I have a 1995 Mystique (built 9/1994) and it has the full-width ashtray panel - it covers the lighter. I know some 1996 are like this as well, but I'm wondering how widespread this is or when the change was made to the "ashtray-only" cover (i.e. your lighter/power port is exposed and you can use it with the ashtray panel closed)
I watched the videotape that came with my car - "introducing the Mercury Mystique" or something like that - which is (c)1994 and it even shows the newer style ashtray-width panel with exposed lighter. Sorry if this is a retread but my archive search didn't come up with much either way.
So reply here if you have the full-width ashtray panel. You can barely make out what I'm talking about at the bottom of this picture. [the switch is for the power antenna]
just curious,
-Peter