1988 Merkur Scorpio 2.9L V 6 from North America
Summary:
Excellent 2nd car if you have the funds and resources to properly maintain it
Faults:
I bought the car not aware of the VERY limited repair parts and services options, and with a LOT of major problems. That said, while I had the car;
* the climate control unit went bad
* the guibo and universal joints went bad
* The gas gauge stopped working
* The speedometer malfunctioned.
General Comments:
Even with all the problems I inherited with the car (none of the power windows worked, the power fuel door release didn't work, the rear seats refused to recline, the front seat lumbar supports refused to inflate, and the radio was non-functional, I loved the car.
*It's the ultimate sleeper. Looks like a Ford Taurus and drives like an F1 Rally car
*It's extremely comfortable (made a 3500 mile trip in it with a bad back and my back didn't let out a single complaint).
*Nothing like the looks you get when that mustang 5.0 starts to fall behind on the freeway heheh.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 28th May, 2005
2nd Jun 2005, 04:35
I agree, and would only discourage the purchase of these vehicles to people of limited income :) I wished I owned a fleet of them. I love the cars even with all the problems I listed in the original post.
11th Aug 2010, 22:17
I owned an '88 Scorpio that I bought in '89 used with 17000 miles on it. It was a beautiful exterior design. It was a great highway car, refined, but oh boy I never owned a car that failed in all the ways mentioned in the other posts. My speedo stopped working, heater/AC fan stopped, passenger side window switch or motor failed, rear wiper motor failed, transmission 4th gear quit working (that was the death knell. Parts and service were very expensive at the dealer.
I brought it to a LM dealer for radiator flush, they did not use distilled water, tap water caused the cooling system to gunk up afterwards. I think it had other problems but it's so long ago I can't recall them. I wish all collectors out there good luck.
28th May 2005, 11:31
The problems you have had are fair wear and tear on a high mileage, 14 year old car.