does there seem to be maintenance problems with the 1997 mercury grand marquis

No, not really, its a fine car. It's the same car as the Ford Crown Victoria, and if it was an unreliable car there would not be so many cop cars, it's the same Panther Platform - http://www.carcomplaints.com/Mercury/Grand_Marquis/1997/ - http://www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/mercury-grand-marquis.html

Joe of Maize, KS on http://www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/mercury-grand-marquis.html - I have a feeling he broke the spark plugs himself and wants to blame somebody else.

You may have to change coils occasionally but if you keep the engine dry and don't wash it it won't be very often.

The only maintenance issues I've seen from the GM is due to defective owners.

Guy, there is an old motto in the construction/earth-moving business, that does apply to cars.. "It ain't the equipment it's the operator"