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"Guy looking around a dealership, excited, out of breath, desperately searching for something, like a child that ran away from her father... and then he hears something.. looks around a giant mountaineer and the Silver Cougar is there... "Come Fly with Me." by Sinatra is playing inside the car..."
Buzz Line... (insert you're own buzz line here)
I couldn't think of a good buzz line... the line to say right before the commercial is over.
"Come Fly With Me" is a great song... you ought to check out it if you haven't at some point.
I went with: "I want to get away" and "Are you gonna go my way" Lenny Kravitz.
"reluctantly crouched at the starting line,
engines pumping and thumping in time.
the green light flashes, the flags go up.
churning and burning, they yearn for the cup.
they deftly maneuver and muscle for rank,
fuel burning fast on an empty tank.
reckless and wild, they pour through the turns.
their prowess is potent and secretly stern.
as they speed through the finish, the flags go down.
the fans get up and they get out of town.
the arena is empty except for one man,
still driving and striving as fast as he can.
the sun has gone down and the moon has come up,
and long ago somebody left with the cup.
but he's driving and striving and hugging the turns.
and thinking of someone for whom he still burns.
he's going the distance.
he's going for speed.
she's all alone
in her time of need.
because he's racing and pacing and plotting the course,
he's fighting and biting and riding on his horse,
he's going the distance."
Skip G.
I would have to recommend the only album ever imported to the US from Propellorheads. You'll find a great deal of commercial tracks from advertising, movies, and radio background music on this CD, including The Matrix gun battle, the Jaguar S-Type jazz advertisement, and more.
Now...who has changed out the front and rear speakers in their Cougar, what's involved, and did you get your replacements from Crutchfield?
Thanks!
Re:bjkprince... oo that sounds good too, Kravitz is great driving music.
Yes, the 2001s have a different wing and wheels. By the way, did you ever purchase and install the Borla exhaust system? If I recall correctly, you were considering it some time ago.
I just joined this group and I am inquiring if any other Cougar owner's have had any type of problems with a vibration in the rear of the car. I have been back and forth from Tire dealers to Ford customer relations and no one can seem to pin point the problem. My dealership now stated that the vibration is within exceptable limits. I am really getting frustrated with this problem. I love this car, 2000 V6 Sport, and I love driving, but this constant vibration at various speeds really takes the fun out of this normally sporty, fun to drive car. I suspect that it is a problem in the rear suspension but the dealer told me it was a tire problem. So I went to see 3 different tire dealers and they all checked the tires and stated that it was not a tire issue and that it was something in the mechanics of the vehicle. So I just bought a set of Michelin MXV4 Energy's, a high performance comfort tire, V rated, which really improved the ride of the vehicle and reduced some of the vibration in the rear. However, there is still a light vibration in the rear and I would like some advise on how to fix it.
Also, I would like to know if anyone has done anything to improve shift efforts (make is smoother) on a manual 5 speed for the cougar.
Thanks for your time.
Unfortunately I can not help you out with your vibration problem, but I can lend some advice on your shift question.
B&M make a short throw shifter for the Cougar, which can be found at:
Kurtz Kustomz Motorsports
. This shifter will drastically reduce the throw of each shift, and from what I understand is much smoother than the stock manual shifter.Hopefully one of our other members can assist you with the vibration problem you are having.
Check back in these posts and you'll find a link to the list of TSB (Technical Service Bulletin)
Get the TSB # and contact you dealer while it's still under warranty.
The shifting is a little stiffer on the cat than other cars I've had in the past, but seems to be getting smoother with time and mileage.
Skip G
Drive Safe Everyone.
One other thing I have noticed is a new noise coming from the drivers side of the car next to the rear seat. It sounds like a piece of metal(metal rod) is tapping against the side of my car. Sort of like metal on metal. When I first heard this noise, I thought it was rocks hitting my undercarriage. I have no idea what it is. It comes and goes, so it is not constant. Any ideas?
My vehicle is better than yours because....
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Owner's Clubs
It's really sad that Ford put zero effort in to the promotion of this car. It actually disgusts me.
Oh btw on my way home from school I took a fantastic country road, 550 from tyrone pa to state college pa, recommended for anyone in that area to drive, plus I got to take a picture of my cat in front of a perfect farmer's sign.. as soon as I get the picture developed I'll post the pic.
When mine was delivered, the plate holder was in the accessory bag along with the antenna & basic mats.
In Pa., you don't need the front plate holder, so why did they put it on?
If they're putting them on at the factory, that's a different story
My $0.02
Skip G.
Did you tell them not to put it on when you ordered the car? If so, you have the right to take the car back and have them either repair it or replace the bumper. I would freak out if they did something like that to me.
Later,
burnsmr4
The rattle is really confusing me!! I actually made an appointment at the dealer to have them look at this rattle, but on my way to the dealer the noise seemed to go away. It seems to be more noticable when I first drive my car and goes away after driving a few miles. I have no idea what it is.
burnsmr4: Does your rattle sound like a metal rod tapping the side of your car? Thats how mine sounds. The only problem I see with having the dealer look at this is if they try to fix it they will end up tearing up my back seats.
I will probably have them look at it during my next service.
Mine started to sound like a pipe or the muffler was starting to leak. It needed a new gasket and to be tightened.
I've had a similar problem on other cars, and that was the problem.
Skip G.
Just make sure the pipes are cool before you grab and shake.
Another check would be tp put it on a hoist while running, and see if any of the flanges are leaking or loose. You could have one of the local exhaust places that do free inspections help you out, or suggest this to the dealer's service dept.
Also, shake the pipes a little to see if they're tapping on anything.
Skip G.
Seriously, though, that sound you described is just like mine. I hear it at idling speeds and pulling in and out of spaces. I thought maybe part of the spare was rolling around. It sounds like it's coming from behind the back seat or in the trunk. Clanging sound.
Just grab the (cool) tailpipe and move it around a little? See if it bumps around? Sounds simple enough...
[Fast forward to national news brief]
"In a strange story from Atlanta, GA, a young man blamed members of Edmunds.com Town Hall for an odd automotive accident. A paramedic at the scene said that the young man grabbed a hold of his '99 Mercury Cougar's tailpipe and burned off three layers of skin from both hands."
"'He was hurt like that dude on Survivor -- the one that fell in the fire,' said Dekalb County EMT, I. Hurtbad."
"The young man, who asked that his name not be disclosed for fear of being laughed at on the online discussion board, was attempting to locate the source of one of a documented 2034 rattles emanating from the vehicle."
"'Don't laugh, man -- it hurts!' he cried as he was carted away in an ambulance. A woman carrying a jar of homemade pickles accompanied the young man to Grady Memorial Hospital."
"Edmunds.com had no comment, although the Town Hall moderator we spoke with apparently fell on the floor laughing when we called. A local Lincoln-Mercury dealership representative could not 'replicate the noise' heard by the young man."
"Now, on to news from Capitol Hill..."
Thats great!!
My favorite part is the 2034 rattle bit!!!
Very creative!!
HELLO!!!!?
Hey! Y'all! It was a FAKE news story! Come back! I'm OK! No burned hands!
(Although, the part about the 2000+ rattles and the pickles could be legitimate.)
I expect to see the Mercury Marauder in the same column in a year. Something akin to "the oversexed Mercury Marquis that everyone forgot."
Oddly enough, the annual new car issue of AutoWeek claimed that the Marauder would fill a void left in the hearts of fans of the late Chevrolet Impala SS. Uh-huh. Whatever.
[Mercury marketing stiff hyping the Marauder.]
"Team, the new Marauder is going to be a marketing coup for our division. GM screwed over some of its best customers when it killed the Chevy Impala SS. We're gonna steal that market right out from under them with this badass Marquis."
[Impudent young Mercury marketing intern, with business school degree NOT signed by Sally Struthers, interjects.]
"Uh -- why redesign a car associated retirees for the sole purpose of capturing a miniscule redneck market segment that's more than likely been re-brainwashed into buying the Chevy Monte Carlo in the first place? Shouldn't we be marketing the new Moutaineer and revamping the Cougar? Hello?!"
[Crickets fill the resulting odd, uncomfortable silence.]
The engine is to be found as the base unit in the new Jaguar sedan, with the 3.0L engine as the upgrade, and both are driving all 4 wheels. Based on the new Mondeo, a Ford/Jaguar is more Ford than anything else. Wrap it in leather and add a little walnut, charge too much; Voila, instant Jaguar.
I guess the goodies go where they think the money is as the Jag will go for $30K+.
Skip G.
I am awaiting the delivery of my new Cougar and was just wondering if there is a way for me to somehow keep tabs on the status of my Cougar?
Thanks!
David Bloyd <----anxiously awaiting a C2 Cougar
Anyways, man I love my cat. And I never get tired of talking about it... about 80 percent of the places I go, I end up answering people's questions and hearing their complaints that they bought a ZX2 or a focus instead.... opps!
I hope everyone is well and drive safe!
David
I agree -- the Europeans are spoiled with that new, svelte Mondeo AND the X-Type. 3.0L AND 4-wheel drive! What was Mercury thinking dropping a Cougar S with these specs for...uh...a Grand Marquis on crack (a.k.a. the Marauder)?!
[Crickets fill the resulting odd, uncomfortable silence.]
The X is probably worth 30K; my ordinary Cougar is worth 25K even though it cost 18.
Personally, I don't need or want 4 doors, leather, and walnut paneling. I can get those in a library along with a lot of books.
Maybe they'll get thier heads screwed on straight and get it right for the 2006 product cycle (if there is a Cougar in the future plans).
Skip G.
The new X-Type is a BEAUTIFUL car though. The Mondeo is also sharp looking. I just wish they would bring it over to the states. That might get me to buy another american car and possibly another Ford product!! I won't hold my breath!!