1989 Mercury Topaz GS AWD 2.3 from North America
Summary:
Since owning this car, it has never left me beside the road yet
Faults:
I changed the alternator last month (which was the original), along with the weather cracked belt.
I have changed the four universal joints in the rear every year for three years.
I have replaced all of the brakes except for the master cylinder and the rear hoses last week.
Four months ago I had the rear wheel bearings replaced; the mechanic didn't know there was a spacer behind the bearing, and ruined a set of of them torching them out. Then we waited a week for new wheel bearings, because not everyone has these on hand; they have to be ordered.
Two months ago I replaced the head lights, I could not see more than five feet in front of me with my old yellow, dim, weather cracked head lights.
It also has water leaking in the trunk, due to the sun shrunken weather stripping around the rear window.
About twice a year my alternator belt starts squealing and needs to be tightened.
It also needs a new carrier bearing, which the dealerships no longer produce. I will probably have to have one made by a machinist.
It also needs front wheel bearings.
The paint is weather cracked on the sides, and just about the entire roof is covered in surface rust, so needs paint work.
General Comments:
Handles great, and the suspension has really held in there.
AWD parts are hard to find, and rear suspension parts.
I also really enjoy the push button AWD, it handles great in the snow.
Great mileage if you stay up on the maintenance.
This car is still in good shape for its age; just surface rust, I'll say it again, with maintenance.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know
Review Date: 22nd May, 2011
15th Apr 2011, 20:06
This is the owner of the car described above. We still have it, and it is still running... transmission slip is still present, but not getting worse.
101,500 miles now, and fuel economy is a consistent 25 mpg in combined city/highway. Rust has all but taken over the entire car, eating holes through the floorboards and trunk, as well as the lower parts of the doors. It leaks about a quart of oil to 100 miles, and I have determined the leak is coming from the crank seal. I am a busy person (actually an auto mechanic myself) and do not have time to fix it. Buying oil is expensive, but keeps it purring like a kitten (for its age).
I initially hated this car, but it has turned out to be a decent vehicle. I do enjoy driving it, and would recommend it to somebody that it car savvy, as the car's age causes things to break. That said, parts are very inexpensive, and the repairs are easy.