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Ant, can you help out on this one since you seem to be all that is Ford
The Aux button that's located on teh CD button is solely for the use of the DVD entertainment option with the Vehicle. I don't believe that you can hook up an external device. I may rip out the stereo this weekend just to make sure; Of course when my wife's not around..
The SAT is only for the required hookup of the add-on Sirius system from Ford. 400 bucks to me is a little steep.
Overall, I'm up to just under 1000 miles, on my 4th tank of gas.. I've avg. so far: 19.8, 19.5, and 20.7. I've come to the conclusion that even just highway driving, you'll never, ever achieve a 23 MPG rating.
Overall, I love the vehicle.. It's really classy looking inside and out. I still miss my steering wheel audio controls though. I find myself pushing buttons that arent' there on occasion. But I'm getting used to it.
One vehicle which is from an automaker that is reveered for fuel stingy I-4 engined vehicles, I was getting 17MPG when the vehicle usually does 31-39MPG as the EPA sticker stated.
I gave up on the EPA estimates long time ago.
I know I'm a day late
OK I have to admit, I haven't driven the Mercury Mariner but from what I've been reading about it, people pretty much like it, except for a few things.
The Mercury Mariner has received a pretty positive review from AutoWeek. Also, it seems to be getting pretty positive reviews from other online websites as well.
Personally I like the Mariner. I really like the styling on the inside and out. However, Like someone said if you come to the game late you'd better have a advantage over everybody else. To me the only real advantage that the Mariner has over the competition is JUST it's style. I'm sure that not everybody is blow away by the Mercury style.
Mercury to me was just lazy, they just copied the Escape and put it into a tuxedo. They even copied the same flaws. Everybody knows that the 2.3 liter 4 cylinder engine in the Escape/Mariner (which is the same 2.3 liter engine in the ST 05 Focus) is to small and underpowered for the Escape/Mariner . The Escape/Mariner is TOO heavy for it. So much so that the engine screams like a pig (from what I've read) and it's losses much of it's MPG advantage over the V-6. The 2.3 liter engine has lazy and terrible acceleration because of it. To make matters worse Mercury is asking $21,000 for the base Mariner OUCH!!!!!!!!!!!! (which has the same 2.3 liter engine as the ST 05 Focus) that goes for $18,475.
Keep the styling interior and exterior styling like it is. Put a much sportier suspension package on the Mariner. Make it a sportier package than the Mazda Tribute. Kill that dog of a 4 cylinder that came from the Escape/Mariner and I even think the Tribute has it. Make the V-6 standard (for $21,000 to walk in the door, it should be) that's hella expensive for a 2.3 liter 4 cylinder engine. Also, offer more transmission packages. Like the nice 5 speed manu-select auto tranny that's in the Mazda3 (if you can put a 5 speed auto in a econo car you could put on in a $21,995 SUV). For top of the line Mariners hey even throw in a 6 speed automatic from the 500 (I do not like that car by the way, but it has a great 6-speed tranny). Finally throw in a navigation system (Hey your paying for it). Also, take the Shaker sound system out of the 05 mustang and replace the Mach 1 sound system. The Shaker sound system can play MP3 formatted disc and it's a 6-disc changer. Seriously increasing the music you can listen to without raising the cost that much, I would think. That would justify the price for allot of people, to me. Like I said earlier, I like the Mariner I saw it a a mall near were I live and It's Nice !!. It's just that to me, they can do allot better that's all. I know that most of this is just wishful thinking but if Ford/Mercury did some of those changes I think the Mariner could really be PHAT!!! trust me Mercury to me would be ONE HOT brand. OK that's my little 2 cents.
Thanks
TheMan123
No the name doesn't mean anything I just typed in the first thing that came to mind
My dream Mariner is: Auto Climate, Outside Temp, Steering wheel Audio, and MP3 capability in the Mach. Navigation System would be cool, but in my Wife's old Acura (R.I.P.), it was cool for the first month, then after that, it rendered itself useless.
My reason for choosing a Mariner was simple: Better looking than the Escape, Better service with Lincoln Mercury, and about 1500 cheaper for a comparable equipped Escape (I am an X-Plan price member and received the 2000 Rebate when the Escape only offered 1000).
I wanted a small SUV. and Looked at the Tucson, Equinox, Tribute, Escape, Liberty, and Mariner.
Out of those, the Mariner seemed slightly better for me in every category, including aesthetics.
If the Mariner decided to upgrade to the things that i wanted next year, I'd probably be stupid and take a slight loss and trade mine in. But in reality, there's always something new invented we will want. Otherwise, car companies will have a difficult time selling their product on a more frequent basis.
tidester, host
Enjoy your ride lakehouse!
Now, I just learned that the Escape and Tribute from 2001 to 2005 are being recalled for a liftgate problem that could make the gate go flying in an accident if not locked. I presume that this will also apply to the Mariner. Has anyone heard anything on Ford extending the recall to the Mercury Mariner?
Like I said earlier, I really like the Kia Sorento exterior styling out of all SUV's in this class on the Market, with the Mariner being number 2. But 15-20MPG just wouldn't cut it with my 110 mile daily commute, as well as Kia's relatively unknown reliability and lower resale value.
Congratulations on you new Mariner. I am enjoying mine...
Unless you get some perks for buying where you intend to get it serviced (like free loaners), I'd buy it from the dealer who offers the best price.
Steve, Host
Thanks,
Steve, Host
I am so incredibly disappointed because after an extensive search this vehicle met all of my needs. If I didn't drive on the highway and live in New England the Mariner would be perfect. Has anyone else had the vibration/brake issues?
As far as the brakes are concerned,I read in the owner's manual that some noise from your brakes is normal;My brakes will "groan" a bit after starting and driving for a short distance, and then no noise at all. Also,I remember reading that the brakes on the Mariner were rated as being very good. Recently, I was driving in a pouring rain on a two-lane road and I braked to avoid hitting a dog that was crossing the road. I expected that once I braked so quickly, that I would have to fight the car, but the Mariner stopped STRAIGHT and there was no fighting of the wheel needed;I was very impressed and very thankful that I avoided hitting the dog. Lakehouse
We also have a Contact us form for any other errors or omissions you stumble over.
Steve, Host
I too have the brake squealing problem.. It's been 2100 miles for my Mariner, and it still occurs. THe vibration in the steering wheel doesn't occur, but i think i have Michelin tires on mine.
I have to say though, I have 3 minor gripes: When I turn my heated seats on, the button is so far under the seat that I can't see the light whether it's on or off.. The second is the seatbelt. It is sometimes for whatever reason difficult to reach for behind my left shoulder. Finally and by far the worst.. I have no clue when my SUV is in 4wd. I know that it is automatic, but it could at least have some sort of indicator light letting me know when 4wd kicks in. I know there is a light in the upper left corner of the instrument panel, but it never turns on, and after this snowfall of 12 inches in my area, I took it out for a "spin"
According to the manual, this is how the 4WD light works? “BLINKS CONTINUOSLY when the 4WD system is disengaged (i.e. 2WD) due to heat protection mode. BLINKS SEVERAL TIMES every minute when 4WD system requires service. If you have a message center you can get the following messages: SERVICE 4WD, 4WD LOCKED TEMPORARILY, 4WD DISABLED TEMPORARILY, 4WD AUTO RESTORED.” You may not have a light telling you that the 4WD system is engaged but you get tremendous peace of mind.
There's a few other's like AutoByTel that some of my friends have used. And then you have FordDirect as well, which you can try and find out what's the lowest they are willing to go.
Shouldn't this be in the "prices paid" forum?