Hiding a Secret: I Accidentally Bought a Budget Performance Car I Didn't Know Existed!
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 5 июн 2023
- This video is brought to you by our friends at Gorilla Car Care, a premium detailing product at an affordable price, and your classic car or truck's best friend for maintaining a showroom shine. Go to gorillacarcare.com today!
( www.alltfl.com/ ) Check out our new spot to find ALL our content, from news to videos and our podcasts!
In this video Brendan takes a detailed look at his new Mercury Grand Marquis that is hiding a secret!
( / tflcar ) Visit our Patreon page to support the TFL team!
Watch more videos from TFL Studios:
The Fast Lane Truck ( / tfltruck )
The Fast Lane Car ( / tflcar )
TFLoffroad ( / tfloffroad )
TFLbike (ruclips.net/channel/tflbike )
TFLnow ( / tflnow )
TFLclassics ( / tflclassics )
TFLtalk ( / tfltalk )
TFL Podcasts:
TFL Talkin' Cars Podcast ( redcircle.com/shows/tfltalk-c... )
TFL Talkin' Trucks Podcast ( redcircle.com/shows/tfl-talki... )
#Ford #CrownVic 
Авто/Мото
These performance options could be added to any Grand Marquis if you chosen the performance and handling package. You got the real dual exhaust, lower gear ratio, bigger sway bars,Watts linkage suspension, tighter steering ratio and the sixteen inch BBS wheels. Those models retained the six passenger seat and the digital dashboard. The same package could be had also for the Crown Vic. I sold a lot early to mid 2000s. A lot of livery companies bought.
That package on a Crown Vic has been one of my my bucket list cars for a long while. Not as slow as a standard 2.73 civilian model, but nowhere near as expensive as the Marauder. Pretty solid value on the used market imo, especially with how obscure the package seems to be.
Absolutely! My '05 Crown Vic has the HPP. It's mostly the dual exhaust (I believe) that pushes the horsepower higher.
@@matthijs.tieleman Correct. For the most part. Also included was a slightly tuned mass air flow for better air intake. As well as the lower gear ratio. If you wanted to give it a bit more zoom,you can get the "P-71" intake that was standard on the cop car version would provide less restrictive intake air flow and get that cool sounding "whoop" air intake sound,kinda like a 750 cfm four barrel would sound in those days. The P-71 cops cars had that unique sound when accelerating . Ford may still have this part,being the Crown Vic and Merc Grand Marquis are so popular till this day. Reliable and tough. I think Ford did them self a injustice to discontinue this model..
@@redey1290 HI. I respect you wanting a Crown Vic with the P&H package. Both the Crown Vic and Merc Grand Marquis are a timeless design. Solid frame rear wheel drive American sedan. You can take a base Crown Vic police version,the P-71 option, and make a Marauder. Well sorta. There is many aftermarket options for this platform.
@@capesquirt Nope. In 2001 all panthers had the pi engine. Same thing for all. Only bump in hp was going from single to dual exhaust. In 2003 or 4 the zip tube and air box was upgraded for better flow and a little more hp
We need a video of Brendan's current fleet
Right? I thought he bought a TL at some point.
@Alex Martens I sold that one.
Sorry that I haven't done a fleet update in a while. I will see if we can do one soon for you guys.
Great. So happy Brenden got his hands on another Panther. As a fellow 8.1 Yukon xl owner I can commiserate with his affection with proper American iron…
We sure do!
Back in 03 I bought a new Crown Vic LX Sport. I loved it. The dealer was shock that a 20 year old came in to buy a Crown Vic on a snowy January day. It was a really comfortable and semi sporty drive. The LX Sport had 17" 5 spoke wheels which I thought looked really well on my dark blue one. I still have the window sticker, it was $29,590!
Mine was Discounted $ 6000 off sticker for being a leftover end of year Demonstrator !
100% Co-sign. See my comment in this thread
I had a silver 2002 LX Sport with the "deep dish" five spokes. They are one of my favorite wheels. The only option I wished I had was a sunroof...
@@hemidaytona2378 I love those rims 🌝. Mine is silver, with the monochrome paint scheme they put on those LX sports those rims really pop
@@lilibethdoherty295 You gots a tremendous bargain!
A roommate of mine had a Marauder. We drove it to Florida from Texas and I got to drive it a bit. It was fantastic.
4:23 Correction: this style of wheels are not exclusive to LSE. They’re actually a part of Handling and Performance package (HPP) that was available on both Grand Marquis and Crown Victoria.
Yes. Those "Lacy" wheels as Ford called them where supplied by BBS Wheels. I sold many of those Grand Marquis with the performance & handling package. I owned both,first the squishy Towncar then the P&H Grand Marquis. That package was popular with the livery buyers.
Yes, but ONLY the LSE got the dark-painted inner parts of these SNOWFLAKE wheels.
My mustang 1973, had these on when I bought it in 1996. They are on my lawnmower trailer now.😂😂😂
Cool ! I owned one of these beauties back in 2001 a 2000 Grand Marquis LS fully equipped . These cars were very comfortable and reliable .
Unbelievable I found this video. I bought a 2003 LSE new the only one I ever saw with center console. The salesman did tell me of the handling and cooling changes. It was fast and I actually raced a cop friend in his SFPD crown vic. I was surprised how well it handled and how it was just as quick as the police car. Damn I wish I would have kept it.
These things could be had with all sorts of options. Or lack of
I was lucky enough to buy one of these last week. One owner 93k. Picking it up today.
Ten months later.. how has the car worked out for you?
These cars were driven my older People and well taken care of, there comfortable built on a lincoln platform and also a rental favorite at the time, Like the Sable and Tauras where a abundant rentals, why so many we see alot here in TN
Estate sales are the best sources for quality everything.
I bought a 2001 grand margins with 101k miles! I've had it 3years! I love it!
I owned a rare 2003 Grand Marquis CTE "Custom Tasca Edition". Car was beautiful.
I owned a 1996 Grand Marquis "Bayshore Edition" was definitely rare.
Best kept secret. The CV with the HPP or the GM with the HPP. Had a 1997 GM with HPP and it was a fine ride. Later bought a new 2005 CV Sport. Killer sedan. Drove the wheels off of it. Liked it better than my 2005 Mustang GT. I also had a new 1996 Impala SS. Another kick ass sedan. It would fly. Had it up to 140 MPH several times. love those big sedans that kick butt.
I love my 2010 Interceptor with 3:55 lsd. But i love all these cars. My 94 MGM started my love for these cars
Clarksville, VA police department had a Mercury Grand Marquis police car in 2011. I literally had to do a double take because i thought I was seeing things. This explains it all. 😂😂
My father back in 1998 wanted a Grand Marquis for his company car lease. He just wanted to pick the color and he wanted me to fill out the order form. I ordered all the options and also ordered it with the Police Package. His car was the same except for the center console. When he turned it in I bought out the lease. Out of the hole it was an average runner but punch it at 50 miles an hour it really went. It was terrible in the snow and my wife was terrified to drive it in the winter and was traded at the time for a new 2004 Mountaineer. The Grand Marquis was one of my favorite cars.
I like sporty luxury cars. Nice to have a little fun in comfort. I avoid air suspension rears though.
an American sedan that has a floor shifter and not a column? now that is super ULTRA rare! i thought they were just a myth!
interesting. i just found a crown vic on CL that has a center console shifter and 5 spoke rims they are selling for $1300 and it only has 135k on it! its probably one of these.
I’ve had a bunch of crown Vic’s and grand marquis…they are great vehicles! Enjoy
Nice car 👍. Now that ya have the Grand Marquis and the Town Car you’re only a cheap police auction crown vic away from the Ultimate Panther Platform review, hopefully involving some kind of Top Gear style road trip.
Grand Marquis with the handling and performance package had those wheels too and also the dual exhaust and suspension upgrades. The LSE is even more rare because it added the bucket seats and the floor shifter.
Yes, and LSE embroidered front floor mats - the ONLY place it said LSE anywhere on the car.
I'd like to see a drag race between this one and the one you gave to your brother. Awesome video guys! 👏 👏 👏
I had one of these back in the day, 239 hp, 287 lbs/ft and I promise you that my 2015 Toyota minivan will run circles around it, and BTW the minivan weighs 400 lbs more than the Mercury.
So will my 95 Lexus LS 400.
Likely thanks to a much newer transmission. Automatics took a huge leap throughout the 2010s, both in terms of power efficiency and ratio spread. For example, when the Charger (5.7L) went from the old 5-spd auto to the new 8-spd, the 0-60mph time dropped from 5.8 seconds to 5.1 seconds while also showing real-world gains in fuel economy. I feel like people overlook how good automatics have gotten.
I loved my 92 Grand Marquis. My parents had 2 Crown Victoria's. They take abuse and just keep going and going and going...
This Grand Marquis is pretty sweet.
This is the nicest car you have bought man. Never get rid of it
I bought one of these new and off the lot for my mother, an elderly lady in her 70's. We bought it because she liked the color, it had the power and trim options she wanted, and leather. Little did I know the car was a total sleeper.
It had the high speed rated, wider Michelin tires, aluminum wheels, four wheel disk brakes, and an engine that seemed powerful. The salesman made no mention of the Mercury being "special", but when we got it home I checked out the specs,I thought that it might have bought an unmarked police car. I didn't say anything.
Every time I visited mom I couldn't wait to drive the Mercury. It was, and probably still is a stellar performer. After my mother quit driving, the car was passed around to various grand daughters who drove it to college. It was still running great last I heard of it.
So neat! I've never heard of this version. The 4.6L is no powerhouse by today's standards, but it's a great engine. The creaky interiors of these Panther cars sound like sitting down on and getting up from a wicker chair.
I own three Panthers and I gotta say it's a real shame Ford didn't build the interiors of the lower models the way they did the Town Cars. My Town Car's interior is nice and solid with no plastic squeaks and creaks that the my Crown Victoria and Marauder have.
@@fourthhorseman4531 I rented a 2010 Grand Marquis on vacation. It had less than 10k miles on it and there was a persistent sound of plastic panels chirping. Drove us crazy going down the highway.
"Lace" style BBS alloys mean car has HPP package with dual exhaust, 3.27 or 3.55 RAR sometimes with locker, rear air suspension, and beefier roll bars. Rear bar is 21MM which is same as Marauder. 1998-2002 cars are lighter than later cars. 2001-02 cars have PI heads which were same as contemporary Mustangs. It is a snappy performer, surprisingly good road handler, and will cruise on the freeway in supreme comfort.
Man I remember back in the day standing in front of an exact clone of that car at my local Lincoln Mercury dealership Southwest Lincoln Mercury in Houston Texas glistening in the midday Texas sun and drooling over it....
Brendan those wheels also came on the Crown Victoria with the handling and performance package
Interesting car! Seems to basically be a Grand Marquis version of the LX Sport. A lot of these performance upgrades were also on the Handling and Performance Package (HPP), which leaves the six-person seating but gives you the extra horsepower. My '05 Crown Vic LX has the HPP, great car and that little extra horsepower is nice!
I remember looking at a black Crown Vic LX Sport on the lot back then & thinking what a great sleeper it was!
I have an '04 LX Sport. It is very reliable and great on the freeways.
''performance'' its still slower and handles worst than a chevy sonic
@@retrocompaq5212 Yup. And do not mess with Prius either.
@@retrocompaq5212 A car which I am sure will go down in history as one of the automotive greats. When we think of iconic cars by General Motors, we think of the Sonic, of course!
I have never had any complaints about the 90's Grand Ma Cars, in general. They just have a long wheelbase, to be aware of. I know they don't compare as well to new luxury vehicles, where 300 is the new 300, but they are deceptively quick. They don't feel like they are accelerating that quicky, but the needle climbs pretty fast. They almost don't give you enough time to experience the acceleration, because they get up to speed, quickly - especially when they're already rolling.
I have a 05 crown victory P71, it was a N.C highway patrols Detectives car, & it's been dyno at 250 hp & 300 ft. pounds of torque. So for a big heavy car it does okay.
No mods? Thought those cars were 220whp
Mercury's answer to the Ford Crown Victoria LX (comes with a floor shifter too)
Only the LX Sport has the floor ( console ) shifter !……
Very cool vehicle. Love these hidden gems. See if you can find a Ford Taurus SHO
I had a Grand Marquis Ultimate Edition. Digital dash, lots of options. I loved that car. So smooth
My second car. I love driving it. Has all the digital stuff. Added a 7" android nav.
@@alb12345672 sweet! Wish I would have kept mine.
@@jonfranklin9361 Yes, it still rides good, a 98. Starts up, goes, to point B, uneventful :lol:.
I just bought an 04 MGM LS Ultimate and learned AFTER I completed the sale about the LSE!
I really like the colors on your car, and it sounds like for a few bucks I can bump up the horsepower in mine.
Thanks for the video
Love that car, multiple drag races coming I hope haha
I want one. The bench seat was one reason I sold my Grande Marquis.
My mother in law just inherited her late sister's Grand Marquis. I've only seen it from a distance, so methinks I need to do a little examination and see if it's something interesting.
I had a 98 Crown Vic (standard civilian) and it was not an "absolute boat". For the comfort level this thing gave the handling was extremely well balanced and very good. My 02 Mustang is only marginally better, and would undoubtedly get me into more trouble because of snap oversteer if pushed too hard, which the Panther did NOT have.
My '00 Grand Marquis is a treat in corners. All she needs is new shocks and ADTR front and rear sway bars to reduce body roll - those leather seats are a smidge slippery. After the suspension, the drivetrain gets upgraded.
They're basically cop cars with leather.
@@johngregory4801 Yea if I ever get another Panther (which I'm considering) it will be either the Mercury or Lincoln.
I had a 2003 LSE, it would bark the tires shifting out of passing gear. The first time it did it I thought it was someone else. I loved that car I had a hard time letting go of it. I still drive a 2007 LS with 70,000 miles on it. It runs well but not like that.
I really enjoy these types of videos, very informative.
I had a 1998 gs with 18,900 miles on it for 4500 dollars. Bought it from a 95 year old. I totaled it and I haven’t forgave myself.
The Grand Marquis could be had with a analogue or digital dash. I found two LSE’s in the salvage yard and took the best parts from each to upgrade my MGM GS to LSE. All swaps easily.
I mean, 4100lb car with 239 horsepower. I drove several of them too. They were slow lol. I absolutely loved the Panther platform for what it was and also think the Marauder would've been legendary if Ford had sourced the motor from the Cobra instead of the Mach 1, but it is what it is.
How can it be little known and an icon at the same time?😊
What an interesting video. I had never heard of this version before.
Thanks for the good content.
As a European enjoyer of American cars I was always finding sad that all fun versions of American cars are coming with console and floor shifter, having a front bench is super with your gf, why do I need to trade it off for the driving values?) Especially when "sport bucket seats" are just all the same bench with central section cut-away
Luv the dash! The 4.6L is nothing to write home about, especially in a Panther, but still cool. Keep the big boats on the road!
Cool car even I didn't know about when I worked at a dealership! Awesome info
i know couple of people with grand marquis they like em. one friend has a lincoln town car. some those panther cars had full vinyl top and back vinyl top. i remember late 1960s marauder also looked similar to marquis back then.
Funny, I do recall one of these in blue color come through our rental fleet back in the day. I remember the shifter being in that location and it threw me off. I never knew why but now I know!
The ‘bump’ in HP wasn’t just an LSE thing. It was a dual exhaust thing. No, the hpp ‘snowflake’ wheels springs abd swaybars, gears were part of the hpp package that could be had with a split bench seat.
That so much cooler than ordinary muscle cars
Nice car! I didn't know these existed. Love the color! Nice shape for a automobile that is 21 years old. The console shifter is a very nice touch. Are the seats ripped in the front, or is that some type of storage pouch on each that got stretched out over time??
It’s a pouch that’s stretched.
It’s a sidearm pouch.
@@davidgold5961 Thats where you stash your drugs.
"Wow, this thing is pretty quick!" Speedometer: 0-35 in three seconds.
As a recent owner of a Grand Marquis myself, (2003 GS) I must say I love my car. Mine doesn't have the leather package it's just the cloth seat package with basic gauges and basic air conditioner controls but it is still so comfortable. I have owned several Lincoln Town cars in my time and this Grand Marquis runs just as comfortably as those Lincoln's did. I had no idea they had a performance version of the Marquis other than the marauder so this is news to me. I've been wanting to buy another Grand Marquis because why not own a pair of them? Truthfully I'm an old hot rodder that loves driving unusual cars that no one would suspect as fast. So I want to customize my current one with leather and build it for ultimate luxury and the other one I'll build as a sleeper and make it as bad ass as possible. So it seems like it's time to do some research and see if I can find one of these hidden gems
I owned a 1995 Town Car drove it over 200k then bought a 2003 GS drove it over 145k never replaced any parts. I was always s the 2 owner and bought these from old guys with less than30k miles. I usually paid less than 1/2 of the new price. These cars are the best value and comfort ever made. I bought tires and batteries from wrecking yards as there were so many of these made. If you change the oil every 3k and the air filter every 6k and dump the coolant every 2 years 200-300k is no problem. I drove mine cross country many times at 70 mph for up to 14 hours at a time and the gauges never moved
I owned a 95 LS with over 200k miles on it. Best car I've ever owned.
I was at my local hot rod shop and spotted a Grand Marquis with no hood. I remarked on it and the owner said, “Go take a closer look.” I did, and though it looked almost like a granny Marquis, I realized it had 10 injectors on it. A Lincoln-Mercury dealership mechanic had transplanted a V10 Triton truck engine in it. He said he only had to trim the radiator shroud and sort out the ECM wiring - transmission bolted right up. With a stall converter and nitrous, it was ferocious though he needed slicks at the strip when using the giggle gas. The body shop was fabricating a hood scoop to cover the taller truck intake manifold. Several local state troopers got to try it out, and wanted this for their next unit.
I just purchased a 1999 Grand Marquis last week. It has original 93,000kms. Absolutely mint condition. Zero rust. Always garaged, and I believe it may have the original rubber on the rims. There's major cracking in between the threads. I'll be buying new tires for it tomorrow. I'm looking for custom 16" rims to spiff it up. Any suggestions? I'm in Regina also. Cheers!
Tfl, as always, does good showing what is happening.
That sound! I was not expecting that. Fantastic video!
If you are going to keep it, put a transmission cooler on it if it hasn’t been done yet. That transmission fluid gets really hot.
Great video! Didn't know these existed. Own a 1997 Mercury Cougar with a similar powertrain: solid, reliable and will perform when desired.
The wheels came on the 02 Crown Vic LX with the HPP package. I own one in Spruce Green. Mine has the LX sport p74 performance package with the column shift. It's also pretty rare.
0:35 That was literally the first thing I said (honourable mention for the police and taxi spec, with slight tuning could be a mild beast), a very nice find didn't know about this version of the crown vic
My memory of driving a friend's Towncar, which I'm not sure how different it really is, is that the steering geel had the vague feel of a series of sticks and rubber bands. I'm not sure if it accelerated faster it would have been moluch better. But it was comfortable.
Feds and police captains drove these, as well as high ranking city officials in certain places. It's basically a Mercuy P71.
I love this car! The wheels are fantastic too. Good trade.
These are great cars. I recently picked up a 60K mile 03 Ultimate edition. They made a lot of changes in '03 including a hydroformed frame, better suspension, and rack and pinion steering. I was pleasantly surprised how well it handled. Not like my C5Z06 but it can hold its own on twisty mountain roads and is way more comfortable. Power is okay but I am trying to resist modifying it for more. 😁
Some people have done a 5 speed manual conversion to them as well using Mustang parts.
The 02-03 jump was huge in drivability. I had an 01 for a few years and an 03 for many years, and everything about the 03 except the cylinder heads was a nice improvement.
I've seen this Performance package in a Ford Crown Victoria, very rare and yes it also had a floor shifter. If you've seen these, you definitely had to look it over.
Awesome, Canadian made in at one point back then along with crown Victoria in St.Thomas plant ,Ontario Canada 🇨🇦 😊
I had a 1995 Grand Marquis HPP. Loved those wheels and it handled well!
My Grand uncle had this model but it had a column shift. I understand he ordered it this way because he wanted the bucket seats but not the "elbow knocker" console in the center. His car just had an odd open space in the center of the car that truly looked like something was missing. I just remember thinking at the time that the car realy moved, I was in my very early 20's.
Older panther cars had 2.73 stock and I think the Marauder had 3.27 I always thought they did that because 3.08 like a lot of Mustangs would probably be the best because if I’m thinking right the 3.27 and the EO4D transmission kind of wind out quickly in the lower gears (and they are not known for their willingness to shift up top) plus a way to limit the top end a little bit on engine RPM where the 3.08 would stretch that out a little I always wondered how much of a difference that would make.
Hey look for a Lincoln Mark 8 those were pushing 280 HP … just saying and they were pacing the Cadillacs of the day with the Northstar V8s of the the day too. 😉
in kensington Brooklyn, this was like every other neighbor had one, especially white or green
Wow, very cool. I guess I’ll head over to Autotrader to find one although the prices will have gone up after this video.
Crown Victoria Sport was a similar car being a P71 with a floor shifter.
I like this car Brendan. Didn’t know about it specifically but remembered that Mercury was chasing the 5 series and E series Mercedes but just didn’t have enough there. Regardless the numbers are low enough and the style and design is nice/unique enough it sure could be a collectible!! Like the Impala SS of the time, but a nicer car overall.
Good trade!! 😊
That's a tough competition with the impala ss. I like them both, but i want a noticeable good transmission and a posi of course. Would be a good race, if Merc had 260 hp.
Weirdly the 2001-2 Chevy S10 had a console shifter. It was a pretty rare option as well. Common on the S10 Blazer but extremely rare on the S10 pickup
And it would smoke this Gandma Marque
I had a 97 s10 extended cab 2 wd 4.3 v6 with the floor shifter.
The police interceptor crown vic didn't have air suspension it had coil springs in the rear at least my 2003 did.
Fun fact - the 3.27 rear end is the same ratio from the 1999-2004 Mustang GT. However, the Mustang never got the Watts link that this handling pack got you on the Grand Marquis.
Love it! Great video
Awesome car! However, a few mistakes were made in the video that I'd like to point out: The 01-02 LSE had 235hp and the knock sensor didn't appear until '03. The BBS style wheels were also found on all 1995-2002 Grand Marquis Handling and Performance pack cars; they were not unique to the LSE package. The LSE is pretty much a Handling and Performance Pack Marquis with five passenger seating and the floor console.
Also, not all LS models have an air suspension
@@Mac10Daddydid they all have digital dashes? Mine doesn’t
@@Sandbirds nope. I have an LS and it has neither the digital dash or air suspension
@@Mac10Daddy My 05 merc ultimate.. Air susp, and dass
Those rims came on a 2000 Grand Marquis Performance Package which also came with a 3:55 rear end and the largest rear sway bar ever put on a CV/GM as well as dual exhaust.
I love it I wish I had one right now seats are so comfortable and groomed and the LSC with the center console made it all the difference having the storage the cup holders instead of stupid cupholders they had that had little clips to hold the bottom of a soda bottle
That's too bad, that Mercury Lincoln didn't just replace the V8 with a modern fuel efficient V6, mated to a modern transmission that would have gotten an additional 3 - 4 miles per gallon in the city and five or six miles per gallon on the highway and these cars would have lived on for more generations....
I want two more cars in my lifetime: a Panther body something that isn't too destroyed and a bullnose that also hasn't been wrecked and neglected.
Cool car. I've been wanting to pick up a panther car some day.
Brenden is the best TFL personality.
I live near Heavens Waiting room, I see a lot of Mercury Grand Marquis. I will see if I can find one of these models. Problem is, getting the oldies to sell them.
My uncle George had a Mercury Grand Marquis almost identical to this one.
I always really liked the Mercury brand. The Grand Marquis in particular
I’m not one who believes that an automatic transmission has to have its shifter on the floor (too boy racer for me).I also don’t know what people are talking about when they say “they’re boats “I think they’re a perfect size.I’m driving a 2011 town car that’s got 466,000 miles on it and uses no oil (ditto a ex pig package crown Vic).No wonder they killed them off they last too long.
US Customs had some really tricked out Mercury cars back in the day.
Pretty cool! Nice ride
Good job Brendan 👍🏿
I didn’t realize these were special. When my friend was looking for a car we looked at a Grand Marquis with a floor shifter but her mom was like that’s a grandma car so we kept looking. It did drive nice though
I have a 2005 Grand Marquis LS Ultimate Edition with the Performance handling package. It has everything the LSE came with minus the bucket seats.
I also have an 02 Crown Vic LX SPORT in black with dark charcoal interior.
Your camera guy is right not many know about these.
I Have a 2003 LSE. I removed 2 cats and installed a true dual exhaust. It's a beast.
This is awesome. I love my '97. In 2005, they switched to electronic throttle and unfortunately had some issues with the throttle body suddenly opening up all the way, without any user input on the throttle pedal whatsoever. I myself experienced it in a low-mileage 2006 Grand Marquis, sitting at a red light. The car suddenly launched full-throttle while I was waiting at the light with my foot on the brake pedal. Nearly rear-ended the car in front of me, but I stood hard on the brakes while the car began to do a burnout, and then I shifted it in neutral and cut the engine off. Restarted it a few seconds later and everything was back to normal. Very alarming. I had just purchased the car from a very reputable local car dealership ("reputable" relative to car dealerships) which thankfully had a 5-day, 500-mile return policy, so I returned it that afternoon. After researching the issue, I found dozens of other, identical reports all involving 2005 or later panthers. Although it may have only affected a super small percentage of cars, after experiencing it myself I won't take that risk again. If I ever get another, it'll be a 2004 or older.
Wheels were on the Hpp models as well which were also dual exhaust and performance upgrades