1996 Mercury Mystique GS 2.0 gasoline from North America

Summary:

A dependable, fun ride for 10 years that has never given me any serious problems.

Faults:

Tires at 55,000 and 105,000, normal wear.

New plugs at 65,000, normal wear.

New brakes at 95,000, normal wear.

New timing chain at 95,000, normal wear.

New headlight lenses at 105,000, normal wear (fogging of plastic).

One new set of wheel bearings, new plugs, new distributor wires, 135,000.

A couple of nagging electrical problems -- driver's side power window, sunroof motor.

General Comments:

This car has given great service over 10 years with a minimum of extraordinary problems.

Mileage with 2.0 is excellent and has been consistent since car was new: 26-28 mpg city, 33-35 mpg highway.

It has never burned oil.

Main problem is the car hasn't grown with my two sons -- the cramped back seat is more of problem now.

Handling has always been excellent, in keeping with car's European origins.

Five-speed and clutch have always been very smooth.

Power is only adequate, but I'm glad I order the 2.0 over the six -- it has saved thousands of dollars in gasoline.

The problems with the window and sunroof motors have been the most annoying and troublesome thing about owning this car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 24th September, 2006

1996 Mercury Mystique LS 2.0 from North America

Summary:

Needs transmission related recall for I've heard many same stories

Faults:

Car had performed well for 20,000 miles then after driving at freeway speed for twenty minutes the overdrive light would flash and the car would shift down out of overdrive on uphill grades. Then exiting the freeway the transmission would shift hard through the gear range. After letting the car sit the light would not go on, but still shift hard. Over night of parking the car would perform well until I drove it on the freeway again.

General Comments:

Overall we liked the vehicle

Afraid the transmission would go out we decided to buy a new Mitsubishi Lancer.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 13th March, 2006

1996 Mercury Mystique GS 2.0 from North America

Summary:

A sweet teenage car

Faults:

I blew my head gasket at 115,000 miles from over redlining while racing. So I had it replaced and had the top half of the engine rebuilt.

Then at 135,000 miles the front muffler rusted through, so I put a straight pipe and just have the back muffler on it now.

At 139,000 miles the oxygen sensors went out. The check engine light was on because of this, but went off right after I replaced them.

General Comments:

I've made a lot of custom modifications to this car inside and out. I added a intake and that made a big difference in acceleration and top-end.

I use only synthetic motor oil and add a can of engine restorer on every oil change, and its running like new still. And I've driven this really hard since I got it.

I love the way this car handles. I've never fish-tailed or spung-out, even when I took it around a 35 mph corner going 107 mph.

The car always ran hot, so I put air vents on the hood, so the hot air in the engine compartment would get sucked out when I would drive and it ran 40-50 degrees cooler after that!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 17th September, 2005

22nd Dec 2005, 03:56

"Then at 135,000 miles the front muffler rusted through, so I put a straight pipe and just have the back muffler on it now."

You mean the catalytic converter?

1996 Mercury Mystique GS from North America

Summary:

Mystique's are too cool

Faults:

Well, I bought my mystique from my parents as soon as I got my license back in Nov. 2004. Since I bought it, it has been nothing, but problems for me.

I bought my car for 1500 from my father. The thing is after a month of driving it needed a thousand dollars in repairs.

I ripped the exhast system all the way from the front to the back. My car sounded like an airplane for a week until I could find money to repair it. The check engine like is always on and so is the overdrive light. I don't really care because I don't have the money to fix it.

I went off road with my mystique one night. I needed a new muffler and that long pipe that goes to the front.

My car decides to stop working from time to time.

General Comments:

The seats burn too easily. I dropped put out a blunt on the ceiling and it made a huge burn mark.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 31st July, 2005

29th Sep 2006, 20:46

Hahahahaahahahaha! that's the best.