Celebrating its pearl anniversary, the Mercury Grand Marquis is the archetypical American highway sedan. Its trademark rear-wheel drive, V-8 engine, cushioned ride, and bench seating lend themselves perfectly to putting away long stretches of interstate highway with the cruise control on. It's a car that appeals to those who have fond memories of old Detroit and its big, powerful, and affordable vehicles--an audience that started driving well before the Grand Marquis's 1975 introduction.
The Grand Marquis is available in five trim packages, ranging from the base GS to the decked-out LS 30th Anniversary Limited Edition. The two GS models are a bit Spartan, while the three LS packages have enough bells and whistles to suit most full-size-sedan drivers' tastes. For 2005, the Grand Marquis is little changed from its comprehensive 2003 makeover, which included a new frame, suspension, and steering system. Enhancements for 2005 include improved modulation of airbag deployment, new color choices, a new steering wheel, and optional 16-inch wheels.
The soft-lined exterior of the Grand Marquis is nearly identical to that of its brother, the Ford Crown Victoria, and it's a familiar profile to anyone who has traveled by taxi (or, uh, police car) in recent years due to the prevalence of Crown Vic in fleets.... Read full article