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Cougar Support Group - A New Start

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Comments

  • jschuld1jschuld1 Member Posts: 2
    I love my Cougar ....drives like a dream...what a great automobile...Thanks Mercury!
  • fish8fish8 Member Posts: 2,282
    I think you have a valid point. Yes, we came across as "bashing" the "slammed" Cougar and if I (WE) offended you or anyone else I apologize. It was not intentional. I just love my stock Cougar so much I get a little emotional when I see another Cougar that looks nothing like a stock Cat. But, if you like that look more power to you. If this world did not have any diversity it would be a rather boring place to live. I think I speak for the entire group here, when I say ALL Cougar owners are welcome to our "club".

    I'm glad you posted your opinion and again am sorry if any feelings were hurt. Good luck with your future Cougar purchase. You will love it.
  • panthapantha Member Posts: 6
    "I've wondered what the Citrus Gold looks like -
    Now that I've seen it, I think it's my second fav
    nexto to my Laser Red kitty. Thanks for the pic!"

    Glad you liked the pic :)
    The Laser Red is my second favorite color next to Citrus Gold. If I wouldn't have had a red car for 10 years, I DEFINITELY would have picked Laser Red . . .what a HOT color!!
    Mindy
  • panthapantha Member Posts: 6
    "Pantha:
    If I didn't own a Cougar, I probably wouldn't like
    you. In fact, I'd probably hate you for making me
    miss the light."

    Please understand, I am a very polite driver as are most of the people here in lovely Knoxville, TN. OK, sometimes I will stop at a yellow light instead of driving through . . . that's all. Isn't it wonderful to share the beauty of this car with as many people as possible?

    "But thanks for posting your Citrus Gold Cat--I had
    never seen one before. The color takes some
    getting used to--just can't seem to picture the Cat
    in that color."

    My opinion . . . the color is magnificient and totally original. Mine is THE ONLY ONE I've seen on the road.

    "BTW, I was expecting your picture to include you
    with cool shades on. What's up with that!?!"

    Uhhhhhhh . . . I was taking the picure? Anyway my car is the one getting all the attention and that is just fine with me . . . I'm natually a bit shy :)
    Mindy
  • jayhawk5jayhawk5 Member Posts: 70
    Speaking of citrus gold cats, I've never seen one here in the Washington DC area. The only ones I've seen, are in the showroom. It seems like the cougars I've personally seen on the road are either silver, black, or red (although just a couple red ones). That was a nice picture though!
  • stageleftstageleft Member Posts: 391
    Jayhawk:

    If you travel the section of 495 between Springfield and Tyson's Corner, you may have seen my red Cat! That's my rush hour, BTW - I don't wish it on anyone. It seems like the past week has just had one thing or another disrupting the flow every day.
  • badulahbadulah Member Posts: 961
    california1:
    I have to agree with you. In order to promote our club we shouldn't bash other owners. I'm sorry for coming off so harsh.

    I personally have several modifications to my Cat. Tinted windows, massive stereo, Superchip, KKM Tru-Rev intake system, and I plan to install the Borla cat-back system this summer. So I have nothing agains modifications is general, especially if they are performance mods. It just annoys me when people go out and spend a ton of cash trying to make their car look fast instead of investing the cash to make it fast.

    To me there is nothing worse than a person who has mod stating stickers all over their car, but doesn't have any of the actual mods the stickers advertise for.

    Yes looks are important, but if your going to talk the talk, you should walk the walk. I'm personally not in to the "all show and no go" modification approach.

    Everyone is entitled to their opinion and we all have different tastes, but I will try not to be so harsh in the future. It won't be easy, but i'll do it for the sake of the club.

    If you havn't already, check out the CSG home page at:
    http://home.att.net/~cougarsupportgroup for added Cougar information.
  • badulahbadulah Member Posts: 961
    All:

    I'm pretty sure the following article is rather old, but take a look at it anyway.

    www.ac.net/~haywood/mycougar.htm
  • fish8fish8 Member Posts: 2,282
    Anyone in here think we may be able to get a group discount on this exaust system?

    Go to www.beaterz.com

    click on Reviews
    click on simply rice and go to mega pipe.

    This is sweet.
  • badulahbadulah Member Posts: 961
    I have a recycle bin full of parts we could use to assemble these at the LP gathering!
  • california1california1 Member Posts: 3
    All, please be assured I was not offended by anyones remarks. I just think all owners should feel like part of a unique group (which you all seem to agree with) and thought I needed to get that point across. I think it's great to share opinions and have open discussion (even if people disagree). Again, I just felt that maybe the person who owned the Cougar being discussed might think twice about attending a function. Remember, I don't even own a Cougar at this time.

    Badulah - Some of my friends share your opinion about visual modifications only (vs. actual performance enhancing mods). I have to think that a lot of people start with the visual mods first, and as finances allow, they move into the performance modifications. Also, there are a lot of people who probably fear doing modifications under the hood due to warranty issues. And don't forget those who just love the performance of their base cats, and don't feel any need to make any changes. I have to be honest though...the more power the better for me!!!

    Again, no offense here...I think this is a great site with tons of useful information!
  • badulahbadulah Member Posts: 961
    california1:
    As I said in my previous post, your right. We need to be open to ALL Cougar owners. I would hate to lose potential members because of a few snide remarks made by yours truly.

    I personally like some of the effects packages on the market (key word being "some"). And I am all for making things look good, but it's those that go just a little to far that make me wonder. Without any add-ons the Cat grabs TONS of positive attention. Tastefully done with effects and tint the Cat looks can be intensified, but some people don't know when to quit.

    I will try and follow what my parents always told me as a child:
    "If you don't have anything good to say, say nothing at all".

    I will give him some credit though:
    I do like the effects kit he has, and the stereo installation was done very nicely.
  • dasaint1dasaint1 Member Posts: 230
    California1:
    You made an excellent point. I try to be open-minded on things and appreciate opinions different from mine. BUT still, that car was UGLY (don't you agree?!?). I'm not saying all cars with stickers/body mods look ugly--just that one in particular. Who am I to say that-->that's just my opinion (we don't have to agree on it).

    I don't know if it's because I'm an East Coast guy or what, but I just hate stickers. I did live in Sacramento for 2 years, although Sacto. is a pretty conservative city and doesn't set any trends. While I was living there and even now, I like slammed cars, low riders and other trends that usually come out of the West Coast. I even look at the magazines in the bookstores that cater to these particular crowd. So I actually have an appreciation for it. Although it's not something I would do to my own car.

    But let's be honest here. If my wife is buying a butt-ugly dress in the store, I'm gonna tell her it's ugly. Some mods looks nice, and some are really tacky/ugly (that's probably why I wouldn't modify my Cat--I don't wanna spend money on it, and it looks worse).

    However, I would welcome that CAT owner to CSG, whoever he/she is.

    PS
    I wonder what people who modify their cars with tons of stickers, spoilers, etc. say to (think of) people who don't.
  • katlvrkatlvr Member Posts: 23
    I've finally stopped crying...I can talk now...(sob)...give me a minute...Ok so I parked my kitty outside of Macs Milk Store and was standing in line and aaandd (sniffle) this horrible treacherous ugly cruel Corolla rammed into her...Ugh hnmm (katlvr blubbering still holding the noose) she's so hurt. I hate those foreigners damn Toyota!!!(I'll be ok...oh God why me?)
  • coolchickcoolchick Member Posts: 174
    katlvr --

    I'm so sorry. How bad is it? Should we send flowers?
  • jayhawk5jayhawk5 Member Posts: 70
    Sorry to hear about your cat. Why is it that Cougars seem to be wreck magnets? I know how you feel somewhat. Someone backed into the side of my brand new cat (and took off) in the first week I had her. The important thing is that you are ok. Your cougar will be fixed and looking good in no time flat!!! Hang in there!
  • dasaint1dasaint1 Member Posts: 230
    Got a question for you. Since you were a former police officer, maybe you can answer this question. While I was driving down to Florida, I hooked up with a convoy of cars cruising at 90 mph on a 70 mph zone. We were doing this for a while since there were long stretches of open highways. If a cop car with a radar gun happened to be hiding on one of those police traps, who would get pulled over? The one leading the convoy since he/she would've been gunned by the radar first? The last car in the convoy since he/she would've been the first car the police would've caught up to?? Does it matter??? I tried to stay in the middle of the pack.
  • fish8fish8 Member Posts: 2,282
    Has anyone in here experienced any "bubbling" in the top corner of you windsheild? I have noticed tiny bubbles in the top driver side corner. It seems to be getting worse as it gets warmer out. I also noticed that since I washed my car yesterday, it appears to have seaped(sp)into the bubbles. When I press on the corner, I can see moisture bubbles. I am afraid that if the dealer needs to replace the entire windsheild I may start to experience leaks or excess wind noise.

    Any thoughts? Anyone?

    Side note: I was pulling out of my parking space at the gas station and I see this lady mouthing something to me. I looked closer and she was saying " I LOVE YOUR CAR". I said thanks and drove off. It was cool!!!
  • katlvrkatlvr Member Posts: 23
    It's really just a scratch but to me it is magnified 100 fold cuz I can't stand to see my baby hurting...aahooooo
  • powerslidepowerslide Member Posts: 48
    It's a car, just a car, only a car. Get over it!
  • fredlyfredly Member Posts: 201
    eeeeek, a car might just be a car, but a cougar on the other hand.....
    if a car was just a car, I would have bought a yugo, or some other
    non-descript object with 4 wheels.

    New car owners, in general will try to keep the car in as good as possible
    condition, in some events we get a scratch and after all the mourning
    we get on with life....it hurts when someone violates your personal
    property by scratching it.
    Oh well


    Hey MWS: How's the lifeline going? Told ya it was a hard one to answer ;)

    I envision MWS on the factory floor going "hey you get one 15", 16", 16"(polished),
    ok now go weigh them down at the supermarket"
  • fish8fish8 Member Posts: 2,282
    powerslide obviously does not own a Cougar.

    What do you drive powerslide?
  • daexpertdaexpert Member Posts: 140
    Hey guys,
    I haven't posted in a while but my new kitty is doing just fine. The only problem so far is that I cannot close the passanger's side window. I can open it just fine, but I cannot close it, any of you guys have experienced this before?

    I used my a/c for teh first time yesterday (90F!!) and I had forgetten how much power it takes away from the car, but still, not nearly as bad as in the automatic.

    I think I'm going to try and get the Borla exhaust system (dual outlet) for my kitty. I like how it sounds and I assume it increases performance a bit, probably not too much, but at least it'll sound nice. I know this is the wrong place to post this but I just didn't want to do two separate posts (sorry guys). What's the best deal you guys think I can get on teh Borla? Any other options that peform just as well as the Borla? If you guys prefer to answer this in the "modifications" segment that would be okay too, I will also look there. Thanks!!!
  • dgeminidgemini Member Posts: 161
    I know the feeling, my kitty was hit about a month ago, thankfully it was in and out the shop in under 3 weeks.

    Just make sure you check the car thoroughly, and show every little thing to the insurance agent.

    For example, my kitty's left headlight was fine except for the little piece of weatherstripping that the hood sits upon when it is closed.

    There was a little gap between the light assembly and the weatherstripping that wasn't their before the accident, and it is still there. I didn't show it to the insurance agent.

    It is very minor, and no one except me will notice it, but I should have mentioned. There is no way to fix it from what I have seen so it will probably require a new headlight assembly.

    However, now I do not want to take my car back to the shop to get something so "minor" fixed, so I am stuck with it for now.

    Good luck
  • catscratchcatscratch Member Posts: 34
    Razzi offers the dual cat back exhaust system for $550 plus shipping. All you need to do is join NECO, www.newcougar.org

    Here is a portion of the email I recieved from them when I asked for more info.

    We are also offering the Custom Borla DUAL Exhaust Catback System at a discounted price for NECO members of $575 (Regular price is $699). We sell a bendable/moldable Mesh Screen (non-rusting) for the front air duct opening for $25. These prices are all U.S.$$ (just in case you don’t live in the USA) and these prices naturally do not include S&H. Shipping from Razzi to a business in the US is usually $60…..Shipping from Razzi to a Residential Address in the US is $100. We advise that you arrange it so that we can ship your products to a “business address” so you can save some money on the S&H.

    The Stainless Steel DUAL Borla Exhaust is also a complete “Bolt-on” system (no welding) and should take about 1 ½ hrs. to install with normal hand tools (wrenches, sockets, etc). Borla says that their Cougar DUAL exhaust should increase your horsepower from 7% up to 15%. All installation instructions are included (even installation “Tips”) and they are pretty basic and easy to follow.


    I know there was a better discount offered with a group purchase from a different supplier, but I'm not up to snuff w/ the details on that one. This should give you a good idea on pricing. And if you find a better deal, be sure to let me know as I'll be wanting the Borla in the next few months...

    catscratch
  • fredlyfredly Member Posts: 201
    http://www.verdone.com/ had borla duals for 528 shipped, he may have some left
    I dunno. Talk to Dana, when you call and mention the NECO deal. And there was one other deal out there, but people have been waiting over a month already for it.
  • katlvrkatlvr Member Posts: 23
    Thanks for your support....I know its just a car to people...but to me she's so much more... sorry for being such a crybaby...aaaahhhooo umm umm umm
  • badulahbadulah Member Posts: 961
    powerslide:
    Thank you, drive through.

    katlvr:
    No need to thank us, all of us know how you feel. The single ding in my Cat drives me crazy! I feel your pain.

    Dasaint1:
    Generally speaking, staying in the middle of the pack is usually a good idea. Some guys will get the pack leader, and some will get the last guy in the group.
  • stageleftstageleft Member Posts: 391
    Katlvr:

    I'm sorry to hear about your incident, and if it's any consellation, maybe the people who hit Cougars are just jealous that they don't have a car that looks that good so they feel they need to take something away from it. Have you taken it anywhere for estimates on the repair?

    Hey all, just to give you an update, I'm travelling on business this week, so I'll try to post and read as often as possible. Darn, I guess I'll just have to be on business at the beach in this lovely 90-95 degree weather! Woe is me! LOL!

    Take care and Happy Cougaring!
  • krnchkrnch Member Posts: 127
    I was away for 2.5 weeks. It has taken me almost two hours to catch up with the posts in this section only. Wow!

    Just a few comments on the last 300 posts I read in this topic (I know, some may seem pretty late):

    I occasionally use my handbrake on steep hills. If you try this, be sure to keep the release button pushed in. If done properly, this technique will ensure you don't roll back at all. Just pull the brake up and start to pull away in first, as usual. When the car starts to tug, release the brake. I only do this when someone is right on my rear bumper on a steep hill.

    I beleive the redline on a stock V6 is 6750 rpm. 6250 is the rpm that generates peak horsepower, but it will go further (at least mine will). I imagine the redline is not shown as a cost-saving measure so that the same face can be used on the I-4 and V-6. Perhaps it was to allow for mods like the superchip that raise the redline (but I doubt this was FoMoCo's intent).

    I'm glad to hear that Mercury is sticking around, MWS, at least in the US. Here in Canada Mercury is no more, but Ford is continuing to carry the Cougar. Even if Mercury were to "die" world-wide, the Cougar could persevere (SP?) - e.g., Ford Cougar in Europe.

    I find the driving/fog lights really help to light up curbs. There is a great parkway near my house that has square curbs and no shoulder. I definitely wouldn't want to hit one by accident at night.

    Hey badulah, I noticed the Jersey plates on that Coug with all the stickers. Are you sure that's not your black cat in new clothes? ;)

    Sorry to hear about your scratch Katlvr. I hope you can get it fixed up 'good as new'.

    Happy Cougaring all, it's good to be back. I missed this yarn. I think its addicting.

    A.
  • badulahbadulah Member Posts: 961
    Krnch:
    Glad to hear from you!

    Unless my Cat is leading a double life behind my back, that is definitely not her (Badulah runs to the window to make sure she is still where he left her).
  • dgeminidgemini Member Posts: 161
    Rob, you are a funny guy. By the way, you might want to try removing your resonator on your kitty before you get your Borla. I know it is worth it because of the dual set-up, but I think you would like the effect of the kitty minus the resonator plus the KKM, and it only costs about 20 bucks.

    krnch: Yeah the kitty really does rev up higher than 6250. However, the owner's manual says that the car can be revved up to 6950! I decided to look it up myself the other day and it says that 6750 is the maximum recommended continuous rpms, and that it can be revved to 6950 for brief spurts.

    The other day I decided to see how my kitty would rev. I realized that I gave some bad poop a couple of weeks ago.

    My kitty always seems to hit the limiter just before it hits 7000 rpm, which leads me to believe the 6950 figure. I also realized that the limiter cuts the engine revs down in 1st and 2nd gear, while allowing it to stay at the maximum rpm in 3rd-5th gear.
  • fredlyfredly Member Posts: 201
    Dgemini, why remove the resonator prior to getting the borla?
    it comes out when the borla goes in anyway.

    Unless you mean instead of getting the borla.
    If so its no contest, the Borla just sounds much better, and performs better.
  • jdicejdice Member Posts: 24
    For those of you that have aftermarket sunroofs, a couple of questions:
    1) Any problems with them?
    2) Are they the kind that slide into the roof, or slide out on top of the roof, thus hopefully resulting in less headroom lost to the sunroof?
    3) Are the Hollandia emerald s models any larger once they're open than the standard Cougar roof? My main beef with the Cougar sunroof is that it looks like it's a huge opening, but only opens like 1/3 of the way, so unless you're Kate Moss, you can't fit more than maybe an arm through the opening.
    4) Any recommendations, thoughts, etc?
    Thanks.
  • badulahbadulah Member Posts: 961
    Fredly & Dgemini:
    I think the Borla comes with a resinator and two mufflers.
  • esbrockesbrock Member Posts: 88
    Since I've owned my cat, there has been one strange occurance. When I run the A/C, I notice a hesitation in the engine at around 3250 rpm. I figure it has something to do with the timing and compressor. Has anyone else noticed this? Does the superchip help eliminate this little quirk? If it does, I'll be ordering one ASAP.
  • badulahbadulah Member Posts: 961
    At that RPM your secondary throttle is engaging. The chip will allow the secondary throttle to open up at 2500rpm (aprox), but this may not solve your problem. You may experience the hesitation at the new secondary throttle point.

    Have you ever had this checked out at your local dealership?
  • vraj2525vraj2525 Member Posts: 5
    Daexpert,
    I've noticed that my passenger side window does not go up as quickly as my driver's side. It has never gotten stuck though. I don't know wheter it's worth fixing.
  • daexpertdaexpert Member Posts: 140
    I have actually experienced the same thing that esbrock has been experiencing when the A/C is used. I'lll have the dealer check it out for me when I get my first oil change, but I do not think it's anything serious, just a little annoying. But compared to my previous kitty, this kitty is perfect!!!
  • giddeup_50giddeup_50 Member Posts: 27
    I have experienced some hesitation since new (10/98) but it has not been enough to correct. A/C in general cuts into HP. One thing I notice with the hesitation is I get what's referred to as slight "trailer hitching" where the car appears to momentarily "hiccup" whenever the A/C compressor is activated (Defrost/Mix/ a& A/C) Again nothing that I want the dealer screwing with. They can barely handle a radio changeout!
  • dgeminidgemini Member Posts: 161
    Badulah,

    I was just recommending the resonator removal since it is cheap, and I believe you will be happy with the results, especially in conjunction with the KKM.

    Fredly,

    Believe it or not my kitty with resonator removed, and aftermarket muffler sounds very much like the Borla. ( I posted a while back that I met a guy with the Borla Duals).

    However, I will admit that the guy did not have a KKM. The Borla would probably sound a little deeper if the guy didn't still have his stock airbox.
  • dgeminidgemini Member Posts: 161
    I too have noticed hesitation in my kitty when the AC is on. However I haven't noticed it recently.

    I was actually planning on taking my kitty to the dealership to get the AC recharged since I didn't think it was getting very cold. However it would have had to put my stock airbox back on, something I do not want to do.

    However I turned it on and it got pretty cold. I think I will avoid going to the dealership and putting my stock airbox back on as long as I can.

    My last FOMOCO product, a Ford Escort, never saw the inside of a dealership after I purchased it.
    It ran fine for 5 years on oil changes every 5,000 miles, 1 spark plug change, 1 front and 1 back brake job.

    Now I just have to change ther cabin air filter. I think I will just buy the filter and do it myself, if it isn't too hard. I think I will try to save the 30,000 mile service for the dealer.

    Also, I noticed that you can get the factory sized tires from the dealer for less money than you can from a tire store. It still doesn't come close to Tire Rack's prices though.



    However, I cranked it up this afternoon
  • dgeminidgemini Member Posts: 161
    Please ignore "However, I cranked it up this afternoon"
  • lmigliorelmigliore Member Posts: 148
    Well, my Cougar did something no other car I've ever had has done: left me stranded so I had to call AAA. I went to FedEx to send a Mothers' Day gift and when I came out, cat no start. Didn't crank at all.

    The towing service that AAA dispatched sent a beefy dude who suggested a bump start. He pushed the Cougar (bodily, not with his truck) and I let out the clutch in 2nd; started right up, at which point I drove straight to the dealer.

    As I suspected, the switch that only lets you start with the clutch depressed had crapped out. Another case of the government helping me. Of course, if Ford had spent another nickel and used a switch good for more than a couple thousand actuations, it would have been OK too.

    Anyone else have a problem with this, or is it a freak occurance?
  • krnchkrnch Member Posts: 127
    The very first day I had my Cougar, October 28, 1998, it did the exact same thing. As you did, I called roadside assistance and the tow truck driver suggested a bum start. Started right up and I drove to the dealership. In my case it was (supposedly) just a loose wire that must of came loose during rust-proofing. I've never had the problem again. Freaky.
  • malibumalibu Member Posts: 155
    Well I decided to pull a fast one on my dealer, he has the day off and I'm dying to know the status of my cat. It's supposed to be here this Friday. I called Wings West in Newport Beach since I know the special edition kit is being installed down there. I spoke to a rep down there asked him what the status of the black 2000 cougar to be shipped to San Luis Obispo was and he replies "oh that one" and got real quiet. I said yes that one, he then tells me how it got damaged in shipping and is IN THE BODY SHOP! I was shocked. I haven't even seen her yet and she's already in the body shop. The rear lower quarter panel got scratched and dented. The good news is it still should be here Friday. I guess the bright side is her first dent is done and out of the way, since it seems all cougars get one right away maybe I'll have a credit in the dent dept. and be okay. Sooo I'll let you all know when she arrives and how she looks. I just can't help being excited and upset at the same time. Thanks for letting me vent.
  • katlvrkatlvr Member Posts: 23
    malibu - I feel your pain, I'm still in recovery.
  • jayhawk5jayhawk5 Member Posts: 70
    Malibu-good luck, I'm still in recovery from someone hitting me two months ago. I now park as far away from everyone as possible, even if it means walking half a mile across the parking lot.
  • gustafscgustafsc Member Posts: 361
    But just think of all the aerobic fitness benefits you're getting.

    I made it a habit to park away from it all a long time ago. Had one car (parked in the lot at work) that wound up looking like it'd been worked over with a shotgun.

    Skip G.
  • badulahbadulah Member Posts: 961
    My first car was hit by a UPS truck while parked in the lot at work. Ever since then I park way out in no man's land.

    I recently had to change parking spots here at work. The building owner decided to change landscaping contractors, and the new company uses these lawn mowers that shoot grass and anything else they run over all over the place. I came out of work last week and found my Cat covered in grass clippings. Needless to say I went crazy! I now park on the other side of the building away from the lawn.
This discussion has been closed.