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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  02 Mountaineer nicely re-designed - 2002 Mercury Mountaineer
  By MarkR - August 16 - 10:00 am

  Ive only driven my Mountaineer about 4,000 miles so far. Design wise its a heck of a lot better vehicle than my old 94 Explorer. The more I look at the outside, the more pretentious it strikes me. Still... Ive received alot of compliments on its looks. It handles great and has alot of those handy little storage spaces. I was a little nervous about going from 4WD to AWD but the thing was great in the snows of Vermont. It does occasionally knock slightly on regular gas but it seems like a good strong engine for a 6 cylinder. Overall Im very happy with it.

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  Alfred - 1997 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Alfred - August 16 - 10:00 am

  Only proble check engine light goes on to often. Faulty emission parts

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  My second Grad Marq- 7 year of changes - 2002 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Stiltonjim - August 16 - 10:00 am

  My new 2002 GS Conv is second to 95. NO BETTER VALUE. Interesting to see changes over years, adding anti-lock brakes, drivers power lumbar, cornering lamps, keyless entry (part of conv group and includes moveable pedals), bigger battery, improved AC, front reading lamps, but removed illuminated front door "lamp reflectors" (side of door when you open door, replaced by reflectors), reduced gas tank (21 to 19), deleted trunk toplid carpeting and glove compartment damper (it just falls now, instead of a soft opening), return of locking gas lid (95 had it, but eliminated through 01 and returned in 02), removal of a separate trunk key and locking trunk remote release.

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  I love this car! - 2000 Mercury Cougar
  By Anonymous - August 16 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Cougar new in 2000 and now am approaching 120,000 miles. It has been the most reliable car Ive ever had. Only normal maintenance until last year when I had a repair bill for $700. However, one bill in 10 years Ill take any day. This car is fun to drive, sporty, fast, yet tons of cargo space if you need it (fold-down hatchback). I average 24 mpg city/30 highway, which is better than many new cars. Ive been trying to convince myself to trade it for a new car, but I just cant find one that matches up (considering itll mean a car payment again + having to cross my fingers I get another good car). I may give it to my nephew (and that tells you how much I trust this car)

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  One-owner pleasure - 2000 Mercury Sable
  By harold - August 13 - 3:53 am

  This car has all the features that I need - ABS, traction control, climate control, a beautiful ride at highway speeds and in the city. It has been reliable and I am very impressed with the quality and lack of repairs. This car really is well made and a pleasure to own. My only complaint is the reception of the radio - my other car gets good reception in areas where the Sable reception is poor. Too bad that Ford discontinued the line!

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  Overall its a very good buy - 1997 Mercury Sable
  By Mike B. Beats - August 12 - 11:46 am

  Bought it with 46K, put 100K on it. For $6500, I got low miles, several options including sunroof, dual exhaust, 6 cyl, 3.0L 200hp, and a super clean body. I had no serious problems with it until just this spring, New brakes needed at 145K, transmission needed rebuild at 146k but other than that, the car still drives great. I hate to see it go. I kept it clean, including undercarraige, and maintained the car somewhat well. Awesome heat/AC and it was a great drive on the freeway. It is very low key, as in it doesnt draw police heat, or really any negative attention. It cant be stolen. The key has a chip in it that has to be initiated to start the car. Killer return on ivestment.

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  Premier V8 w/2WD - 2004 Mercury Mountaineer
  By J. Lowell - August 12 - 2:00 am

  Currently have 3000 miles with no serious issues at all. Vehicle is very quiet riding and very good acceleration. The memory seats are very convenient as is the automatic exit positioning of the seat. There is one problem with the sunroom. At lower speeds ~ 20MPH, there is excessive pressure build up in the passenger compartment without any side windows down. Lowering a window or closing the sunroof to 1/2 eliminates the pressure. Overall, I really like this vehicle and would recommend it to anyone.

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  LOVE My Mountaineer!! - 2004 Mercury Mountaineer
  By Darlala - August 12 - 2:00 am

  Its a 10! WIll buy this SUV again!

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  Almighty Powerful Marauder! - 2003 Mercury Marauder
  By PMS - August 12 - 2:00 am

  The Marauder is NOT your average family car. Its HOT! From the initial engine throaty rumble eminating from the dual chrome exahaust pipes - you know it! I drive locally and on the Turnpike and have nothing but good things to say. Cornering is a breeze - no body roll - I can take most corners at 40 mph which is accompanied by the adrenaline-rush one gets on a roller coaster. Breaking is smooth and solid. Steering is very responsive -- the Marauder has serpentined many a pot hole here in PA this winter! This is truely a bad ass wolf in sportly styled sheeps clothing. I bought this as an early 40th bday present and love to drive it whenever I can.

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  Happy Sable - 2001 Mercury Sable
  By FrumpyBru - August 12 - 2:00 am

  I was looking to buy a used vehicle, and I got this 2001 Mercury Sable. It is very comfortable to drive. It halndles very well on the freeway and city driving. It is very roomy for the passengers in the back seat. The trunk has lots of space. It is very attractive also on the body style. I am very proud to have purchased this car. I will never go to driving any other make of car now!