The 4.6-liter single overhead-cam V8 that comes with these cars is one of the best engines Ford Motor Company has ever built in terms of quality and durability. The engine is rated at 200 horsepower with single exhaust and 215 horsepower with the optional dual exhaust system. The engine now has coil-on-plug ignition which is simpler and more reliable.

The transmission changes gears 50 percent quicker than the previous generation. Shifting is smoother and more positive. No transmission maintenance is required for the life of the car. The Grand Marquis is rated to tow 2000 pounds.

The Grand Marquis provides a smooth, quiet ride. It's stable at high speeds and in crosswinds. This is also the best-handling big Mercury we've ever driven. It is a pleasure to drive on a winding road. The rear suspension was altered substantially last year to achieve this balance. The rear trailing arms were redesigned and relocated to provide control of up and down motions. A Watts linkage was also added -- a simple mechanical link between the center of the frame and the axle assembly that locates the axle laterally.

Braking performance is surprisingly good for such a large car. The brakes were enlarged and upgraded last year, with larger, thicker rotors and dual-piston calipers on the front discs. Those changes improve braking performance. They also reduce the chance of brake fade when descending steep mountain grades.

Steel 16-inch wheels are standard, aluminum alloy wheels are optional. Standard tires are P225/60R-16 all-season radials that ride better and provide better grip than before.

An $855 Handling Package includes a completely retuned suspension with rear air shocks, a larger rear stabilizer bar, a quicker 3.27:1 axle ratio, the more powerful dual exhaust engine, special 16-inch alloy wheels and Goodyear high-performance tires. (The package is just $535 when added to packages that include aluminum wheels.) The Handling Package sharpens handling response significantly and improves acceleration performance.