1997 Mercury Mystique Consumer Reviews
Most Helpful Reviews
Positive Review
A pretty good little car over the years. Handles very well if not sporty, and has very good road manners in good or bad road conditions even with as many miles as it has. It has very good road feel and just the right amount of steering wheel feel. There is some wind and road noise at highway speeds which can be intrusive. Have had the car since 2004 when it was bought used with 72000 miles on it. Reliability has had it's up's and down's with the 4 speed auto transmission going out at 76,000 miles due to a computer hiccup. The second transmission has been going strong with 95,000 on it now. There has been some other issues such as the water pump going out at 102,000 and a timing belt tensioner pulley disintegrating at 142,000. Fortunately the engine is non-interference design so that the valves and pistons don't ever hit. Other than regular maintenance, it has been pretty good besides the aforementioned issues. The 2.0 liter Zetec is a fantastic little engine. Runs like it's brand new. It keeps good oil and doesn't burn a drop even with 170k miles on it! A little under powered at times but it does climb grades on the highway fairly well. Though only rated at 125 hp and 130 lb-ft of torque it feels like it might be a little more. Gas mileage can vary any where from 17 mpg in town up to 36 mpg on the highway but mostly gets 20 mpg in town and 32 mpg on the highway. The interior is snug but comfortable, however, the rear seat leg room is small. Trunk is spacious for the size of the car. All of the electrical equipment still works in the interior which is surprising to me. There are squeaks and rattles but not bad for a 17 year old car. The only real complaint is the transmission going out but as far as that goes this has been a good car.
VS
Critical Review
We bought this car when it was only a year old with 15K miles, and it was fine for the first 6 or 7 years, up until about 75K miles. We take very good care of our cars, with regular oil/filter changes, etc. so the engine is basically still fine, but everything else is "nickle and diming" us. The transmission needed to be replaced around 90K miles, and the suspension components are problematic, with strut issues, sway bar, control arm, wheel bearing, and more. The car has needed thermostat replacements, alternator replacements, etc. The undercarriage and especially the rocker panel area are rusty, to the point where you can't put the floor jack where it's recommended, because there's no solid metal left. The interior is okay, except for where the console shift mechanism no longer registers which gear you're in (there was a manufacturer's recall on that, I believe.) I can't imagine this car can actually make it to 150K mi, like other people have said. It's seen better days, despite our regular care.
1997 Mystique Reviews
Showing 8 of 148 reviews.
Dependable so far comfortable to drive long dista
Pain to fix. Battery every 3 years . Charging prob
Owned it for 8 years, pain to work on. Very thick metal body not rusting but I have oil sprayed inside doors and underbody. Original exhaust but cats are shot. Would cost more than the car is worth to replace them but still runs good. It has the v6 and getting 28 mpg average both highway city combo. 33 highway driving.
Great price, new engine parts, great school car
rust on under side, some paint peeling
Private owner trying to sell my car before August 25th. I am only the second owner of the vehicle. The engine has been basically gutted and replaced, two new tires, and I get 25-30 miles to the gallon. The trunk is massive as well. There is rust on the under side of the car but have had a mechanic look at it, and he said it wasnt a concern. Ive had it all through college and ready to give it to someone new.
I have had lostss of fun driving it
you have to personally lock the car.
i have driven this car for around 3 years. its a good car, im just ready for a new car. I drove this car 14 hours 2 ways twice. has given me a few problems. brand new tires. it gets around 30 miles to the gallon. its a good car to have.
Exterior styling, handling
Rear seat room, flimsy pop up cup holders
A pretty good little car over the years. Handles very well if not sporty, and has very good road manners in good or bad road conditions even with as many miles as it has. It has very good road feel and just the right amount of steering wheel feel. There is some wind and road noise at highway speeds which can be intrusive. Have had the car since 2004 when it was bought used with 72000 miles on it. Reliability has had it's up's and down's with the 4 speed auto transmission going out at 76,000 miles due to a computer hiccup. The second transmission has been going strong with 95,000 on it now. There has been some other issues such as the water pump going out at 102,000 and a timing belt tensioner pulley disintegrating at 142,000. Fortunately the engine is non-interference design so that the valves and pistons don't ever hit. Other than regular maintenance, it has been pretty good besides the aforementioned issues. The 2.0 liter Zetec is a fantastic little engine. Runs like it's brand new. It keeps good oil and doesn't burn a drop even with 170k miles on it! A little under powered at times but it does climb grades on the highway fairly well. Though only rated at 125 hp and 130 lb-ft of torque it feels like it might be a little more. Gas mileage can vary any where from 17 mpg in town up to 36 mpg on the highway but mostly gets 20 mpg in town and 32 mpg on the highway. The interior is snug but comfortable, however, the rear seat leg room is small. Trunk is spacious for the size of the car. All of the electrical equipment still works in the interior which is surprising to me. There are squeaks and rattles but not bad for a 17 year old car. The only real complaint is the transmission going out but as far as that goes this has been a good car.
GOOD CONDITION AND LOW MILEAGE
Handles great and very reliable.
Seatbelts and Transmission
Other than normal wear and tear replacement parts, this has been a great car (which is why I'm still driving it) and still runs like a top. The only minuses are the seatbelts, which are hard to fasten and un-fasten and the electronic transmission, which you have to wait until it engages before pulling forward. If you don't, it waits a minute and lunges forward. It's a design flaw which can't be corrected. It was also a problem on the Cougar. Other than those two things, it's been a great car.
Solid, fun to drive, peppy, dependable.
Severe rust issue rear wheel wells to rockers.
Has been a great car. It is the LS with leather seats and sunroof. Very attractive interior design. Still drives great. V6 has a lot of low end pep but struggles on hills. No engine or drive train problems. No problems with interior controls. Issues: 1. automatic trunk release sticks in winter 2. makes a howling sound in winter (sounds like a moose) until engine warms - it is echoing through the air intake and is easily remedied with a 15 cent washer; 3. MAJOR RUST ISSUE: rear wheel wells forward into the rocker panels. Look carefully in this area because the thick rock resistant paint hides the rust until half the panel has been destroyed. No rust anywhere else on the car even underneath. But beware of this issue - it is AWFUL!
acceleration with mileage
I like everything about this car. Never had a problem. Good acceleration and mileage for a V 6. Has been very reliable.
