1996 Mercury Sable Review
1996 Mercury Sable Review

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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
What’s new
Fresh off the drawing boards for 1996, and it seems the drawing boards were poorly lit. Styling is heavy-handed and homely, but definitely not dull. Otherwise, the new Sable is an excellent car, powered by new engines, suspended by new components and innovative in nearly every way. Longer and wider sedan and wagon bodystyles are offered in GS and LS trim.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1996 Mercury Sable 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 $3.35 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia
$194/mo
Sable GS
vs
$182/mo
Avg. Midsize Car
Vehicle overview
One of the biggest automotive stories for 1996 is the total redesign of the Mercury Sable. Longer, wider and larger inside than the old Sable, the 1996 model sports radically modern, yet heavy-handed, styling. Three trim levels, G, GS and LS, are available as well as two body styles. Sedans and wagons are available in either GS or LS trim levels.
Mercury claims that the new Sable sports 87 percent greater torsional stiffness. Part of this increase is directly attributable to the fact that the entire side of the new Sable is a single stamped section of steel, except for the doors, of course. Glass area is up 28 percent, lending the Sable a lighter, more airy feel than its predecessor. MacPherson struts hold up the front of the new Sable, while a quadralink rear suspension, similar to that found on the 1995 Lincoln Continental, keeps the rear of the car in line. Standard tire size is P205/65 R15.
An improved Vulcan 3.0-liter V6 powers G and GS models, pumping out 145 horsepower. Order LS trim and get an all-aluminum twin-cam 3.0-liter Duratec V6 good for 200 healthy ponies. Rumors continue to fly that the Sable will get the Taurus SHO's Yamaha-built V8 with 240 horses. If the big engine appears in the Sable, it will be the first time a V8 has ever been offered. LS models run to 60 mph in about eight seconds.
Front disc and rear drum brakes are standard. Antilock four-wheel disc brakes are optional. Sporting the same steering rack as the Lincoln Continental, Ford says that steering feel and response is much improved over the old version.
Standard equipment includes air conditioning, five-mph bumpers, rear seat heat ducts, split-fold rear seats and a battery saver system. Innovations on the 1996 Sable include an Integrated Control Panel, which combines stereo and climate controls in one easy-to-use pod. Stereo componentry has been relocated to the trunk. A patented three-way flip-fold console is available in cars equipped with six-passenger seating. In its upright position, the console is a seating position. Flip it down, and it's an armrest. Flip it once more, and it turns into a handy storage bin with cupholders and room for audio cassettes. Optional on Sable Wagon is an integrated child seat.
We must admit that we're a bit skeptical about the fishy-faced styling of the new car, but our initial shock has diminished to distinct distaste. Recently, photos ran of a Sable prototype that was pitched to the Chinese government after they complained about the frontal styling of the new car. The prototype had a raised hood, revised fascia, traditional rectangular headlamps and a chrome waterfall grille. The changes transformed the homely Sable into an Infiniti look-alike. Too bad the Chinese styling exercise didn't make it onto American production lines.
Preliminary reports indicate that the Sable is indeed a much improved sedan, ready to go head-to-head with the best in this class. Time, and a test drive, will tell.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 1996 Mercury Sable.
5 star(34%)
4 star(46%)
3 star(11%)
2 star(9%)
1 star(0%)
35 reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
3.5 out of 5 stars
1996 Mercury Sable LS
Colin,04/12/2002
1996 Mercury Sable LS 4dr Sedan
Very comfortable car that has retained
a "luxury" feel even 6 years after
purchase. Below average reliability.
I've had to rebuild the transmission
(around the 70,000 mile mark) and
replace the A/C compressor (around the
50,000 mile mark). This car handles
and rides like a BIG car. It floats
along with very little road feel. Also
has very high wind noise.
4.13 out of 5 stars
Very positive experience
bjgreen,01/03/2009
1996 Mercury Sable GS 4dr Sedan
I owned this car cradle (~10k miles) to grave (117k miles) over the last 12 twelve years. It was a very reliable car up until the end. The fuel economy was also very good (28-29mpg in mostly freeway driving). The interior was very comfortable for my family of 5. But by current standards it lacks in the safety features department. This car never saw the inside of a garage, but the paint … still looks great. In the end, a belt tensioner popped off on the freeway and I continued to drive the car - severely overheating the engine (definitely a bad idea on my part). Had it not been for this incident, I'm confident the engine would have gone at least another 50k miles.
3.63 out of 5 stars
Used to be reliable
Denise,01/13/2009
1996 Mercury Sable LS 4dr Sedan
I bought this car in the middle of 2005 with less then 60,000 miles on it. Since I have had it I had to get the rear suspension replaces, brakes redone, I had the serpentine belt replaced and the whole airconditioning unit. Recently I had to have all the wiring replaced and a wk earlier the spark plugs replaced because the car refused to start and gasoline drenched everything. The engine … light has been on forever and I have had the codes fixed everytime. In the summer it overheats if I am in town and I have had the whole cooling system serviced and nothing is even wrong with it. The interior has started to peel off and the paneling on the doors falls of, had it fixed but refuses to stay.
4.63 out of 5 stars
love it!!
scott,11/28/2006
1996 Mercury Sable LS 4dr Sedan
I recently (11/2006) bought an LS with the 24 valve engine and 56,718 miles on it after 11 years. Also have a 97 cougar V6 but this 24 valve engine is fantastic. So far I love the car and the smoothness of the ride. It is easy to drive and has a large interior which is nicely appointed. The tires are a little small and the alloy wheels are boring. All in all a great car.
1996 Mercury Sable Wagon Features & Specs
- Base MSRP
- N/A
- MPG & Fuel
- 17 City / 26 Hwy / 20 Combined
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 16.0 gal. capacity
- Drivetrain
- Type: front wheel drive
- Transmission: 4-speed automatic
- Engine
- V6 cylinder
- Horsepower: 145 hp @ 5,250 rpm
- Torque: 170 lb-ft @ 3,250 rpm
- Dimensions
- Length: 199.1 in. / Height: 57.6 in.
- Overall Width without Mirrors: 73.0 in.
- Curb Weight: 3,536 lbs.
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver4 / 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.
- Side Impact TestNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
- IIHS Small Overlap Front TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front TestGood
More about the 1996 Mercury Sable
Used 1996 Mercury Sable Overview
The Used 1996 Mercury Sable is offered in the following submodels: Sable Sedan, Sable Wagon. Available styles include GS 4dr Sedan, GS 4dr Wagon, LS 4dr Wagon, G 4dr Sedan, and LS 4dr Sedan. Pre-owned Mercury Sable models are available with a 3.0 L-liter gas engine, with output up to 200 hp, depending on engine type. The Used 1996 Mercury Sable comes with front wheel drive. Available transmissions include: 4-speed automatic.
What's a good price on a Used 1996 Mercury Sable?
Shop with Edmunds for perks and special offers on used cars, trucks, and SUVs near Ashburn, VA. Doing so could save you hundreds or thousands of dollars. Edmunds also provides consumer-driven dealership sales and service reviews to help you make informed decisions about what cars to buy and where to buy them.
Which used 1996 Mercury Sables are available in my area?
Shop Edmunds' car, SUV, and truck listings of over 6 million vehicles to find a cheap new, used, or certified pre-owned (CPO) 1996 Mercury Sable for sale near. Simply research the type of car you're interested in and then select a used car from our massive database to find cheap prew-owned vehicles for sale near you. Once you have identified a used vehicle you're interested in, check the AutoCheck vehicle history reports, read dealer reviews, and find out what other owners paid for the Used 1996 Mercury Sable.
Can't find a used 1996 Mercury Sables you want in your area? Consider a broader search.
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Should I lease or buy a 1996 Mercury Sable?
Is it better to lease or buy a car? Ask most people and they'll probably tell you that car buying is the way to go. And from a financial perspective, it's true, provided you're willing to make higher monthly payments, pay off the loan in full and keep the car for a few years. Leasing, on the other hand, can be a less expensive option on a month-to-month basis. It's also good if you're someone who likes to drive a new car every three years or so.
Check out Mercury lease specials
Check out Mercury Sable lease specials
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