Faults:
Heater core leaked on the computer. Computer had to be replaced.
Heater had to be rebuilt; stopped working a year later and I don't want to spend the $600 to get it fixed again.
Driver's side window motor stopped working. Cost $400 to fix.
Passenger side window stopped working. Dealer wanted to charge $500 for it, but I found a good site on the internet on how to repair the motor. (Taking it apart and cleaning the contacts fixed it... why the dealer did not know this basic repair is beyond me).
Exhaust system was recently replaced. It's a welded system, so when I got a hole in the resonator, I had to replace the muffler and tailpipe, too. Heat shields wouldn't fit over the new assembly.
Recently replaced the CV joint, boot and front drive shaft.
For a while, it ate alternator belts.
Starter had to be replaced.
Top had to be replaced twice.
I've basically replaced the engine one part at a time since I've owned the car.
It could use a new paint job. Paint on the hood is flaking tremendously.
General Comments:
It's grown on me, but overall I'd suggest avoiding this model.
While it's definitely a fun car to drive, especially when the weather is nice, it is a lot of trouble to get parts. The dealers don't stock parts, so you are kind of stuck. (For example, it's impossible to find replacement headlight lenses.) If it weren't for the internet, the car would have been sent to the junkyard years ago.
I went through a breaking in period where the car was literally in the shop once a week for about ten weeks. Since then, it's required probably $500 a year or more in maintenance/repairs. I haven't had too many problems the past few years, though.
Rattles a lot. I mean, it's almost embarrassing to sit at a stop light or at a drive-through.
Maintenance is cheaper than a car payment, so I'm going to drive it until the wheels fall off. I'm hoping to get another 50,000 miles out of it.
27th Jun 2011, 20:21
If there is an exhaust rattle at low RPM, I'd look at the install.
I have the rare opportunity to have a 1993 XR2 BASE. That would be the sheep dressed in wolf's clothing.
The research I have done to sales numbers show the '91-'92 as kings of the hill in sales units. When you get to the '93-'94, the numbers drop to under 2000 for each year, and the XR2, both Turbo and base, are less than 10% of those numbers US.
So here I sit with a 1993 NON Turbo XR2, what's the big deal? XR2 base 1993 is the ONLY year Mercury thought this would be a good idea to stir up sales. Sources I used say total US sales numbers were under 140 units. Take the "donor" car aspect to the numbers left, and I have to think that there are less than 70 in country. Not bad for a car that gets out of its own way at 22 plus miles per gallon, and cost me under a grand.
Parts are NOT a problem as of June 2011, and options are still open to expansion of the project. I had a fuel leak problem, turned out to be a Mickey Mouse cheap repair. OEM fuel filter available at my corner parts store, problem solved.
The XR2 had a cold miss when I got it, good 'ol Berrymans B-12 fuel additive at less than 5 bucks, problem solved.
I have to say from getting into the nuts and bolts of this car, it was ahead of its time. Turn it loose today as a newbie??? Who knows??? I think the best compliment I got so far was "Look'in like a Baby Porsche". I don't let it get dusty, as Ferris said.. "If you have the means, I highly recommend it"... PEACE.