Faults:

Thermostat needed to be replaced. $69.

Tape deck wouldn't play on both sides of the car so I replaced the entire deck. $180.

Alternator went out due to a power surge. $180 (rebuilt)

Mega-fuse also went out due to the same power surge. $5.

Passenger side window cables have kinked up. Need to replace the cables and housing. Est. $90+

Trunk leaks when I open it after a rain storm or car wash.

Timing belt needed to be replaced. $20 for parts. $268 for labor.

Fan motor switch burned up. Still haven't had it replaced yet. It has a recall so it will be free.

Cooling fan relay blown, need to replace it. $33.

Car overheats due to the relay being blown.

Cup holders broken. $25 to replace.

General Comments:

This car really surprised me with it's power for a four cylinder. It has 135 horsepower and 130 foot pounds of torque. It can really dish out the speed when I need it to. It even out performs some V6's.

The handling is the best of its class. I can take a sharp corner at a very fast speed and not worry about going off the road. Very sturdy.

Very comfortable on long trips. The seats seem to hug you. I've driven in this car for 14 hours straight and had no problem with pain. I always get compliments on it.

The back seats are not meant for anyone above 5 foot 8 inches in the back. It's really uncomfortable for anyone tall.

I have a really great gas mileage so it saves up. The reason this car would cost a pretty penny in the end is because of how expensive some of the parts for it can be. I've heard of people paying $100 for a battery and $500 for an alternator. That is nuts. I paid $200 for my alternator and less than $50 for my battery. People just need to shop around first and quit buying from the ford dealership first.

I used to own a 93' Eclipse and I had a lot of fun with it. When I got this car I was really disappointed with what I had chosen. The more I drive it, however, the more I love it. All my car needs is some tender loving care and I think she will last me a long time. Definately worth the price.

Faults:

Wires rubbed against the engine and caused a short that took over a month to fix.

The passenger floorboard had a leak and caused the padding under the carpet to rot.

The car had a blockage in one of its valves, causing it to make a very loud squeal while the engine was running.

The computer which monitors the engine has malfunctioned.

The trunk leaks after it rains.

General Comments:

This car rides smoothly, when it is not in the shop.

I've had a lot of circuitry problems with the car. When wires became corroded and rubbed against the engine, it left me stranded at night on a country road. It took my dealer service shop over a month to find the problem and fix it.

Faults:

The car has not given me many problems since I got it. Initially, the emergency brake cable had to be secured because it was vibrating against the wheel. The dealer fixed this once and it again came loose. The battery you must buy for the car is very specific, there is only one kind it will take. Everything else has run smoothly.

General Comments:

I like the 5 speed transmission with the 16 valve 4 cylinder. My last car was an Escort and the added power the Mystique has is very nice. The interior is very comfortable and makes long road trip enjoyable. I've been told the backseat is a little crammed, but I've never been back there myself. The car rides very smooth at highway speeds and handle real well on curvy country roads. I use the car mainly for driving back and forth from school and it has been a very good buy so far.