From the ArcaMax Publishing, Automotive Newsletter:
http://www.arcamax.com/news/automotive/s-347214-145542
The just re-released Mercury Sable sedan has at least three things
going for it. First, it's large - not quite as big as the
six-passenger Grand Marquis, but close. Five will fit - and not
clown-car style, either. Second, it's available with all-wheel-drive.
Granted, that's not an unusual feature - as such. But combine the
Sable's bigness with its available AWD - and a price for both features
that just barely crests $25k - and now you've got something to write
home about. Most AWD-equipped cars are smaller. Or they cost a lot
more.
The fact that the Sable's big, AWD - and a true Blue Light Special -
provides some much-needed wind behind its back as it re-enters the
market after not being around for a couple of years. It might not be
enough to relive the glory days of the late '80s - when the Sable and
its lower-trim Ford cousin, the Taurus, were the best-selling cars on
the road. But it might prompt some buyers to at least cross-shop - and
consider. The car deserves that much.
ENGINES & PERFORMANCE
Like the Taurus, the Sable comes standard with a 3.5 liter V-6 which
is rated at 260 hp. That puts it on par with the optional V-6 engines
offered in potential competitors such as the Toyota Camry and Avalon
(268 hp) Honda Accord (268 hp) and Chevy Malibu (252 hp), none of
which offer AWD - even as optional equipment.
A six-speed automatic transmission is the standard gearbox with either
version of the Sable - FWD or AWD. Here also the Sable offers more
than several possible competitors - many of which don't even come
standard with an automatic transmission (Camry) or don't offer one
with six forward gears (Accord, Impala).
Zero to 60 capability is in the 7.8 second range for FWD versions; AWD
models are a tick or two slower due to the slightly higher curb weight
and inertial load of the AWD.
RIDE & HANDLING
Let's start with the seats - because they tell you a lot about the
Sable as soon as you sit down and close the door. They are a pillowy
oasis for your aching back; a refuge of softness after eight hours of
brutality at the cube farm. They don't have much in the way of lateral
support - but man, you'll be happy there after three hours of sitting
in traffic, if it comes to that. And that's what the Sable was built
for.
This is not a corner carver; it's a commuting cocoon. Most of us don't
spend our work schlepp diving into apexes; we spend it creeping along
at 35-50 mph or so among a sea of fellow sufferers. What's wanted is
quiet and comfort - and these two invaluable stress relievers the
Sable delivers for as long as you need them. In today's commuting
environment that's about two hours per day - both ways. That is a long
time to spend inside a car. You'll be happy if you end up spending it
in a car like this one.
Back seat travelers, too. Here again, size is a virtue. The leg and
headroom for second row occupants is generous - 41.2 inches and 38.8
inches, respectively. That is more than Camry, Avalon and Accord. It's
also more than the "full-size" Chevy Impala offers - and by a
not-small margin, either. The Chevy has just 37.6 inches of backseat
leg room and a full inch less headroom (37.8 inches) than you'll find
in the Sable. The Impala has a bit more front seat legroom (42.3
inches) as well as front seat legroom (but just barely, 39.4 inches).
On the other hand, the Sable has a huge trunk (21-plus cubic feet)
that dwarfs the trunks of these competitors, including Impala (18.6
cubic feet).
STYLING & UTILITY
I found the Sable to be a great road trip companion. Lots of room for
my six-foot-three self to spread out, fantastic seats for long hauls,
ample power for high-speed cruising/passing - and most important of
all, a low profile. This is an unobtrusive car that is more likely to
pass under the eye of a cop running radar than something flashier -
even if both cars are doing the same 10 mph over the limit. Run in a
pack - and you are just about bulletproof.
The LCD display for the optional GPS is very user-friendly; Mercury
did a good job here of resisting the temptation to over-tech things.
Changing the radio station, switching over to the map - all done in
any easy, straightforward manner. No mice to chase; no menus to scroll
through. Just touch the screen - and it does what you want done. There
are equally sensible half-moon buttons on either side of the smaller
climate control display, just under the larger LCD GPS screen, that
you tap for warmer (red) or colder (blue).
The interior is finished with brushed nickel and/or wood accents,
which nicely complement the Sable's soft tones - and soft, welcoming
demeanor.
QUALITY/SAFETY
The Sable - like other Mercurys - is more "finished" in its overall
appearance than its Ford counterpart, the Taurus. This (along with
higher standard trim content and some unique, Mercury-only features)
is what you're paying extra for when you buy the Sable rather than the
more proletarian Taurus.
All Sables feature side-impact air bags as well as head/curtain air
bags for both front and rear seat occupants. Traction control and ABS
with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution are also included in the base
car's price of $23,780.
DRIVING IMPRESSIONS
"Performance" has a different definition when applied to large
cruiser-mobiles and family sedans like the Sable. This car is not set
up with paddle shifters or tire-barking axle ratios. Nor is the V-6
set up for high RPM tower buzzes. The Sable's six-speed automatic
doesn't even have selector ranges beyond "Drive" and "Low" - which are
all the people buying this car will likely ever want or need. Not even
a "Sport" setting. Just put it in gear - and leave it alone.
The Sable won't compress your spine when you floor it but its zero to
60 timeslips prove it has ample power for everyday use. The car's
gearing allows 70 mph steady state cruising at an easy 1,800 RPM or
so. This, in turn, leads to better than ok mileage on long trips. I
drove my test car 240 miles up the Interstate with the cruise control
set at precisely 70 mph - and the tank was still about a third full at
the end of the line. For a big sedan, that is all right.
Actually, better than all right. I have driven hybrids the same
distance at similar speeds and barely made it on a full tank -
probably because the wheezy little engine had to strain to maintain
the pace. While a smaller engine is theoretically more efficient, it
is also a fact that sometimes, a larger, theoretically less efficient
engine can do better - because it's not working as hard. My Sable test
car just loped along contentedly - with the computer only occasionally
having to bump up the RPMs to keep up with changing terrain and so on.
Bottom line - this is a car that makes a lot of sense as a family
car/road-trip car or commuter car that also needs to serve as a large
family's main car. It outclasses the Camry/Avalon and Accord on the
size of its interior space and trunk capacity and offers AWD they
don't even sell - and lets you buy it for about the same money these
guys want for their FWD (and smaller inside and outside) cars. Even
Chevy's supposedly six-passenger Impala can't out-size the Sable when
it comes to backseat passenger (and trunk) space. And while the Chevy
does offer a standard V-6 and comes in at a lower price to start
($21,650) it can't be had with AWD - no matter how much money is
involved.
It's easy to overlook the Sable (and the Taurus) and dismiss them as
rental car specials not worthy of your attention. But if you're in the
market for a car with Blue Chip credentials - at a Blue Light Special
price - you'd be foolish not to at least give this Merc a look.
========
www.ericpetersautos.com or EPeters952@aol.com for
comments.