1993 Mercury Sable LS 3.8 Liter

Summary:

A good reliable family car that needs some reasonable service and care.

Faults:

A/C blew at 100k and took out water pump plus serpentine belt.

Radiator inadequate to cool in 100 F plus and low humidity (<30%)

Look for signs of excessive heating on the engine block, where the hoses connect and at the water pump. Must use coolant with no water.

Starter and Engine mounts required replacing at 90k..

Serpentine belt replaced for third time, about every 25,000 miles.

The two-piece hubcaps keep losing one of the pieces. Just replace the set and save yourself a bunch of headaches.

General Comments:

The car drives smooth with a nice comfortable cabin for four big people.

Car has great acceleration, travels well at high freeway speeds, and is easily maneuvered in traffic and parking.

We service the car regularly especially with oil changes every 60 days or no more than 6,000 miles.

Radiator needs flushing every year or two especially for commutes that are stop and go, or in high heat/low humidity areas. Fill with coolant.

The Air Conditioner lasted 100k miles. However, we replaced the serpentine belt every 30k miles which may have something to do with it.

The Dealer did two factory recall replacements. One was for the ignition switch and the other for the drive train. The ignition switch works excellent.

Overall, the car has been very good to drive. The service has been less expensive than other luxury cars, but the car needs quarterly oil changes and annual radiator flushes plus an occasional serpentine belt if you want to confidently run it at high speeds or sit in stop and go traffic.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 13th July, 2002

6th May 2006, 08:47

I own a 93 Sable. It has been a pretty good car, but I am concerned about these head gaskets blowing. It has 150,000 miles on it. Is there any thing that can be done to keep them from going out?

1993 Mercury Sable LS 3.8

Summary:

Loser Mobile!

Faults:

Transmission went out at 83,000 miles then again at 88,000 miles and still again at 99,000 miles!!!

Head gasket blew at 65,000 miles.

A/C went out at 70,000 miles.

Front motor mounts had to be replaced.

General Comments:

The car is smooth on the road, handles well and is very comfortable.

However, the money involved in keeping up on the repairs is unbearable and I am forced to replace it as soon as possible!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 3rd June, 2002

1993 Mercury Sable LS 3.8 V6

Summary:

Should have bought a moped

Faults:

My head gaskets blew at 40,000 and 80,000 miles. (common for the 3.8)

The Transmission was serviced at 65,000 miles.

The A/C system went twice.

The motor mounts broke at 70,000 miles.

Three Alternators up to 85,000 miles.

Two starters up to 85,000 miles.

Many cooling system problems.

General Comments:

The car rode great, and looked great.

The seats are very comfortable.

That is about all the good I can say for this car.

Unless you have an unlimited money supply, and a spare Sable for your Sable, do not, but this car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 8th May, 2002

25th Dec 2004, 12:19

My sable blew a head gasket at 59,000 miles. Ford didn't replace this for free. Ford stated 1994 models and newer only.

$1,100 out of pocket expense.

5th Jul 2005, 18:46

Ford only replaces these on 1994 models and up. Anything older and you're out of luck completely. (See Consumer Reports for an article on this.)

23rd May 2007, 20:47

I loved my Sable. It was in great condition when I bought it at 88,000 miles. The best part of the car is great acceleration, the clear coat finish, plastic bottom panels on the doors, which leads to little or no rust, and the automatic antenna was a cool add on.

However I too blew a head gasket at 98,000 miles. And Ford will not fix them or the front cracked front springs on this year, which was also a common problem.

The only other problems I had with the car were bushings and very loud power steering pump. When fixed the car ran and looked great. It is an unfortunate problem that the head gaskets go in these things at about 100,000 miles.