Shame we never got the cosworth here. These cars were only sold in a few select Lincoln Mercury dealers. The Scorpio was pretty much if a Mercury Sable had a baby with a BMW 5 Series.
I have to admit if I had one of these I would want to changes the badges to Ford Sierra badges -- kind of like the people with GTOs that put Holden badges on them.
I know the original head gaskets on these were bad, but a modern replacement gasket will solve that issue. Also, these are very easy to do head gaskets on. The 2.3L is otherwise a great little engine. It is also a non-interference engine, so if the timing belt fails, it won't suffer any damage.
Hey Zack love the review. Unlike one of your contemporaries, you have an appreciation and understanding of these old cars! You appreciate these cars for what they are, instead of ridiculing them!
I owned this yearcand color back in 1990 through 1994. It is one of my top 3 favorite cars I've ever owned. So much fun and handled incredibly well back when it was only 5 years old.
There's a used car dealer down the street from me that had one of these languishing in its lot for at least 3 years. So for at least some time I got to see one every day going to and from work.
ive owned a couple of them, they were fun cars when they ran but they had a lot of electrical issues and the transmission was a throw back, upgrading to a wc t5 helps out a lot. they were easy to modify and the .3 turbo could handle a good amount of power , toss on a intercooler from a thunderbird turbo coupe and its good to go its a shame that it had to have those giant bumpers and gained a couple hundred pounds to meet U.S. restrictions folks from the UK are starting to export them to reuse their shells for sierra projects
Now there's something you don't see often. The window setup is interesting and the interior is very 80s. Comparing its handling to compact German cars is a compliment. European Sierra coupes had a different, more conventional window setup.
My late friend Kyle F. had a Merkur when he was in high school in Eau Claire, WI. He loved Merkurs and owned another one later on, I believe. I noticed the Wisconsin plates on this car. Since Kyle was so "into" the Merkur scene in the 2000's, I wonder if he and the owner knew each other? Stranger things have happened, yes? Anyway... Another great job. Thank you for what you do.
The explanation was a bit thin. The idea behind this was the cars would boost profits for Ford because, at the time these were in planning, the currency exchange rate was favorable for imports. Every imported XR4Ti would come with thousands in profit. Lutz also envisioned this would be sold through non-Ford brands like Volvo or Mazda, *not* Lincoln-Mercury stores. He didn't get his way. Ford didn't agree with him, and they botched too many aspects of the launch. The whole plan fell apart because the exchange rates were unfavorable soon after these arrived, and the sales volume wasn't enough to make them profitable.
Always love your content. Keep doing what you are doing on the channel I have a feeling it's really going to start growing in popularity. They remind me of the old Regular Car Reviews and I appreciate the love for the cars and less sarcasm.
A friend back then over here in Sweden had the Sierra XR4 (2.8 V6), and it was an exiting car back then. But launching it as a premium German brand in the US just makes me laugh, it had at best mediocre build quality.
Even back then this car was notorious for the horrible cheap plastics slightly better than the Warsaw pact "rivals". There were famous for the handling (questionable) because of the rwd but they were a collosal pile of junk. The next model was a huge improvement, much more conservative but a way more better car on every aspect even if until today many believe the first generation was a great car.
Although the merkur name never lived on past the 80s, technically we did get a successor. In Europe, the Ford Sierra got replaced by the Mondeo. We sorta got that car, but we called it the Contour. Also a lot of the ford cars we have today are mostly European derivatives
It's pronounced Mare'core. I think the door open warning diagram also lit up when you had an exterior light bulb out,as well. Ford Sierras & Ford Granadas were very popular here in Britain,& most of Europe. Europe also had a saloon/sedan of both the Sierra,& the Granada/Scorpio. The Sierra was badged as a Sierra Saphire.
I worked at a Ford dealership late early 2000's and we had a customer who burned his jeans on the heated seats of a Ford Transit, so I really believe this happened in a Merkur
A guy I knew in college, not a friend, just an acquaintance, had two of these. He was as quirky as the cars. The local Ford dealer had one of these that never moved from the time it showed up til I guess they gave up and wholesaled it or something. I feel like every single one I ever saw was the blue color, but for some reason I feel strongly that red ones existed. I always felt like the double spoiler was overdone. Americans I knew pronounced the name as if you said Mercury without the y on the end.
Zack, the XR4TI isn't a coupe - just typical 80's "hot hatch". Such a shame US engine was garbage - original XR4i and Sierra Cosworth were much better.
Ford called it a coupe didn't they? I dunno, there was no actual Sierra coupe with a boot -- just this three door one. 🙂 I guess it's sort of a "coupe" in the same way the Alfa GTV6 or VW Scirocco or Corrado are "coupes".
I always felt Ford should’ve just called these Mercury’s (like they did with the 70s Capri they also brought over from Europe), instead of making up a whole new brand that nobody could pronounce. Ultimately, the idea wasn’t very successful, and after two models, they shuttered the brand by the early 90s.
The car looks just as weird to me today as grown man who can appreciate foreign automotive design, as it did in the late 80’s as a kid, that didn’t know much.
My uncle had a black one of these when I was a kid in the 80s. That car was the shiznit back then!!!
Im glad you enjoyed the driving experience like i do, and thanks for giving it the spotlight. 😉
Shame we never got the cosworth here. These cars were only sold in a few select Lincoln Mercury dealers. The Scorpio was pretty much if a Mercury Sable had a baby with a BMW 5 Series.
I have to admit if I had one of these I would want to changes the badges to Ford Sierra badges -- kind of like the people with GTOs that put Holden badges on them.
Ah.. the memories. My late dad had a red Merkur XR4Ti back in the 90s. I miss it. Watching this brought back memories.
I know the original head gaskets on these were bad, but a modern replacement gasket will solve that issue. Also, these are very easy to do head gaskets on. The 2.3L is otherwise a great little engine. It is also a non-interference engine, so if the timing belt fails, it won't suffer any damage.
I did them on mine when I first bought it back in April, for having never done head gaskets before it was surprisingly easy.
FORD SIERRA, with manual windows and manual transmission, good post-teenage days when i took this from my dad and drove to rural streets
I have 87' mk2 sierra. 1.6ohc and type-e transmission. Fun car in winter time.
Hey Zack love the review. Unlike one of your contemporaries, you have an appreciation and understanding of these old cars! You appreciate these cars for what they are, instead of ridiculing them!
I owned this yearcand color back in 1990 through 1994. It is one of my top 3 favorite cars I've ever owned. So much fun and handled incredibly well back when it was only 5 years old.
There's a used car dealer down the street from me that had one of these languishing in its lot for at least 3 years. So for at least some time I got to see one every day going to and from work.
ive owned a couple of them, they were fun cars when they ran but they had a lot of electrical issues and the transmission was a throw back, upgrading to a wc t5 helps out a lot. they were easy to modify and the .3 turbo could handle a good amount of power , toss on a intercooler from a thunderbird turbo coupe and its good to go
its a shame that it had to have those giant bumpers and gained a couple hundred pounds to meet U.S. restrictions
folks from the UK are starting to export them to reuse their shells for sierra projects
The biplane spoilers was easily the best part of the car; gave it a bit of a “Mad Max” look.
That was an awesome feature. Then they got rid of one of the spoilers.
"Mare-koor".
Yes!!!! Thank you 🙏
It’s literally German for mercury
There was the 2 door, 4 door, estate and a pickup the p100
Oh yes,forgot about the pick-up...and the Sierra Saphire was the saloon/sedan.
The characteristic 80’s Ford Power-Steering whine - they all do that…
Agreed : Ford power steering whines before it's even installed in the factory. Been like that for past 45 years....
Now there's something you don't see often. The window setup is interesting and the interior is very 80s. Comparing its handling to compact German cars is a compliment. European Sierra coupes had a different, more conventional window setup.
The same body style was called the Ford Sierra XR4i in Europe.
The 2 door XR4i Sierra models in Britain had the same windows as this Merkur.
My late friend Kyle F. had a Merkur when he was in high school in Eau Claire, WI. He loved Merkurs and owned another one later on, I believe. I noticed the Wisconsin plates on this car. Since Kyle was so "into" the Merkur scene in the 2000's, I wonder if he and the owner knew each other? Stranger things have happened, yes?
Anyway...
Another great job. Thank you for what you do.
Excellent explanation.. Never knew until now at age 48....
The explanation was a bit thin. The idea behind this was the cars would boost profits for Ford because, at the time these were in planning, the currency exchange rate was favorable for imports. Every imported XR4Ti would come with thousands in profit. Lutz also envisioned this would be sold through non-Ford brands like Volvo or Mazda, *not* Lincoln-Mercury stores. He didn't get his way. Ford didn't agree with him, and they botched too many aspects of the launch. The whole plan fell apart because the exchange rates were unfavorable soon after these arrived, and the sales volume wasn't enough to make them profitable.
Always love your content. Keep doing what you are doing on the channel I have a feeling it's really going to start growing in popularity. They remind me of the old Regular Car Reviews and I appreciate the love for the cars and less sarcasm.
1:36 - Bob Lutz tells the backstory a bit differently.
Oh my, my dream car! 😁 Looking forward to it!!
A friend back then over here in Sweden had the Sierra XR4 (2.8 V6), and it was an exiting car back then. But launching it as a premium German brand in the US just makes me laugh, it had at best mediocre build quality.
Even back then this car was notorious for the horrible cheap plastics slightly better than the Warsaw pact "rivals". There were famous for the handling (questionable) because of the rwd but they were a collosal pile of junk. The next model was a huge improvement, much more conservative but a way more better car on every aspect even if until today many believe the first generation was a great car.
Jim Rome fans are all in on this one.
love this rare obscurity!
You are so appreciative of your review car donors. It is nice to see.
I have a 1989 in red with a 5-speed. Gorgeous cars and really unusual for the US even while it was imported ❤
I'm sad I'll likely never own one of these :(
Great video nonetheless!!! I really wish the 4 door Sierra came here too.
Someone made a version called the scortch which had the 3.0 twin turbo from the 89-96 Nissan 300ZX it was 50k back in the day.
Although the merkur name never lived on past the 80s, technically we did get a successor. In Europe, the Ford Sierra got replaced by the Mondeo. We sorta got that car, but we called it the Contour. Also a lot of the ford cars we have today are mostly European derivatives
Thanks for another awesome video Zach! 1 for the algorithm! 🙂
It's pronounced Mare'core. I think the door open warning diagram also lit up when you had an exterior light bulb out,as well. Ford Sierras & Ford Granadas were very popular here in Britain,& most of Europe. Europe also had a saloon/sedan of both the Sierra,& the Granada/Scorpio. The Sierra was badged as a Sierra Saphire.
I worked at a Ford dealership late early 2000's and we had a customer who burned his jeans on the heated seats of a Ford Transit, so I really believe this happened in a Merkur
Very different car that sadly didn’t sell well in the US.
Wow, you guys did get the sporty sierra? :)
A guy I knew in college, not a friend, just an acquaintance, had two of these. He was as quirky as the cars. The local Ford dealer had one of these that never moved from the time it showed up til I guess they gave up and wholesaled it or something. I feel like every single one I ever saw was the blue color, but for some reason I feel strongly that red ones existed. I always felt like the double spoiler was overdone.
Americans I knew pronounced the name as if you said Mercury without the y on the end.
What a cool & rare car, I like it!
Looks like a Ford Sierra to me, Iconic car in Europe.
The warning lights are in the center because the Sierra was sold in LHD and RHD versions. Cut down on costs.
It's odd that you're reviewing the suspension, considering that the shocks have probably been shot for decades.
This looks just like my old 88.5 Escort GT
I rather have the escort . That was the best year for the GT. 👍
Very rare to see....
Hi Zack this is a cool video
Mare-COOR!
My 1985 Volvo 740E also had a heated driver seat
Saabs had heated seats back then, too.
Basically was the second eco boost ever next to the svo rustang
Cool car I member these !
Try not to cackle..
hello Zack! 🤩
Zack, the XR4TI isn't a coupe - just typical 80's "hot hatch". Such a shame US engine was garbage - original XR4i and Sierra Cosworth were much better.
Ford called it a coupe didn't they? I dunno, there was no actual Sierra coupe with a boot -- just this three door one. 🙂
I guess it's sort of a "coupe" in the same way the Alfa GTV6 or VW Scirocco or Corrado are "coupes".
@@TassieLorenzo just as some kind of advert trick IMO because they saw the popularity of Ford Capri.
The US engine wasn't bad. It very rugged and durable. It was underpowered.
We never, ever called this car a hot hatch in Europe, always "the Sierra but the coupe". Hot hutches in Europe were and are something different.
@@TassieLorenzoThe next model European Sierra was a classic sedan. th-cam.com/video/G6tetW9kFBQ/w-d-xo.htmlsi=v33_ek6hpPVnIkFx
The rear wheel camber set-up always looked odd to me on these cars. I get why, but it is so pronounced on thXR4Ti's. Looked broken when they were new.
Very cool!
Don't get that one too often.
Damn this car is rair.
I always felt Ford should’ve just called these Mercury’s (like they did with the 70s Capri they also brought over from Europe), instead of making up a whole new brand that nobody could pronounce. Ultimately, the idea wasn’t very successful, and after two models, they shuttered the brand by the early 90s.
Jim Rome would like to make a comment..... ;-)
Sierras are good cars. 2.8 V6 XR and Turbo models
The car looks just as weird to me today as grown man who can appreciate foreign automotive design, as it did in the late 80’s as a kid, that didn’t know much.
Hey that's the car in gta 4
Neat 😀
The European version was better. Still love the style. 😊
Hold on... so in the 80's, Ford was 1st in the offspring luxury market; not Honda in 1986?!
XR40. Just say it.
Merkur=Mercury with Europeanized name
What a junk