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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  The Best Vehicle America Ever - 2006 Mercury Mountaineer
  By Teresa - January 30 - 9:13 am

  We purchased this vehicle when my husband came back from iraq. Our first suv and it is the best. We get great gas mileage it is spacious and very roomy. We were looking for that. We test drove somany suvs and this one drove smoothly. We especially love the heated seat. This is a vehicle america needs to take adavntage of!

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  Coping... - 2003 Mercury Marauder
  By jameslowell - January 29 - 10:00 am

  The combination of looks, sound, and performance are only surpassed by the frequent looks and comments my Marauder has received. Originally I felt the car could use additional starting-out-ooomph but as it (and you) get some miles you realize the unnecessar-iness of that. I have had a 96GSvette, 2-Z28s, and a 2000CamaroSS and, yes, during all that time my 96TownCar (a teen once commented "my GranDaddy has a towncar like that !"). This Marauder exceeds my appreciation for them all when considering good looks, awesome variable sound, superb handling - with the Marauder though, I get in it each time and do not ponder my "next car".

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  Wonderful Car!!! - 1999 Mercury Cougar
  By azprgrmmr - January 29 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car two years ago and I couldnt be happier. It has been regularly maintained, had some minor service and hasnt ever let me down. The power is great. The sound system is great. Traction is wonderful. Low body roll. Very responsive ride. It has 67000 miles on it so far and has been an all around great car!

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  Have to trade! - 2002 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Jim - January 27 - 2:10 am

  Ive had this car for nearly 3 years and love it..Very comfortable ride and great hwy. mileage (25 mpg). Only bad thing is town mileage is 12 mpg. The only thing that has gone wrong with this unit is the heater fan went out. With the leather interior its very similiar to the Lincoln..body mounted on same platform. Purchased this car for $9,000 less than same year Lincoln. If youre looking for a large comfortable car with great hwy. mileage you wont find better in this price range....Now the sad note....I have to purchase an Expedition 4x4 for my business and we all know what kind of mileage they get.

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  Loved the car for a while - 1995 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By getting there - January 26 - 10:40 pm

  I bought my Marquis used at 12 years old. It was great for about 2 years and then I had a snowball effect. The brakes I was told were built somewhat of plastic so it would cost me 1000 for a complete brake overhaul, then my catalytic converter just up and died a slow death and I was told since the converter had been welded in it would cost me about $1600 at min to cut it out and get replaced. Overall though its probably one of the most solid cars around. I truly enjoyed driving it!

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  Overall Standings - 2004 Mercury Mountaineer
  By kinipela 2301 - January 24 - 10:00 am

  My overall opinion of the vechicle is that not only does it allow you to carry a lot of people or equipment, but it ride just like a car. Starting off with small car, and moving to a mountainneris a step thatI would get to at some point in my life and I did. I would always have a mountainner, a car that I love, and have the feeling of being safe and looking good in it is something sacred. For the first time after have the suv for 3 months I was actually not driving it, but I experienced a ride in the far back seat as a family member was driving and now I always want to sit back there. Its comfortable spacious and separate.

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  Still loving it - 1999 Mercury Cougar
  By cynco - January 24 - 10:00 am

  Bought new in 99 and still driving it at 53000m. I love the way it handles and it still looks great. Some mechanical issues- fuel pump, trunk latch, and engine light. Fuel pump was the biggest headache - finally got Ford to refund repair cost. (I wont deal with the dealer for repairs!) Overall, I cant complain - it has been reliable and it rides great.

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  Mercury Grand Marquis LS - 2000 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By So - January 24 - 10:00 am

  This has been a solid, comfortable automobile that accompanied us on many long drives without complaint.

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  My experience with the Mariner - 2005 Mercury Mariner
  By Kara - January 22 - 3:03 pm

  I purchased this vehicle because I wanted an SUV with decent gas mileage. I really like my Mariner, but have had a few problems with it. When I bought it, at 28K miles it still had its warranty in effect. Good thing because even though I test drove it, I hadnt noticed that there was a probem with its overdrive. I had it repaired under warranty, but soon after more problems with the trans surfaced. I had to take it back 5 months later because it was hesitating & loosing power when driving up steep hills. The entire trans had to be replaced. It has been a few months & I am noticing a clunk going into 2nd when I let off the gas. I am worried it is going bad again, the warranty is now expired.

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  Awesome van - 2002 Mercury Villager
  By nsandford - January 22 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle is very comfortable. The options are few but great. We did not add-on anything, as it is fine the way it is. It is very fun to drive. It is such a smooth ride and the seats are very comfortable. It is very easy for my 85 year old crippled grandmother to get in and out (verus a car, which is nearly impossible).