

[hounddog]

Marauder.  Supercharge it, larger injectors, bigger fuel pump, MSI ignition and wires and you are close to or over 400 hp.  Now include a super chip, shift point upgrade, cold air induction,  handling package from Koni, and Brembo slot and drilled rotors with Hawk ceramic performance pads   and for $8000 you have a nearly track ready 450+ hp super sedan. 

[pommes-t]

The Chevy Caprice/Impala has always been one of my dream cars (yes, german kids dream of american full sizers). It's such a cool, big and to me exotic car. It's simply THE american sedan to me.

The Marauder/Grand Marquis/Crown Vic/Town car... are nice, but they don't have the same "soul" an Impala has.

And the Impala SS with that Corvette engine was something way more special than the (compared to 55AMGs or even high output Holdens) ordinary Marauder!

IMPALA FOR ME, PLEASE!

[SVT666]

The more I think about it, the more I want this Marauder.  Maybe I'll get one and do a tranny swap instead of a Mustang........................OH FUCK!  I need to find someone who will slap me.

[Vinsanity]

Marauders in Canada are going for $20 K and up and Impala SS is going for between $10K to 15K

well at those prices, I'll just save up a little bit more and get me a Charget R/T

[SVT666]

well at those prices, I'll just save up a little bit more and get me a Charget R/T

A base Charger R/T  is $40,000 CDN.  The prices I quoted are in CDN dollars.

[Vinsanity]

A base Charger R/T? is $40,000 CDN.? The prices I quoted are in CDN dollars.

oh I know...I just checked autotrader, and the Marauders and Imp's in my area cost that much in American dollars (whereas I found an 06 Charger R/T with 20k miles for $25k USD)
I should've mentioned that in my previous post