2003 Mercury Marauder vs. 2004 Pontiac GTO (Holden Monaro)

[The Vanishing Boy]

This will be the next revitalized muscle car wars, next year, these cars will go head-to-head at each other. The new Mercury Marauder is a bit late to compete with its four door competitor Chevy Impala SS back in '96, but its a first go against with "the Lutz creation" the revitalized Pontiac GTO (Holden Monaro for you Aussie fans). The GTO like the original, has the traditional 2 door configuration unlike the Marauder's 4 door Crown Vic/Gran Marq twins body styles. While the Marauder has a more on the practical approach, the GTO is more like a solo-guy cruiser. Unlike the GTO which it came from Austrailia (yehay, a Holden in US), the Marauder is pure good 'ol fashon american made. Both with a push-rod V8's, rich muscle car past, and a sport theme image. Which is better overall?

You can include the 1996 Chevy Impala SS.

You can compare the current Holden Monaro against the Marauder.

Oh Boy!!!

 

[vat_man]

It'll be interesting - GM seem to be going all out with the GTO.

 

[aljones]

Well, I've never been a big fan of Fords, so it'll have to be the Pontiac. The original GTO and many of the old GM muscle cars were great, so i'll go with the GM car.

 

[LEBSTA]

I'm going 4 the Monaro GTO

 

[CDailey]

I miss the Impala SS!
i think it'd be pretty wicked to see some after market company do some **** to a new Impala.i think that'd be pretty wicked!

 

[ShobThaBob]

GTO all the way baby.

 

[The Vanishing Boy]

Looks like the Cadillac Catera (chassis mate) is having revenge.

The Pontiac GTO, Catera's Revenge.

 

[risingson77]

Actually, the Marauder has an overhead cam engine...Ford doesn't want to spend money on making pushrods anymore.

I know....what's the point?

The new GTO looks cool tho...I think it's LS1-motivated too.

Did anyone else here see Car & Driver's review of the Marauder? Big-time PAN.

 

[Rx7_Rob]

They need the full size Impala back to compete. We could see some mad competitions. The GTO will be much more lighter than the Marauder, the GTO would whoop it's ass in a heartbeat.
The Marauder is cool and all, but its no different with the Impala SS. Chevy no longer has it, so Ford decided to do what Chevy did, since they can't compete now.

 

[Sage]

The GTO will be better. I've already read several reviews on the Marauder (including C/D's), and the thing is too civilised to be considered anywhere near a muscle car... quite frankly, it doesn't deserve its name. Too bad, as it's got a nice exterior wrapping...

 

[Saleen Man]

Anyone got pics?

 

[1X83Z]

I've got pics, Saleen - one sec.

I miss the Impala SS (Notorious BIG might have some different words to say about it)! Though I like the Marauder.

 

[Shannon]

GTO *cough*monaro*cough*

 

[The Vanishing Boy]

Too bad, Mercurys ad campaign for the Marauder was a "tough-guy" image. Looks like it didn't caught up with it.