1997 Mercury Mystique LX review from North America

Prior to my purchase:

13,218... Alternator replaced

17,630... Battery Replaced

56,087... Brake Pads Replaced

73,403... Rear struts replaced and CD player fixed.

After I purchase car in December, 2002:

76,387... MAF (Mass Air Flow) sensor replaced... $485.73... 01/2003

76,485... Battery Replaced... $108.49.. 02/2003

78,360... HEGO sensor (Oxygen sensor) replaced... $372.77... 07/2003

82,134... Vacuum hose replaced...$83.72... 01/2004

82,571... Upper & lower intake manifold leak... $408.84... 02/2004

83,187... Change & Flush Transmission Fluid... $128.47... 03/2004

90,148... Change & flush power steering fluid... $84.75... 12/2004

95,589... New tires, replace cabin filter, radiator flush... $765.83... 06/2005

103,636... Coolant light replaced... $48.00... 01/2006

106,662... Coolant sensor replaced... $82.66... 05/2006

109,371... Fuel injectors flushed... $109.49... 09/2006

111,472... Water pump & thermostat replaced... $311.42... 11/2006

112,934... Flywheel & starter motor replaced... $1216.96... 01/2007*

114,097... Tune-up, spark plugs, reprogram code... $163.71... 03/2007

115,850... Vacuum tube to evaporation mgmt valve... $252.00... 04/2007.

Sub-totals... $3,262.10.. Repairs. + $1360.74... Maint. =

Total... $4622.84.

All work done by a Mercury or Ford dealer. Exception is new premium Goodyear tires with free rotation.

* Chipped teeth in flywheel had been noticeable since purchase (but I did not realize this at time of purchase).

However, problem became worse and concern I might be stranded somewhere overcame high cost to fix.

I purchased a used 1997 Mystique LS in December, 2002 paying $4500. During the test drive I noticed the rear struts needed replacement and CD player did not work. The dealer corrected these items.

The car is a pleasure to drive! It has a good European feel - solid with little lean in the curves. The LS has a quick responding, six-cylinder engine, automatic transmission, leather seats, power sunroof, electric driver's seat and good sound system. Highway mileage is 29-31 at 70mph.

I have averaged 9,400 mile annually. Of that, there might be two or three trips of 1400 miles. So, I don't drive a lot of miles and I am easy on the car, very seldom venturing over 5000 rpm.

As others have stated, there always seems to be something in need of repair. I wonder if the next thing might be the transmission or timing chain or...

I am trying to determine if I should buy something newer, or keep the Mystique for another five years. One thing is I am not tired of driving it. It still feels responsive and tight. But, I have looked at the Scion tC (about $18,000 new) which has a lot of nice features. It has the same wheelbase as the Mystique.

Unless something bad happens before the fifth anniversary (December, 2007) of driving the Mystique, the average yearly repair bill has been $652. Not including oil changes, the average preventive maintenance total is $272.

If repairs and maintenance continued to be about $1000 per year, then keeping the car would be a lot less expensive than buying anything else. If anyone else has some comments or ideas, please let me know.