Used 2000 Mercury Mountaineer SUV Consumer Reviews
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Car has 147,000 miles and it drives like new
Pros: *At 147K miles engine and tranny sounds, and performs like brand new. *They were not kidding about the V8 Power. * Body well built and solid. Quality steel - no rust yet. * AWD really grips the roads ( Iowa winters..no problem here) Cons: *Factory radio works but no display - common issue. * rear wiper does not work - again common issue. *Keyless entry quit working, and door locks need some TLC. * some road noise. ( can't tell yet if it is in need of a muffler or just the roar of the 5.0) * no rust yet but a little pain bubbling on the bottom inside of the rear doors. not noticable to the public
One of many fans of this car
I learned from the dealer the 1999 to 2001 were the best built in this series and they have a strong following. I have found that out by talking to other owners. The Mountaineer is the top of the line. The V-8 engine is strong, transmission strong, solid body, has a truck feel (it is a Ranger w/ SUV body). With Zaino polish the paint shines great and people are amaised it is 10 years old. This car is a solid performer, a great winter car. If I keep the rpm's under 2,000 on the interstate, I'll get 20.5 to 21.5 mpg. For good gas mileage drive with a soft foot on the accelerator. Fine a good one and keep it.
- Base 4dr SUVMSRP: N/A505 mi away
GREAT SUV - GAS MILEAGE YUCK
LOVE THIS SUV. CAN HAUL ANYTHING THAT CAN FIT INSIDE. BACK SEAT COMFORT FOR LONG TRIP IS SENSATIONAL WITH QUALITY LEATHER AND CUSIONING. INTERIOR DASH AND PANEL LAY OUT GREAT AND THE STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS CONVENIENT AND WORK WELL. COULD USE MORE CUP HOLDERS WHICH THEY DID NOT ADD IN THE 2003 REFRESH. WE LOOKED A MANY NEW SUV'S AND CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WORTH SPENDING MORE MONEY ON.
2000 Mountaineer Premier-love it!
I purchased this SUV knowing I would be the 3rd owner. It had a history of 3 winters in Michigan and 10 years in VA. There was some rust in the undercarriage around the spare tire connections and minor paint bubbles inside the rear door frame. It had 73K miles on the 5.0L V8 w/AWD. It now has 107K after 25 months and 2 winters of mid-Atlantic snow. It has never failed to start and goes thru any kind of weather. Regular maintenance of tires, battery, brakes, alternator and exhaust along w/some suspension worries probably due to MI weather history. I also had the CHECK ENGINE light, annoying dashboard light and rear windshield wiper failures that others have noted. I recently had to replace the fuel pump (also annoyingly located in the gas tank) and that fixed the Check Engine light. This might sound like a lot to some folks but I love this vehicle. It is roomy and leather luxurious and, as already mentioned, goes in any weather/road conditions. I have mostly rural driving @ 14-17 MPG. I'm hoping to keep this vehicle for a long, long time.
- Performance
- Comfort
Solid Comfort
Having owned a used 2000 Mercury Mountainerr for over 6 months, I am absolutely pleased with my decision to buy it. The V8 power and AWD stability provide much relief for winter weather and towing/hauling/etc. The luxurious interior is the most comfortable I have known, even having driven Mercedes sedans and Chevy TrailBlazers.
Love My 1st Car
I just graduated high school and this is my 1st car. I got it from my grandpa who treated it very well and is in great condition. It drives well, and the V8 is very powerful indeed. Granted, it does suck down a lot of gas in the city though hwy mileage is good. Ride is pretty good, though on bumps it doesn't really take them well compared to a sedan would. Excellent build quality, and everything; engine, transmission, electronics, they're all perfectly fine I'm keeping it until it dies that's for sure
I love it but I hate it too!
I have had my 2000 Mountaineer for 1 year. The first week I had it the message center had to be replaced. Ok. I can live with that. I had an awful growning noise in the front end after several trips to the dealer the problem was the CV joints. Now my big problem! The transmission went out at 50K!!!! Now I have a rebuilt one and the SUV is for sale! I love it and I don't want to give it up but what happens when my rebuilt trans goes out after the waranty is gone?? So I must say bye and I don't think I will buy another one.
Looks like new in 2004!
I can't tell you how much I have loved this car! At first I was a bit apprehensive about upgrading to an SUV from a '93 Saturn SL. Once again I was one of the few that was able to get a 2000 with a V6. Condsidering all things the gas mileage is great! Only problems I have is the radio display has gone out (a common problm in Ford products I hear) and the sensors for the Transmission are causing it to miss a little bit. Other than that I can't tell you enough good things about it!
Best Ride Ever
This is my most favorite vehicle I have ever owned. I enjoy the stylist leather interior, the beautiful dash and the cargo space. I often time have to haul items for work and it makes it so easy to get things in and out. Being a V-6 the good gas milage for this size of vehicle is wonderful. It was great having 4- wheel drive this winter. I live on a - dead-end gravel road that lacks snow removal and my Mountaineer got me through what ever snow. I am having problems with the radio display.
The Best I Ever Had
I have owned my Mountaineer for two years and NOT ONCE have I had a problem with it, other than the MACH radio screen going out, and that was quite minor. Mine is the Monterey edition (equivalent to Eddie Bauer edition of the Explorer). It has AMAZING acceleration, and gets decent gas mileage on the hwy, but not so much in the city. I plan to drive mine until the wheels fall off. I've had a Nissan coupe and a Chevy Blazer, and this is BY FAR the best of the best. Contact me if you want to know anything about it.
2000 Monterey Wedgewood Blue & Gold
Purchased used 8 years ago w/49,000 miles on it. Now have 118,000 miles and only significant problems have been the transmission (torque converter) rebuild at 87,000, and as with many others, radio display went out - had repaired and then all button functions stopped working (original radio a real piece of junk!). Replaced radio with newer OEM Ford radio w/6 cd changer from OEM Car Audio (on Ebay). Other than new tires , battery, brakes, shocks,serpentine belt, plugs and 13.7 avg mpg (mostly city), a pleasure to own and drive. Also a couple of minor factory recalls, big deal. At 118K miles, I've got a lot more to go! Body in excellent shape even after subjected to Minnesota winters & salt.
Overall, a great suv.
Aside from the gas mileage and the noisy moonroof, the car is solid as a rock, reliable, and powerful.
2000 Mercury Mountaineer Review
Fun, reliable vehicle. Handles well. Comfortable and well-designed interior. Gas mileage average (17/23) for V8.
The best SUV
This is the best SUV Ford ever built. I plan on keeping this thing forever. Great on and off road capability. The 5.0l V8 is one the best engines that ever came from Detroit. Its acceleration is very surprising in a vehicle of this size. The performance and off-road uprgrades are plentiful. Adding just a dual exhaust and a cold air intake makes this thing sound awesome. No problems yet and having AWD will hopefully stem some of the front end problems so associated with these vehicles.
Realistic Review
Vehicle handling is excellent considering this is a SUV on a truck chassis. I drive this vehicle lighting most of the time and it gives me a very acceptable ride. When thrown around a bit it does show that the suspension does not quite adapt well enough and does bounce around slightly too much. Off roading ability is great, but nothing too impressive. Can easily get around 14mpg city with smooth driving, around 12mpg letting it loose sometimes. Overall this is a very satisfying vehicle to all but the most discerning people.
Very good all around mid size suv
I bought this vehicle when my puppy grew out of my car and it is very nice. Hard to find aftermarket parts for except for the fact that most 2000 explorer parts are interchangeable. Drives well, handles well, and good pickup for a heavy suv. It does not absorb bumps like your independent rear suspension luxury suvs but its american built tough truck handling makes for a go anywhere kind of ride. Hit a curb..no biggie, off road..not a problem. OEM tires are kind of crappy. A nice set of Pirelli scorpion A/T and its all good. All in All a 8 in my book.
Ford can't do any better
Whoever designed my Mountaineer should receive a Nobel prize. I bought it with 48K in 2003, and it now has 96K and the only trouble I've had is a dead battery. The radio display went out, and I dealt with it a while, but had it fixed for a high price. It drives just the way it did when I bought it almost four years ago. I've noticed my power locks acting up, but they aren't causing any bad problems. Highway fuel economy is okay, but city is ugly.
2000 Mercury Mountaineer
Leased vehicle just turned in after 36 months. Very good comfort, all the extras anyone could want, very comfortable interior. Quality was above average. Some initial build quality problems on interior trim and had the radio replaced under warranty during. Handling subpar although it is a truck. V8 gas mileage in city nowhere near as EPA advertised; 10-12 max. Highway mileage 18-20.
Mercury Mountaineer
Great vehicle. I live in the mountains and the all wheel drive is great. Excellent for carrying "stuff"! Good height for me to get in and get out of the car without struggling to get up and out!
Likes and dislikes of ownership
The 5.0 engine is very adequate for this vehicle, and the AWD works very well in snow. The only problem I've had is that the check engine light comes on all too often, and the dealership does nothing to repair the problem except to turn the light off and then charge a large bill for a service that takes 5 minutes
Love it much!
I actually love the "bumpy" truck ride of my 2000 Mercury Mountaineer. I will be so bummed out when I need a new one and have to settle for the smoother ride. But, I don't know if I will ever buy another type of vehicle EVER again. It is my favorite of all time and I was one of those girls in the late 80's early 90's who had a Chrysler LeBaron convertable. Mine was even manual turbo transmission with cruise control! My dealer keeps sending me notices saying "We want your 2000 Mountaineer, it's in demand!" I know it's a ploy to get me to buy a new car, but I agree with anyone who would steal it from me. What a TRUCK! XXXOOO to whoever designed it.
No Regrets
I upgraded to SUV to accommodate third child, drive in winter on hills & use for outdoor activities. I have been pleased with the purchase. Seems solid and reliable. Only minor issues so far (rear wiper stopped working twice & digital display on radio goes crazy now and then). My gas mileage is lower than expected based upon other reviews, but I drive a lot of short distances with a lot of steep hills. I get about 10-12 in town, 18-20 on highway. But I did not expect much more from a V8 AWD. Other features are great and I have been generally quite pleased with the purchase.
5.0 AWD Common Problems?
I have 26000 miles on the Mountianeer and there is a lower radiator hose leak,Transmission lines at radiator are leaking,Front drive-shaft seal at pigtail leaks,Door seal is falling apart,Rear wiper works half the time,Back-up sensors stay on in a clear area when backing-up which happens more in warmer weather,Radio sometimes does not work. I looked at several other Mountaineer & Explorers AWD V-8 and alot seem to be leaking at the front drive-shaft seal at the pigtail and also leaks at the lower radiator hose.The V-6 vehicles do not seem to leak... Paint is fading near the door edges. In snow/cold weather I get 10-13MPG.
enjoyed my mountaineer
had the vehicle for 3 years and i am getting another this weekend. service was great, had a few minor problems that were rectified at once. dealer was great with service and working with. looking forward to another 3 years.
130,000 miles and still going strong
I purchased my Mountaineer three years ago. It now has 130,000 miles on it! I have not had any problems at all. I love the options this vehicle has at the affordable price. After driving a Chevy previously, I was a little apprehensive about buying a Ford. I found it to be just as reliable, if not more than my Chevy. Sadly, I am trading it in due to the gas mileage. I wish I did not have to commute 30 miles one way to work, or I would keep this precious gem. I would advise anyone to buy a Mountaineer!
Love My Mountaineer White/LtGrey
Love My Truck.....rides great have 29,000 miles, never had a problem with her. She is quick n very comfortable, n she is very pretty,gas mileage is ok ,but its an 8 cyl!! Love it so much I released it 4 another 6 months!!
Impressive
This is my first SUV.I can't believe I waited this long. There is so much more room than a sedane.I heard prior to purchasing that riding in a SUV was like riding a dirt bike. I totally disagree. The mountaineer is a smooth ride other than the occasional divet in road or rail road tracks.The factory stereo system is awesome.No need to install additional speakers etc. The gas mileage is Okay but I have always drove a 4-cylinder or 6-cylinder car, so this being 8-cylinder of course uses more gas.Love the extra vents for air w/ controls in the back seat.The only thing I dont like is when my husband makes me drive his car!
Very pleased
Great SUV, has so many creature comforts, including 8 way power seats on both passenger and driver side. Feels solid and safe. Recommended
Not Bad
I have enjoyed driving this truck for almost three years. I was very suprised and impressed at its very good performance and handling on dry roads as well as deep snow. The V-8 is strong and steering is excellent. The 2000 Mountaineer has one problem area and that is its ride. The leaf spring rear suspension causes an uncomfortable ride on any but the smoothest roads. It has proven very reliable and adaptable to most uses.
I love my Mountaineer
I purchased one of the few 2000 models with a V-6. This is the best vehicle I have ever owned. I now have over 90K miles on my vehicle with no problems. I have pulled a trailer a lot and done a lot of city driving on a regular basis and this vehicle has always exceeded my expectations. Way to go Mercury.
great suv
Love this suv. Previously owned a stripped down Ford Explorer ... can't compare for comfort and reliability.
2000 Mountaineer
Great vehicle. NO PROBLEMS!!!!
Don't buy a Ford
The bumper on the vehicle started to rust under the plastic trim. Ford paid for half the cost of repainting it. The body shop, Otis Ford, on Long Island could not install the plastic bumper cover without cracking it after four tries. They said the bumber had a defect. This has been going on for a year and still not resolved. No support from Ford or the dealer. I plan on selling the car and buying a new Honda. Don't buy Ford
Great vehicle
I just purchased this one new. I have purchased other vehicles but none really compare to the Mercurys that I have purchased in quality and comfort for the price. To get any better vehicle you will have to spend more money for certain. I don't think you can get comparable quality for the money.
Rave review
I'm about to return my Mountaineer after a 33 mo lease and I'm going to miss everthing but the fuel mileage. Ford did a terrific job with the quality of this vehicle. I had a few problems with the radio but that was fixed under warranty. I had more probelms with a Hinda I bought afterward than I had with this Ford. I recommend the vehicle for any bad weather region. It was great to have and fun to drive. Nice job Ford!
MOUNTAINEER
this is the second mountaineer i have purchased it has proven to be reliable with good quality comfort is good and i love it's design fuel economy is good for suv
Happy Mountaineer Owner
Like the SUV, after almost 50,000 miles. Had persistent problems with noise in the front suspension at first. taken care of with nothing since. Have 6 cyl, 4.0 liter - gas mileage is great for a SUV. 22-26 hiway, 16-18 in city. We found that aspect just great
Sad to see it go
I've had my SUV for over 5 years now and it's the best thing I've ever owned. Never once left me stranded & only had to fix normal things like tires, battery, brakes, & spark plugs. Would love to keep it but the family is too big and we need a 3rd row now. If I could buy new I would just order one that way. I think I will cry when I trade in this week. Currently at 92,000 miles and still going strong. Back wiper never quite worked right & light bulb issue on the dash but the stuff that really mattered and would cost a lot to fix stayed strong. Hope to own another one some day.
After 2 and a half years ....
... I still enjoy driving my Mountaineer. The one gripe I have is that there seems to be a rattle coming from the passenger side when I go over bumps/tracks, etc. Dealer has looked at it several times and not been able to fix it (or recreate it consistently). But the ride is nice and comfortable and the V8 has more power than I would ever need even for towing small trailers. Makes me kinda wish I had gone for the V6 for better gas mileage. It's design both in and out is very appealing. It handles like a truck (duh!) which limits it's fun factor to drive but if you wanted fun, you wouldn't be getting a big SUV.
Okay SUV
Mine has a V-8 that gets 10-13 city / 17-20 hwy MPG.I added the Tornado to see if it would help(Very little). I have problems with the anti-theft not letting it start at times which is probably moisture related.I really wanted to buy a 2001 Aztek GT which was fully loaded but was afraid of the glitches of newer model productions.The Aztek was the same price.Even though this Mountaineer is certified.I wish I would have had it inspected at another dealer to have found the problems before I bought it.The dealer that sold it claimed it was checked over.Someone needs to be fired! "Dealer BS"
All Wheel Drive Power!!!
After researching different types of mid-size SUVs out there and reading different reviews I decided to purchase a used 2000 Mountaineer/Premier in deep wedgewood blue at a dealership near me. I had an AWD/Turbo sports car before and the Mountaineer AWD with the 5.0/V8 has all the power that I need. This SUV exceeded my expectations! It has the most comfort features than any other mid-size SUVs out there and the ride quality is excellent. I highly recommend this SUV.
Upscale Explorer
After my wife totaled our Contour, it was time buy a SUV. We looked at the Explorers for the longest time. We couldn't find the right Eplorer without the ugly brown interior, so we started looking at Mountaineers. This is the one of the classiest looking SUVs on the road. Get all-wheel- drive!!! If you can't, get the limited- slip diff.
it's OK
Runs good, no real problems. Just rides like a truck. Should have waited one more year.
pricing vehicle
nice vehicle to ride on bumpy roads with.
Remarkable SUV
I'm at the end of my second lease w/mountaineer. My '98 and my '00 have been great. I'm not a Ford fan and these are the first Fords I've owned out of about 16 vehicles in my life. This is my last SUV (just don't need it) so it's not that I am in any way dissatisfied. If Ford made anything remotely comparable to the 'vette' I might consider it (on second thought, probably not). You won't second think you purchase of a Mt'eer tho.....
Wonderful!
This was my first Ford-based anything, and this has been nothing short of amazing! It came with the 5.0 and AWD, and was completely loaded! It even got me through a nasty blizzard here in Colorado and through 2 feet of snow and never got stuck! Even with temps as low as -15, the truck started up with no problems
2000 5.0 V8 AWD merc,mountaineer
I bought this suv in 2013 with 151237 miles. Now she has 204118, the motor roars, tranny shifts on a dime, handles great. Driver seat has to have cover,Radio is junk ( CD player stopped ) lighting in dash is half out. Being 19 yrs. old she has new water pump,therm stat,radiator, both rear shackles , and front end work on both sides,Brakes all the way
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