So my Dodge decided to be a little *explotive* and have engine troubles right before our big trip to the beach.

Solution? Screw that K-car piece of crap, let's get some real American iron for this vacation!

2009 Merucury Grand Marquis, still has that new car smell...mmmmm




What an efficient vehicle. Try getting 16 MPG out of your dumb Prius!

I bet you didn’t know it has the 4-Speed 4R75E Longitudinal Automatic Transmission from the Expedition and F-150.

You should know that while the car itself lags in technological advancements, the Transmission is wicked intelligent.

Here is info about the transmission:

The 4-Speed 4R75E Automatic overdrive transmission featured fully electronic Smart Shift technology. A turbine speed sensor improved transmission control and provided the basis for the fully electronic shift scheduling. Microprocessor speeds were improved for better responsiveness and precision of the control system. The transmission was continuously learning, and would calculate the torque in the next gear and schedule shift points based on the Expedition’s projected performance in the next gear.

Most likely Ford fiddled with the shift software to better accommodate the Grand Marquis. I also believe the Crown Victoria got this transmission. There were rumors that the Grand Marquis and Crown Victoria may get the Expedition’s 6-Speed 6R80 Longitudinal Mechatronic-Controlled Automatic Transmission.

Looks exactly like the one I got from Hertz in summer 2006:

Out of curiosity, what does the badge say on the driver's side front fender, next to the door?

"Ultimate Edition"

Honestly I'm quite baffled by it, I have never seen that used as name for a package or trim on Mercury's website or brochures, however I see it on almost all (maybe ALL) late model GM's. You can check their website if you want, see if it's some sort of option package, this paticular one does come with much more than the basic standard equipment, may very well be a package.

http://www.mercuryvehicles.com/grandmarquis/

Have they changed at all since the 2006 model year? Looks identical to me. Also, have they got any plans in replacing those yet? Frankly I'm amazed it's gone on this long, but I still like them.

Some small but important changes I know of:

Seat-mounted Side Impact Air Bags (optional) for 2003
4-Speed 4R75E Longitudinal Automatic Transmission for 2005
All-new Radio System for 2007
Seat-mounted Side Impact Air Bags made standard for 2009

Unfortunately it still does not have Side Curtain Air Bags.

They also have new window switches for '09, as mandated by the government. But the last exterior facelift was for 2006, yes.

Man I love the Gran Maqruis. I had one briefly on a test drive and it hauls. For some reason, I feel that my Taurus has more interior space than the Panthers. There's no denying that the Panthers are huge cars when driving them though.