2009 Mercury Grand Marquis

Until Ford discontinued the brand in 2011, Mercury sat in the middle of the company’s lineup—fancier than Ford but not as luxurious as Lincoln. The brand had its heyday from the 1950s through the 1980s, with cars like the Cougar, Monterey, Montclair, and Turnpike Cruiser still commonplace at classic car shows. Nearly all recent Mercury models were based on Ford counterparts. The Mercury Milan was a gussied-up Ford Fusion and the Mercury Grand Marquis was a more comfortable take on the Ford Crown Victoria. Since the brand has been gone for many years, most Mercury vehicles will lack modern convenience and safety features, and used examples will likely have high mileage.

A classic highway cruiser, the rear-wheel-drive Grand Marquis is built on a full frame and is powered by a 4.6-liter V8. A compliant ride, a huge trunk, and substantial trailer-towing capability are its major advantages. Handling is fairly clumsy and the steering feels light. The front seat is a bench. The rear seat is not as roomy as you might expect in a car of this size. For 2001, the Grand Marquis picked up more power and optional adjustable pedals. 2003 brought a pseudo-sporty version called Marauder, which was quicker but felt little different from the regular model.