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Mercury Cougar
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Comments
A possibly major problem is that the car is a real dog with an automatic transmission, even with the V6. This may well be why there was no automatic 4-cyl: it would have been horribly slow.
They quit building them because it was so slow that it couldn't get out of it's own way. ;-)
Skip G.
(Go way back in the archives for a little more discussion on this.)
Skip G.
To bad :-(
Skip G.
4x108 or 4x4.25 (same thing just not metric)
nearly 50k and happy as can be....
There's nothing wrong with the ATX version with the exception of its stoplight performance vs. the MTX.
Unless you're like me, a stick driver for 40 years, it's a viable option.
Good luck on the deal. Check this site for the retail and wholsale values of your prospective kitty.
Skip G.
Also, here's a direct link to Edmunds' Used Vehicle Appraiser where you can see what the average cost of a 200 Mercury Cougar is in your region. Good luck, and please keep us posted on your purchase. ;-)
(Btw, this post has been re-edited, since another post slipped in before mine. Gustafsc- Thanks for your feedback.)
Revka
Host
Hatchbacks & Station Wagons Boards
Good luck with your car shopping.
However, realize that you are buying a car that is considered to be among the worst vehicles in it's class. When it was a brand new vehicle it received good ratings, but the competition has just gotten so much better over the last 3 years....
For what it is worth I am going to keep my 99 Cougar until it falls apart. It is still a great looking car, performs well, and it is the only way I can get back my full investment.
Later,
Sheldon
=^..^=
The ATX can be a little frustrating at stoplights when you're trying to get off to a quick start. The car really does get any torque until about 3250 rpms so it's a little sluggish at the go, but when it does pull it pulls hard and should give you adequate accleration. I've never driven one with MTX, but I still have a lot of fun with the automatic. You don't have to worry about shifting while you're throwing the car through curve after curve, and in the curves is where the car really shines I think.
Owning a kitty takes a lot of patience and understanding, but the looks from people and the sound the engine makes when you wind it out on the freeway makes it sooooooooooooo worthwhile. But at the same time I'd make sure I invested in a warranty if the car doesn't have one.
Chris
I like the Cougar and its styling, but I have had too many dealer problems. 4 dealerships, 4 strikes. One dealership wanted to charge me $800 for the delivery fee.
Your problem was a common one that was under warranty. They replace the exposed spring(s) on the hatch near the lock. Mine have been changed a few times. The problem recurs as the springs age.
- Having problems closing the hood, once its opened because the spring in the lock section is rusting/aging? Just imagine opening your hood to put some windshiled wiper fluid and not being able to shut it again. All of a sudden, you can't drive your car. Nice...
- Car has been in multiple times to the dealership to fix a speaker that is shorting out. Still not fixed.
-We had to put in new break pads, but after 35K miles, I guess that's fine. However, we had to replace both of the front rotors at 35K miles? Come on! That's terrible.
- The plastic seal around the windows is coming unglued and the carpet in the truck is also coming unglued.
- One VERY loud, annoying rattle near the gearbox.
- Oh, also, this is not about the car but about the dealership. Brought it in for the 30K service which includes most basic fluid checks, fill up etc. A month later the low coolant light came on. She paid $350, and they didn't even top the coolant!! Great stuff.....
Now I am wondering if we should ditch this car or maybe try to make it for another year.
Cougar looks nice... can't believe it has so many problems.
Jim H.
My '99 Cougar with traction control and anti-lock brakes performs very well in the snow. But for the most reliable drive to the arsenal in the snow you can't beat all wheel drive. Check out the Subarus.
Anyway, the front-wheel drive Cougars are as good on snow as any other front-wheel drive cars, which means that you're better off with good snow tires. In my New Hampshire days, I used Semperits, which may not be available anymore. I could climb up ice floes with those things on my Scirocco.
The car steers and stops well. I have Michelin Pilot tires which are far better than the factory rubber. Rear visibility is limited. The price is right. Buy it if you like the way it feels.