GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

I'm going to go look at one this weekend. Use it as a weeeknd car. It looks like the guy has taken care of it and modified it. Engine and suspension upgrades. Redone the leather seats. Repainted.Has anyone had experience with them? For or against?Greg

I would not recommnd that car as a winter car but, othr than that, they're real nice . A buddy of mine has one.Inder

I remember those cars! Cannot speak on them but eBay has a lot of parts for them!Here is a pic of one...

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I owned one for 5 years. Wish I'd never sold it. Watch for good oil change records (synthetic oil is best for the oil cooled turbo).Many parts available since the 2.3T engine was used on the Mustang and T-bird--too bad the intercooled engine didn't come from the factory. I hear that it can be added.The bad--turbo lag can be measured in days, no weeks!! But it is a blast when on boost. I had a 5-speed, I haven't heard good things from the auto box. It has a soft suspension for a sporty car.My only problem was a leaking valve cover gasket that was replaced under warranty. You will get confusing stares when people see it. My most common comment was "Isn't that a Saab?" (not sure if that is good or bad?)It's an 18 year old car that still draws attention, has parts availability, and still looks current. BTW, I think less than 10K were sold in '87, the highest sales year, and the entire model run from '85-'90 totaled less than 25K cars! (I may have the model years wrong, but it's in the ballpark.)Good luck!

Thanks for the input. I really want it but it sounds like my company is going to have layoffs in January. I'll wait until after that. If it's still available them I might really consider it.So in the mean time I put 17" Falken Torque 5 rims and a Progress RSB on the Vibe.

The worst thing is that the Merkur XR4Ti was yet another in the legacy of 'orphans' sold by Lincoln Mercury dealers who had miniscule interest in selling anything besides Continentals, Town Cars, and Grand Marquis's to your parents and grandparents! Among the other 'orphans':Australia: 1990's Mercury Capri (2-door 2-passenger convertibles)Japan: Villager minivan (joint venture with Nissan/Quest)Germany: Merkur XR4 and XRSGermany: 1970's Mercury Capri (2-door 4-passenger coupes)

who is the maker? it looks like a merkur (sp?)

Quote, originally posted by drunkenvibe »who is the maker? it looks like a merkur (sp?)Merkur is the German word for Mercury. They were sold through Lincoln-Mercury dealers. Merkurs were German Fords.EDIT: Remember the 1970-1977 Capri? That was actually a German Ford car too.

Quote, originally posted by kostby »Among the other 'orphans':Australia: 1990's Mercury Capri (2-door 2-passenger convertibles)Japan: Villager minivan (joint venture with Nissan/Quest)Germany: Merkur XR4 and XRSGermany: 1970's Mercury Capri (2-door 4-passenger coupes)There was the "Mercury Tracer" as well, right? IIRC, wasn't the late 80's version some sort of car that also came from Austrailia, like the Capri? A few years later it was killed and the Tracer became a clone of the Escort...

Quote, originally posted by silver_vibe »Merkur is the German word for Mercury. They were sold through Lincoln-Mercury dealers. Merkurs were German Fords.EDIT: Remember the 1970-1977 Capri? That was actually a German Ford car too.so, ford made a turbo 4cyl all those years ago? odd!

I remeber That little German Ford. My uncle was a engineer at Ford. He traded in his 5.0 Capri and bought The little 140mph 4 banger.He drove that car for along time before he switched to BMW's.