Faults:

Exhaust and muffler rusted out.

Radiator fluid leaks/ O2 sensor replaced numerous times.

Rear window controls don't work from driver door.

Transmission is just beginning to fail.

General Comments:

Overall this is a dependable, good looking car that will last 60000 or more miles.

The minor problems with this car are nothing compared to its performance and comfort.

Bench seats in front and back are very convenient for carpooling.

Only wish it got better gas mileage (260 miles per full 16 gallon tank isn't to great!)

Faults:

Transmission required rebuild at 128,000.

Passenger door does not operate w/key.

Driver door hinge lacks tension - won't stay open on it's own unless you're parked pointing downhill on a slope.

Remote Fuel door release broken-must be opened with credit card, etc. Simple fix, but I haven't got around to it.

Ignition (tumbler) worn out - allows key to be removed while running (frankly an advantage in my business)

General Comments:

For all of the trouble I've heard about people having with the first generation Mercury Sable/Ford Taurus, this car has been remarkably trouble free.

The transmission shouldn't have gone out, but it did have 125,000 miles on the odometer. And delivering pizza with this car doesn't help the tranny any.

The body has been remarkable free of rust, besides the very bottom inside of doors, which just need to be sanded, primed, and repainted every few years. The lack of body rust is especially notable because I live in the rust belt.

My Sable began it's life as a rental, and has the 3.0 liter engine, so I have not had any of the head gasket problems associated with the 3.8 liter.

Besides the tranny, this vehicle, 125,000 miles on, has given me almost the reliability that I would expect from a Honda or Toyota. Perhaps at least one year they got things right with the Taurus/Sable?

This vehicle has good pickup, decent fuel economy, and still looks pretty sharp 11 years and 125,000 miles later.

Faults:

The transmission, a known bad design, failed and was rebuilt with newer specification parts. It is fine now and I expect it to perform well indefinitely. No other problems.

General Comments:

Could there possibly be a more gorgeous station wagon? Seriously! And, though it it hard to believe, the interior is even nicer. I would prefer nice, cushy modern vinyl or leather to the fabric front seats, though. If the fabric ever wears out I will have them made better.

Handling is nice for a front wheel drive car and it tows a light trailer well. The boulevard ride is nearly as soft as the best older American sedans without the wallowing that they often did.

I've owned a number of station wagons over many years and, all things considered, this is about the best. I searched for this specific model (or a 1995) because the stylists ruined a fantastic car in 1996 and later with repulsive lines.

Faults:

Before I purchased this car, the head gaskets were replaced, and are guarunteed not to blow for the rest of the life of the engine.

132,350 miles, the front 02 sensor failed (normal wear and tear).

Air conditioner ran semi-cool, recharged and ran ice cold, after winter finished, didn't work, added more refrigerant, ran OK, now quit working 2 weeks after.

Radiator has a small leak near center, the smell of the fluid noticeable and a hiss when the engine is shut off; I need to add coolant every 2 weeks or so.

Harsh shifting and dumb downshifting: kicks into gear when accelerating fast, and when slowing down to turn, and you start accelerating, it kicks down a gear, which would be healthier if it did that as it slowed to the speed.

Engine bucks heavily with power loss, the fuel pump is ready to give out, and kicks off and on rapidly, causing heavy jitters and no power.

Shrunken door seals, very windy sounding on road. Cabin fills with dust on dirt roads through the door seals.

Driver's door has a track problem; sometimes won't reach top, then you roll back down and clunks into track again.

Keypad on driver's door works when it wants to.

Wires broke for the window lock switch, only driver can roll down the windows.

Moon roof wind noisy unless shade is closed.

Electronic climate control buttons have broken off faces, so it looks like blank white buttons.

Anti-lock brakes failed, a sensor has gone out, leaving the system in off mode with light on dash on, or the system thinks I'm sliding when I'm coming up to a regular stop, increasing my stopping distance.

Noisy exhaust, sounds like a muffled derby car, with a low rumble.

General Comments:

This is Mercury's version of the Taurus SHO, and has all the features of the SHO except engine.

This car has many extra features that are rarely seen on these cars, like the tilt/slide moon roof and the digital instrument cluster that reads past 85 mph like the standard digitals did.

Leather is comfortable, and the power lumbar and tilting head rests are a plus.

Gas mileage isn't bad for a large v6: 32 mpg average.