1997 Mercury Mystique GS 2.0 from North America

Summary:

This was one of the worst investments I have ever made

Faults:

Over the last five years of owning this car I have had many problems. Within the first 2 weeks of owning the car the engine light came on. The Mercury dealership stated that my O2 and MAF sensor was triggering the light because of some type of cleaning spray that was applied to the engine by a Ford dealership. I was told that if it continued I would have to replace the sensors. The Ford dealership denied any wrong doing.

I have also had the cover on the backseat belt come over and have attempted to replace it, but to no success.

The torture continues with the timing belt tensioner blowing up while driving in traffic and having to succumb to paying Midas over $700.00 to repair. I found out later that they charged me double the normal repair because they felt entitled to screwing over a female. I will never be able to recover the cost.

I have also had problems with my car stalling out at low speeds. I have taken it to 4 mechanics including the Mercury dealership and no one can tell me what the problem is. I had the head mechanic at the dealership tell me to take the carburetor out and clean it. Well everyone here knows that these engines are fuel injected and not carburetors. That just proves how incompetent these people are.

The window controller for the back has broken on the lock position so anytime someone in the back wants to roll the window down they can't.

My antenna broke and the weather stripping on the side windows keep coming off.

I have found this car to be a horrible investment and if I wasn't so upside down in it I would get rid of it immediately.

General Comments:

This isn't the first car I have owned that ultimately is a Ford product.

I have also owned a 1993 Ford Escort Wagon that had problems with the Caliper pins coming out even after being replaced.

I can say that after 2 bad experiences of owning Ford products I would NEVER buy another one.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 3rd August, 2005

1997 Mercury Mystique GS from North America

Summary:

A wolf in sheep's clothing, it eats away at you until you can't take it

Faults:

Brakes pads and rotors had to be replaced one month after I bought it. Dealer refused to pay for it.

Tires had to be replaced shortly after that.

Power steering pump replaced. Power steering fluid still disappears.

Check engine light stays on all the time.

Thermostat gage reads like the car is running hot, but when it's hooked up to a sensor the temperature is normal.

Climate control doesn't work on highest setting.

Cup holders really cheap and busted off.

Cigarette outlet doesn't work (not a smoker, but can't plug in cell phone when I'm on the road.)

General Comments:

I thought I was getting a great deal with this car. I had owned a Chevrolet Corsica before this car and had nothing, but problems with that. Same thing happened to me with this car.

I bought the car from a small used car dealer. I should have done more research on the car before I bought it, but I wanted to get rid of the one I had (paid 1900 for the Corsica and put 2500 into parts and labor in 1.5 years)

When these problems started coming up he refused to fix them even though I had bought an extended warranty.

I will never buy from small car dealers again!

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

Review Date: 29th July, 2005

1997 Mercury Mystique GX from North America

Summary:

Horrible

Faults:

When I bought the car used from the dealer, no one noticed that the odometer was stuck on 12000. The dealer fixed that and said that it had broken recently since the mileage they had written for it was a hundred or so behind where it got stuck. Whatever.

The heater blower switch broke - only worked on high. I got a recall notice, took it in, and the dealer claimed it was a different problem, charged me 200 or so to fix.

The air-bag light started blinking at one point. I took it in, spent 75 for a diagnostic. They said there was nothing wrong with it. A few years later, it's blinking again. Then stopped for three months, and now blinks a couple time a week.

The passenger side window got stuck 'down'. Cost me $520 to fix. Three months later, same problem. Took it in. Dealer says it's a different part. Another $220.

Had to replace the speakers. Also, they sound terrible because the window vibrates when they're on.

The clock bulb broke.

All in all, I deeply regret buying this car, and deeply regret being shaken-down by the Safford Lincoln Mercury dealer, and wish I can make them feel my pain by robbing them of the money they cost me with their awful product.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 30th September, 2004

9th Feb 2005, 14:36

Let me get this right. You seem to have had this car for around 5 - 6 years and done over 70,000 miles in it.

In that time and mileage, a window has stuck, a speaker has broken, a clock bulb has gone out and an air bag warning light come on.

All these faults are pretty minor in nature and are few and far between, yet you condemn the car as a lemon!

I think you need to get out more!