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:
Showing 451 through 460 of 3,661.00-
Only one complaint - 1999 Mercury Grand Marquis
By Monty - October 24 - 7:26 amOverall a roomy comfortable car. Mostly older men buy them, but good for young, big guys too. Lower lumbar support and power seats were great. Smooth ride
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Must have car, nothing like it driving - 2004 Mercury Marauder
By stevejo - October 21 - 2:00 amThis car is awesome, will give whiplash if not careful. Good fit and finish. Lots of attention from people especially when the engine is reving. Have not noticed excessive body roll.
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The best car ive ever had - 2004 Mercury Marauder
By rayray36 - October 21 - 2:00 amFrom the immaculate interior to the extremly fast v8 the mercury marauder is by far the best thing that has come out of ford in a while..
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Ford Brings Europe to U.S. Autos - 2006 Mercury Milan
By Scott Gurholt - October 19 - 7:00 pmThe Milan is what Ford has been waiting for. It blends the best of European design, Japanese ingenuity with American quality and attention to detail. Finally an American auto manufacturer shows the benefit of what multi-national auto brand ownership brings. The ride is tight, yet smooth. The interior sounds is silent. The 6-speed auto transmission takes a little getting used to, but one you do its great and the extra mileage you gain is very much welcome these days. The car also looks sharp. It reminds me of the old Alfa 164 - edgy for its time. The Milan finally gives some style to an American sedan. GM should take note ...
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Best Full Size Sedan in America. - 2008 Mercury Grand Marquis
By Austin - October 19 - 6:10 amThe Grand Marquis represents an incredible value. I looked at the Avalon, Maxima and Camry and none of them even came close on value. The Grand Marquis has a reputation for reliability and low maintenance costs for thousands less than the imports. This is the most comfortable car that I have owned. Gas mileage is very good for a full size vehicle (23.5 City & 30 Highway). It has top safety ratings in all categories. Do yourself a favor and test drive one of these before you decide to buy an import.
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Worst nightmare! - 2004 Mercury Mountaineer
By Clint - October 18 - 12:20 pmThis vehicle has been nothing but a heartache for me since day 1. I thought my wife and I were buying a reliable vehicle for our family of 4 and Ive been disappointed with it the whole time Ive owned it. Cd player broke at 29000 miles, transmission problems at 40000 miles, and now rear windows, rear AC pump, and ball joints are going bad. Car has 65000 miles on it! Whats next?! Oh yeah! I forgot about the time the battery ran completely dead and disarmed my keys so I couldnt start the car afterwards. Had to have the car towed to a Mercury dealership 28 miles away and get new keys programmed for the car. About a 400 dollar mistake altogether. Are you kidding me? Need I say more?
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Montego!!! - 2005 Mercury Montego
By VOORHEES - October 17 - 11:40 pmNice car, lots of options on the Premier. Handling is solid and power from the 3.0 V6 is very good. Not what the reviewers say. If you want super performance, buy a Mustang GT. Very happy with it. Comfortable too.
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Would highly recommend - 2004 Mercury Mountaineer
By MOM1 - October 17 - 10:00 amThis is our second Mountaineer. They just keep getting better. Very, very comfortable to drive. I love the back- up sensor. Kids love entertainment system. Just wish gas mileage would improve a bit.
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I am happy - 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis
By kittkatt - October 17 - 10:00 amAfter driving a Crown Victoria since 1997 I am use to the big car feel. The Marquis is very similar to the Crown Victoria and the drive is just as good.
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Magnificent Mid-size - 2003 Mercury Sable
By falsesmall - October 16 - 3:36 pmBought this car with 100,000 miles on it and couldnt be happier. Runs like new. The Duratec 6 is responsive and quiet. Flawless shifting in all gears. Loaded with luxury and safety features that make this car a steal..leather, alloy wheels, sunroof, traction control, adjustible pedals, heated mirrors, 6 cd mach audio, ABS, side air bags, etc.,etc. If you want to buy American, here is where you do it. Much more for less. Ford did this one right.
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Mercury Cougar 442 Reviews
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Mercury Grand Marquis 658 Reviews
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Mercury Marauder 165 Reviews
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Mercury Mariner 318 Reviews
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Mercury Mariner Hybrid 115 Reviews
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Mercury Milan 337 Reviews
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Mercury Milan Hybrid 26 Reviews
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Mercury Montego 186 Reviews
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Mercury Monterey 91 Reviews
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Mercury Mountaineer 614 Reviews
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Mercury Mystique 61 Reviews
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Mercury Sable 489 Reviews
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Mercury Villager 159 Reviews