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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  2000 Mountaineer - 2000 Mercury Mountaineer
  By thunderbirdblue2 - March 7 - 2:00 am

  Great vehicle. NO PROBLEMS!!!!

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  My toy - 1998 Mercury Mystique
  By Gara - March 5 - 10:00 am

  Have this car for over 2 yrs. Bought it with 20k now has 50k. Its fully loaded V6 standard. Only one problem so far(replaced control arm). Reliability exceeded my expectations. Love the car and its performance and handling. Cant find better used V6 4 dr sedan with stick shift for the money (Audi, BMW or VW cost at least twice as much). Downside, dashboard fake wood is too cheap, worn leather on the steering wheel, fake handbrake boot leather and the way the engine stalls at revs when shifting. Interesting enough, in Europe Ford Mondeo(same as Contour/Mystique) was always rated way ahead of Accords and Camrys in any way.

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  I like it... - 2000 Mercury Cougar
  By cougarman - March 5 - 10:00 am

  I purchased my cougar in November of 1999. I love it. I make sure it has its scheduled maintenance, and in return, it purrs like a, well...cougar. After 3 years, I just replaced the tires and brakes. Thats it. No other problems. There were a few minor recalls for items like a battery cable not connected correctly, but the service I receive from my dealer gets me in and out quickly. I have a 5 spd which performs well in merging situations and pulling out into traffic. The interior is really constructed for not more than 2 people, but the bucket seats make for a comfortable ride.

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  Test Drive One and Youll Believe - 2006 Mercury Mountaineer
  By Chris in FLL - March 3 - 10:06 pm

  The Mountaineer is much roomier and proves a quieter and smoother ride than the MDX. This vehicle has a strong structure and transmits NO noise, squeaks or rattles in the cabin. The power retracting running boards and the power 3rd row seats are a hoot. Having driven the Acura, the Mountaineer is clearly a much better deal and when fully equipped was still thousands less than the MDX after the rebates.

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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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  Great SUV - 2003 Mercury Mountaineer
  By Wayne Greene - March 2 - 3:40 am

  This is a superb SUV. Very comfortable and easy to drive. It handles as well as a sedan which is supprising. The ride is like your typical modern day SUV. I had to settle for the Luxury model because of the lack of head room in the Premier with the Sunroof. I am 61". We have the V6 with a class III/IV tow package that pulls our 3500 lb boat better than our V8 truck. This Mountaineer is my wifes primary use vehicle but is also the vehicle we get in when traveling together.

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  MY MARAUDER - 2004 Mercury Marauder
  By JAMES REED - March 1 - 10:00 am

  I LIKED THE MARAUDER WHEN IT FIRST CAME, BUT I DID NOTHING ABOUT IT UNTIL I HEARD IT WAS BEING DISCONTINUED. THEN I RUSHED OUT AND BOUGHT IT! ITS A GREAT ALL-AROUND PERFORMANCE CAR. DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU ABOUT IT IN THE MOTORING PRESS. IT HAS TO BE ONE OF THE BEST SECRETS IN THE AUTO INDUSTRY. I SIMPLY LIKE EVERYTHING ABOUT. I ALWATS WANTED A LARGE MUSCLECAR, LIKE THOSE IN THE 1960S AND EARLY 1970S. MOST CRITICS OF THE MARAUDER SIMPLY DONT GET IT, AND THEY NEVER WILL.

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  Is that a Jag your drving? - 1999 Mercury Cougar
  By coyotefreek - March 1 - 10:00 am

  Well dispite no one ever knowing what a Mercury Cougar is, they always seem to love it once they see it. The design is great, the interior confortable. The storage with this hatch is amazing, just last week I took home a 7 foot long storage unit, and had the hatch shut. The car is a Ford so it does suffer from lots of creeks and rattles, though reliablilty has so far been good. Power is supprizingly sporty despite the slow 0- 60 time. I think its very fun to drive, main complaints being a lousy auto tranny and a large amount of body roll with spirited cornering. I highly suggest this car to those who are looking.

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  I love this SUV!!!! - 2003 Mercury Mountaineer
  By Lori - March 1 - 10:00 am

  I have had my Merc. Mtnr for over a year..driving over 25,000 miles and love it! Have had several SUVs...but this one is by far the best. Some real nice extras and has a different look than most SUVs. Have had -0- problems.

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  Donna Mercury Sable Poor - 2004 Mercury Sable
  By DBeegle - March 1 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car brand new with 3 miles on it off the dealers showroom floor. I have owned it since dec 2003. In that time it has been in the shop to be fixed 7 times . 3 times for electraical and computer problems. 2 times for computer problems. 1 time for starter problems now acting up again. Dont buy this car if you dont want a lemon. Donna beegle