Comments: 1-15, 16
Transmission - complete rebuild at 99,000 miles.
Speed sensor has gone bad 2 times.
Turns signal, dimmer switch.
Camshaft position sensor & drive assembly.
Catalytic converters.
Front struts.
Tie rod ends.
Unknown rough running & bucking problem.
Rear seatbelts keep sticking.
I have done regular maintenance at recommended intervals and it just keeps getting worse.
I could understand some maintenance, like struts & the tie rod ends, but this has been major repairs and it all started happening around 100,000 miles. Feel like it's built in obsolescence and we've heard the same from others. Most of what has gone wrong, we've been told is very normal for this car.
Well don't feel bad. We had to have the engine replaced at 53,000 and now looking at the 3rd transmission!
The Mercury Sable wagon is junk! Ford will do nothing and it is clear that this car is a big ole LEMON!
I purchased my 1996 Sable LS in april of 2000, with 30000 miles on it. Now, oct 2002 with 60000 miles, the car has been problem free. Brake pads and w/s wiper blades are the only expense so far. I love this car.
Brian Willson.
I just bought a Sable Wagon and so far its been fantastic. Although it only has 60000 miles on it, 1997, it seems like it's in top notch shape. the previous owner did change the front and rear brakes a year ago, but we'll see what happens.
We have a 1998 Sable wagon purchased 2/02, and we have had the dimming of the electrical systems periodically. The problem has been getting worse with the car completely shuting down at times now. The dome lights have also been a problem staying on, but I alleviated this with penetrating saturating the door lock switches. This car does scare me.
I purchased my 1997 Sable LS at an auto auction in summer of 2001, It needed a lot of work to even be drivable. Understandable, considering it was from an auction. However, after it was "fixed", I started to notice a vibration during acceleration. Everyone has told me everything it could be from my alignment being off, to my transmission needing work done, and the last thing I was told is that its ride height may be wrong. This only shows me how many problems Sables can have.
Most people I talk to says that it is a decent car however. So this means that for the most part, Mercury Sables are good cars, unless you get a lemon. Then they are just items to pour money into.
Purchased 1997 Sable Wagon LS with 80K on it. Absolutely no issues with the exception of a bad ratchet in the power drivers seat. When it does go it will cost @150. The engine runs like new, and only regular maintenance required. This car has been great fro a family, and we take it everywhere. Highly recommended for anyone who wants space, but without dangers of SUVs,
My 97 Merc Wagon is approaching 150,000 kilometers. shimmies on braking. transmission engages into first roughly. bucks when idling.
Probably all easily fixed. (or maybe not)
Not too bad for a car that never got enough maintenance or a dime done in the 2 years I owned it.
In 1999, I bought a fully loaded 1997 Sable Wagon for 15K. It had 33,000 miles on it. Today, April 2004, the kiss of death - a crack in the transmission casing. The car has 85,000 miles on it, and in good condition, would be worth 3K of trade-in value. Draw your conclusions.
In the meantime - a lot of small and medium problems (electrical, mechanical, even leaks that allowed rain water to make it into the car - only when it rained real hard, to be honest...) Overall, a mediocre car-ownership experience.
We purchased a 96 Merc. Sable sedan about 2 yrs ago with 64k on it. Was able to retrieve repair records from previous owner as he left them in the glove box. Seems that he had a lot of transmission troubles. Around 70k overdrive starting acting weird, like it wouldn't catch after stopping. Decided to only operate in normal drive and haven't had additional problems. Spoke to a mechanic and he said avoiding overdrive wouldn't hurt trans. At 93k the check engine light came on... had diag. check ran and it said Camshaft Position Sensor and Catalytic Inefficency. Appears that I'll need to replace Camshaft sensor and Catalytic Convertor. It's been reliable for the most part, hopefully it will keep up for another few years. I don't like making car payments.
Bought a fully loaded 1996 GS wagon in 1997. It has been an EXCELLENT car, however, now at 75,000 miles the speedometer goes to zero while driving and sudden jolting happens too. Check out the speedometer sensor and is OK. Can anyone email me if this could be the transmission?? This is what the shop said it could be. A broken gear in the transmission. Thanks, Kathy.
I just purchased a 98 Sable GS (yes, I know, other comments are about the LS, but it makes no differance). I have just experiences problems with the headlamps not being able to turn off. I had to disconnect the battery several times to prevent it from draining power. Other than that, the car is in top notch shape for 126,000 km. Very roomy!
Can anyone give me a bottom line? I mean, I am thinking of buying a Sable in the next few days, a 1997 Sedan, with 95,000 miles on it.
The previous owner told me she had done not one repair since she bought it in 1997. This scares me. Does that mean it's "due"?
The price is right: 2,500.
Is the car going to run fine for 5,000 miles and then need: new transmission, new this new that, etc.? Is it a bad idea to buy this car or not? It's hard to tell from some of the comments. I drove it and it sounded/felt great. Should I pass however, cause of the high mileage? It's not a Toyota or a Honda, which go forever. Maybe I should pass. What do you think?
Graeme.
The 1997 Mercury Sable is one of the best model years ever you should get to at least 150,000 miles before any major problems. And at that price of 2,500 I would definitely buy it. What a great deal.
I own two Mercury Sables, a '92 and a '97. Both were purchased used, the '92 in 2001 with 101K miles and the '97 in 2000 with 36K miles. The '92 now has 146K and the '97 has 105K.
I have replaced the brake-pads and starter on the '92 last month. That is all.
On the '97 I have had the transmission rebuilt and then replaced in 2003 and 2004 (11 months apart), replaced the starter, AC compressor, and alternator and pulley in 2003 (pulley seized and destroyed compressor and alternator), Oxygen sensors and brake pads this month.
Aside from the transmission problems, I do not consider these repairs to be indicative of a lemon vehicle. A frozen pulley can happen at any time and the pads and sensors are maintenance items when the vehicle is over 100K on almost any make of vehicle.
I would not consider the '97 to be best of breed, but it is an economical vehicle when you consider both purchase price and normal repairs and do not consider a car to be an investment that will have "resale value". I tend to drive a car until it is time to scrap it and spend less than most of my peers. I do not have the prettiest car in the parking lot though. I do have reliable transportation most of the time. :)
We have a 97 Sable Wagon with about 135,000 miles. We've replaced the transmission twice - now it's going out for the third time. Time to donate this car to a charity. Too bad, other than a poorly designed transmission it has been a pretty good car. But who can afford a new transmission every two years? - Mary in Ohio.