Mercury Sable

The Mercury Sable debuted for 1986 as the upscale companion to the Ford Taurus. It shared the same game-changing aerodynamic platform but distinguished itself with a full-width front lightbar, a wraparound rear window, and a more premium interior. Available as a sedan or a station wagon, the first-generation Sable (1986-1991) was a massive sales success and represented a new direction for American car design.

Collector interest is almost entirely focused on well-preserved first-generation cars. These models capture the design spirit of the 1980s and are becoming appreciated for their historical significance. Station wagons are particularly popular for their utility and unique styling. Later generations adopted more controversial oval themes and are generally treated as simple used cars, lacking the '80s nostalgia that makes early Sables interesting.

The market for the Sable is small and affordable, with an average sale price around $5,400. It's a very accessible classic, but finding a truly pristine example is the biggest challenge. Most have been used up, so low-mileage, well-maintained cars can fetch surprising prices, as seen in the top sale of over $15,000 for what was likely a time-capsule example.

Reported sales range from $750 for projects to $15,451 for exceptional, low-mileage examples.