Faults:

Nothing has gone wrong for me to this point, and the records from the previous owner show only a EFI computer replaced under warranty, brake rotors, muffler, and tires.

General Comments:

The 2.5 V6 has more than adequate power for a car of this size, and runs very smoothly.

Fuel mileage, if driven in a civilized manner is quite respectable. We got 8.5 liters per 100km over the last 3 days and 1800 KM.

The 10 way power drivers seat, with leather upholstery, is very comfortable.

The car handles and rides VERY well. I compare it, as far as ride performance and handling, to the old Rover 2000TC. A 4 door sports car.

Faults:

Primary problem with the car has to do with the battery. Over the past weekend I had to install the car's fourth battery. There must be something wrong with the electrical system that is causing this malfunction. If any readers have any tips as to what might be causing this I'd be happy to hear about it. (ron6243@aol.com)

The last time around this problem occurred was extremely frustrating. In the process of troubleshooting (took them 3 days just to get to the car) the electrical problem the Ford dealer managed to blow out a the driver door's power window motor. Rather than accept any liability for a bad jump start I was stuck with the $200 bill. It turns out all they had to do was replace the battery, yet when I left the dealer the electrical system was out of whack. Seems they don't check their work very well.

This time around I took the car to Sears. It was an in and out job for about 1/2 what the dealer would have charged. Plus they ran a diagnostic to make sure the alternator still worked.

Some other minor problems to relate:

The cup holders do break off.

The power antennae will stop operating.

The gas cap door release mechanism works from time to time. As a rule I just use the in-trunk release lever.

Overall the Mystique has been a good car. I would buy another Ford product in the future.

Faults:

Both of my rear tires blew out, appearing as if someone had climbed under my car and slashed them - only I had been driving when it happened.

The ABS light comes on when I hit 60 mph on the freeway.

The check engine light comes on whenever it takes the notion.

The driver side and rear passenger side door lights work sometimes.

The radio antenna won't go up unless I physically pull it up.

The button for opening the gas tank doesn't work unless I go outside and run my key along the crevice of the little door for it.

When I start the car, it stalls out unless I floor the gas pedal a few times.

The heater knob won't move from the high position, but comes on in low only.

The driver seat no longer adjusts properly to my height.

A crack in the rear brake cylinder a year ago was discovered when the ABS light initially came on.

Oil leaked into the spark plugs.

General Comments:

This car has done well for me for the past 3 years.

As of yet I haven't had to walk anywhere.

Although I am beginning to worry as the problems continue to grow.

They seem to be rather small problems; save for the stalling situation, yet I know that small problems with cars are the ones that can cost the most.

Being that I am in the Detroit area, I was sure that I was doing the right thing in buying a Ford/Mercury vehicle.

I should have learned from my mother's mistake.

I will most likely have this car for a few years, but am terrified of how much these repairs are going to cost me.