1988 Merkur XR4Ti review from North America
"Most useful, fun, fast, balanced and STRONG car ever made"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Neutral sensor when new.
Turbo gauge when new.
Gauge cluster at 80,000.
Stopped..hit from behind with 50 mph closure... pushed me into a stopped LTD. LTD and VW carried off on car carriers with bumpers on the ground. My lights were not even broken. New bumpers only. STRONG!!!
Window motor at 100,000.
Water pump at 105,000.
Struts and shocks at 110,000.
Brakes at 113,000.
Head gasket at 118,000 (replaced head while in there.. it had some cracking on exhaust seats) Unable to feel ring groove! Still hone marks on cylinder walls. Microlon and Slick 50 every 30,000.
Timing belt at 125,000 (PS pump leak ate it)
Water pump at 140,000.
Cruise control at 140,000.
Heater core at 140,000.
Air conditioner hose at 140,000 (had braided replacement made in Newport Beach... put asbestos heat shield on it)
Timing belt tensioner at 150,000.
5th gear at 155,000..clutch starting to slip.
Exhaust burned through at 155,000.
Half shaft boots rotted at 155,000.
Rotors replaced at 155,000.
General comments?
I love this car. Best combination of utility and sport I have ever seen. I cannot find a replacement car that has this balance of sport and usefullness.
Handles...fast...good mileage.
Folding rear seats make rear as big as a pickup... amazing what I can buy and haul home in this thing.
Love the "whoosh" of power in 5th for passing.
Wish I could buy a new one.
High maintenance car... always has something going wrong with it.
But, it still looks showroom new inside and out. Black/black. Sigh...
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| Unique performance and design with uncommon practicality |
|
| The best car Ford has ever made |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| Year of manufacture | 1988 |
| First year of ownership | 1988 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2001 |
| Engine and transmission | 2.3 turbo Manual |
| Performance marks | 10 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 7 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 9 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 5 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 7 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 8 miles |
| Most recent distance | 158000 miles |
| Date of Entry | 16th June, 2001 |