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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  Best Sable of three Ive had - 2001 Mercury Sable
  By Joe Garibaldi - September 29 - 7:10 am

  Comfortable, lots of guts, smooth. Others that drive it like it. Never had any major work (until this month). Rough idling when warmed up, diagnosed as burnt valve. Covered under factory warranty. Two weeks so far, waiting for repair. Informed it will be another week. Dealer says burnt valve is a very unusual thing. They never say this before (large dealership). Other than that, I like the car, but am now leary. This would be a very expensive repair if not covered under warranty.

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  A car for me - 2003 Mercury Marauder
  By Stephen B. - September 27 - 10:00 am

  Its about time someone built a fun car for big people. Im 62" and dont fit in any of the Hondas, Nissans or Toyotas.This big Merc has it all. Power, handling, braking and fun to drive. I missed out on the last Impala but I drove a couple. Glad I waited for the Maurader. Its build quality is much better and it handles better and is faster.

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  Problems, problems - 2000 Mercury Cougar
  By Midge - September 27 - 10:00 am

  The car has been in the shop for numerous rattles, one air conditioner squeak. And, it has broken down three times for the brake safety sensor failure, thus leaving me stranded. The car will not go into gear when the sensor and brake lights fail. The service department doesnt know what is wrong. The car has been in the shop, maybe, 19 times for various repairs.

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  BAD TRANSMISSION - 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By BERNIE FOSTER - September 27 - 10:00 am

  I TRADED MY PERFECT 2001 MARQUIS IN ON A 2003 MARQUIS. IN THREE MONTHS THE CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 3 TIMES FOR A TOTAL OF 35 DAYS FOR TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. IT IS IN THERE NOW & WAITING FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION TO ARIVE FROM THE FACTORY. I HAVE GOTTEN ONLY LIP SERVICE & VERY POOR SERVICE OTHERWISE.

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  Great, Solid Car - 2005 Mercury Sable
  By Vic - September 26 - 5:13 pm

  My 2005 Mercury Sable is great! I got a fantastic car, and at a great price. Super value. It has an excellent ride, good performance, and handles great. Has 52,000 miles on it, only routine maintenance thus far (i.e. oil changes & wipers). Still has original tires and brakes! (Never has been in shop for repairs). It has great features for the money, is very comfortable for the family, and has large trunk space. Im not sure Ill ever let it go. Highly recommend it if looking for a good, solid, used car.

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  Does what I got it for... - 2003 Mercury Mountaineer
  By robin - September 25 - 3:46 pm

  I live in the snowbelt in northeast Ohio and needed a reliable vehicle to handle country hills. This vehicle is up to the task. Disappointed in the road noise and just average seat comfort. Had significant electrical problems fixed under warranty. Still, I know when the snow is flying and the kids are in the vehicle well get where were going and back again.

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  Best Value for a Small SUV - 2008 Mercury Mariner
  By Gregg - September 24 - 1:46 pm

  When I decided to buy my first SUV, I decided to go small. I researched all of the SUVs in the class and decided on going with either the Mariner or Escape. I ultimately decided on the Mariner Premier 4WD. The re-designed Mariner is the best looking inside and out of all of the SUVs in the class. It is both bold, but yet has a sophisicated look. In my opinion it beats the Escape in looks. The interior is simple, functional and classy despite the heavy use of plastics on the doors. Against all of the other SUVs in the class, its the best value in terms of standard features and available options. Lastly, the fit and finish is superb.

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  Big Car - Big Value - 2006 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By jlg - September 22 - 8:16 pm

  The gas mileage is amazing for the size of car. Overall the drive is quiet. Roomy is the key word of this car! The seats could use a bit more redesign as they tend to be a bit low to the floor.

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  Love it - 2003 Mercury Mountaineer
  By Kimb030 - September 21 - 10:00 am

  I dont urn for any other SUV! This thing handles wonderfully - so much better than my old Mountaineer. It can turn on a dime - much better than many cars. Ive never had a problem with either of my Mountaineers - reliable, reliable! Love the 3rd row seat - tons of room!

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  WE FINALLY PICKED A WINNER - 2003 Mercury Mountaineer
  By LINDSAY-ROSES DAD - September 21 - 10:00 am

  WE ORIGINALLY PICKED A NISSAN QUEST WHICH WAS NICE BUT IT SPENT MORE TIME IN THE SHOP THAN IN OUR DRIVE WAY. THE MOUNTAINEER WAS OUR NEXT CHOICE AND WE HIT THE JACKPOT. WE LOVE THE WAY IT RIDES AT ALL SPEEDS. THE OPTIONS ARE SUPERB. WE WISHED WE COULD HAVE GOTTEN 2-TONED PAINT WITH THE PREMIER PACKAGE, NOT A BIG SACRIFICE. 78MPH GOT US 17.5 MPG, NOY BAD WITH THE V-8 AWD MODEL. WE TRIED THE 6 CYLINDER AND DROVE IT 200 FEET AND RETURNED IT, THE V-8 IS A MUST!!. WITH A TON OF MONEY BACK FROM THE FACTORY AND A GREAT DEAL FROM THE DEALERSHIP, WE GRABBED A 38900 FOR 30500. WE OWN A USED CAR LOT AND IT IS A "SIN" TO BUY NEW, NOT ANY MORE!!