1989 Mercury Colony Park LS review from North America
"This bargain land yacht covers the miles in utter luxury - even when standing still!"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Radiator/heater hoses; normal wear.
Starter motor; normal wear.
Muffler and tailpipe; normal wear.
Radiator (cracked plastic where hose attaches).
Transmission 2nd gear; was not working when purchased, and transmission finally gave out around 200k miles.
Valve cover gaskets; normal wear.
Timing cover oil seal.
Timing chain and gears; normal wear.
EGR components lit the check engine light; didn't affect drivability, but is a required fix to pass smog test in California.
Driver's seat leather cracked beyond repair.
Cruise control has never worked.
Power window drive gear cracked, replaced.
Power door lock weakened, replaced.
Factory radio died; had repaired mail-order by Radioman in Los Angeles.
Heater core leaked; replaced core.
Shock absorbers replaced; normal wear.
Air conditioning system reconditioned when purchased, has worked flawlessly since then.
General comments?
Great value for the money, if you are prepared to replace consumables as they wear out. I don't drive much, but because I stay on top of the maintenance this car has never let me down.
The engine is a gem - Mustang turned Percheron. Mileage is 16-23 MPG depending on load/incline/speed. Didn't even miss 2nd gear until the transmission started slipping in all gears.
Body components are still nearly perfect. The paint on the hood is oxidized and susceptible to mildew, but cleans up with fine steel wool and a heavy wax job. I'm pleased with the longevity of the power accessories.
Suspension is the weak point. Ride is luxury car loosey-goosey with standard-duty shocks installed. If you think your rear springs have failed, check to see if you just need to add air to the rear air shocks; I run 60-65 psi unloaded, 75-80 fully loaded with camping gear. Two shops have been unable to get the brakes right - they're still grabby, noisy, spongy, and unpredicable when cold.
Fellow elementary school parents trapped in their minivan/SUV addictions approach us all the time saying "Oh, we used to have a station wagon when we were kids, and they were great cars, why did they stop making them?". Aha, so that's it: I'm holding on to my childhood!
Recommended reviews
| Lowest cost of ownership I've ever seen |
|
| Excellent service for the money |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Don't Know |
| Model year | 1989 |
| Year of manufacture | 1989 |
| First year of ownership | 1998 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2005 |
| Engine and transmission | 5.0L Automatic |
| Performance marks | 5 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 5 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 7 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 7 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 175000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 215000 miles |
| Previous car | Pontiac Safari wagon |
| Date of Entry | 24th November, 2005 |