My wife drove her '88 Colony Park wagon for 13 years. We rescued it on it's way to the crusher (or local taxicab service) for my teen, figuring that she would manage to destroy it. It's slow, big, heavy and it was FREE, which are the "perfect" automotive characteristics for a teenager. She has learned about those red warning lights on the dash, and that one needs to stop for a flat tire. To my amazement, it recently passed state inspection, including dyno emissions testing and the sticker is good until 2004.

Still plan on a Volvo (my V70) for her second car, but the Mercury has survived the experience so far.

-bill d cat