1999 Mercury Mystique LX 2.5L from North America
Summary:
A good value, fairly solid car
Faults:
The 'brain' needed reprogramming at 7K, covered under warranty. Engine would lightly jerk and hesitate when driving at steady speed.
The fuel gage was reading improperly (ran out of gas when reading an eighth of a tank), and the fuel gage sender needed replacement at 28K miles. Covered under warranty.
The Idle Air Control valve assembly needed replacement at 45K miles.
Twice, the potentiometer assembly and the throttle position sensor have needed replacement, within one year. The minor problem was that the engine speed would occasionally increase to 3000 rpm when I engaged the clutch to switch gears, or if the transmission was placed in neutral while the car was still rolling. (When the car stopped rolling, the engine would move back down to normal idle speed.) This occurred twice, at 56K and at 70K miles.
The heater/A/C blower motor resistor (controls fan speed) required replacement at 56K miles.
General Comments:
My previous car was a 1996 Mystique (also V6 Manual Trans), which was totaled in an t-bone collision (other driver's fault). I <i>really</i> enjoyed that model, so I bought a 1999 model. The 1999 model is fine, but does not seem as solid (performance & power-wise) as the 1996 model I had.
I highly recommend the V6 Duratec Engine and much prefer the manual transmission. Not widely produced, it seems.
Unfortunately, production of the Mystique has been discontinued, but I should be interested in a Mercury 4-door sedan for my next vehicle.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 20th May, 2004
22nd Nov 2005, 12:03
I suggest that the reason the car did so poorly is because it wasn't properly cared for. I own the same car and have for 6 years now and have never had any problems with it.