1996 Mercury Mystique Review
1996 Mercury Mystique Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
What’s new
More rear seat room is the big story for Mystique in 1996. Gearshift effort has been improved on manual transmissions, a new Sport Appearance Package is available and five new colors are on the palette. Alloy wheels have been restyled on LS models.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1996 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
Ford has gambled six billion dollars on the world car project that has produced the European-market Ford Mondeo and American-market twins, Ford Contour and Mercury Mystique. These cars have to be hugely successful to make any money, and early indications are that Ford has a winning hand here.
The Mystique, in our opinion, is the most attractive of the three cars. Unlike the overly ovalish Contour, the Mystique is more conservatively styled, with a traditional chrome grille and full-width taillights. Inside, the Mystique is German in flavor, sporting a tidy interior and firm seating for five adults, although the rear seat really is more suitable for two rather than three occupants. Also Germanic in feel is the chassis tuning and all-around performance of the 170-horsepower Duratec V6. Equipped with this engine, the Mystique has been called one of the most fun-to-drive compacts on the road. The base four cylinder motor isn't lacking in punch when equipped with the standard five-speed transmission.
Dual airbags are standard. Antilock brakes and traction control are optional. The well-equipped LS includes alloy wheels, fog lights, a power driver's seat and a cassette stereo. Add the equipment group that includes the V6 engine, power convenience items, and air conditioning, and the Mystique LS V6 is rolling off the showroom floor for around $19,000.
One year after its introduction, Mystique gets more head and legroom in the back seat as designers reconfigure the front and rear seats. New alloy wheels debut this year, and shift effort has been improved with the manual transmission. GS models can be ordered with a folding rear seat, and buyers can select from five new colors. A Sport Appearance package broadens Mystique's appeal, and a rear spoiler is optional.
Compared to its predecessor, the pathetic Topaz, the Mystique is much more expensive. But, considering that the average price of a car purchased in the United States has climbed to 20 grand, the Mystique LS is a comparative bargain, and the addition of antilock brakes and traction control don't push the sticker far over that threshold. Well-equipped, good looking, and possessed with the road manners of a European sport sedan, the Mystique delivers value.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 1996 Mercury Mystique.
5 star(27%)
4 star(37%)
3 star(24%)
2 star(12%)
1 star(0%)
51 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
1.75 out of 5 stars
would NEVER own another!
Tim, 09/04/2009
1996 Mercury Mystique GS 4dr Sedan
My 96 has cost me over $8,000 to fix! Includes transmission, engine, timing belt pulleys, and cv joints! If you want to buy a new car, stay away from mystiques.
4.38 out of 5 stars
Great Value
JKN, 07/15/2002
1995 Mercury Mystique GS 4dr Sedan
I bought the 4cyl. version of the car
new in Feb. 1995 to replace aHonda
Civic after reading european reviews of
the Mondeo (the eureopean version of
the Contour/Mystique) and knowing that
it was the European Car of the Year. I
love how it handles, and its
reliability. The only negative is the
quality of the interior plastics. A
Great value after 7.5 years and 90,000 …
miles.
4.75 out of 5 stars
Under appreciated
flyzone, 05/19/2002
1996 Mercury Mystique LS 4dr Sedan
This is one of the most underrated,
most fun to drive cars out there. A
sleeper and performance car in sheeps
clothing. Ford just didn't know what
they had (or the market didn't) - poor
marketing. Paint and corrosion are
great. Mine has been outside for 6
years; still looks great. Seats are
super; locks you in. A real drivers
car. I bought two!
4.38 out of 5 stars
Sweet Six
mwb, 07/04/2008
1995 Mercury Mystique LS 4dr Sedan
A one owner car purchased late 2006. Has one of the sweetest V6 engines I've known and terrific mileage at 20 city, 36 hwy. 4spd Auto sometimes seems soft, but no problems. Wiring harness had been replaced, oxy sensors in 04. Passes smog well above avg. AC has slow freon leak- when freon fully charged mpg drops to average 17/25. Without freon mpg goes back to 20/36 averages~ a "mystique … mystery". Engine and trans mounts [rubber/liquid filled] had to replace together. Smoothness returned to like new, hope they last another dozen years. Overall a joy to drive, must be well maintained to stay that way. Excellent European style tuned suspension.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 1996 Mercury Mystique, so we've included reviews for other years of the Mystique since its last redesign.
1996 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 RatedDriver5 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriverNot RatedPassengerNot Rated
- 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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