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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  Happy with my Mountaineer - 2003 Mercury Mountaineer
  By yankee down south - January 21 - 2:00 am

  Just got my Mountaineer two weeks ago. $23,100 w/16K miles. We love it. 13.8 mpg so far - but all local driving w/a V8.

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  The Life of a COUGAR - 1996 Mercury Cougar
  By Cougar Life - January 20 - 10:33 pm

  This car was the second Cougar I have bought in 3 months as a cheap replacement car I was hoping to own for more than a year. I had a 94 Coug which decided to one day have major engine problems with no warning.It had 120K miles on it. So I bought the 96 with 87k on it which seemed like a great buy for my price range.Within a week of owning I had to replace a couple of things which I think was due to not being well kept by the owners before me. After that, I noticed a major difference in how the car drove.It can really get moving with its powerful V8. I drove the car from Wisconsin down to Florida with no issues.As long as you get one that is well taken care of you shouldnt have any problem.

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  Fun! - 2002 Mercury Cougar
  By AJ - January 20 - 7:43 am

  I love this car. It is a blast to drive, especially on a windy road. Even though it is nearly 7 years old, it still looks and drives like new.

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  never buy another one - 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By anthony caggiano - January 15 - 2:00 am

  bought car new,had trouble with check engine light,transmission,front end,all before 25000 miles.Dealer on three returns was unable to fix check engine light.Dealer indifferent,as was manufacturer

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  Power and Style - 2003 Mercury Marauder
  By Smokie - January 14 - 10:00 am

  I purchased four days ago, 14.5 mpg. on first refill, engine seems tight, with less low end torque than I expected, however after about 200 miles I noticed a continuing improvement in take off speed and also in torque when down shifting. The car responds much quicker and with less gas pedal the more I drive it. I love the way it sounds and the handling is excellent for its size. I have not floored it yet and I dont believe I will until about 1000 miles. The car has not disappointed me yet; it is exactly what I want it. Luxury, Power, Good looks.

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  01 Sable Wagon - 2001 Mercury Sable
  By Ira - January 14 - 10:00 am

  Traded in a 99 Taurus Wagon w/duatech v6 - never liked that car much - wallowed in corners, ride too soft. Sable flatens out corners, has respectible handling and extremely comfortable seats. Also has Duratech v6 - gas mileage about 4mpg overall better than Taurus. I think it is well worth the extra grand or so over the Taurus - much better vehicle.

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  Mercury Milan my worst purchase - 2007 Mercury Milan
  By jacklover - January 13 - 7:30 am

  We purchased our Mercury brand new from a Mercury dealer, got a great price for an AWD car. 1) The car does not shift when cold unless you lift your foot or reach 5000 RPM 2) The third driveshaft at 75000 miles 1st was replaced under warranty 2nd an 3rd on my tab. 3) Buy tires get the car aligned, the alignment only lasts about 25000 miles . Firestone Bridgestone goodyear not generic tires 4) the dealer must think my wife is an idiot. Free inspections are not free, they will reccomend something not needed. If you ask a question they will deny it. 5) They dont have parts for a vehicle that is 5 years old. The Dealer and Ford Recommend purcahsing a $917.r dollar unit for a $10. breathe

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  Mercury Marquis is a legend - 2000 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Tom Macedo - January 13 - 5:50 am

  We bought this car as a used vehicle for my wife and a family car as we have grandsons. It was a hertz rental with 22,000 miles on it. This vehicle has performed extremely well, with super handling and comfort and most of all it is a safe vehicle for my wife in town and on the highway. Power is great and gas mpg is good. As a race car driver in the past, I really like rear wheel drive and this car has met all my expectations!

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  Solid, dependable, versatile vehicle - 2000 Mercury Sable
  By 7 year owner - January 13 - 3:46 am

  Purchased this car used with 9k mi. Car has been relatively inexpensive to maintain, remains solid and has provided unfailing dependability. Currently has 130k mi. Not an exciting car, but is solid and safe feeling. Smooth highway ride. I call it my 4-wheeled sofa. Has the tried and true base 6-cylinder as I was a bit wary of the more powerful 24-valve 6 cyl. Factory brakes were poor, but once after market brakes put on, no problem. Adequate performance, very useful for family trips, 18-20mpg city, 24-25mpg highway on regular gas. Still running on stock transmission with no signs of problems. Dash, upholstery, and paint remain in excellent condition. Plan to keep for 2 more dependable years.

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  2nd Mercury Monterey - 2006 Mercury Monterey
  By Love my Monterey - January 12 - 12:30 pm

  This is my second Mercury Monterey i got the first one in late 03 as a 04 model and it just keeps getting better so that why i purchased a 2006 Monterey it actually has more features than my 04 Monterey Premier and the 06 was cheaper in my opinion this is the best minivan out there its by far the best looking one outside and to me the best looking one inside to the interior materials are of great quality as well as the exterior the 4.2L V6 is very powerful it can easily get up to 70 in no time and the ride is great its extremely quiet and smooth and i love the colors dark red and black leather and i love the wood/leather steering wheel and everything else as well i highly reccommend this van