Did you recently take on (or consider) a loan of 84 months or longer on a car purchase?
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I too have a hose bib in my garage!! (Although I'm not permitted to park my car in the garage). Did the hose come with a wide variety of nozzle attachments? Is it one of those cheap semi-plastic hoses, or a nice soft rubber one? Nothing worse than a cheap hose (O dear Lord, that doesn't read so well. I hope Dasaint1 doesn't see this post).
Glad to hear your house is coming along nicely. When do you expect to move in? I still have to send you the interior decorating specs on my guest room. I should have them to you this week. I don't want to delay construction.
Bop the Gopher is kinda lame, but its fun, although my ex-girl friend used to get pissed when we played. She had something against getting bopped on the head with those mallets. Strange girl..... go figure.
Let me add my voice to the folks here who appreciate the time you've taken to provide us with useful info and the help you've given to several members of the CSG. It's unfortunate that you had to do what you did, but I certainly understand the reasons why. The internet really promotes the freedom of speech, however the responsibility to use that freedom wisely sometimes just isn't appreciated by some folks.
After hearing about the weather you have back there you may want to move in sooner! Just think how cool it would look to have a black and red cougar sitting in the driveway!
My hose is very high quality thank you! And do you have soft water at your hose bib or regular hard water? I also get to park in my garage! the boat and my car and thats it. Mike has to build a work shop out back now.
I notice you say "ex-girlfriend" gee do you think the bopping on the head may have had something to do with that!
I discovered last night that the cougar serves another purpose...Stress relief! I needed to get away from the inlaw last night, went to the gym then a nice drive down some back roads all alone..just my Starbucks Mocha and my cougar. Didn't get home until 10:00, Mike just smiled and says "driving again?" he knows me so well!
Every Tuesday night (4-5pmPT/7-8pmET): Cougar Support Group Chat!
(The Tonight Show theme starts to play in the background)
Malibu:
Um, the water in my garage is um, well, it's wet and cold. It's regular water, but our water isn't very hard in this area. Never thought about getting a water softner for the garage. I don't even have one in the house.
Actually my ex could have used a bop on the head, but I was to nice of a guy to do it. After she left me high and dry I considered having someone do it for me, but I decided to spend the cash on the car instead.
I'm glad you spent your money on the cougar...the other could have landed you in the big house! (you know the one without the garage or hose bib)
Be sure to check out the CSG chat tonight here in the Edmunds web site. We start at 7pm est and end at 8pm est. I hope to see all of you there!!!
Have a GREAT night!!
I want to encourage the CSG to continue to post both negative and positive comments about the Cougar. It helps us to build a better brand. I also use many of your comments when I am working with our engineers, ad agency, management etc. You are the voice of the customer.
I have been in contact with the person who I referred to in my previous post. We would both appreciate it if this issue could be dropped and we all move on and talk about the thing we love the most - - - THE COUGAR!
All the best.
I've had the second spring for nearly a year now, and the dealership had to make an adjustment of sorts to get the rear hatch to open again.
Anyone have any idea what this was? I asked if they adjusted the springs, but didn't get an answer. All I was told was to hold down the button on the key fob on the second press. Seemed to actually work -- does it just take time for the remote latch to release?
Badulah, et. al -- thanks for the interesting chat last night. One of the things discussed was the new Cougar Special Edition C2. There was some debate about where it was showing up. Where have folks seen this car? I've found one in Atlanta. No performance tweaks, but the blue carbon fiber interior accents and blue seat inserts were slick.
Later,
burnsmr4
Thanks again,
KarenS
Host
Owner's Clubs
For those of you who missed the chat session last night, it went very well. This was the first session that had no technical problems. Assuming we have gotten all the bugs out, chat sessions from here on in look really good. I encourage all members to join in on the sessions as often as possible.
Thanks,
burnsmr4
I hate to say it, but your ad agency is on it's [non-permissible content removed]. We rarely see a Cougar ad anywhere, and believe me, we're looking.
Now, I realize that Mercury makes a bigger margin on the big roadsmashers, but some word out there would boost the numbers, keep the factory busy (reduce layoffs), and make money on volume. Could even help the image of the marque. The Cougar might even last for another design cycle or two!!!!
I know how it works, as I've recently had people ask me (when I was wearing a jacket with the co.'s logo) if we were still around. But, as an engineer, I've no control over getting the word out except by personal word. Right Badman?
Skip G.
Right now I am dealing with the MWS0520 issue. I have received several emails, instant messages, and chatted with members and people directly involved with this issue. Currently I am in the process of drafting up an email to all parties involved in hopes of ending this situation as peacefully as possible.
The one this I have to say at this point is that this forum is a place for all of us to post our views, opinions, and experiences, but all of us need to abide by the rules that Edmunds states. One of these rules pertains to profanity. It is not acceptable for any member to use profanity no matter what the situation. Everyone in here knows that I am a fun loving and easy going guy, and I never want to come down on anyone in this club. All of you mean a lot to me as does the CSG, but since we are located on a third party web site, we need to abide by their rules.
Thank You,
Rob AKA "Badulah"
"Though it will share a plant with those front-drivers, the new ‘Stang will be a rear-driver. It will ride on its first new platform since 1979 — a less-expensive version of the Lincoln LS platform."
See? Hope is not lost ...
My bad, but the information is still good!
(oh, and the funny stuff in front of the word "Stang" should have been just an apostrophe ... I really should check if there's extraneous code before I post too, I guess) :-)
Geez - where's my brain? Has anyone seen it rolling around here? LOL!
Camelard: I think a silver cougar would be a great addition...maybe I should build a hotel instead of a house, then we could all park our cougars out front and call it some cute little name. We could put up the NO VACANCY sign whenever a Honda driver came to stay.
Sorry I'm babbling.
Did the ditched Kitty have after-market wheels & tires?
What would be the name of our little road side hotel?
I'm sure with all the creative cougar owners around here someone could come up with a snappy little name.
My Hatch has been acting up lately, but it has been freezing at night, do you think I should wait until the weather warms up and see if it continues or should I take it in?
Thanks for the info on the ditched Kitty. If it has stock wheels, it is of no use to me.
Have a good night all. I'm not feeling very well, so i'm going home a little early.
Badulah:
Sorry you are not feeling well. It can't be C.O.T.B. or you would be feeling terrific I'm sure!
I just got back from a business trip to Bloomington, Indiana and did see several Cougars up there. I'm sorry I missed the chat, but I'll be there next week.
My hatch is working great and my car is running perfect.
Side question: Does anyone in here have AOL instant messanger? I just got it. It's pretty cool. I just got a name: thrashcoug. Feel free to IM me if you want.
My AOL Instant Messenger name is "BadulahCSG". I'll look you up later on today.
(the above idea is patented by Badulah Inc.)
Overall, the eclipse has better straightline acceleration, but I've seen a lot of magazines contend that the Cougar's handling is much better than the Eclipse. Even Consumer Reports, by most accounts a rather conservative magazine, says that the new Eclipse "just doesn't feel very sporty to drive."
How important is backseat space? The cougar definitely has a roomier rear seat.
From what I've read, gas mileage is almost equal, though the cougar has a slight edge here too.
I would guess that reliability is about the same for both cars. Mercury is a little better than average for an american car, whereas Mitsubishi is probably the worst of the Japanese cars. If I had to pick, I'd again say that Mercury is better than Mitsubishi here.
Styling, of course, is subjective. However, MY bet is that if you were to conduct a poll, more people would definitely say the cougar looks better.
Finally, I don't know if you care about this, but fewer people own the Cougar. So it scores more points in the exclusivity ranking.
The Cougar's stellar advantage is it's price/performance, price/fun, price/coolness ratio. If that doesn't count, she should get the one she likes better. It doesn't matter which one I like better.
Recently I made the exact car swap as your mother is considering. I got rid of my 1991 Nissan 240 sx SE in PRISTINE condition 128,000 miles, loaded with everything even 4 wheel steering....only thing it was missing was leather which it is my understanding only came on the "LE". It was white with grey interior. I loved it! Like you and your mother i would've gladly bought another Nissan coupe: 240sx or a Z. Unfortunately Nissan currently had no coupes available for U.S. consumers:-(
In my quest for my replacement i test drove a few cars: (in no particular order)
1. Audi TT 1.8T (180hp) fwd 5spd: Loved it! More than i wanted to spend, but I couldn't resist the chance to drive it!
2. Audi A4 1.8T fwd 5spd: Beautiful car.... drove great....TONS of easy aftermarket goodies for the 1.8T engine.....To stoay in my price range would've had to by a '97 or '98 i wanted a NEW car..
3. Acura Integra GSR: Excellent driver's car excellent handling.....great shifter.....Harsh ride......miniscule backseat.....too sporty, would likely be uncomfortable as a daily driver.....every highschool kid has one.
4. MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE GT w/sportshift: It drove well, I thought the backseat was small and lacked headroom. I hated the gauges ( one big blob of white) they should have each gauge seperate from the other. Dash lloks to be made by Fischer-Price. VERY plasticky, and not soft to the touch. Likely prone to rattles. From what i hear Mitsubishi has maybe the poorest reliability of some import brands.
5. MERCURY COUGAR V6 automatic w/ Sport and Convenience Groups: Phenomonal styling, although that is subjective. Perfect (in my opinion) balance of ride comfort and compitent handling. More than adequate performance. Great highway passing power. half way decent backseat. Enormous trunk. (i can fit my Mt. Bike in back without removing a wheel. I've also made several trips to IKEA; the only thing i've ever had to have delivered was a mattress) Excellent dashboard design and use of materials. Things that should be hard and substantial are. Things that should be soft are. Bottom line: Great car for the money!
Those were just my opinions.... I ended up buying a used '99 Cougar this past September and am very pleased with the car. Whichever your mom chooses, I hope she enjoys it. If she does choose the Cougar, or needs more help deciding, we're here.
Jimbo_G
I will not excede the maximum allowed words.
I will not excede the maximum allowed words.
I will not excede the maximum allowed words.
I will not excede the maximum allowed words.
I will not excede the maximum allowed words.
I will not excede the maximum allowed words.
I will not excede the maximum allowed words.
I will not excede the maximum allowed words.
I will not excede the maximum allowed words.......
Sorry ;^)
Jimbo_G
I think the overall best reason to go with the Cougar is because it is the best bang for your buck. Although most people and magazines put the Cougar and the Eclipse in to the same catageory, most Cougar enthusiast will argue on this issue. To most of us, the Cougar was designed to be more of a Touring Car. It is better compared to the BMW 323 than the Eclipse. A Touring Car is designed to be a true drivers car, but it is also comfortable, handles well but does not have a harsh ride, has a sporty design but still maintains a high level of functionality and roomieness. It can hold its on on the Auto-X track and yet at the same time provide an excellent ride in real world conditions.
If your looking for a Sports Coupe that is only concerned with straight line performance, get the Eclipse. If your looking for a car that is well rounded in all areas, go for the Cougar.
-Rob
AKA "Badulah"
PS - Another big factor is originality of design. IMHO the Cougar scores high points here, and the Eclipse loses big time.
But like I said, have her drive them both and let her tell you which one she thinks is better. We can go on and on about how WE think the Cougar is better, but if she's buying it, then her opinions on it are the only ones that matter. Same with the Eclipse and it's fans.
Good luck, let us know either way!
Happy Cougaring!
Skip G
V6
MTX
4-channel ABS
all-speed traction control
side air bags
This availability was one of the main reasons I picked the Cougar when it became time to replace my first generation Eclipse.
Jim H.
Pat D.
This is because Mercury does absolutly NO advertising.
So if your mom just wants another car grab the Eclipse. If she wants to stand out a bit and actually have something a little special Cougar is the way to go!!!
drivefast
I have to ask STXRX7 if the ol' reliability question came into play here. I mean, your mom's choosing a new car from (a) a somewhat questionable Japanese manufacturer or (b) an American automaker with a lovely history of Firestone tires and other recalls.
Personally, I'd be thinking about how often you want to have to pick up your mom from the shop. I joke, but there's some seriousness to it too -- my '99 Cougar's been in the shop approx. 4 of 24 months of ownership (1/6 of total time of ownership). I can't vouch for the Mitsu, but 4+ years of reading car mags hasn't inspired me to visit a Mitsu lot.
It's a draw on this point, but the Cougar does inch by on styling and a backseat (although my friends hate me if I offer to drive a group of 4, so that's not saying much).
There are a few other coupes to consider, but the prices are higher. Don't forget the Camry Solara V-6 SLE, the BMW 325ci, or the new Chrysler/Dodge coupes (well liked by the automotive press).
Just my 2 cents...
Saw a couple this AM on the drive to work, and that reminded me.
I think that we've covered most of the options, havn't we? (Mercedes are way too pricey)
Skip G.
When I got my first car my Dad always added dry gas to the tank to prevent gas from freezing, but I am hesitant to add this to a car with fuel injectors and a million other sensors. Do any of you use dry gas or any other additives like this?
Usually if this happens it is not frozen gas but frozen water in the gas line and is usually a result of contamination when they refill the pumps. If you recall where you last bought gas you may want to avoid that station for the next couple of fill ups.
A lot of people I know use gas line antifreeze with or without fuel injectors with no problems. Most of our gas here has an additive of some sort in the winter so I don't bother with it.