2000 Mercury Mystique Review
2000 Mercury Mystique Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Solid handling, four-cylinder or V6 engine choice, affordable price.
Cons
- Limited room for rear passengers, pedestrian interior.
What’s new
The Mystique comes standard with an emergency glow-in-the-dark trunk release, designed to allow a child or adult trapped in the trunk to open it from the inside. Two new exterior colors debut.
Edmunds says
As the Ford Contour's twin, for pure road-going thrills in a well thought-out package, the Mystique makes for a fun car at a great price.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2000 Mercury Mystique GS 4dr Sedan and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.36 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$165/mo for Mystique GS
Mystique GS
vs
$176/mo
Avg. Midsize Car
Vehicle overview
Since its introduction in 1995, the Mystique has been Mercury's counterpart to the Ford Contour. Based on the same platform, the Mercury has differentiated itself by having different styling and trim packages. But for all intents and purposes, the Contour and Mystique were the same car.
The Contour and Mystique are still the same car for 2000, but there is an added difference: the Mystique is the only one to offer a four-cylinder engine. To avoid having the new Ford Focus steal sales away from the Contour, Ford has taken the Contour upscale, discontinuing the entry-level LX series. The remaining 2000 Contour comes only with a V6 engine.
Customers looking to purchase a more fuel-efficient (and less expensive) four-cylinder should check out the Mystique GS. The Zetec DOHC 16-valve four produces 125 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 130 foot-pounds of torque at 4,000 rpm. The GS also comes with a rear spoiler, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, fog lamps and special floor mats. While we still aren't sold on the exterior look, the Mystique GS has plenty to offer the small-sedan shopper. The body structure is stiff, and the ergonomically correct instrument panel features legible dials and controls. The interior still receives some gripes, however. It lacks some of the refinement found in competing cars and Mercury has never been able to solve the lack of room for rear-seat passengers.
The more upscale Mystique LS comes standard with the 24-valve Duratec V6 engine, which develops 170 horsepower at 6,250 rpm and 165 foot-pounds of torque at 4,250 rpm. Improvements over the LS include leather bucket seats, 15-inch alloy wheels, larger tires, a performance-tuned suspension, a 60/40 split-folding rear seat and four-wheel disc brakes on manual transmission-equipped cars.
When we've been behind the wheel of V6-powered Mystiques, we've generally had a good time. The V6 is just one part of an equation that makes this car such an excellent purchase for the shallow-pocketed enthusiast. The real excitement of the Mystique's driving experience is the result of the car's excellent chassis, suspension and steering.
Since its introduction, the Contour/Mystique platform has won plenty of awards and has received great press from automotive critics. In 1998, Mercury gave the Mystique an exterior freshening to make the car more distinctive in the crowded family-sedan marketplace.
The Dodge Stratus and Chevrolet Malibu may offer greater interior volume, but for pure road-going thrills in a well thought-out package, the Mystique makes for a fun car at a great price.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2000 Mercury Mystique.
5 star(34%)
4 star(34%)
3 star(19%)
2 star(13%)
1 star(0%)
38 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
3.75 out of 5 stars
Looks Can Be Deceiving
Anthony Cardoza II, 04/08/2008
1999 Mercury Mystique GS 4dr Sedan
Car looks great. I should have researched this vehicle before I purchesed it. Car had 105000 miles on it, when I purchesed it. The car runs great, but the check engine light comes on all the time. So, far I had to change the thermostat and flush the cooling system as well as change the hoses. Its Catalyst Converter already needs to be changed. The rear defogger grid lines burn out to … quickly. It averages about 21 mpg. It has some minor electrical issues. I sugest if you are interrested in purchesing this model, only do it if it has low miles. Oh, one more thing the regulator on the dirver side window has had to be replaced as well. So, in conclusion I guess thats not bad for a Ford product.
4.63 out of 5 stars
IDK
hottdrummer, 03/19/2008
1999 Mercury Mystique LS 4dr Sedan
I've had my Mercury Mystique for about 2 months now and I really really enjoy it. It's sporty but not too sporty. The power it has amazing (V6) and it is one great car. The only thing I don't like is the transmission slips. I got power but sometimes I can't use it all but to the rough idles and slips. I have a great system in the car and it really bangs. My friends love the car and I … love it just as much.
4.25 out of 5 stars
Long time owner
Woody, 11/21/2007
1999 Mercury Mystique LS 4dr Sedan
Having owned this V6, 5-speed, leather seated, sunroof equipped car for over 8 years, I've developed a few opinions on it. The engine was designed by a joint effort of Porsche and Cosworth, and is impressive to behold. Normal mileage is 22 city / 28 highway, although if driven very carefully will increase to 24/32. My previous car was an Acura Integra, and this Mystique would run … rings around it. European feel, 4 cams, 4 disc brakes, and supportive seats make for a fun driving experience. Roughly 3000 rpm at 65 mph seems a bit high, although the engine is very smooth and quiet. This is a European designed car, built in Kansas City.
4 out of 5 stars
1999 Mercury Mystique GS
janice99, 02/04/2011
1999 Mercury Mystique GS 4dr Sedan
We bought this car new and it has 112,000 miles on it.
We had to replace the timing belt at about 100,000 miles; I would recommend replacing it at 95,000 as a precaution because it will leave you stranded, as would ANY car with a timing belt, not just this one.
Over all it is great, fun to drive and gets EXCELLENT gas mileage, 28 to 33 mpg in city or highway.
The paint has peeled in a … couple of places and on the grille but that is cosmetic only.
We live in a snowy area and unless we get 2 feet (unusual) it handles well.
My husband drives it to work nearly every day, 7 miles each way, mostly rural.
I hope it lasts as long as our old '91 Tracer which had 315,000 miles when we sold it!
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2000 Mercury Mystique, so we've included reviews for other years of the Mystique since its last redesign.
2000 Mystique Highlights
GS
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 25 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $165/month |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 13.9 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriverNot RatedPassengerNot Rated
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriver3 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRolloverNot RatedDynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalPoor
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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