Overview & Reviews

Mercury was a division of Ford Motor Company marketed as being somewhat more upscale than Ford. Throughout the latter part of its 71-year history, Mercury's vehicles were essentially Fords with unique styling details and special features meant to enhance their desirability relative to similar Ford products.

It all started in the 1930s, when Edsel Ford, Henry Ford's son, saw an opportunity to create an additional brand within the Ford hierarchy, one that would exist between the everyman Ford Deluxes and premium Lincoln Zephyrs. To achieve this, Edsel felt the vehicles of this new brand should offer distinctive styling along with innovative features and better capabilities. He named the new division "Mercury," after the Roman mythological god. The 1939 Mercury Eight was the division's first car. It distinguished itself from similar Ford products via a 95-horsepower engine that offered 10 more horses than the Ford V8.

The Eight proved to be a hit, with more than 155,000 sold by the early 1940s. Production stopped during World War II; after the war, the brand was realigned more closely with Lincoln. The company grew from strength to strength in the '50s, establishing itself as a maker of vehicles offering style, performance and cutting-edge technology. A dash of glamour was added to the automaker's image when James Dean appeared onscreen in a Mercury in the film Rebel Without a Cause.

The 1960s saw the introduction of Mercury's Comet and Meteor vehicles. The Comet featured diminutive dimensions and luxury accoutrements, while the Meteor was a midsize family car that followed the trend toward more reasonably sized cars. Racetrack wins boosted awareness of the Comet and helped the model make a big splash in terms of sales. By the end of the decade, the iconic Mercury Cougar, a variation of the Mustang, had been rolled out, its Eliminator version taking its place in the pantheon of legendary early muscle cars.

Hit hard by that decade's oil crisis, consumers during the 1970s were hungry for smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles. Mercury responded with a new, smaller Comet and the Bobcat, the former a fancier version of the Ford Maverick, the latter a fancier version of the Ford Pinto. The brand's sales grew during a decade that was filled with turbulence and uncertainty for many competing marques. Mercury further expanded its lineup in the '80s, this time including the small, Ford Escort-based Lynx. Mercury enjoyed success with the 1986 launch of the Sable, a fraternal twin to the Ford Taurus whose sleek, aerodynamic lines and futuristic "light bar" front end styling set it apart from the Ford.

Mercury's sales hit an all-time high during the 1990s that would never again be matched. Minivans and SUVs were a big reason for that as Mercury introduced its Villager minivan and Mountaineer SUV. Late that decade it introduced a new Cougar, which differed from its predecessors by being a front-drive sport compact that also holds the distinction of being the last Mercury that wasn't a rebadged Ford.

The years following the new millennium were challenging for the brand, as changing consumer tastes and a lack of differentiation between Mercury and Ford vehicles hurt sales. Pundits often proclaimed the end of Mercury was near, but Ford kept stating it would keep Mercury around despite offering no hope for any unique future vehicles from the brand. Finally in 2010, Ford pulled the plug on Mercury, putting an end to more than 70 years of car-making heritage.

User Reviews:

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  Biggest Waste of Money - 2002 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By lynn_m - March 18 - 8:14 am

  I bought this car a year and a half ago because of the raving reviews on this site. I spent $7,000 for a 2002 with 70,000 miles on it. Now at 100,000 miles I have to put $2,200.00 into the car. The whole front suspension is shot. Upper and Lower Ball Joints Sway Bar Links Idler and Pitman Arms I am very disappointed in my investment. Also that car gets horrible horrible gas mileage. Probably 12 miles to the gallon.

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  why even buy it. - 2000 Mercury Cougar
  By sweetbesos24 - March 7 - 2:00 am

  The vehicle has problems with electrical system and fuel pumps. They need to improve on the quality of the vehicle overall. Such as more power and a lighter frame for the car. The vehicle handles and turns ruff and should not turn like a truck. The vehicle also fishtales in the rain or making a somewhat of a fast turn.

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  Cooper is dying - 1999 Mercury Cougar
  By Heather - March 3 - 8:20 pm

  I got my Cougar, Cooper as I call him, for my 16th birthday and at 22 now I realize it was the worst purchase I have ever made. I have had problems since day 1, everything from the engine, transmission, sun roof, tires, brakes, catalytic converter, wheel bearings, you name it its needed fixing. I love driving it though. You can beat 90% of the people on the road and it handles like a dream. But dont get used to it. Each year Ive put at least $700 into repairs and just this month I was told I have $1200 in repairs. I am currently shopping for a new car. I loved my Cougar and if you dont mind paying for repairs then 99 Cougar is the car for you. But your check engine light will forever be on!

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  Worst vehicle Ive ever owned - 2006 Mercury Mariner
  By Jason - February 20 - 8:56 am

  Seriously the worst vehicle I have ever had. 40,000 miles the transmission blew and needed a completely new one with no help from Ford due to the warranty ending at 36K. Now the front end is starting to go and the brakes are shot. I cant wait to get rid of this car.

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  Car did not meet hype!!! - 2007 Mercury Montego
  By toobad1 - February 8 - 7:10 am

  I bought this car used with 26k miles on it at a Lincoln/Mercury dealer, I purchased the extended warranty which covered the car bumper to bumper for an additional 75k miles and 5 yrs. Thank God for the warranty because the trans had to be replaced at 46k the master cylinder at 28k the radio at 30k the exhaust hanger at 34k and the paint on the car was bubbling up in about 3 different areas!!! The CVT trans is crap do not purchase any Ford product with a CVT tranmission!!! Terrible mpg as well!!!!

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  Nothing but issues - 2008 Mercury Milan
  By thomusssa - February 6 - 5:42 pm

  2008 Milan...must have been 1st run modle or something, everything that could go wrong has. I drive highway miles back and forth to work, consider myself close to average to slightly above avg on how hard I drive a car (and take care of it!). After approx 68k miles, transmission goes out. Took to Ford dealer, they want $6,700 for reman transmission. Unreal, had to go with used transmission due to cost. Have had 2 interior items fail, and need replaced. (console tab and short in power outlet) Now, engine rods knocking?! I see good reviews, but cant understand how so much can happen to 1 car. Ive had a Toyota Corolla with 280k miles, and no major issues. Milan was a mistake for me!

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  What A Pile - 2001 Mercury Sable
  By The Expert - January 23 - 9:03 am

  First I cannot admit that I could bring myself to purchase this car because it is not my car but my parents. I have used it over the years as a loaner when needed. I have driven many American cars and currently own a 2004 Honda Accord and a 2010 Toyota Camry. This car is such a pile that it is hard to be intellectual about it. I wont go into the endless maintenance problems and monies spent but just say that it is so joyless and clunky to drive. It is a V6 yet drives as though it would rather be sitting in a pasture rusting. It lumbers along and the shifting is clunky. The best shape this car could be in is a cube at the junkyard.

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  Cougar Far From Purrfect - 1999 Mercury Cougar
  By Daphne - January 3 - 2:00 am

  This car is just one problem after the other. If you purchase this car it will spend most of its time in the shop. I have 44K on mine and the problems have been: defect in brake calippers not retracting which constantly wear out the rotars, sensors continually go out, alternator failed, leaving me stranded on the freeway, transmission greatly hesitates when you really need it the most, radio continually shorts out, cup holder is worthless, front defrost vents pop up. These problems are not one time occurences, they happen over and over again, compounding frustration. Please save yourself the frustration I have experienced and buy a more reliable car.

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  leaking air - 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By MrBees - December 17 - 2:00 am

  I hate driving this car because of the wind noise around the front windows. Having it checked here and in NC Im told its the design of the mirrors. Surely with the number sold, they dont put up with the noise, its distracting.

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  Lemons - 2001 Mercury Sable
  By Merck - December 16 - 10:00 am

  This is the second Sable GS in one year. The first was returned because of transmission problems---A dangerous surge. Dealership wanted to put in a new transmission but I declined and was given another new Sable. The second one is also a dud. Transmission seems to be our of sync with engine. Idling is so fast and within specs that it can travel 5 mph without touching the accelerator! Both Sables have a dangerous vibration on the steering wheel after going 65 miles an hour. By getting another Sable I believed I would have no problems but Ive been back for repairs more that 5 times. I dont recommend it to anyone.