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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  Awesome Mercury Grand Marquis - 1999 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By David - July 11 - 7:30 pm

  Im a 21 year old and this is my first car I ever bought and let me tell you its an awesome car. Now I see why cops and taxi cab drivers use them. Ive driven these kinds of cars since I was 17 this being the 3rd one Ive driven and first one Ive bought and owned. Ive driven a 95 model and another 99 model that my father owns. This car only has 37,500 miles on it right now. It had 27,450 when I bought it for less then $7 grand. I have the GS model but I have leather seats. It rides and handles really smooth and has good pick up for its size. Its not no Mustang or race car but it can keep up and has the power when needed.

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  Very impressed and surprised - 2008 Mercury Sable
  By luvmysable - July 11 - 12:20 am

  In 2007 I was in a bad car accident in a small foreign car (I was rear-ended). I resolved to never buy such an unsafe car again. I set out to find the safest car in America and buy it, no matter what. I was sad to have to “settle” for an old lady car like the Sable. I barely test drove it, picked my color, at least got the chrome wheels, and I was off. I am so completely and totally in love with that car! It is amazing and has so many surprises; stuff my Mom’s Lexus doesn’t even have. And it can *move* if you get on the gas pedal. It’s the only car I will ever buy and I will lease a new one in two years, without question. I feel so safe! This was no compromise for me at all! Love it!

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  Love it and Hate it - 1999 Mercury Cougar
  By CeeJ - July 10 - 10:00 am

  Bought at 36,000, needed new brakes. Then check engine light has been on since about 45,000 and it now has 81,000 miles on it. I dont think there is anything wrong though, probably just electrical short. Did need alternator replaced at about 70,000 miles, and my rims warped very easily causing tires to wear down quicker than usual. Rough ride at times, but once speed is picked up, its pretty smooth. My alarm, however, randomly activates, so I have taken out the fuse so it will not. Thus, w/o that fuse, I am unable to use the power locks and trunk door release until it is repaired.

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  The 1999 Sable LX, with full leather - 1999 Mercury Sable
  By G de Santillana - July 10 - 10:00 am

  I have had zero problems, none whatsoever, in the four years I have owned this car. It is solid, very comfortable, a good performer, and everything works perfectly. The only drawbacks I have noted: the car is a bit jiggly on rough pavements, and the engine (the DOHC) is sort of unrefined compared to the Camry or Accord.

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  Maintenance free - 2006 Mercury Montego
  By GREAT CAR - July 8 - 10:00 am

  I have had my montego for 5 years and have 145,000 miles on it. I have had no trouble with this car. I hoping to keep it this car for 4 more years and give it to my daughter.

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  Luxury in Texas - 2005 Mercury Mariner
  By Cord in Texas - July 8 - 6:10 am

  I just purchase the Premiere AWD V6 Mariner. Triple black with all "chrome" appearance. This vehicle is the Navigator of Compact SUVs. My coworker who drives the Porsche Cayenne, was shocked at the quality and cost of this SUV. Mileage was 16- 18 but I just busted 3k at the end of the month and the new tank is half way gone with 22 mpg average 50 city 50 hwy. Now, the rearview mirriors not being the body color are kind of not as aesthetically appeasing. There are some rooms for more improvement but hey 22k for fully loaded, no brainer! However in two more models I am sure all qualities of the Navigator will be reflected onto the Mariner. I am 25 years old a 1st time buyer.

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  Best car I have owned - 1997 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Berg - July 7 - 3:03 am

  Out of all the cars Ive owned my 97 Grand Marquis is the best. Ive had a Lincoln Town Car, a Camaro, an Escort, and a F250. Its a reliable, fun to drive car that holds 6 people. It handles well and I always feel safe driving it. I recomend the Grand Marquis to anyone looking for a rear wheel drive 4dr sedan. I love the 4.6L V8. It is suffeciently powerful and the 4spd trans works well too.

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  Great Midsize SUV - 2008 Mercury Mariner
  By David G. Maroon - July 5 - 1:43 pm

  The Mariner Premier V6 AWD midsize SUV is loaded with features including 6 way power seat, 17" aluminum wheels, 4 disc brakes, rear park assist, leather heated seats and dual climate control. Drivers seat (Lumbar) is very comfortable, excellent ride, quiet, superb radio/7-speaker system. We also own a 2007 Lexus RX 350 and enjoy the Mariners features as much.

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  If money was no object - 2004 Mercury Marauder
  By DONP1217 - July 4 - 2:00 am

  This is the best car, overall, that I have ever driven. I would pick this car over all others even if money was no object.

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  Great smaller car - 2000 Mercury Cougar
  By katjams - July 4 - 2:00 am

  I have nothing but praise for the Cougars responsiveness and reliability. It is a fun car to drive, having sleek, sporty lines and a unique taillight configuration. It is average in gas consumption: I get about 18 mpg in city driving, and 24 mpg highway. Nice features are the electronic gas consumption indicator, the MPG indicator and outdoor temperature reader. 60/40 fold down seats are a real plus. Biggest complaints are the somewhat cramped interior and the 2- door hatchback visibility. I also think the suspension can be improved.