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I remember when this was one of the most popular boards on Edmunds!
Sigh!
Thanks for the well wishing. I can't wait to be home to. I heard that 75 Spanish troopers lost their lives returning home from Afghanistan.
I guess you can't stop praying until you step foot in your home....
I have a loaded Laser Red V6 with all the bells and whistles. However, the car has started to show some age. The engine still runs very good, but it does have some noise (squeaks) when going over speed bumps in the rear end (bushings???). Also, my check engine light is on and I think it relates to a new oxygen sensor I need (CD changer is on the blink as well). The seats have held up well with the Leather, but they have never been the most comfortable in the world on long trips (although what car is really comfortable for 10 hours straight).
One major disappointment was in 2001 when I backed into a mail truck. Damage was minimal but in order to sell my car for top dollar, I will need to replace the rear bumper.
The problem I have today if I fix the few things that keep the car from like new condition is what to get next? I like BMW, but I do not like their price. I like the Mazda 6 sort of... The Acura TSX has a great interior but the exterior will put you to sleep. The G35 coupe is sweet, but it still sells for 35k and that is about 5k above my budget.
Anyone have good suggestions for a new car? Trade in is not an option - the Acura dealer wanted to offer me $4000 - what an insult. I know I can sell it for 8-10k based on the going price for this car used.
Yesterday, I sold the Cat to someone who I hope will enjoy it as much as I have.
My new car? I picked up the elusive Accord 6-speed coupe. I hope it's as much fun as the Cat.
seeya~
I was glad to get rid of my '99 Cougar V-6 back in 2002. It was nothing but headaches for me. I think I got one that the janitorial staff put together up in Michigan. Like they all got together one night after cleaning toilets and decided, "Hey, guys. Let's see if we can put one together!"
My Subaru has been ultra-reliable, with only one minor initial hiccup and a single recall after 1.5 years and 24K miles. With my Mercury in the shop so much for window leaks, I only made it to about 10K in the first year. I barely hit 36K in three years of ownership, and I love road trips. :-\
Anyhow -- hope everyone is OK. Sounds like folks are all moving on. Keep posting every so often here. Kind of neat to see who's buying/driving what.
Did anyone ever find out what happened to badulah?
burnsmr4
Thought I'd drop by and tell the latest adventure.
Started hearing a groaning noise from the front end when leaning to the left on the wheel when making lane changes or bucking the road crown. Thought it might be something simple like a steering portioning valve.
So, I took it in to the dealer's service dept. After they lost my keys and I had to deliver a second set the next morning (they eventually found them), the analysis was done and the tab was estimated at $940.00 for wheel bearings, spindles, and tie rod ends.
Needless to say, I said, "WHEEL BEARINGS AND SPINDLES?? THEY'RE SEALED UNITS AND SHOULD LAST NEARLY THE LIFE OF THE CAR!!!!" Well, the service manager agreed with me, especially as I've only got 43K miles on the car. He said that he's see what he could do to make things right.
The final outcome was an after warranty adjustment by Mercury, the dealer, and me. $200.00 out the door, they ate the rest.
An unususal problem with an even more unusual outcome
The Cat now rides and steers like new, so with a little luck, should be good for a long time.
Now, if I can just keep from being clobbered by the idiots out there......(3 hits so far)
Skip G.
Anyway, as far as I remember, the cat runs great and the Michelin Pilots are a major step up from the factory tires. Someday, I'll drive it again.
Sorry to hear about your accident. I hope you heal quickly.
Get well soon!!
Skip G.
P.S. At least have somebody exercise the car once a week to keep the juices flowing. That's what I did when I broke my leg last year. My son made me nervous as hell behind the wheel, but we both survived.
Just got back from Afghanistan! Drove the kitty and it is driving great!
It is so good to be back in the states on a high speed internet connection!
maui2k3: Where are you in NC? I am in Fayetteveille. My kitty also has over 82,000 miles. I plan on driving it until it falls apart!
Later All!
The cat is spectacularly dirty since it's been out for 6 weeks; I think I need to take it to a car wash so I can see out the windshield. There's nothing better looking than a clean black Cougar, but a dirty black Cougar with pine needles all over is a horrendous sight. Good thing there's wax between the paint and the crud.
Skip G.
all my instruments(speedo, tach, etc.) spike.
The car is not spiking itself though. This morning
it wouldn't start right away, felt like a power, or starter problem. Finally after a couple turns of the key it started, and spiked. Runs fine. Any
body have that experience?
this only happens at startup.
anyone have any thoughts on this?
Thanks
My '99 Cat has never "spiked" the needles in the last 41,000 miles. IT'S NOT NORMAL. Make the dealer do his job correctly with a proper diagnosis.
Does this have to be done by the dealer ... or is there a way for me to do it?
Any help to save me $80 or more fopr the dealer to program the new remote I purchased would be appreciated!
Dave
I noticed a couple of old names, and a lot of new ones. Oh-well just checking in.
I guess we drive special non-interest cars now.
I sure do miss the old group though. Lake Placid and Lime Rock was a blast!!! Ah for the old days can't believe my 99 is 4 years old, and only one small dent (which has been fixed) and a scratched wheel (been replaced) @ $330. But I now have a spare wheel!!!
=^..^=
I wish I could say that I haven't had much of a problem, but for a while, I though that I had big Bulls Eyes painted on the car. The only original body parts left are, the hood, two front fenders, roof, and passenger door. Everything elese has been replaced. Good thing that my dealer's body shop is good and the car looks just fine and runs straight.
Another problem that could have gotten expensive except for, "A one time warranty adjustment", was the failure of my front wheel bearings. You know, the lifetime sealed bearings that never need greasing. Started getting a low groaning noise with the steering off center or making gentle turns. Thought it might be a problem with the power steering, but NO!! I wound up paying a $200 deductable and FMC took care of the rest.
Took a nice little vacation wandering around in Wisconsin a couple of weeks ago. Did about 750mi in 9 days and averaged 27.8MPG. Not too bad.
As for socializing, I did make the Y2K Cougarfest @ Flat Rock. Had a good time and enjoyed meeting other owners and enthusiasts.
Later,
Skip G.
Has any one ever heard of a fairly new Cougar having a blown engine?
Any one have any ideas on how to get leverage with Ford to warrant the repair?
Looking for some ideas.
gcougar
With any luck, they'll work out the same kind of "One time adjustment" that I got. It acts like the extended warranty with a $200 deductable.
If you've been working with the dealer from the start, they'll be more likely to take care of you. If they havn't seen you since you took the car off the lot, the chances may change. Having the thing go bad while at another mechanic's shop might not help either.
Good Luck!!!
Skip G.
I used this site back in 2000 and chatted with you nice folks, when I was debating if I should get a cougar or something else... i was sold, and have loved my cat ever since. 2001 V6 with 42k on it. Well I finally have a concern, I've been lucky so far. I was wondering if you guys could help me out.
These occurances happened around the same time, however I have no idea if they are related.
1. I fueled up at an out of the way gas station that was priced much lower then the other stations.
2. I noticed a whiff of a smell, like when my mom's old station wagon was burning "Catalytic Converter" it was brief, but enough for me to go... what the...
3. My OBD II system light came on, "On Board Diagnostics System" light. The light came on and has been on since a time around the whiff and during the out of the way fueling.
4. My cat hesitates, and sputters at about 1.5k RPM, regardless of speed. Basically if I am slowly accelerating it will sputter, however if I depress the accelerator harder it's just fine.
The manual says that this light will come when malfunctions occur in the emission system. The manual suggests these as possible explainations: 1. The vehicle has run out of fuel
2. The fuel cap may not have been properly installed and tightened
3. Poor fuel quality or water in the fuel.
So naturally I guess #3. I ran that fuel completely out of my system down to 18 Miles of fuel left, and refueled at my favorite quality station... two weeks later the light is still on. The car hesitates much less.. maybe 1-2 a day and only when I'm driving cold.
Now I'm at my ends and am considering taking somewhere to have the system code checked, but everywhere I see they want 50-60 dollars just to hook it up.
Any suggestions? Is this the oxygen sensor?
If there's water in the system, pouring a couple of bottles of HEET (or equivelant) into the tank to absorb any remnants might help.
If there was dirt in the gas, you may have a problem with the injectors, in which case it could get a little expensive. But, seeing as the sputtering problem is tapering off, you could get lucky and it'll clean itself. Injector cleaner might help.
Another trick to try would be disconnecting the negative battery lead for a while to let the brain blow it's mind, then re-connect and let it idle for a while to re-calibrate.
If none of the above help, you'll probably have to get it analyzed and fixed the hard way.
GOOD LUCK!!!!
Fish8/krnch:
Good to see that there's still a few of us monitoring Edmunds and trying to help those in need. ;-)
Skip G.
I had error code P0401 EGR Flow, I had a check engine light...
and my car was sluggish and jerky...
He told me that there is a recall program for that part and named the symptoms...(the light and the jerky acceleration) and that the emission system has a warranty of 5years/60,000 miles for this part (EGR Pressure Sensor)... my car is a 2001 and has 41k miles on it... so I can take it to the dealership and get it fixed, parts and labor for free...
Thanks Everyone for your help. It's nice to see that there is a community of 'us'. Let me know if I can be of any help to you.
Skip G.
David
Us? (Not much anyway)
Understanding that the Cougar had to change or die along with the basic platform on which it was built doesn't make our orphaning any easier.
What I would like to see is a Cougar badged and bodied version of the Mazda 6. It's got the engine we should have had available in the first place and the sedan versions have been very well received.
Skip G.
Skip
Anyway, I did attend CougarFEST this year at VA Beach and it wasn't the show it's been in the past but there was a really good turnout. NECO (New Edge Cougar Owners) is thriving and they're waving the flag for all of us Cougar owners.
I've just cleared 52k on the Cat and it's still a really good vehicle. I paid it off this year and it feels good to be a true owner! I've also made major modifications to the suspension system in regards to preparing it for Auto-X season in the upcoming summer. I still have to add brakes and other possible upgrades to this or that, but on the outside the car has not changed. I still enjoy being a unique entity on the road and there's not much out there turning my eye away from my beautiful Cat.
One of my new year's resolutions this year will be to participate more with the CSG again (I think I said this last year and look where it got me :-), but will really try to keep in touch from now on.
It is really good to hear that everyone is doing okay, barring any problems with the car, and I wish you all a Happy New Year!
Happy Cougaring!
Stageleft
Cheers!
krnch
Have you heard from or seen Badulah recently? He also seems to have dropped off the face of the Earth.
SkipG
Skip G