Transmission delayed drive engagement from reverse?

You might want to add the Grand Marquis to the list of models, as the Marquis hasn't been seen since sometime in the late 1980s I think.

Anyways, I bought this car the other day. Seemed okay on test drive. Paid the man. Drove 30 minutes home. Went to do a 3-point turn it, and noticed it took about 4 seconds to decide to hit drive. Tried it again. Same thing. Time and again. Even if I gave it a tiny little bit of throttle while waiting. Otherwise, the car drove perfectly, full throttle, old lady throttle, through town, on I40, you get the picture. Transmission is full, fluid is clean and the right color. Car hasn't been used in a year or two though.