2003 Mercury Sable Review
Fuel Economy
19 - 21 mpg
Summary
What Edmunds.com says
Representing luxury on the cheap, the Sable is a decent car suffering from an identity crisis.
Pros
Excellent value for the money, high level of safety, available as a sedan or a wagon.
Cons
Forgettable rental car persona, not as refined as other cars in its class, ABS available as option only.
What's New for 2003
Not much has changed for Mercury's 2003 Sable. All cars feature a new cupholder design, and the LS Premium trim level offers a no-charge leather trim. Mercury claims that "customers who appreciate understated sophistication will want to know more about the Platinum Edition," which includes aluminum wheels with a center cap ornament and interior trim pieces, perforated leather and a fender badge. Power windows, locks, tilt steering and floor mats are standard across the board, and two new colors brighten up the Sable.
Consumer Ratings & Reviews
Mercury Disabled (Sable)
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 3 | Fun-to-Drive: | 4 | Build Quality: | 3 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 5 | Reliability: | 1 |
| Fuel Economy: | 6 | Exterior Design: | 2 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Mercury Sable LS Premium 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 4A)
Review
Now I know why this car has the nickname Mercury 'disabled' I bought the car 4 months ago and it has been in the shop more than in my garage. The transmission went out 36 hours after I got it home (with 52k miles on it). Since that repair it has had a stuck pcv valve, an replace air intake cylinoid and now both front struts are bad. This 'good deal' - even w/ an extended warranty - has cost me another $1200 in repairs. I would never, ever buy it again.
Favorite Features
Climate control, good sound system when it works.
Suggested Improvements
The transmission commonly goes out on these vehicles. - should be a sign to Ford/Mercury to fix
Our 03 Sable problems
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 4 | Build Quality: | 5 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 7 | Reliability: | 9 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 4 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Mercury Sable GS 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 4A)
Review
Purchased 03 Sable with 20,000 miles on it. Excellent car until two years later when the transmission went out 1,000 miles from warrenty expiring. I just today had to have the drums and back brakes repaired. Only has 42,000 miles on it. Other then that car has been reliable. I will never buy another Ford though.
Favorite Features
Power seats, airbags.
Suggested Improvements
The overall car, it's a Ford!
Buyer beware 2003 Sable will cost you money
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 7 | Fun-to-Drive: | 7 | Build Quality: | 5 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 7 | Reliability: | 5 |
| Fuel Economy: | 3 | Exterior Design: | 7 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Mercury Sable LS Premium 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 4A)
Review
The car seemed to to be a good but when you compair all the known specs at the time of purchase but after a few years look out! This car model is no worse than the support from Ford Motor who just does not care in my opinion. I bought the extended warranty so I have had some protection. When you look at what other's have had to repair you will see a pattern. First the A/C goes up after about 2-3 years. Then the door seals leak they needed to be replaced. The car does not burn E85 fuel as listed by Ford. Runs rough and chokes on mixed fuel. The list goes on but now after just 41,500 miles I need spark plug wires.
Favorite Features
Overall the car looks good and has a good fit on interior and exterior parts. Just wish it would handle better at speeds over 50 miles/hour. The car tend to drift all over the road and the MPG goes way down. In short the faster you go the lower the MPG by 25% plus and the harder it is to handle.
Suggested Improvements
Set the engine up so the average person can do basic repairs. Tell the truth about poor MPG and how fast it drops as speed increases vs other cars! Plus can you believe $684 to change spark plug wires & plugs and it's mostly labor! $155 wires,$55plugs rest labor atDealer who says cann't get 2 wires
Decent car
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 7 | Fun-to-Drive: | 6 | Build Quality: | 6 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 5 |
| Fuel Economy: | 7 | Exterior Design: | 7 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Mercury Sable GS 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 4A)
Review
This car is pretty nice to drive, but its nothing special. We've owned this car for 5 years now and still nothing really stands out as special. It gets pretty good gas mileage under 55 mpg on the highway. Also, once it gets to about a quarter tank of gas, the fuel pump shuts off. We had to push it over a mile to a gas station, I mean, what a stupid design failure. Overall, this car is not very impressive
Favorite Features
Interior
Suggested Improvements
Have it so the car doesn't shut itself down once it gets below a quarter tank, and maybe actually make a car you want to drive.
Safe 5 star & nice room
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Mercury Sable LS Premium 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 4A)
Review
Currently the vehicle has 100,000 miles. Besides normal brakes, tires and oil changes, the only repair I had to make was a blower fan for $150.00. I looked at the Honda Accord & Toyota Camry - both of those cars have timing belts and 30,000 mile tune ups. I had a 100% chance of spending $600 for the timing belt and $300 for each tune up X 3 since I have 100,000 miles. That is a total of $1,500 in normal maintenance that I avoided with Ford's / Mercury's 100,000 mile tune up and a timing chain that lasts the life of the vehicle - serveral hundred thousand miles. Why do you think Consumer Reports does not bring this up? Ford delivers vehicle with the design to minimize maintenance costs!
Favorite Features
Roomy, great ride and safe 5 star. 100,000 mile tune up and timing chain!
Suggested Improvements
Change the name back to the Ford 500
1 out 1 people found this review helpful
View Pricing for Other Years
- 2009 Mercury Sable
- 2008 Mercury Sable
- 2005 Mercury Sable
- 2004 Mercury Sable
- 2003 Mercury Sable
- 2002 Mercury Sable
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