I've Owned My Merkur XR4Ti For Two Years Today

"Matthew Keyser" (teisco15) 12/18/2015 at 21:55 • Filed to: None

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The traditional second anniversary gift is cotton, but I figured that writing about it here would suffice.

I had been reading Jalopnik for a few years after stumbling across Matt Hardigree’s !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! about owning the Merkur that was on Top Gear US . I immediately fell in love with the style of writing and began checking the website daily, often several times a day. When I received the tweet from Mr. Hardigree asking if I wanted to buy the car, it was more a question of: “how will I convince my parents to let me buy it?”

Amazingly, they agreed to let me buy it, but I was keeping my cards close to my chest when talking to Matt fearful that if he found out how young I was that he wouldn’t let me buy it.

A month or so after taking delivery of my car, I began writing the first thing I had ever written that was not assigned by a teacher. I spent hours in my room typing away with the screen on my MacBook burning rectangular holes in my retinas. I eventually reached a point where I was pleased with what I had written, hit post, and jumped in the shower. I emerged to a tweet from Hardigree “Great job! Shared to Jalopnik.” That article can be found !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . Please feel free to read it and observe it’s mediocrity.

I was finally able to talk about cars for once without feeling like a nuisance, and the great feedback I got from the Jalopnik commenters gave me the urge to write more. I signed up for a journalism class for my junior year of high school and began taking advantage of the OppositeLock authorship I was granted after my first article was front paged. I found that there is much more to writing than the formal literary analysis essays we were forced to do in school, and it can be fun.

In the time since then I have written several more articles that have gotten front paged by the good people of Jalopnik , usually having to do with my Merkur. When I was given a chance to drive the EcoBoost Mustang I wrote an article comparing it to my Merkur which was posted before several of the big players in automotive journalism got theirs up.

I wrote about it in response to Doug DeMuro claiming that owning his Ferrari 360 for a year was a disappointment saying that my car !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

My friend and I also made a video about a short !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! we took in it. The article was written and the video was both filmed and edited in one day. Quite the busy day if I do say so myself.

So now after two years of car ownership I have just finished the first semester of my senior year in high school, and have applied to colleges with a major in journalism. I likely would not have discovered my love for writing if I hadn’t bought my ostensibly red 80’s car, and I’m so very glad that I did.

Happy Anniversary.

Still great to see out of a rear view mirror.

When you remove the seats to clean you’ve got to improvise when it comes time to move it back into the garage.

I was sent this picture by the producer for Top Gear US that bought my car. It used to have a beautiful black paint job. It doesn’t anymore.

This was a very proud moment for me.

My fleet.

Checking to see where water was leaking in was the only time my fog machine served any practical purpose.

Love these last two pictures. Just couldn’t leave them out.

Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD > Matthew Keyser 12/18/2015 at 18:02

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Aww! Congratulations you two!! 

Cherry_man1 > Matthew Keyser 12/18/2015 at 18:03

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“Fog Machine”

RallyWrench > Matthew Keyser 12/18/2015 at 18:10

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Too cool. I had no idea you were a youngster, I wouldn’t have guessed. I’ve always liked the XR4, I’ll probably end up with one someday. Keep up the good work!

Also, this is clearly a meeting of the Colorado XR4ti owners club:

Matthew Keyser > Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD 12/18/2015 at 18:53

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Thank you!

Matthew Keyser > RallyWrench 12/18/2015 at 18:54

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Thanks man! And no doubt hahaha

feather-throttle-not-hair > Matthew Keyser 12/18/2015 at 20:53

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Nice! You lasted much longer than my roommate, who decided to sell his ( Former NPOCP ) Merkur after owning it for about a year.

Matthew Keyser > feather-throttle-not-hair 12/18/2015 at 21:55

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Looked pretty decent from the pictures, he have much trouble with it?

Steve in Manhattan > Matthew Keyser 12/18/2015 at 22:20

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Looks good. Hard to believe these were once sold out of the same dealership as the Marquis and the Town Car.

 > Matthew Keyser 12/18/2015 at 22:33

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It’s been 2 years and you still haven’t swapped Sierra Cosworth bumpers on?

Matthew Keyser > Steve in Manhattan 12/18/2015 at 22:33

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Are you trying to say that selling the XR4Ti next to things like this was a mistake? I for one think the salesmen selling these babies knew exactly how to sell a bright red “sportscar” with 2 wings and a 4 cylinder for quite literally twice the price of a Ford Taurus.

Matthew Keyser >  12/18/2015 at 22:36

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Love the Cossie bumpers, but I know as soon as I try to do any kind of work to the body I’d end up spending waaaaaayyyyyy more than the car is worth trying to get it all right.

jkm7680 > Matthew Keyser 12/18/2015 at 22:45

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Did you repost this, or am I going crazy?

Matthew Keyser > jkm7680 12/18/2015 at 22:49

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I did. I changed some of the wording and figured I’d throw it up again in case someone that would care missed it earlier.

Steve in Manhattan > Matthew Keyser 12/18/2015 at 23:21

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I recall a Scorpio owner telling me the sales staff didn’t really know much about the car. Also, the Merkur line was only sold at selected Lincoln/Mercury dealerships.

Matthew Keyser > Steve in Manhattan 12/18/2015 at 23:27

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My dad had a friend working in one of the selected dealers. He told my dad he had to come drive one back in the day. The guy said the dealers were pretty much just given the cars and were expected to just be able to figure them out and sell them. My dad eventually wound up buying one which he still owns to this day thus igniting my love for the XR4Ti.

Birddog > Matthew Keyser 12/18/2015 at 23:56

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Congrats! You’re making my feel a bit guilty for giving up on mine as quick as I did now (severe underbody rot and an automatic trans)..

Have you made the trek up to Midwest Merkurs yet?

AkursedX > Matthew Keyser 12/19/2015 at 00:29

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Congrats! I always enjoyed reading your articles. Keep up the good work.

Although I would like to go back to a 2.3 turbo in another SVO, there is an xr4ti that’s been for sale locally for awhile.....

Matthew Keyser > Birddog 12/19/2015 at 00:42

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I’ve been up there before. I have yet to go up in this car however. 2016 is the year.

Matthew Keyser > AkursedX 12/19/2015 at 00:44

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I’ve always liked the SVO’s, they’re even harder to find than XR’s. Either way, fun cars, and thank you!

Steve in Manhattan > Matthew Keyser 12/19/2015 at 01:23

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I got close to buying a Scorpio, but didn’t. I just remember it felt well-screwed together, better than a Taurus.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > Matthew Keyser 12/19/2015 at 14:14

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as another senior in HS, I salute what you’ve done with your writing and Merkur!

-guy slowly ruining a GLI :P

Matthew Keyser > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power 12/19/2015 at 15:27

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Thank you very much!

JunctionMcLane > Matthew Keyser 12/19/2015 at 15:31

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Great stuff —- keep on writing, and keep on enjoying your cars.

Matthew Keyser > JunctionMcLane 12/19/2015 at 15:34

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Thank you!

McPherson > Matthew Keyser 12/19/2015 at 15:49

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Excellent. Check out Marshall University, they have a well respected Journalism program.

Blondude > Matthew Keyser 12/19/2015 at 16:00

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So dank

imabisch > Matthew Keyser 12/19/2015 at 16:18

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Needs a bigger wing, if you ever swap on a sierra cosworth bodykit don’t forget the wing.

Wyldcard > Matthew Keyser 12/19/2015 at 16:34

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Great car, great story, and it’s awesome that you turned this into something which you are going to do for your post-secondary education and hopefully your career.

I love to write, and I’d love to write about my car, but I don’t think anyone wants to read about a Saturn Ion coupe. I’ll need to get something cool before I try posting to Oppo.

Congratulations!

sklooner > Cherry_man1 12/19/2015 at 16:41

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yes officer, it was a fog machine

Braniff747SP > Matthew Keyser 12/19/2015 at 16:52

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I’ve enjoyed reading your posts.

Have fun with the college admissions season — survived it last year, sure as hell don’t miss it.

GLHNSLHT2 > Matthew Keyser 12/19/2015 at 16:56

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Holy sh1t! That’s a killer idea with the fog machine. I’m gonna have to try that out.

Matthew Keyser > GLHNSLHT2 12/19/2015 at 17:03

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First saw it on an episode of Wheeler Dealers. Works great. Make sure you warn your neighbors because the cloud of smoke once you open the door makes it look like there is a large fire.

Matthew Keyser > Braniff747SP 12/19/2015 at 17:04

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Thank you!

And yes, it’s very stressful but I’m hopeful!

Matthew Keyser > Wyldcard 12/19/2015 at 17:07

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Thank you! The car doesn’t necessarily have to be interesting if you or the things you do with it are interesting. I for one would love to read about taking a Saturn Ion coupe to a track day or something to that effect.

Matthew Keyser > McPherson 12/19/2015 at 17:08

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Will do, thank you!

Lichtbau > Matthew Keyser 12/19/2015 at 17:09

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The caption to the second-to-last pic is not what I expected.

CobraJoe > Matthew Keyser 12/19/2015 at 17:14

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Awesome story, and awesome car. May we all own a car that is so special.

AudiB5Hawaii > Matthew Keyser 12/19/2015 at 17:14

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Off question but was this rear wing actually proven functional? Even for the race versions?

Braniff747SP > Matthew Keyser 12/19/2015 at 18:18

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That’s the attitude to have. Good luck.

Jonee > AudiB5Hawaii 12/19/2015 at 18:24

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Is looking awesome not a function?

Sam > Matthew Keyser 12/19/2015 at 18:59

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When spring rolls (yum, spring rolls) around and you get the car out of storage, you gotta bring it down to Indy C&C.

joeveto > Matthew Keyser 12/19/2015 at 19:02

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That’s a great car.

I remember when they first came out. My dad’s friend bought one new (over a Corvette) and brought it over to show us. He said it had top gear acceleration better than a Vette. He took me for a ride in it, gunned it, and I smiled. I also remember the way it smelled, the leather. It was a very cool car, like a Mustang SVO, but better. Back then, nothing else really looked like it. It was so European.

So good for you and good job with the articles. It’s refreshing to see someone your age so into cars, and taking the time to write about them. I’m looking forward to reading more about your experiences with the Merkur.

Grindintosecond > Matthew Keyser 12/19/2015 at 19:58

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Great work. My dad went to J-school and spent 40+ years as a news director/historian. that historian bit kept his work objective. I only recently understood that he was a historian recording history in progress and the behind the scenes of how it came to be. I didn’t follow the interest, but the writing part of it I do-too bad I’m picking up writing so late.

Good luck in J-school and finding what you want to do.

Reverend Clint > Matthew Keyser 12/19/2015 at 20:58

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Some old guy where I live drives a blue one of these.

Kumicho > Blondude 12/19/2015 at 21:28

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#hotboxing

More Bikes Than Brains > Matthew Keyser 12/19/2015 at 21:43

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Firsts, great article.

Second, was this car a classic even before you were born?

Third, as a pre teen I remember seeing a few of these around when they were new andi always wondered how close they were in parts and finish to the contemporary Escort which looked almost identical. I’m guessing you’ve never seen an early 80s Escort, let alone driven one, but if you have could you respond in kind?

Great writing too

Michael_N > Matthew Keyser 12/19/2015 at 21:45

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As someone who’s 17, and who loves cars more than anything. But who also loves writing, particularly about cars-and has his heart set on an Alfa Romeo GTV6. This article is hugely inspiring. I wish you all the best with writing and with your Merkur.

Argentine jalop in Kosovo > Matthew Keyser 12/19/2015 at 21:47

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Dude, I love Sierras so much. Congrats for your red beauty!

I learned to drive on my dad’s ‘85 wagon (did I mention it already?). Now I’d love to find a good wagon and swap an SVO inside.

BenT > Matthew Keyser 12/19/2015 at 22:20

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I was just at the post office yesterday afternoon and saw a red Merkur leaving when I came out and thought to myself, damn I haven’t seen s nice driving Merkur for several years now- I admired the commitment. After seeing this article, I realize that must have been you in downtown Indy!

greenagain > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power 12/19/2015 at 22:38

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Don’t sweat it, most young guys ruin their first couple of cars. I know I did

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > greenagain 12/19/2015 at 22:42

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heh, hopefully car #2 will be good. I know what make/ model I will be getting, but not the color combo

OrphanCarsR-Us > Matthew Keyser 12/19/2015 at 23:25

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Such a great looking car man, congrats. I love those wheels so much I have a set myself. In an odd way I feel connected to this particular car you own. Quite some time ago I ordered up a fuel pump from Blugg over on MPM. It was a bit late in being delivered so I gave him a call. He was an incredibly cool guy who apologized profusely for the delivery delay. I told him it wasn’t really a big deal since the pump was going on a long term project car. He explained that he was severely backlogged due to a “special project” that he was working on for Top Gear. At the time he said he couldn’t go into the details but Merkur folks would hopefully be pleased. Found out later that in essence he was returning this particular car back to stock with as many NOS parts as he could in order for it to be used on the show as original. It troubled me a bit because I knew that Top Gear USA has a habit of tearing up some cars I like (Olds Cutlass with a hole in the roof anyone?). It does a fellow Merkur guy proud to know that its being well taken care of. Cheers.

That-guy-from-Nickleback > Matthew Keyser 12/19/2015 at 23:43

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You’ve owned your car long enough you may remember seeing a car collection being auctioned out of Chicago posted here on Jalopnik with the leading pic being a red Xr4Ti. That was my old car. I searched for the link but no luck. Man, what a nice car. Props on finding what you want to do at an early age and sweet Merkur!

SamuraiJake > Matthew Keyser 12/20/2015 at 00:17

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My Mom bought one of these brand new when I was a kid of 13 or so (ahem.dated) Anyways, this was the 1st car I was ever caught sneaking out at night with.

I rolled it out of the garage & back in perfectly without being detected, & was caught due to the fargin pieces of popcorn I left on the floor.(seriously, I guess I had popcorn - no clue)

We were actually living in thousand oaks at the time (if you are familiar with California you’ll know Thousand Oaks is near Mulhulland drive {famous road}) - So my 1st time driving a car alone was a White Merkur XR4Ti (grey leather, 5 speed, sunroof) all night over mullholland drive & up & down the PCH. Mind you it was a weeknight - it was like we had the road all to ourselves ( I took a friend). Amazing we never even saw a cop car, but that was before the billion dollar cops too.

Fact is, that car didn’t last very much longer after that fateful evening (I got severely busted) & it was still brand new. We returned it under Californias “Lemon Law” within only a year or 2 (it wasn’t long). The thing had ISSUES - many electrical if I recall but my little brain had yet developed mechanical wherwithall so it may as well been problems with the horn for all I know..

I personally have never ever wondered why I never saw any of these on the road. When it ran, it was fun to drive but the one we had wasn’t a very good car.

Fortunately for me within 2 years time I was 16 & my lovely mother had a silver E30 M3! Yes I can tell you I was the bell of the ball! (good times)

Good luck with the Merkur & thanks for suffering my drift down memory lane.

Matthew Keyser > Grindintosecond 12/20/2015 at 00:29

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Thank you very much!

Matthew Keyser > Sam 12/20/2015 at 00:30

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For sure! When do those usually start up?

Matthew Keyser > Michael_N 12/20/2015 at 00:34

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Thank you! Best of luck with the Alfa, from what I hear they’re great fun when they work, It’s keeping them functional that’s the tough part. Don’t let that deter you though, even an unreliable car can be used reliably with proper maintenance and such. Young car guys are getting harder and harder to find, we need to keep the love alive. Best of luck.

Matthew Keyser > OrphanCarsR-Us 12/20/2015 at 00:41

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It’s crazy how many connections people have to this car. The MPM guys are awesome. Jeff is the first person I go to if I need a part or anything. I remember vividly watching TGUS the week before the episode with my car aired and at the end they had the whole “Next Week...” thing and I was so excited to watch it. The car was very much not stock before the show and had a lot of invasive surgery to get it back to stock-ish as well as a 5-speed conversion. Also, I’m very glad that the worst treatment my car got was having some dogs in it. MPM was told to build a car for TV and they did just that, and my time has been spent making it more of a DD.

Sorry about the fuel pump delay and happy Merkuring!

Matthew Keyser > SamuraiJake 12/20/2015 at 00:45

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Hahaha, that’s funny. I’ve heard a lot of horror stories about the electrics in the XR’s from back in the day but knock on wood haven’t had much trouble with mine. Maybe all the cars that had issues either got fixed or got crushed when Cash 4 Clunkers came around. Anyways, glad you had at least a few fond memories of it.

P.S. I wish my mom was cool enough to have an E30 M3

Matthew Keyser > joeveto 12/20/2015 at 00:48

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Thank you! Yeah the way these cars are geared they really pull the hardest from 70+. Does not have the torque for a neck breaking launch, but the way the turbo builds pressure in the middle of the rev range is intoxicating.

Sam > Matthew Keyser 12/20/2015 at 00:51

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They’re all year round at Gator Motorsport, but attendance turns up when it gets warm.

Matthew Keyser > More Bikes Than Brains 12/20/2015 at 00:54

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Thank you very much for the kind words. Not sure about any real connections to the Escort of the time, but these were built alongside the Sierra for the European market. The only real difference between the two is the engine as none of the Euro engines met the U.S. emissions regulations. In the 80’s Ford was big into trying to “Europeanize” their cars in design and function hence the similar design clues through the range of cars, and the creation of the Merkur company.

Hope this kind of maybe sort of answered your question. Thanks again!

Matthew Keyser > BenT 12/20/2015 at 00:56

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Not in Indianapolis, sorry. Little too far south to have been me.

Matthew Keyser > That-guy-from-Nickleback 12/20/2015 at 00:57

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I never forget a Jalopnik article featuring a Merkur haha. Thank you!

Matthew Keyser > Argentine jalop in Kosovo 12/20/2015 at 00:58

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Now that’d be awesome.

Matthew Keyser > Sam 12/20/2015 at 00:59

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I’ll have to make the trip down sometime this coming year. So much I want to do with the car before I go to college. Hope to see you there sometime!

Matthew Keyser > AudiB5Hawaii 12/20/2015 at 01:07

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Not really sure if it’s actually functional or not but it looks cool. For the 1988 and ‘89 model years they ditched the bi-wing for a more subdued single wing hoping it would help sales. It didn’t.

Matthew Keyser > Jonee 12/20/2015 at 01:07

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Took the words right out of my fingertips

SamuraiJake > Matthew Keyser 12/20/2015 at 05:41

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It was an absolute blast to drive & without question, the bi-plane spoiler is dinstinctive as well. Wikipedia states the later iterations apparently went to a single spoiler from 1987 on but I had never even seen one of these with a single spoiler until moments ago... on Wikipedia. I like the 360 degree visiblity too. the hind quarter windows are awesome.

I kindof recall it feeling a bit top heavy, especially when I was learning the clutch, a bit less so in turns & handling. Still, it almost reminds me of the 80’s Nissan 280zx cars in the way the body kindof “rolled” in & out of turns & rapid accelleration/braking. Is this my in my mind or does its center of gravity feel a bit high? I wonder how awesome it might handle with a slightly lowered stance (hehe)

Anyways, it occurred to me you & I have something odd in common, in that the XR4Ti provided introduction to the wonders of “motoring”(haha) & turned us both into enthusiasts! The fact it may end up leading you into a career in writing is that much more special. If I may say without sounding condescending, I never would have guessed you to be a young-un. Your writing is good enough that I enjoyed the content without consideration for whom was writing. (generally I only think about the writer if it’s hot garbage or pulitzer material) Keep it up brother, you are well on your way.

Yours is a beautiful car for certain, I trust it will serve you well if it has made it all the way to 2015. I can’t tell you how much I would love another joyride in one of these, especially given that my current car is like a nap on wheels, doesn’t exactly get the blood pumping like an XR4Ti does.

Cheers!

theinno > Matthew Keyser 12/20/2015 at 07:27

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a Sierra! Used to be the Daddy of the road in the UK, unless you had a Granada :P

Drakkon- Most Glorious and Upright Person of Genius > Matthew Keyser 12/20/2015 at 08:59

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Love this

Drakkon- Most Glorious and Upright Person of Genius > Matthew Keyser 12/20/2015 at 09:02

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Electrics by Lucas

Matthew Keyser > SamuraiJake 12/20/2015 at 11:03

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First: thank you very much for the kind words. I very much appreciate it.

Second: You absolutely hit the hail on the head with the handling. It does feel pretty top heavy in corners and acceleration and braking. I personally like it as it gives a feeling on insane speed without necessarily having to go at insane speeds. My car has Koni shocks all around so the sensation is lessened slightly from my dad’s XR which is stock as far as suspension is concerned, but much less than stock under the hood. And yes, mid way through 1988 they changed a few things about the car including a different, single wing in the hopes that it would increase sales. We all know how well that worked out as the company went bust in ‘89.

If you’re ever in the northern Indiana/Chicago area let me know and I’ll see what I can do about that joyride.

Thanks again!

DebbiesChubbieHubbie > Matthew Keyser 12/20/2015 at 11:19

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You have a great writing style already. I'm amazed you're still in high school. I always wanted a Merkur, now I can see how it's holding up. Keep up the good work!

Matthew Keyser > DebbiesChubbieHubbie 12/20/2015 at 11:36

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Thank you very much for the kind words!

wætherman > Matthew Keyser 12/20/2015 at 12:36

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I was living in Germany in the 80’s for a bit, and saw lots of these on the road. Always made my head turn, but I didn’t know a thing about them at the time, so I’ve appreciated your articles. And it’s so great that it inspired you to pursue journalism. Happy 2nd autoversary!

NB; “ostensibly red”? Do you mean ostentatiously red?

Matthew Keyser > wætherman 12/20/2015 at 12:46

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Nope, ostensibly. They tell me it’s red but the way it’s flaking away and the door jams and such are black, you can tell it’s really a black car in disguise. Thank you for the kind words!

autocollectibles > Matthew Keyser 12/20/2015 at 12:47

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You named your bong “fog machine,” how quaint.

0pihl > Matthew Keyser 12/20/2015 at 12:53

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I had 2 of them. A great car. Replaced it with an RX-7. Replaced that with 2 Saab 900 Turbos. Guess I like hot hatches.

Capt. Ronald Wilson Reagan > Matthew Keyser 12/20/2015 at 13:40

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I just bought one of these! but it has the 2.3 turbo out of an 88 thunderbird swapped in, any suggestions as to the best place for “tech support”? It won’t start and Ontario is pretty sparse for that kind of thing. And I love your car, kinda part of what made me take the plunge on the XR, you rule!

wætherman > Matthew Keyser 12/20/2015 at 14:18

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Oh, I see - I missed that. Looked pretty f-ing red to me! :)

Matthew Keyser > Capt. Ronald Wilson Reagan 12/20/2015 at 14:38

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Awesome man! Glad to hear it! Midwest Merkur is the place to go for anything really. They’re located just outside of Chicago but will ship pretty much anywhere. These are the guys that Top Gear went to when they were looking for the car and did all the work to get it ready for filming. They really know what they’re doing and I cannot say enough good things about them. Their Facebook page is always good to keep an eye on and post if you have any questions. Tell me more about the car you ended up with? Really interested to hear about your experiences with it and best of luck!

360ad > Matthew Keyser 12/20/2015 at 15:58

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Reminds me of a scene from one of the Cheech and Chong movies.

Michael_N > Matthew Keyser 12/20/2015 at 19:19

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Taking auto in school and intend on getting a job in the field so hopefully that won’t be too much of an issue XD besides, I like fixing things.

Kayone74 > Matthew Keyser 12/20/2015 at 20:49

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Was the american car turbocharged like the UK Cosworth Sierra?

Matthew Keyser > Kayone74 12/20/2015 at 20:59

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The Sierra and the Merkur were built on the same production line, and initially, they were going to try to import them with the Cosworth engine like the Euro cars had, however none of the engines Ford out in the Euro cars met the U.S. emissions regulations so Ford wound up using the engine they were selling in the SVO Mustang and TurboCoupe Thunderbird. It’s the block from a Ford Pinto (cast iron, 2.3 4 cylinder) with a Garrett T3 pushing it on a very conservative tune to about 175 horsepower. So yes, both the Merkur and the Sierra Cosworth are turbocharged, but they have very different engines.

Matthew Keyser > Michael_N 12/20/2015 at 21:01

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You are the perfect person to own an Alfa. There’s a GTV6 out there with your name on it. Best of luck!

That-guy-from-Nickleback > Matthew Keyser 12/21/2015 at 00:25

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It had probably the only example of white team dynamics Xr4Ti specific fitment wheels in the country. The guy had them in my state about 3 hours away at $300 on CL and wouldn’t budge on the price. Then he put them on Ebay and I got them SHIPPED for $75. He was a jerk initially so I sent him an email after I received them informing him I was the buyer. I left great feedback.

Hooker > Matthew Keyser 12/21/2015 at 12:03

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Late 80’s Town Car. I have a special place in my heart for them. Had on once. Blew the transmission. I have been sad ever since.

feather-throttle-not-hair > Matthew Keyser 12/21/2015 at 12:41

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Yeah, lots of problems. It was pretty highly modified when he bought it from what I remember. It would spank my 350Z in a straight line and was probably about as fast as his next car, an 06 Pontiac GTO.

But of course it made its power all at once when the turbo spooled, so that made it feel really violent. And it didn’t have power steering, and was too low and was kind of a rattle trap. Basically it was terrifying/terrifyingly fun.

Very cool car though when you get right down to it. Few things have that obscure cross-cultural street cred like the Merkur. Part Sierra Cosworth, part turbocharged pinto, the Merkur is nothing if not unique!

DirtMifflin > Matthew Keyser 12/21/2015 at 17:42

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My friend’s mom had one of these when I was a kid, I loved it. She was a really cool mom too, she’d tell us to hang on and then floor it coming up a back road near our neighborhood. I think we hit at least a hundred million miles an hour, but I was maybe 10 years old so my internal speedometer may have been off a bit :)

randomadjuster > Matthew Keyser 12/21/2015 at 19:58

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Love seeing the update, and still love your ride. Keep it up!

ocbrad1 used to be iamhoff but is now just wandering around > Matthew Keyser 12/22/2015 at 01:14

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Happy 2nd anniversary! Love reading Jalop stories about Jalop cars. The fog machine: 10/10 Jalop points!

Matthew Keyser > ocbrad1 used to be iamhoff but is now just wandering around 12/22/2015 at 12:10

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Thank you!

PEK > Matthew Keyser 12/22/2015 at 13:01

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Awesome ride. Had one for too brief a time quite a while back. I’ve still got a full mechanical manual from it (it’s like 8” thick). Know anyone who could use it? Free to a good home!

Matthew Keyser > PEK 12/22/2015 at 22:22

0

I’ve already got one in the house, I’m sure there are some Merkur owners out there that would love to have one!