4
0
Midsize car; Built in USA
  • 4-door sedan
  • 4-door wagon
  • transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive
Good condition price range: $1,000 – $1,800*


1992 Mercury Sable 4-door sedan


1991 Mercury Sable 4-door sedan


1992 Mercury Sable 4-door wagon


1993 Mercury Sable interior


1991 Mercury Sable interior

Pros:
  • Acceleration (3.8-liter V6)
  • Antilock brakes (optional)
  • Passenger and cargo room
  • Ride
Cons:
  • Fuel economy
  • Instruments/controls (electronic)
  • Radio controls

The Mercury Sable and Ford Taurus, the best-selling sedan in the country for over four years, have remained popular with the buying public because they continue to represent a good value when compared to other midsize cars. They’re roomy, well-built, have competent road manners, and sell at reasonable prices.

Overview

The Mercury Sable shared virtually all mechanical components with its stablemate, the Ford Taurus. Standard power for both GS and LS trim levels came from a 3.0-liter V6 and 4-speed overdrive automatic. The optional 3.8-liter V6 delivered the same amount of horsepower (140), but instead of 160 pound-feet, put out 215 pound-feet of torque.

Yearly Updates

1991 Sable
A new transmission and optional antilock brakes for the station wagon make news for Mercury’s front-drive intermediate sedan. The 4-speed overdrive automatic arrives with electronically controlled shift points. Although the power ratings remain the same, the basic 3.0-liter V6 now comes with sequential multipoint fuel injection for more precise fuel metering and better combustion. Finally, the optional antilock brakes available only on the sedan are provided for Sable wagon buyers as well.
1992 Sable
Although the Sable appears much the same for 1992, every exterior body panel, except the roof, has been altered. Despite the new set of clothes, the dimensions of the Sable are unchanged inside and out. Also unchanged are the powertrains. A driver’s airbag is standard, while a passenger-side airbag is optional.
1993 Sable
For 1993, the optional passenger-side airbag becomes standard equipment on all Sable models. Also, front bucket seats with a center console can be ordered in place of the standard bench seat.
1994 Sable
Making a rear-window defroster standard and changing the steering wheel are among the updates to the 1994 Sable. On the new steering wheel, the airbag doubles as the horn pad. A new trim level, the LTS, was a midyear addition to the Sable line. The LTS version comes with 6-way power leather bucket seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift handle, upgraded carpets, all power accessories, upgraded cassette, cruise control, and remote keyless entry.
1995 Sable
The Sable returns with only minor changes for 1995, in anticipation of an all-new 1996 model.

Engines

transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive

Two V6 engines continue to propel the Sable into the 1990s–a 3.0-liter V6 and a 3.8-liter V6. Although both provide identical levels of horsepower 140 at 4800 rpm and 140 at 3800 rpm, the larger V6 delivers considerably more torque. It provides 215 pound-feet at 2200 rpm, while the smaller V6 offers only 165 pound-feet of torque at 3250 rpm. For that reason we prefer it over the standard 3.0-liter. It produces quicker acceleration at lower engine speeds, making it more capable when asked to haul loads of passengers and/or cargo. Fuel economy is about the same, regardless of engine choice.

ohv V6
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 3.0/182
Engine HP 140
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 165
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
4-speed automatic

 20/30
ohv V6
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 3.8/232
Engine HP 140
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 215
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
4-speed automatic

 19/28

 16.8

Road Test

Sable yields a firmer, more-controlled ride than most American family sedans. If possible, select a Sable with the optional 3.8-liter engine. The higher power at lower engine speeds translates into better around-town performance and extra passing power for highway driving. Fuel economy is less than great with the 3.8-liter engine, and the standard V6 isn’t much thriftier.

Complaints are generally few and far between. The only area not above average is the placement of controls for the stereo. They’re too low on the dashboard and are too small and poorly marked. Duplicate controls higher on the dash are designed to remedy the flaw. Optional digital instruments are hard to see in sunlight, and some auxiliary readouts are blocked by the steering wheel’s rim.

Ratings

Model Tested: 1992 Mercury Sable 3.8-liter

Ratings values are on a 1-10 scale, with 10 being the best. With the exception of Value, these numbers reflect how the vehicle compares against the universe of vehicles, not just against rivals in its class.

Performance

Acceleration - 5
50%
Fuel Economy - 4
40%
Ride Quality - 5
50%
Steering/Handling - 5
50%
Quietness - 5
50%

Accommodations

Controls/Materials - 5
50%
Room/Comfort Front - 6
60%
Room/Comfort Rear - 4
40%
Cargo Room - 4
40%

Other

Value - 5
50%

Total: 48

Specifications

4-door sedan
Wheelbase (in.) Length (in.) Width (in.) Height (in.) Weight (lbs)
106.0 192.2 70.9 54.1
Cargo Volume (cu/ft) Payload Capacity (cu/ft) Fuel Capacity (gal.) Seating Capacity
18.0 16.0 6
Headroom Legroom
Front Rear Front Rear
38.3 37.7 41.7 37.1
4-door wagon
Wheelbase (in.) Length (in.) Width (in.) Height (in.) Weight (lbs)
106.0 193.3 70.9 55.5
Cargo Volume (cu/ft) Payload Capacity (cu/ft) Fuel Capacity (gal.) Seating Capacity
83.1 16.0 8
Headroom Legroom
Front Rear Front Rear
38.6 38.1 41.7 36.9
Safety Ratings

Model Tested: 1995 Sable 4-door sedan

NHTSA

(5 is the highest rating)

Front Impact Test

Driver Injury - 4
80%
Front Passenger Injury - 4
80%

Side Impact Test

Driver Injury - N/A
N/A0%
Rear Passenger Injury - N/A
N/A0%

HLDI

(A score of 100 is average. Lower is better)

Collision 73
Injury 74
Theft 48

Trouble Spots

Blower motor
Description: Squeaking or chirping blower motors are the result of defective brush holders. (1990-94)
Engine noise
Description: The motor mounts are prone to wear out prematurely causing a clunking noise. (1992-93)
Hard starting
Description: If the engine does not start or cranks for a long time then stalls, the idle-air control valve may be sticking. (1995)
Oil leak
Description: Ford extended the warranty on 3.8-liter Sables to 7 years/100,000 miles and may compensate owners for repairs related to head-gasket failures. (1994-95)
Suspension problems
Description: The stabilizer-bar links wear rapidly due to lack of grease fittings, especially if a technician is careless when servicing the MacPherson struts. (1990-95)
Tire wear
Description: Rapid rear-tire wear is caused by poor rear-wheel alignment. Kits are available to provide camber adjustment to correct the problem. (1990-95)
Tire wear
Description: Inner edge of rear tires wear excessively from camber problems corrected with a revised rear-suspension adjuster kit. (1990-95)
Vehicle noise
Description: A popping noise comes from the front due to the strut-rod bushing mountings moving in the frame. (1990-95)

Recall History

1990-91
Description: Front-brake rotors on “salt belt” cars may suffer corrosion, resulting in reduced braking effectiveness, abnormal pedal effort, loud noise, and possible increase in stopping distance.
1990-95 sold or registered in 24 states or D.C.
Description: Rear lower-subframe mount-plate nut can experience corrosion cracking if subjected to long-term exposure to road salt; can result in fracture.
1991-95 w/3.8-liter engine, in 23 states
Description: Speed-control cable could freeze, causing throttle to stick and not return to idle.
1992 wagon
Description: Secondary portion of liftgate latch on some cars may not function, possibly allowing liftgate to open while car is in motion if latch is not in primary position.
1992-95 in AK, IA, MN, NE, ND, or SD
Description: During high winds, heavy drifting snow, and low temperatures, engine fan may become blocked or frozen and fail to rotate; can cause smoke/flame.
1993
Description: Controllers intended for use in rear-wheel-drive vehicles (instead of front drive) may have been installed on small number of cars with optional antilock braking, which could result in reduced braking ability.
1993 in 21 states
Description: Front coil springs can fracture as a result of corrosion combined with small cracks.
1993-94
Description: Headlights can flash intermittently as a result of a circuit-breaker opening.
1995
Description: On some cars, retainer clip that holds master-cylinder pushrod to brake-pedal arm is missing or not fully installed; components can separate, resulting in loss of braking.
1995 w/3.0-liter and 3.8-liter engines
Description: The engine-cooling fan bearing can seize. Excessive heat may be generated, melting the fan-motor electrical connector, and possibly causing fan-motor components to ignite.

Equipment Lists

Equipment lists are only viewable on larger screen sizes.

Pricing

Used-car pricing varies widely depending on local market conditions. Therefore, we recommend visiting websites that list used cars for sale to get a better idea of what a specific model is selling for in your area.

More about Tom Appel
Written by: Tom Appel on July 22, 2014.
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