The Grand Marquis offers almost all the comfort and convenience of the Lincoln Town Car, and it's priced lower than many luxury mid-size cars. That's a big part of the reason why Mercury has sold 2.7 million Grand Marquis since 1975 when the car was first introduced as a premium American sedan.

If performance is your game, step over to the Marauder, a 300-horsepower version with a floor-mounted shifter, extra gauges, sport-tuned suspension and 18-inch high-performance tires.

As a result of a stiff new structure, the 2003 Grand Marquis rides more quietly and offers sharper handling. It's a much better car than last year's model, more poised. The Grand Marquis frame is brand new for 2003, the third frame design since 1990, and the first with hydroformed front and rear extensions and new crossmembers. Also new for 2003: speed-sensitive variable power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering; a redesigned independent short- and long-arm front suspension, optional dual side air bags, new headlamps, side markers, grille, front fascia and decklid applique, new seat styles and materials, new instrument panel woodgrains, new wheels on all models, and a new overhead console design. For 2003, Grand Marquis has standard antilock brakes and traction control; fold-away, power-adjustable and heated outside mirrors, and a storage pouch in the driver's seat. A dual-media radio with AM/FM cassette and single CD player is now available on all models. A trunk cargo organizer is optional on all models as well.