Interesting discovery

[Darryl]

Last night I drove my mother's 2001 Grand Marquis for the first time since May since it's been sitting since late July because she no longer drives, and my nephew no longer needed to borrow it. I figured she still might want to drive around the yard or to my sister's who lives behind her house. Anyway I was taken aback at how much BETTER the AWD HYBRID Maverick handles than the Grand Marquis. Part of it can be attributed to the fact that the Marquis has 265 000 miles on it. But much of it is the nature of the two vehicles. I was surprised to find that the weight difference is only 200-300 pounds . So lightweight is a relative term. So is small. The wheelbase on the Full sized Mercury is 114" But " compact" MAVERICK wheelbase is 121". However, at 211" the Grand Marquis is about a foot longer than the Maverick. I believe that largely explains the difference in handling. I believe Wheelbase and independent rear suspension make a significant difference especially when compared to the total vehicle length. What are your thoughts?

Sponsored

 

[Cancunbadlands]

My thoughts? Crispy bacon and over easy eggs, ah and a cup of coffee please

 

[Darryl]

My thoughts? Crispy bacon and over easy eggs, ah and a cup of coffee please

Yeah, I'm kinda hungry too

 

[Red Eyes - Wide Shut]

Roman concrete is better than today's concrete. To a point it self heals cracking due to the mix among other reasons. I'll take some Canadian bacon please. Or is that to expensive now!

 

[Blue_Max]

I have a 2001 Crown Victoria Police Interceptor. It has stiff springs. I think it handles better than my Maverick, because it has a lower center of gravity and better tires.

 

[Darryl]

I have a 2001 Crown Victoria Police Interceptor. It has stiff springs. I think it handles better than my Maverick, because it has a lower center of gravity and better tires.

That's possible. My mother's car has the base suspension and the factory size tires. 235/70-16.

 

[Cherokee]

The 2001 has slop in the steering bushings and old shocks and its suspension is tuned to float down the road like a caddy.

There can be no objective comparison with the Maverick.
Of course the Mav handles far better.

 

[Darryl]

The 2001 has slop in the steering bushings and old shocks and its suspension is tuned to float down the road like a caddy.

There can be no objective comparison with the Maverick.
Of course the Mav handles far better.

Yes. That's true. Yest, the Marquis is old. So things are quite as tight as when it was new. But still, The Marquis doesn't handle badly at all. The Maverick just handles better. Independent rear suspension benefits handling, so does a longer wheelbase relative to the length of the vehicle. The suspension is tuned with different priorities. By driving the Marquis after a long absence,mim just reminded of the fact that the MAVERICK is an overall good vehicle. Yes they cut corners to save production costs. But the cost cutting was mostly in aesthetics rather than function. Hard plastic, less sound deadening, etc. But it's great in the places that matter.

 

[Blue_Max]

The 2001 has slop in the steering bushings and old shocks and its suspension is tuned to float down the road like a caddy.

There can be no objective comparison with the Maverick.
Of course the Mav handles far better.

I'm not impressed with my Maverick's steering at all. I'm not used to electric power steering or dealing with CV joints. My Police Interceptor has hydraulic power steering and a constant ratio. Even with the recirculating ball linkage, it feels more precise to me.

 

[Darryl]

I'm not impressed with my Maverick's steering at all. I'm not used to electric power steering or dealing with CV joints. My Police Interceptor has hydraulic power steering and a constant ratio. Even with the recirculating ball linkage, it feels more precise to me.

I've owned 1 Crown Vic, 2 Grand Marquis, and 1 town car 2 had recirculating ball. 2 had rack and pinion. Also worked at a Ford or Lincoln dealership since 2001. Drove civilian and police cars. They handled nicely. But the handling didn't match the Maverick. The ride was better though. In all honesty, the electric power steering isn't something I really notice on the later vehicles. In my opinion, newer vehicles generally handle better. Older vehicles generally ride better.

 

[Cherokee]

I'm not impressed with my Maverick's steering at all. I'm not used to electric power steering or dealing with CV joints. My Police Interceptor has hydraulic power steering and a constant ratio. Even with the recirculating ball linkage, it feels more precise to me.

Is it actually an issue under normal non LE type of driving ? I have never driven a cruiser.

Would a civilian need better than the Mavericks handling even during more common evasive maneuvers?

I’ve practiced a few evasive maneuvers just to learn the handling.
As long as my tire pressure is right this little truck changes direction with decent accuracy, I think. :’P

 

[Mavl-ous]

Believe it or not, I had a 2004 Hyundai Elantra (bought new) with a sport-tuned suspension that handled unbelievably well. I back and forth between Missoula, MT and Bozeman, MT weekly for two years. Exactly a 3 hour ride each way (in good weather, of course). That trip on I-90 has flats, hills, curves, a mountain pass, and changes in elevation. While the seating surfaces were less-than-spectacular, it was so easy to drive: great handling and not TOO much engine noise in the cabin. I'd have bought another, but by the time I was ready to, Hyundai's quality control had become non-existent.

 

[Alfetta159]

and my nephew no longer needed to borrow it.

 

[Blue_Max]

Is it actually an issue under normal non LE type of driving ? I have never driven a cruiser.

Would a civilian need better than the Mavericks handling even during more common evasive maneuvers?

I’ve practiced a few evasive maneuvers just to learn the handling.
As long as my tire pressure is right this little truck changes direction with decent accuracy, I think. :’P

Is what actually an issue? We're talking handling feel here. There's a lot of mythology surrounding Police Interceptors. They're essentially taxis with dual exhaust, though. I did get a locking differential in mine, though (better than traction control because it transfers power to the wheel with traction rather than cutting power). I also added a supercharger, Marauder airbox and MAF, shorty headers, and X-pipe.

I'm only used to driving RWD V8s. All my other cars were 302/5.0 Mustangs. The funny thing is, my Maverick has the highest stock horsepower rating (my Police Interceptor was only 235 stock) of any vehicle I've ever owned, and the steepest gears (3.81 with 4K towing package, versus 3.27 on my Police Interceptor and only 3.73 on my modified '95 Mustang GTS), so I'm very pleased with its acceleration. The transmission is annoying, though. I don't care about the shift, but I don't like the transmission-induced "turbo lag," and it doesn't seem to downshift quickly if I punch it (in Normal mode).

The higher CG and tires seem to be the limiting points, though. Once the OEM tires wear out, I'll get something better. Braking is fine.

 

[Escapologist]

The 0.81 g corner holding used to be considered sports car level.

Click on the figure here and see comparisons...
https://fastestlaps.com/models/ford-maverick-2-5-hybrid

Sponsored