Mercury Villager

Year / Model Reviewed:
pre 1997 GS

Summary:
(pre 1997 Model) - Very good long distance runner. Drives lake a Mid size car, that may be good or bad.

Strengths:
accurate steering, interior holds up well and is support. Seating/Cargo is very flexable.

Weaknesses:
Cargo is tight when using all the seats. Sheet metal bends when you look at it wrong, don't your elbow on it ! Roof rack is weak.

Price Paid:  $19000.00 from Lamaraque mercury

Year / Model Reviewed:
2002 MERCURY VILLAGER SPORT

Summary:
Overall Im very pleased. Dealership gave me 5,000 discount off of 24,000 sticker. prob would not have bought it w/o the rebate and so far im impressed. It rides smooth like a car.Only problem Ive had is the latch on the sliding glass door which is scheduled for repair next week. Love the dual side sliding doors. The dashboard looks kinda cheap but other than that I'm happy. Lots of room in back row. I thought there would be more leg room between the front and middle row. Gas mileage could be better. I was very disappointed that the dual stereo didnt work the same as it did in my Explorer. Middle row headphone users cannot listen to different radio station than everybody else is listening to.

Strengths:
Price, style, conmfort.

Weaknesses:
Some things esp the dashboard look cheap. Radio.

Similar Products Used:
Quest

Price Paid:  $21000.00 from Dave Allen Lincoln M

Year / Model Reviewed:
2001 Estate

Summary:
This is my second Villager and overall they both have been reliable except for one common problem. THEY BOTH SHAKE. I have had tires balanced (many times), Front ends aligned, and tires replaced, all for nothing. None of these things ever helped. Because of the shaking, it causes the tires to wear unevenly as well. I am so frustrated now, that this one will be my last one. The door locks occasionally have a mind of their own and lock whenever they feel like it. I notice that my 2001 with the 3.3 engine is considerably noisier than my 1996 with the 3.0 engine. Again, nobody seems to know why. When it comes to the shaking, I am starting to hear "They DO that" a lot.

Strengths:
Ultra reliable motor. Handles well for a mini van.

Weaknesses:
Vehicle has shook from the time I bought it. Door locks lock when they want to. Engine is noisy. When braking around a bumpy curve, you're likely to slide off the road.

Similar Products Used:
1996 Mercury Villager LS

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
If I had it to do over again, I would not have bought this vehicle. Bought brand new October 2001. Vehicle shakes at 50-70 mph. Dealer says to "fix" it I need new tires at 17,000 miles. Put all new tires and alignment, but the van still shakes. Now the dealer says it is the "characteristic of the vehicle". No known fix. Ford service engineer says it is from the added driver side sliding door (2000-2002 models) that makes the vehicle shake. Brake pads have already been replaced at 22,000 and the panels inside the van are coming loose causing excessive inside popping and cracking noise when driving over bumps at slow speeds. Very dissatisfied with the vehicle in the shaking and performance. I am submitting a Ford Dispute Settlement if anyone would like to join me. Please reply if same problem exists for you.

Strengths:
V6 Nissan Engine is the only good thing.

Weaknesses:
Very bumpy and shaky ride. Hard on disk brake pads.

Price Paid:  $17500.00 from garbo l/m

Year / Model Reviewed:
2001 /base

Summary:
Have had van for 2 years. Only problems I have had are a recall for seat belts and loose windshield trim.(fixed under warranty.) I got a great deal on mine, dealers were very willing to deal. I would buy another for the same price.

Strengths:
drives very well, well equipped for the price, flexible seating arrangement, Nissan motor. Cheap price.

Weaknesses:
base model is plain looking, seats are preety basic. i wish both seats would come out. Whole van seems to shudder over bumps, Newer design competeters vans seem more solid

Similar Products Used:
first minivan. love the utility, will buy another minivan. I don't need an SUV, I'm not trying to impress anybody