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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  We love this car! - 2000 Mercury Cougar
  By mbserna - February 2 - 10:00 am

  Im surprised to read about the problems some have had with this car. My husband and I have had no problems. Weve driven it coast to coast and havent had to take it in for anything except for oil changes. It is a fun car to drive and the hatchback with folding seats gives us plenty of storage room. Weve hauled furniture and had friends borrow it to haul things that wouldnt fit in their cars. Were sad to be selling it, but the bucket seats in the back arent the best to put a car seat in.

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  Month Driving Experience-- Three Months - 2005 Mercury Montego
  By John A. Whalen - January 30 - 10:53 am

  My Mercury Montego Premier Has been a pleasure to drive. I especially enjoy the excellent visibility and the pedal and seat selections available.

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  Great Car - 1998 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By tp - January 30 - 10:00 am

  This is the most comfortable, dependable car weve ever owned.

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  This Cars the BOMB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - 2006 Mercury Mariner Hybrid
  By Mac Man - January 30 - 9:56 am

  This Car Rocks!!! I used to have a `99 Taurus SE Wagon and, compared to the Mariner Hybrid, the Wagon had the gas mileage like a Suburban.

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  Good Value, Transmission is major issue - 2007 Mercury Milan
  By chuckt6 - January 30 - 9:41 am

  This has been a good car. I really like the interior and exterior styling. The interior leather has held up really well, even when my dogs have ridden in the backseat. It hasnt scratched or worn through like some other vehicles. It has been a pretty reliable car, I have 120,000+ miles on it, yes I drive a lot. The transmission failed at about 106K miles(i have the 5 speed automatic). It sounds like this transmission has problems in the Fusion and Mazda 6 as well. New from the dealer the tranny will cost you $6000, crazy for a $23K car. I had mine rebuilt for $2500 and so far so good. The brakes have been bullet proof, I still have my original brake pads and rotors.

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  True Blue American Icon - 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By 0rnery - January 26 - 11:44 pm

  Full frame, V8 Rear Wheel Drive. The only configuration Ill ever own. Been driving Grand Marquis and Town Cars for over thirty years, and that will be the same till I die. I work on my own cars and have never purchased new. These cars are rugged, reliable and cheap & easy to fix. Thats why police departments, taxi companies and rental agencies chose this platform. Just bought this 2004 Ultimate sixteen months ago with 80K on it, and have not been disappointed. Got a documented 28MPG on a recent 600 mile trip. No doubt it will hold up like all my past FOMOCO cruisers. That means at least 15 more trouble free years in my possession. Batteries, tires and brakes are no "trouble".

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  jessii - 2000 Mercury Cougar
  By jessii0825 - January 26 - 5:23 am

  I bought this car from private seller after owning one before and loved it. Since I have this car I have put more money in than its worth. Had transmission replace, starter, gear cable and now something seriously wrong with engine (timing and wheel something) which will costs another 2300 to fix. I said forget it and Im selling for parts (of course I dont know who would want these crappy parts). I would never recommend buying this car. Its junk!

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  Cool SUV - 2003 Mercury Mountaineer
  By kate lab - January 26 - 2:00 am

  In leather trim this SUV seems better polished than competing vehicles. The 6 cylinder seems more than adequate if you are not towing (I can not comment positive or negative on towing). All in all I am very satisfied with quality, handling, performance, etc so far. Personally, I think it is a better buy with the rebates than the Escape. With out the rebates it would be a tougher choice.

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  contender for mid-size SUVs - 2005 Mercury Mountaineer
  By Paul P - January 25 - 5:43 pm

  This is a great vehicle for practical SUV usage. I am however disappointed that it has the lowest horsepower in its class. Standing at only 210??? GMC envoy has 270;priced evenly. I am pleased with the overall performance of the vehicle, however unimpressed with the gas mileage, averaging only 12.1 on the streets and 16.6 on the highway. Being a car connessieur, I would recommend this vehicle for family use, however if youre looking for power this is not the SUV to buy. Head over to GMC or Dodge if you are in the American market.

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  Great cruiser - 2007 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By jsilvey - January 24 - 10:33 pm

  Love this car. 42 years old, 3 kids. Comfy as any car I have owned - and I usually buy a car ever 12 months. Very low ownership cost, reliable, dependable, handles anything I can throw at it. Same basic drivetrain and build as police cars - built to withstand abuse. Large, safe, and anyone can work on it. Body on frame is a cheap fix in case of an accident. Runs alternative fuel - E85, reduces greenhouse gasses by 25%. Great way to start driving capital towards alternative fuel infrastructure while supporting American workers. Great car for return-on-investment folks - purchase one that has taken a little depreciation and you can own it cheap and have no large long-term ownership costs.