Good morning! Today’s Showdown takes us to the western suburbs of Chicago, my old stomping grounds as a kid. We’re looking at two bargain-basement rustbuckets to see which one has more life left to give.
On yesterday’s thrilling episode, we checked out two cars from the same seller, posted in the same ad, and I gave you the rare option to vote for both of them. The combo platter proved popular, as I thought it might; they’re both cool vehicles. And I think if someone were to show up and make the right offer on both, they could score a pretty good deal.
But by the traditional rules, where only one vehicle can win, that winner was the Ford pickup, despite some misgivings in the comments about its 302 V8 as opposed to the more desirable six-cylinder. But the 302 is a good solid workhorse of an engine as well, and it’s hard to say no to a brown stickshift single-cab truck.
Today, we’re getting back to our roots a little bit and checking out two cars more traditionally fitting the term “shitbox.” Both have been ridden hard and put away wet, as the saying goes, but they’re both hanging in there, ready for more. Which one is the better deal? That’s for you to decide after you check them out.
2003 Hyundai Elantra – $1,600
Engine/drivetrain: 2.0 liter dual overhead cam inline 4, four-speed automatic, FWD
Location: Lisle, IL
Odometer reading: 185,000 miles
Operational status: “Has no mechanical issues”
I’ve got to hand it to Hyundai. I still see this generation of Elantra all over the place, generally owned and driven by decidedly non-car-people, and most of them look like this one. Yet, somehow, after twenty years of abuse and neglect, five owners after they were a value-priced alternative to a Civic or Corolla, they’re still chugging along.
This Elantra is still shy of 200,000 miles, pretty low for a twenty-year-old car. It runs and drives fine, and has new tires, new CV joints, and newer brakes. And on the inside at least, it doesn’t look too bad. Pretty good, in fact. It has seat covers, but those don’t always mean the seats are trashed underneath; some people actually use them to protect fabric.
The outside is another story. It’s rusty, beat-up, and spray painted in weird places. I don’t know what happened to that driver’s side door, but whatever it was, it wasn’t pretty. Obviously the rust isn’t structural; if it were, no one would have bothered to do the brakes, axles, or tires.
On a positive note, this is one Hyundai product that no social media star is going to steal for a joyride. Hell, you could probably leave the keys in it in a bad part of town and it would still be there when you got back. And you can be reasonably sure it will start, too.
1999 Mercury Mystique – $1,400
Engine/drivetrain: 2.5 liter dual overhead cam V6, four-speed automatic, FWD
Location: Downers Grove, IL
Odometer reading: 117,000 miles
Operational status: Runs and drives fine, but needs new tires
This is another Ford Motor Company “world car.” The Mercury Mystique is the sister model to the Ford Contour, which is the North American version of the European Ford Mondeo. Like all American Contours and Mystiques, this car was built in Kansas City, and features a 2.5 liter version of Ford’s Duratec V6, an option not available on the European Mondeo.
This one runs great, at only 117,000 miles, and has had a bunch of recent work done. The seller does note that it needs new tires all the way around, as well as new struts in the rear. Best to do the struts first, and maybe an alignment, and then replace the tires. I’ve seen first-hand what worn-out struts can do to fresh tires. You could have a shop do everything all at once, I suppose, but pre-assembled rear struts are only seventy bucks each, and should be pretty easy to install.
This is the upscale LS model, with leather seats and lots of toys. It looks pretty good inside, with only a few signs of wear. There is something funky going on with the dashboard; it looks like it warped from heat right along the windshield line, and there’s a chunk of it missing. But honestly, it’s a $1400 car, so who cares?
It’s a bit rusty in spots, but not bad, and only has a few dents here and there. It was originally a Florida car, so it has been spared Chicago winters for most of its life. It still looks awful by West Coast standards, but downright pristine for a car in Illinois in this price range.
These are no one’s idea of dream cars, it’s true. But sometimes, a dirt-cheap runabout is just what’s called for. A car that’s already rusty and dented is a car you don’t have to worry about. Payments? Collision insurance? Carwashes? Those are for other people. Cheap cars can save you money in more ways than one. Which old rusty beater is the one for you?
(Image credits: Craigslist sellers)
Always a great read, Mark – keep up the good work.
(BTW this is the easiest vote since that 190D several days ago)
Had a ’99 Mystique LS V6 5-speed in the mid-00s and it was great. A legit fun little car to drive – handled well on twisty mountain roads and the V6/manual combo provided more than enough oomph. Never had any reliability issues either. So I don’t really understand the hate the Contour/Mystique twins seem to get. In any event, I’m taking the Merc over that crusty Hyundai.
I find it weird that in Europe the Mondeo (which is essentially the same car) was regarded as almost as much of a game changer as the Focus but in the US it seems to have a really bad rep. It proved to be very reliable and at least in the U.K. it was only when company car tax moved to being based on CO2 emissions that people found they could get into a BMW 320d or Audi A4 Tdi for the same all-in monthly cost as a Mondeo that the mainstream started to move towards the premium brands.
I guess I’m in the minority with the Elantra here, but I also have a deep hatred of late 90s / early 2000s Ford products.
“Obviously the rust isn’t structural; if it were, no one would have bothered to do the brakes, axles, or tires.”
That is a hilarious assumption you’ve made! That Hyundai is held together with bondo, spray foam, and prayer. Hard pass. Local to me Mercury it is.
It’s hard to tell from photos on a phone screen, but the driver’s door looks like someone sprayed paint over duct tape to deal with that gaping rust wound.
I’ll take the Mystique. Spell check wants me to take the Mesquite for some reason so now I want BBQ too. Lower miles, larger engine, nice inside and I won’t have to look at that door every day on the Hyundai. I also drove the Elantra in those days on a road trip and it couldn’t get out of its own way. Passing on a single lane highway required constant prayers.
I’m thinking an accident on the Hyundai where it got hit on the front quarter (would explain the spare tire and door gap) and driven into a pole, hence driver’s side damage.
Before I get any further, I have to give props to the Elantra owner. You gave it your best didn’t you? Don’t think that I didn’t notice that the interior is very clean/tidy and you even AA’d the tires.
Now for the real…the Elantra would probably rank a little better with me if it didn’t have the worst thing about it staring me in the face every time I open the door. If I’m going to drive a POS, the last thing I need is a constant reminder.
The Misty isn’t any great shakes, but it still presents reasonably well – in spite of the rust, small dents, and various boogers on the exterior. The back seats suck, and its very likely that at least one of those windows don’t work, but by God, I won’t feel the same level of dread walking up to it as I would with the Elantra.
an ex of mine had the contour. It was perrywinkle, she named it mr winkles, thats the first thing that I think about. Second thing is the SVT version
I bought a Ford Craptour new in ’97. V6, stick, SE and I would not, could not consider buying another or one of its “ilk” ever again. Worst POS I have ever owned. 85 days in the shop, sued Ford over Lemon Law, won, and vowed I would never darken their doorstep again. Worst ownership experience I’ve ever had. There was not a single part of that garbage pile that didn’t have an issue from day 1.
The other option here is a Hyundai that looks like it was rolled down a mountain.
So, for the first time ever, I’m not voting. You can’t make me. These are terrible, awful cars in every way and have NO redeeming qualities.
At least you didn’t own it long enough to spin a bearing due to the infamous oil starvation issue, as I did with my 95 SE.
No but it burned oil and fouled spark plugs regularly so there’s that.
Beater money, Beater cars. Either would be a fine A to B vehicle in a pinch. But I am taking the Hyundai if all the new parts actually check out. I don’t nor ever will trust anything Ford makes besides older trucks.
I owned a 1997 Mystique with the V6. It drove like a dream. The only issue I ever had with it in three years was the sunroof motor dying (replaced under warranty). I sold it to my cousin and knew its day were numbered when she called me and asked, “Hey, do I have to change the oil?” I think it died not long after. RIP my sweet American Mondeo
The Mercury Mistake is the clear winner here, even though it needs some money put into it. But honestly, screw Chicago. Go downstate and you’ll find nicer cars for the same price.
Ok, Biased here. Learned to drive in a ’95 Mystique. Loved that car, but it spent more time in the shop than on the road. Eng dropped a valve seat at 40k, Cats had to be replaced 3 times (only once for the recall, then twice after that), the wiring insulation turned to dust and the transmission never shifted right.
But, it was a fun little car that sounded great when pushed, most of the eng and wiring issues were worked out by ’99, and it’s only $1,400.
I’m ready for another $1,400 Mistake by Mercury.
Hardly original at this point, but Mystique it is.
The twins handle really well for what they are…it’s a great taste of what can happen when Ford doesn’t totally skimp the domestic market (cough, Aspire) and gives us a taste of what it sells to the rest of the world.
But I’d really want would be the concurrent Cougar. Saw one the other day in the wild, and design still looks decent, and wow for a Mercury without a Ford version, at that time.
I frequently pass a cougar that has been in various shades of primer for at least the past 4 years according to streetview. I agree the look holds up. I just wish they would get it painted, there is a decent paint shop just up the road from them.
I often see a mid-’90s Probe in similar condition. I really hope it’s someone short on funds but long on save the sportcoupes, and that’ll she be back to her former glory soon.
Yesterday really needed that “Both” option and we got it!
Likewise, today could really use a “Neither” option. I abstained.
Even factoring in the cost of a future transmission rebuild and the fear of electrical gremlins, it’s the Mystique all day. I have a soft spot for the Mystique/Contour and for the Duratec V6, granted, and I know the Hyundai might be a bit simpler and more rugged in theory, but this particular Elantra looks like it’s caught a horrible disease, and a new door and a grille won’t make its body less rusty than the Mercury’s, nor (most likely) its seats as nice.
Definitely the Mystique. The auto is tragic, but all things being equal (Chicago rust) it is the better car.
The alternator being done is a biggie, as those are not cheap to do if you are paying so.eone (easy if you know how though).
As for the dash, there was a recall on that at one point (perhaps only for Contours), and maybe the kit is still out there.
The elephant in the eoom is the wiring, which one needs to check before buying. The sheathing on some of the wires can start to rot creating myriad problems. There is no longer a fix, to my knowledge, except to rebuild the harness, wire by wire. Which is bad.
….and yet I still kind of want another SVT.
What are the SVT prices like these days? They were a minor sensation back in the day, but then quickly forgotten by the mainstream sadly. Are they still a bargain, or is interest growing for the “don’t make ’em like that anymore” vibe?
Don’t know because they are basically impossible to find around here.
EDIT: just checked and Autotrader.ca lists no Contours available in Canada.
Wow. I just tonight saw an SE as I was walking from work to the subway, and it made me realize it was the first Contour of any sort I’d seen in maybe a year or so.
The intake manifold on the Mystake is a thing of beauty, rivalled in the Ford world only by the original Yamaha SHO. That intake manifold is worth more than the entire Elantra.
Whew this is definitely the Merc. Outside condition is…acceptable and it’s cheaper/has fewer miles. 0 parts concerns for either of these cars really.
I drove a ’97 Mondeo for ~6 months in the UK and it wasn’t bad. It in no way made me miss my ’90 Mustang I had at home in the States, but it was a perfectly cromulent car and this one should have quite a few years of life left in it.
So the Mystique is a no brainer choice over the wrinkled Hyundai.
That generation of Elantra was the first one that made me go “Huh! Maybe Hyundai’s figuring it out?”
I have no doubt that the Elantra is a perfect cromulent car, but we’ll take the Merc. It’s in much better shape, generally, and it’s fundamentally a better car. What did you say the address was?
It could be my worst Mystique.
Mercury, please.
They’re both basic – really basic – transportation, kind of what I picture when someone says “a beater with a heater”, i.e. a sacrificial car one drives on salty roads in winter.
But despite their superficial sameness, the Mercury seems to be a much better deal. It is $200 less than its competitor. It has about 70,000 fewer miles, a V-6, four matching wheels, and a pleasing lack of body damage compared to the Hyundai. The dash is indeed weird, but this may be an acceptable occasion to deploy a dash toupee.
The only thing that strikes me as odd about the Mercury is the air freshener in the trunk. 😐
It’s Chicago. There’s a non-zero chance there’s been a body in that trunk.
I was trying to avoid the Goodfellas-type implication, but… yeah
I was leaning more toward The Untouchables, but whatever.
Given its previous life in Florida, it probably smells of fish. Whether or not someone ended up sleeping with the fishes is anyone’s guess.
Nope, it’s Florida. An alligator lived in that trunk. A not exactly hygienic alligator, most likely.
The Mystique is 1: Cheaper; 2: Far lower Mileage; 3: tolerable cosmetically, and 4: likely easier to get parts for, and 5: A far nicer vehicle overall.
Probably the first and last time anyone will ever say this, but that Mystique looks like a clear winner.
I’ll go with whichever car costs less. Any additional money sunk into one of these cars is a waste. You buy it now so you won’t lose your job tomorrow, and then you start getting ready to replace it within a year. I’d slap some junkyard tires on the Mystique and not worry about the shocks. You’ll be bringing the car back to the junkyard soon enough that they might still remember your name.