smf

Hi people, I am interested in buying a panther platform ford. I really love them alot, I want one that is sporty though, but budget friendly. I would die for a marauder but the price isn't ever reasonable for them. So that would leave two similar sisters, the Crown Vic LX Sport and the Grand Marquis LSE (HPP). I do not fully understand The marquis sport models though. I read that any LSE from 01-03 has bucket seats with floor shifter and center console. These models are supposed to have Dual exhaust and a Stiffer suspension, much larger sway bars, with more horsepower and torque with 3.55 gears. But are there any 5 seat marquis made after 03? and how do you know if a marquis has the HPP or not just by pictures for internet ads. And how dose the VIC LX Sport compare to the HPP or LSE marquis? which is better and What are the differences? Any help on this would be more then appreciated! Thanks.

Bajarider

Hello:
A number of web sites list the Sport and LSE specs for the various years, but you have pretty much covered the differences in your post. The important point is that these are cars worth searching for. I own several GM's and CV's, all with "sport suspension and dual exhaust", but none compare to my '05 CV Sport. You won't be disappointed, the difference is night and day, or more aptly, black and white. The Sport handles equally as well as a P71 police car, and I have driven many of those! The GM is harder to find, but the CV Sports were made through (I think) 2006, and are more plentiful. Try to find one with a sun roof, somewhat rare, but a nice option!

Quasar3210

I'll do some double checking but if I recall right the Grand Marquis LSE was available from 01-03 and then it came back for the 05 Model year.. I do not believe it was brought back after the 2006 Refresh. If I remember right the 03+ Grand Marquis HPP got the Cross lace wheels that were standard on the 03+ Crown Vic LX but with Charcoal painted inserts. Obviously 02and older HPP's got the easily spottable deep dish BBS style cross lace wheels.

Quasar3210

And here is what I thought I remembered reading. It will tell you everything you wanna know about the GMQ LSE

The Mercury Grand Marquis LSE

smf

Thank you for all your help! ^^

Quasar3210

Your Welcome!! Check out crownvic.net for tons more info, if you do register. the membership approval takes some time these days since its a one man show at the moment but you will be approved

Bajarider

Hello SMF and Quasar:
I looked for an LSE for several years. If you find one that you are not interested in, please let me know. Any reasonable price is OK, location doesn't matter either. I have an '05 CV Sport, charcoal grey in and out, sunroof, 6 disk trunk mounted CD and trunk organizer. You will love this car if you can find a nice one and minor mods can really wake up the performance. I also own a mist green '01 HPP Gran Marquis, among other Panthers. It's a nice low mileage car, but does compare to a Sport or LSE.

Quasar3210

I will keep my eyes open. Not in the market for one at this point so its fair game from me.. I actually did some looking cause I was bored. I found one with the Supposed LSE only wheels but it had a bench seat... Obviously was a wheel swap at the dealer or PO bought the wheels somewhere.

Quasar3210

I don't even believe I found this..... They DO NOT know what they have.

Used 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis LS For Sale | Chattanooga TN .

Bajarider

Hello Quasar:
Are you interested in the car? I don't want to be a claim jumper. I am in So Cal, but these are tough to find and this car looks like it's worth traveling that far to look/buy.
Bajarider