1995-2000 Mercury Mystique: Full Review
Updated: 11/23/08
2000 Mercury Mystique
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1995-2000 Mercury Mystique ▼
- Price Range: $700 - $2,200
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Learn about the year-to-year changes and reliability for the 1995-2000 Mercury Mystique and our price chart details a range of prices based on vehicle mileage and condition.
Pros
- Acceleration (V6)
- Steering/handling
- Optional antilock brakes
Cons
- Stereo controls
- Rear-seat room
- Road noise
- Engine noise (4-cylinder)
Vehicle Highlights
Mercury's Mystique is similar to the Ford Contour. The 4-door sedans have different front and rear styling but similar mechanical components. Mystique, which replaced the compact Topaz came in two models: base GS and plusher LS. A 125-horsepower, 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine was standard; 170-horsepower, 2.5-liter V6 optional. A 5-speed manual transmission was standard with either engine, and electronic 4-speed automatic optional. Dual airbags, height-adjustable front shoulder belts, and 5-mph bumpers were standard. Antilock brakes and traction control (which works at all speeds) were optional.
Expert Ratings Summary (view detailed report)
| Category | Mercury Mystique LS 2.5-liter Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 4 | |
| Fuel Economy | 6 | |
| Ride Quality | 4 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 6 | |
| Quietness | 4 | |
| Controls/Materials | 4 | |
| Interior Room | 5 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 3 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 4 | |
| Value within Class | 5 | |
| Total Score: | 45 |
Learn about the year-to-year changes of the 1995-2000 Mercury Mystique. Get full details of the styling and performance changes throughout the history of the 1995-2000 Mercury Mystique.
Year to Year Changes
1996 Mercury Mystique:
In a quest for more rear-seat space, the front seatbacks were redesigned, now scooped out instead of flat. That added about an inch more rear leg room. Later in the model year came a second step: Rear-seat cushions were lowered and moved farther back. Meanwhile, the 5-speed's gearshift linkage was revised, intended to yield smoother shifts.
1997 Mercury Mystique:
A new lower-priced base model joined the lineup for '97, as prices of the GS and LS increased. A trunk light became standard, and traction control was no longer available as an option.
1998 Mercury Mystique:
The '98 Mystique got a redesigned grille, headlamps, and hood. Also new was an optional rear child-safety seat.
1999 Mercury Mystique:
Recontoured rear seats and allow for 1/2-inch more leg room and a slightly softer suspension were the only changes for 1999. Mystique would not return for 2000.
2000 Mercury Mystique:
Mercury dropped the Mystique a few months after the 2000 model year began. Only 4-cylinder GS and V6 LS versions remained for the short season. Final Mystiques got a manual in-trunk emergency release system.
Our road test for the 1995-2000 Mercury Mystique includes a full evaluation from the inside out. We've evaluated every aspect of the 1995-2000 Mercury Mystique and highlighted the vehicle's performance with pros and cons. Use our comprehensive road test ratings to decide if this generation 1995-2000 Mercury Mystique is right for you.
Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation
Mystique and the similar Ford Contour are more like European sports sedans than American family cars. All models feel well-balanced and competent on twisting 2-lane roads. Best powertrain combination is the V6 with automatic. The V6 has plenty of power and the new transmission shifts crisply and smoothly. Although automatic works just as well with the 4-cylinder, the base engine is noisier and has trouble mustering enough power to conquer hills. A 4-cylinder Mystique feels more than adequate with a 5-speed. As for economy, we averaged 23 mpg with the 4-cylinder. Road noise has been prominent on all models tested, but wind noise was low. There's adequate room for adults in the front seat, but the rear seat lacks leg and head room for adults over five-foot-nine inches tall. The dashboard is functional and modern, but small poorly marked stereo controls are tough to use. The trunk opening is rather small, but the cargo area is wide at the rear and has a flat floor that reaches well forward. A standard 60/40 split rear seatback folds for additional luggage space.
Value for the Money
Mystique is a highly competitive alternative to Japanese compact sedans and to the Chrysler Cirrus. Its biggest drawback is simply the lack of rear-seat room--especially in a family sedan.
Mystique is a highly competitive alternative to Japanese compact sedans and to the Chrysler Cirrus. Its biggest drawback is simply the lack of rear-seat room--especially in a family sedan.
Expert Ratings Summary
| Category | Mercury Mystique LS 2.5-liter Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 4 | |
| Fuel Economy | 6 | |
| Ride Quality | 4 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 6 | |
| Quietness | 4 | |
| Controls/Materials | 4 | |
| Interior Room | 5 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 3 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 4 | |
| Value within Class | 5 | |
| Total Score: | 45 |
Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer
Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering
and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room,
Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle
rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the
ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.
Our reliability study for this generation Mercury Mystique includes details on average repair costs, manufacturer recalls, and everything you need to know to gauge the long-term reliability of this generation Mercury Mystique .
Trouble Spots
Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search
for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested
solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer,
however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.
Brakes:
Ice in the parking-brake cables will not allow the parking brake to release or release fully. (1995-97)
Engine misfire:
Lack of acceleration in freezing weather (below 32 degrees F) on the 2.5-liter engine is often due to ice on the throttle plate. (1995)
Engine temperature:
Engine overheating on 2.5-liter engines may be due to broken plastic water pump impeller blades. (1995-2000)
Heater core:
Installing a restrictor in the heater inlet hose may repair heater cores leaks. (1995-2000)
Manual transmission:
If there is gear clash going into third on the manual transmission, the input gear shaft and shift fork need to be replaced. (1995-97)
Steering problems:
If the steering wheel vibrates while idling with the transmission engaged and the A/C running, the steering mass damper, AV module, and radiator must be replaced. (1995-97)
Steering problems:
A slipping drive belt causes a lack of power steering and the charge-warning light to glow. (1995-97)
Transaxle leak:
Transmission fluid may leak from the vent hole of automatic transmission. A revised vent tube is available. (1995-96)
Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs
This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The
dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the
typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement
costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership
to be slightly higher.
| Item Name | Repair Cost |
| A/C Compressor | $360 |
| Alternator | $455 |
| Automatic Transmission or Transaxle | $800 |
| Brakes | $290 |
| Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing | $750 |
| Constant Velocity Joints | $465 |
| Exhaust System | $345 |
| Radiator | $345 |
| Shocks and/or Struts | $700 |
| Timing Chain or Belt | $175 |
Our price chart for this generation Mercury Mystique details a range of prices in
year-by-year listings based on vehicle mileage and condition.
| Prices | Good | Average | Poor |
|
|
|||
| 2000 | |||
| Mystique | $2,400-3,000 | $1,700-2,200 | $500-600 |
| 1999 | |||
| Mystique | $2,000-2,600 | $1,400-1,800 | $300-400 |
| 1998 | |||
| Mystique | $1,700-2,200 | $1,100-1,500 | $300 |
| 1997 | |||
| Mystique | $1,500-2,000 | $1,000-1,300 | $200-300 |
| 1996 | |||
| Mystique | $1,300-1,800 | $800-1,100 | $200 |
| 1995 | |||
| Mystique | $1,100-1,600 | $700-1,000 | $100-200 |
|
|
|||
This chart details a range of prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels:
Good: a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair.
Average: a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings;
engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well.
Poor: might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or
abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations
reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car
lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical
amount of equipment--usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo,
etc. Fully loaded vehicles may cost more. Average mileage is 12,000 miles per year. Keep
in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary- especially from
region to region.
Specs for this generation Mercury Mystique include everything from fuel mileage to seating capacity to options availability.
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | 4-door sedan | |
| Wheelbase, in. | 106.5 | |
| Overall Length, in. | 183.5 | |
| Overall Width, in. | 69.1 | |
| Overall Height, in. | 54.5 | |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 2831 | |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 13.9 | |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- | |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 14.5 | |
| Seating Capacity | 5 | |
| Front Head Room, in. | 39.0 | |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 42.4 | |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 36.7 | |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 34.3 | |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
||
Powertrain Options and Availability
Base engine was a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder with dual-overhead cams, producing 125 horsepower. Optional: a 2.5-liter V6, also of dual-overhead-cam configuration, making 170 horsepower and 165 pound-feet of torque. Either a 5-speed manual gearbox or a 4-speed automatic transmission might be installed.
| Engines | cu. in |
Horse- power | Torque | Transmission: |
Consumer Guide Observed |
| dohc V6 | 2.5 / 155 | 170 | 165 | 5-speed manual: 21/31 4-speed automatic: 21/30 |
5-speed manual: 19.9 4-speed automatic: 19.5 |
| dohc I4 | 2.0 / 121 | 125 | 130 | 5-speed manual: 24/34 4-speed automatic: 23/32 |
5-speed manual: -- 4-speed automatic: 20.7 |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
|||||
Built In: Mexico, USA
Drive Wheels: transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive
Detailed safety information for this generation Mercury Mystique include detailed crash test scores from the NHTSA.
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
| Test | 1999 Mystique |
|---|---|
| Front Impact, Driver | 5 |
| Front Impact, Passenger | 4 |
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Sideimpact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
Learn about official auto recalls, reliability issues, and vehicle problems for the 1995-2000 Mercury Mystique directly from the NHTSA and manufacturers.
NHTSA Recall History
1995:
Front-seatbelt outboard-anchor tabs may be cracked.
1995:
Fuel-tank filler reinforcement can leak, resulting in fire.
1995:
Metal shield on plastic fuel-filler pipe can develop static charge during refueling; could serve as ignition source for fuel vapors.
1995:
Some passenger-side airbags may not inflate properly; also, igniter end cap can separate, releasing hot gases.
1995-96 w/V6:
Tightening of the engine-cooling fan-motor bearings can result in increased motor torque and higher-than-normal motor current and accompanying high motor temperatures.
1995-96 w/traction control:
Throttle cables were damaged during assembly, leading to fraying or separation; could prevent engine from returning to idle.
1995-98:
Automatic-transmission control can be damaged if subjected to certain interior cleaning products; gear indicator can deteriorate and incorrectly indicate actual gear position.
1996:
Fuel-filler pipe-vent hose may have less than intended level of ozone resistance, which could result in brittleness and cracking.
1996-98 w/o ABS:
Pressure-reducing valve in rear brakes may be subject to corrosion, which could result in malfunction when operated in areas that use salt compounds for deicing or dust control.
1996-98:
An open circuit in the wiring harness could lead to electrical arcing that could melt the connector housing material, increasing the potential for a fire.
1996-98:
Terminals at headlight switch and wiring harness can experience heat damage as a result of overheating.
1998:
Accelerator cable may have burr that could fray the core wire; cable could stick, bind, or cause high engine rpm.
1998:
Airbag-sensor wiring insulation can become brittle and crack over time; could cause airbag-warning light to illuminate and disable airbag system.
1998:
Front coil springs may fracture as a result of corrosion in high-corrosion environments.
1998:
Text and/or graphics for headlamp-aiming instructions, provided in owner guides, are not sufficiently clear.
1999 w/automatic transmission:
Ignition key can be rotated to "Lock" position and removed, without shift lever being in "Park" position.
2000:
Improper label was installed on some cars, with incorrect instructions for activation of childproof safety locks.
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