I’m wondering, just wondering if FoMoCo’s Panther platform cars will come into their own in a collector sort of way. There were zillions produced, with many still plying the highways and byways of America. High mileage? So what, 200,000 miles means just broken in. Parts availability? Anywhere and everywhere. What draw could there be? Full-size, body-on-frame construction and being yanked around by V8 power. Straddling both Ford (Crown Victoria) and Mercury (Grand Marquis), finding one is a snap, and today, for your review, I have a Mercury variant from 1998 wearing GS trim. Sarasota, Florida, is its home, and it’s available here on craigslist for $3,950. Thanks are due to Tony P. for this discovery!
By ’98, there wasn’t much difference between a Ford and a Mercury, and that’s one of the design and marketing faux pas that ultimately led to Mercury’s shuttering in early 2011 – but that’s a matter for another discussion. Anyway, in ’98 Mercury was still riding high and managed to knock out either 87K or 134K (I found both totals in two different places) Grand Marquis in either GS (our subject car) or LS trim (no Marquis de Sade edition). Regardless of the claimed volume, it was certainly a good year for Mercury’s big car. The images of this Grand Marquis make it appear to be silver, but the finish is actually an attractive light green hue that shows well with no sign of fade. The front and rear rammers are scuff-free – often an issue with large domestic sedans from Florida, and I see no signs of actual crash damage. The seller adds, “This car has always lived in Florida, so there is absolutely no rust…” I’ve covered this topic before. From experience, cars domiciled in Florida can absolutely rust; it just depends on where in Florida they’re located. That point aside, this example does show as rust-free. The attractive chrome-plated lattice-style wheels are actually wheelcovers, but they’re fitting for a car of this stature.
An unphotographed 4.6-liter V8 engine is holding court in the engine room, and the seller notes, “rides and drives as smooth as can be,” and that’s with 87K miles of experience. The power rating is either 200 net HP (single exhaust system) or 215 net with a dual setup. A four-speed automatic transmission (4R70W-4) was the only available gearbox.
Inside, we find a light gray fabric interior that is in fine nick. It surprisingly doesn’t show the slightest bit of wear, and that light shade can be a challenge to keep clean – no worries there. The instrument panel is a simple, compact design, nothing really fancy, but it is functional and easy to read. The seller claims the A/C system is ice cold!
A number of years ago, I had a Grand Marquis assigned to me as a company car; I don’t recall the exact model year, but it was probably a 2003 model. I drove it all over the place and truly enjoyed its ride, comfort, and even power. Nope, not a hot rod or a road course maven, but it was a solid and reliable car designed with an architecture that is no longer in use today. And that’s the reason that I suggest these Panthers will continue to have a following, or maybe even a devotion. I certainly like them; how about you?
Panthers are approaching legendary status amongst the current crop of new cars produced.
Well put, Stan.
I like the Town Car Lincoln version of the Panther. This is just a little too “retired and living in the Villages.” And the Crown Vic lends itself to modification as a sleeper.
Don’t forget- this car comes with a free AARP membership.
Condo car.
@ $3950 this is likely the best deal of the month. I have heard nothing but good things about these Ford products.
i HAD ONE I BOUGHT A FEW YEARS AGO? NOT A BAD CAR, EXCEPT ONE ITTY BITTY ISSUE, BLOWN HEATER CORE, IT WOULD NOT BEEN INEXPENSIVE TO FIX, UNLIKE A 71 LTD I HAD ONCE UPON A TIME, THAT WAS TOO EASY, PULL THE HOSES, A HALF A DOZEN SCREWS AND CONTROLS. PRETTY MUCH 20 MINUTE R&R, THEN THE NEXT SERIES CAME ALONG WENT DOWHILL, HOPEFULLY NO PROBLEMS WITH MY SABLE?
Bad news guys ,in the south east thr dirt tracks run a whole field of these weekly …won’t be many around when racing gets to destroying all of them
Very popular dirt track car in the south ,several running wrecked every week end
Nice Merc! In Houston, these & the Ford Crown Vics these years are everywhere, even on used car lots. Numerous used police Fords can be found tooling around the city. This is a particularly outstanding example for the asking price. It should be sold w/o any problems.
$3900 bucks for a car that would sell on cars and bids or bring a trailer for around $10k what’s wrong with this picture?
Not directly related, but the author points out the demise of Mercury in his writing. I had the thought that Ford should have revived the brand to carry its electric vehicle operations. Mercury is kind of an “electrical type” name and might pivot people towards a brand that could be unique, reactive, stylish,etc.
By the way, being older, I always loved the big Fords and Mercurys. What a ride!
I have the 1988 version, and it has nicely surpassed 400,000 miles without a rebuild. And my silver-gray velour seats STILL show virtually no wear. But I prefer my “boxy” version, to this one, frankly. At THIS price, if there are no serious problems, this one should be sold already. I agree with the “retired and living in The Villages” comment: I am very well into that age-group, and these are our cars. Nicest practical and sublimely comfortable trouble-free sedans they ever made, I think! (just as my 1961 Zenith Royal 500H, after 74 years of constant use, STILL remains as the finest-sounding and longest-distance, prettiest pocket radio ever made!) (unless you need F.M.)
Being an Ex Ford Mercury service manager. I always appreciated these for their durability. (Also that of the Mustang) Being of “sporty character” I never really considered these for my personal transport. BUT as I get older, they are starting to grow on me.There is a reason these are sought after by Cab companies!
A few “pursuit ” suspension items and it makes a “reasonable car” for someone like me!
I have the LS version of this, although it feels like the ‘Marquis de Sade’ model. Paid $500 because it wasn’t running. Replaced the fuel pump, runs nice. The engine/trans/rear end are the only things that don’t need attention. Replaced the “cop” front springs someone put in it (already had springs in place of the original air bags) so it would sit level and not bottom out on my rough dirt road. Replaced the tires, now it really drives like a dream. Previous owner just drove it until it died, never fixed anything.
You would not believe how hard it is to get someone to do a wheel alignment on a Panther, in the Chicago burbs
My friend has to go to
over eight places(Including Lincoln dealers) to get someone to touch his ’88 Town Car with 36k miles!!!
Yes, I WOULD believe it, Karl. Same problem with my ’88 Grand Marquis: these big discount chain tyre shops who perform alignments routinely say they are not equipped to do rear wheel drive passenger vehicles of “historic” or “vintage” ages, only “modern” cars. You have to locate an independent shop that still retains alignment equipment along with the correct spec.s for your Panther.
Just glad he finally found a Chicken with teeth.
An old shop in a small town!
I think that part of the issue is that the person doing the alignment actually doesn’t understand alignment therory. So many newer vehicles have a minimum of caster adjustment. (if any) Correct caster keeps the car tracking straight down the road AND fights death wobbles on solid front axle vehicles. (same as king pin inclination) It would take knowledge and thinking in order to set the alignment correctly. I used to work at (and still do consulting) for a long time tire dealer that people came from far way for us to fix their death wobble issues on their Jeeps and Dodge/Ram (when I worked there) vehicles that many had wasted many dollars trying to fix. I always had a satisfied customer. Several years ago I needed to get an alignment on a vehicle that I modified. I stood there to watch that the alignment was performed the way that I specified. I had to step in and instruct the alignment tech how and why it needed to be done in a certain way. And he was an experienced alignment tech. After that I watched for and found my own portable alignment equipment.