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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  Safe 5 star & nice room - 2003 Mercury Sable
  By go blue - April 23 - 6:43 pm

  Currently the vehicle has 100,000 miles. Besides normal brakes, tires and oil changes, the only repair I had to make was a blower fan for $150.00. I looked at the Honda Accord & Toyota Camry - both of those cars have timing belts and 30,000 mile tune ups. I had a 100% chance of spending $600 for the timing belt and $300 for each tune up X 3 since I have 100,000 miles. That is a total of $1,500 in normal maintenance that I avoided with Fords / Mercurys 100,000 mile tune up and a timing chain that lasts the life of the vehicle - serveral hundred thousand miles. Why do you think Consumer Reports does not bring this up? Ford delivers vehicle with the design to minimize maintenance costs!

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  Not my Grandpas Lincoln/Mercury - 2004 Mercury Mountaineer
  By LuvMyMountaineer - April 19 - 10:00 am

  Prior bad experience with another SUV, Lemon that was bought back by the Manufancturer. Skeptical but with hope I bought the Luxury v8 AWD Mountaineer. What a treat! There is nothing like having other kids ask for you to chaperone field trips over their parents BMW and Lexus. With the V8 and AWD, living in Alaska and winter time is simple as point and shoot. It goes everywhere! Hauls everything, and looks good doing it. Easy to see out even for my 5 foot tall wife. Adjustable pedals, heated seats, auto dimming rearview mirror, and seating for 7. Nothing like seperating the kids on a long drive to keep peace in the family.

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  Sweet Ride! Excellent Vehicle. - 2001 Mercury Cougar
  By Drathon - April 19 - 3:56 am

  I have owned this car for almost six months now; and have enjoyed almost every minute of it. Pickup in first gear was a little slow, until I installed a short air intake, and new perfomance muffler; now this car has excellent acceleration. The 5 speed manual transmission is perfect, I love the shift. Exterior of the car is awesome, and interior is nice too. My only major problem has been my sunroof. It was supposed to have been replaced before I bought the car HA! Its not any better than the old one, it still leaks. Very aggravating to come out to your car after a rain, and get soaked as you drive down the road. Overall, I love the car to drive, but, being a Ford, it does have problems.

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  My Next Car....... The Marauder! - 2003 Mercury Marauder
  By Marty S. - April 17 - 10:00 am

  You have to go and find one first, good luck, not many dealers have them yet. But once you do, and you first come upon it, you are awestruck with it`s look, then, it`s overall appearance is fascinating! She rumbles like a Mountain Lion, pure Power yet Luxury as well. This is DEFINITELY MY NEXT CAR, NO QUESTION! WAY TO GO MERCURY! M.S.

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  Love the older ones vs the new ones - 1999 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By kyle2187 - April 15 - 2:43 pm

  I have a 1999 grand marquis. I have had it for a year. I have had to change air springs, fuel pump twice, fuel pressure regulator, shocks, tires, ball joints, window motor, and intake manifold its my own dam fault I buy car as is. But, it has more power than most cars. Its fast and rides so good. Im gonna get a 2002 model. But the Mercury will be the only car I own. I wish I had traction con, abs 2. The 02 has everything I want and need. I hate gmc and all imports. Ford all the way. Im n process of buying a 2002 marquis. Thanks 2 all yall out there.

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  Not too shabby - 1998 Mercury Sable
  By RBS - April 15 - 7:30 am

  strong performance, especially w/24v dohc duratec motor. Very roomy inside for a midsize car (equivilant to full size import though). Comfortable road trip or small family car. Decent gas Mileage for size (near 25 on freeway)

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  Love My 1st Car - 2000 Mercury Mountaineer
  By chrishoops27 - April 14 - 11:05 pm

  I just graduated high school and this is my 1st car. I got it from my grandpa who treated it very well and is in great condition. It drives well, and the V8 is very powerful indeed. Granted, it does suck down a lot of gas in the city though hwy mileage is good. Ride is pretty good, though on bumps it doesnt really take them well compared to a sedan would. Excellent build quality, and everything; engine, transmission, electronics, theyre all perfectly fine Im keeping it until it dies thats for sure

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  Mariner Hybrid is great SPG (smug/gal) - 2006 Mercury Mariner Hybrid
  By David Lloyd - April 13 - 6:13 pm

  This is my 5th SUV/truck, and it is great to drive, hard to believe it is made by Ford. The only problem...being too quiet driving in a parking lot. No one hears you coming.

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  2003 Marauder - 2003 Mercury Marauder
  By Zoltan Kovacs - April 13 - 10:00 am

  Good car , lots of fun and great car club, Mercury Marauder.net

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  Woody Goody - 1999 Mercury Sable
  By Cam 2004 - April 13 - 10:00 am

  I always wanted a big wagon with wood paneling. But those 80s Fords were too old. But I also wanted a used car. So when I swa one of these on the road I wanted it. I didnt like the front of the Ford Tarus model, I liked the front of the Mercury, the turn signals being in the grille.(reminds me of an old 1960s Dodge Dart.)So, it was not too old, but not brand new, so I bought a white SL model. I then bought a roll of fake wood paneling, from Stripeman.com, and coustomized my wagon. (I loved the Brady Bunch wagon.)It was a bit pricey, but I loved the way my new wagon looked! Its a great family car, lots of room and versital, if you get one with a roof rack like I did.