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Cougar Support Group - Bigger & Better

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    badulahbadulah Member Posts: 961
    Morning everyone! I'm still driving the purple nurple mobile. I'm hoping to get my Cat back tomorrow after work. This weekend I drove down to my parents house at 2am on Friday night (actually Saturday morning). There was hardly any traffic on the highway. I really missed my kitty. The driving conditions were perfect for an evening cruise.

    Fish8:
    Welcome back!!

    Go over to the "Meet the members topic" and tell us about your vacation.
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    bobschmbobschm Member Posts: 42
    Took the weekend off and now I'm back.

    My radio does NOT play with the key out. I tried everything. I've got the combo CD/Cassette player and according to the manual the power switch controls the on/off even with no key and the radio will shut itself off after an hour. It even shows a picture of my radio. However, there's no clue about any special procedure to get this to work. Maybe mine is defective.

    Does anyone have the same radio as me? Does yours have a clock? My clock in the radio is disabled (or removed?) because there's one in the dash so it's redundant. Maybe they disabled the timer for the power function as well.

    Gonna have to contact the dealer about this one.
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    catscratchcatscratch Member Posts: 34
    bobschm
    I've also got the cass/cd combo and it doesn't work w/o the key either. I haven't really checked into it because I'm not that concerned. As long as it works on accessory power, I'm content =)
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    bobschmbobschm Member Posts: 42
    Does yours do anything when you push the CLK button? Mine just says "NO". Maybe the manual is wrong on this model. [gasp] An error in a manual!? Horrors.
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    coolchickcoolchick Member Posts: 174
    I really embarrassed myself today.

    Was heading to a local drive-through to get lunch, but the line wasn't moving at all, so I decided to park and go in. Of course, all this while inside my head a little voice is going "don't eat that junk food."

    So I pull into the parking spot, do the typical post-flight check, unbuckle, open the door, hit the automatic lock, and then decide that, no, I am NOT going to eat deep fried fat with seasonings for lunch. I shut the door, stick the key in the ignition & turn, and my security alarms starts going off!

    I'm going nuts because I can't remember what it is I'm supposed to punch, press, hit or turn to make it stop, and Adelaide keeps HONK HONK HONK HONK HONKing along. Of course, there are about four or five trucks full of yard crews in the lot, so I've got 20-30 Bolivian & Salvadoran guys looking laughing and pointing while HONK HONK HONK continues.

    I finally got it to stop and slunk off in mortification. Only good thing to come of it is that I didn't get the junk food.
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    camelardcamelard Member Posts: 171
    Most people that drive "hard" don't admit it but here is my take:

    The short definition: Any driving habit that prematurely wears any part on the car.

    The Top Five "Hard" Driving habits:

    5. Riding the brakes (mostly automatic drivers but even a few with manual trannies)

    4. Popping the clutch to chirp the tires (up or down).

    3. Riding the clutch

    2. The balancing act - riding the clutch and accelerator while stopped on a hill - wears the clutch and the clutch plate

    And the number one "Hard" driving habit:

    1. Under Shifting. This usually occurs when racing off the line. Bad for the engine and generally results in losing the race. Get out of first as fast as possible.

    Badulah:

    Hope you get your Kitty back tomorrow. If not, remember it could be worse. It could be an orange Lada.
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    giddeup_50giddeup_50 Member Posts: 27
    I have always driven manuals and never had adverse wear from the "balancing" act. Though most of the time I could use the hand brake for leverage. Which is a good thing. But I was able to get well over 110,000 miles out of a clutch on a 93 Ranger and had no choice but use the "act" on hills. Especially on San Francisco Hills! Ford uses foot parking brakes on their trucks even with manuals. You can imagine what little use that is on a hill. I needed another left leg or be a contortionist; neither of which are my physical attributes.
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    giddeup_50giddeup_50 Member Posts: 27
    Been there coolchick:

    And always in the most embarrassing places. Almost two years into this relationship and I still occassionally hit the panic button while pulling out my keys or if I hit the hatch release when I'm more than 15s away from the car and then open the hatch thinking "I'm cool" and then having to fumble for the keys in my pocket once more, and then deciding is it unlock or panic or lock then panic ARRRGGGGHH! :)
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    badulahbadulah Member Posts: 961
    Coolchick:
    It's happened to me too. Happened once in the mall parking lot, and once in my driveway.
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    badulahbadulah Member Posts: 961
    All:
    Please be sure to update your profiles whenever your email address changes. I have been trying to email several of you, but the addresses listed are no longer in service.

    Thanks!
    Rob
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    fastback2fastback2 Member Posts: 55
    Coolchick

    Had virtually the same thing happen to me in the parking lot of a bagel shop near work. Back then I had to wait it out(thankfully there wasn't much of an audience). I've yet to find a "cancel" procedure for the alarm, and if anyone here knows about such a thing please let me know.
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    badulahbadulah Member Posts: 961
    Cancel Procedure for Mercury Cougar Alarm System (V6 and I4 models):

    When alarm sounds, press all four of the key fobs buttons in no particular order until the damn thing shuts up.

    8-)
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    fastback2fastback2 Member Posts: 55
    Updated my email address. MSN was getting awfully slow so I switched to a local ISP.
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    coolchickcoolchick Member Posts: 174
    Well, at least EVERYBODY noticed my kitty :)

    Had a gas station attendant come out and pump my gas today just so he could get a better look at her.
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    catscratchcatscratch Member Posts: 34
    when the alarm is sounding, simply press the panic button again. must be very close to vehicle...'bout a foot away from driver's door works for me...
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    catscratchcatscratch Member Posts: 34
    bob
    yea, mine says "no clk"....that feature is disabled at the factory when you order the combo cd/cass

    on another note, my local dealer has the sun and fun cougar. msrp = 21,9XX Personally, it doesn't appeal to me...yellow=yick! And I think the spoiler is a bit ugly. It didn't have the cougar black out in the rear window, wonder what's up with that... If I had a camera(not to mention digital) I would take some pics....suppose if I was really energetic I could buy a disposable...
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    badulahbadulah Member Posts: 961
    There are very few cars I think look good in yellow.
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    giddeup_50giddeup_50 Member Posts: 27
    My other half has the new Yellow Jeep Wrangler and I think it looks pretty good! I just have flashbacks to my childhood and wonder where the "TONKA" label is....
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    badulahbadulah Member Posts: 961
    I had a friend in high school who had a late 80's model Mustang GT that was yellow with black tinted windows all the way around. At first I didn't like it, but it really grew on me after awhile. Occasionally I see a brand new yellow rag top Vette running around my neighborhood. I also think it looks good in yellow.
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    malibumalibu Member Posts: 155
    I'm back...this vacation was my first since I got my new cat. I suffered separation anxiety. My husband told me to quit whinning about my car or he would buy me an airline ticket and fly my a-- home to be with it! The nerve! So of course I talked about it even more! As soon as I got home I uncovered her and made the excuse I had to get gas for the week just so I could drive her.

    I did notice my hatch button didn't release the hatch this morning when I got to work. Not the remote. I guess I'll have to have that checked out, also my R on cougar is coming off the back, I hope they can fix it. Other than that, 2 weeks, 1,000 miles and no complaints, just alot of compliments and stares!

    Catscratch: I too have the cd/tape combo, I had no idea the radio even had that feature, I will check it out this evening and let you know if mine works.
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    fish8fish8 Member Posts: 2,282
    Welcome back from you vacation. I just got back last Sat from my vacation so I now how you felt.

    I had the same problem with my V in "V6". I looked at it one day and it was cracked in half. The dealer replaced it under warranty. I think mine cracked when I washed my car by dragging the towel or mitt over it. Just my theory.

    Yellow cars: I think the New Beetle in yellow is sorta cool. Eventhough I personally would never drive it.

    Today while driving home I noticed another rattle near the passenger airbag. If it gets worse I will have the dealer take a look at it.

    My Cat turns 1 year old in 8 days (June 28). WOOOOHOOOOOOO!!!!! May be I will give her a good washing and waxing!!!! Does anyone know any other presents I can buy for my Cat???
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    coolchickcoolchick Member Posts: 174
    fish -- she always appreciate a cargo net. If you're thinking more budget-minded, get a pack of Swiffers to keep in the car. They're great for getting the dust & pollen off the dash quickly. Can spruce her up while waiting for the light to change :)
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    fish8fish8 Member Posts: 2,282
    coolchick: Thanks for the suggestions. I already have the cargo net and love it. I hear people talk about the Swiffers all the time. Are they that good? It seems as if they would leave some sort of residue on the dash. Is that not the case?? I already keep a towel under my seat to wipe off the film on the inside of the windsheild or the dash whilw waiting at a light. My wife thinks I have totally lost it!!!! Does anyone else keep a little towel under the drivers seat?
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    camelardcamelard Member Posts: 171
    coolchick is right and you haven't lost it. I keep Swiffers in the storage bin on the centre console. They pick up dust, lint, pollen, you name it, and no residue. They are wonderful and I am sure your Cat would love some for her birthday.

    My Cat hasn't told me her name yet. Just being cheeky I'm sure, so I will have to keep on driving her until she decides to reveal it.
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    mws0520mws0520 Member Posts: 45
    What can be said about vacation other than I should get one every other week.

    Thanks to those of you who defended my honor in the recent MWS0520 bash fest. I love a good bashing.

    Special thanks to Badulah who provided me with a 3 page synopsis of events over the past 10 days. It was much appreciated. "The check is in the mail" or so they say.
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    dasaint1dasaint1 Member Posts: 230
    I didn't know that the stereo had that 1 hr feature until I read it here. So I decided to give it a try on my stereo, and it worked. Turned the car off, hit the on button on the radio, and it said 1 HR and then turned on. I have the CD only stereo (not the cassette/CD combo).

    I just got my Silver Frost Cat tinted in light smoke tint. Man, she looks even better than before. Plus, I bought the front mask cover ($100 at the dealer). I installed the hood cover which was pretty easy. The cover for the bumpers requires 4 screws, so I'll play around with that this weekend. I really like the way she looks with just the hood cover, almost like the lone ranger.

    Talk about yellow cars!!! I had a '79 Yellow Nova. Man, that car looked like a banana on wheels. I parked that car at least 2 blocks from my job, so noone at work would see me driving it. I don't hate yellow, but that yellow didn't look good on the Nova. The car ran good though.
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    dasaint1dasaint1 Member Posts: 230
    If you don't have one already, get your Cat a front mask cover. It'll keep the bugs and minor scratches away--she'll really appreciate that. If you have one already, you could always get a scratching post--all cats love that.
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    stageleftstageleft Member Posts: 391
    Hey all, didn't get the chance to scare the begeezus out of you yesterday afternoon, so I'll go ahead and do that today.

    I went to the State inspection facility yesterday to get the car safety and emissions tested to make sure I'm legal for another two years. I got there around lunchtime and was surprised that I was only 4th in line. I thought it was going to be a breeze, but unfortunately it wasn't windy out.

    Almost 3 hours later, my Cat goes into the inspection bay. The tech inpects all the normal stuff for safety: seatbelts; headlights; brakes; rear lights; etc. VA State just last month mandated the use of an emissions dynomometer, so he pulls the front paws up onto the rollers and straps it down. He opens the hood and asks if I replaced the stock air cleaner. Having done so, I told him I had, but it shouldn't be any trouble because it's a 50-state legal filter.

    He told me that even if it passes according to the computer, he would have to fail me for "tampering with an emissions device". WHAT??? Yeah, the factory "Electrostatic Air Filtration Unit" must not be there because the stock air cleaner box is gone. I went insane.

    He proceeds to run the tests anyway, and the car passes with nary a glitch from any emissions related part, but he did just what he said he was going to do: Fail me.

    I went berzerk! I asked him if there was any place I could dispute this stupid new law, and he gave me the number for the State emissions representative. I called when I got back to the office and gave the State a piece of my mind.

    I got a call back from the State guy after about 10 minutes and he had spoken to the inspector at the service station, told him there was no way to prove the vehicle ever came equipped with an "Electrostatic Air Filtration Unit" (he had never heard of the new Cougar. He kept asking me, "Are you sure it's a 99?" I could only laugh and tell him they've come a long way since being on the T-bird platform.

    Anyway, he says that I should go back to the station to get my free retest, but the tech should mark the filter category with N/A (not applicable) instead of fail, for tampering with the system.

    So back to the station I go. Again, the Cat passed, but this time I didn't get a stupid tampering Failure mark and I got my emissions. If I could almost get failed for the replacement of my air cleaner, I feel sorry for those folks who do more drastic mods.

    Never mentioned the Borla. Didn't even notice that the car was supposed to be equipped with a single exhaust. The car passed the computer.

    Just a warning to anyone going to get thier Cats inspected if you've got any aftermarket parts: If you have the original pieces, it will save you a headache and high blood pressure.

    Good luck out there in Cougarland, and I'll update later on.

    Take care all, and Happy Cougaring!
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    badulahbadulah Member Posts: 961
    Malibu & MWS:
    Welcome back!! I hope the two of you enjoyed your time off. I'm going on vacation 4th of July week and the week after. I can't wait to have some time off.

    StageLeft:
    So what your saying here is to bend the truth when they ask you if you changed any parts.

    "No, I swear that KKM intake comes stock with the Cougar. This is the limited edition CSG Cougar and it comes from the factory with all these cool upgraded parts."
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    gustafscgustafsc Member Posts: 361
    Did the guy ask if you wanted fries with your inspection?

    Ah! Burocracy at it's best :)

    Skip G.
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    stageleftstageleft Member Posts: 391
    Badulah:

    Actually, you should mention that the Air Cleaner portion of the emissions questionnaire (on the tech's computer) should be N/A for the Electrostatic thingamajig. I don't know if all of them will accept that, but it's worth a shot.

    Gustaf:

    I had to pay for my own soft-drink while I was there! I got nothing!
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    malibumalibu Member Posts: 155
    I tried the stereo trick last night, didn't work it must not work on the cd/tape combo. I plan on replacing the stereo anyway next month. I tried to get a front mask, but with the extra spoiler on the front it won't fit.

    I had to teach a girl in an escort some manners this morning on the way to work...don't push! they just don't understand in traffic you can't ride someones tail and get anywhere. I was more concerned about her hitting my cat than anything, I slowed way down and let the slow lane pass, then when we came to a hill, she lost her momentum and I punched it...I looked in the rearview mirror and she was holding up traffic in the fast lane and everyone was riding her tail! I have seen her many times on our morning commute when I had the 4-runner, I had to move cause I had no power, now I can say bye bye cause I have POWER!
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    esbrockesbrock Member Posts: 88
    The good news is that I actually saw a new Cougar commercial on TV last night. I was so excited I forgot to check what channel it was on. Is that pathetic or what?

    The bad news is that I've spotted someone in San Antonio driving a black cougar with one of those God awful double wing rice-boy spoilers on the back. I felt so embarassed for his car. Why would anyone think those things are worth paying for?
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    stageleftstageleft Member Posts: 391
    I think I saw the same commercial.

    I was flipping channels, as usual, when I fell into MTV's most expensive videos countdown. The very next commercial break started with a young woman being berated by her peers and elders for not buying a "sensible" car. Anyhoo, I guess the reason they were riding her was because she opted for the perfectly annointed 2000 Mercury Cougar. Nice commercial.

    (BTW, the most expensive video ever made is Michael Jackson's Scream @ $7.5 Million.)
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    esbrockesbrock Member Posts: 88
    THAT'S THE ONE!!!!!!!!!! It was corny, but at least it exists.
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    badulahbadulah Member Posts: 961
    My girlfriend said she saw it too. I guess FMC took our advice and actually made a commercial for the Cat. Its about time!!
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    halo_1halo_1 Member Posts: 27
    That commercial has been around for a long time on MTV. I believe I posted that I saw this commerical about 2 or 3 CSG topics ago; before we came over to the Owner's Club...
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    stageleftstageleft Member Posts: 391
    I thought I remembered reading something about a commercial on MTV, then it went into a rhetoric about whether MTV had changed and that VH1 was better these days.

    It was that same commercial though?
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    mws0520mws0520 Member Posts: 45
    Catscratch (post #168) Can you tell me the name and city of the dealer you visited? All of the Special Edition's should have the Cougar in the back glass (note that it is very subtle, it is not big and ugly). Let me know so I can follow up. Thanks.
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    jdicejdice Member Posts: 24
    Hi all,
    I'm picking up my kitty this week, and I'm wondering if I should put a cargo net in. What's involved? Can I order one from that icollection web site that was mentioned a while back, or do I need to get this from the dealer? Also, for some reason, CarOrder actually gave me the CD/cassette combo for free when all I wanted was the single CD. malibu, you said you were replacing yours? Any particular reason? I've heard some people talk about the new Aiwa and Kenwood decks that play MP3s; anyone put one of those in your kitty?
    Thanks.
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    dasaint1dasaint1 Member Posts: 230
    Regarding the front mask, you don't have to buy both pieces (hood & bumper cover for $100). You can get just the hood cover (it's called the mini mask front end cover for $54.67). It looks really cool.

    If you've seen a picture of the mini mask, the new one is a little different. The old one wrapped all the way down to the wheel well. The new one that I have attaches to the front tip of the hood only. You can open and close the hood without removing or disconnecting the mini mask. And did I mention that it looks really cool!!!
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    dasaint1dasaint1 Member Posts: 230
    It seems kinda odd that FMC would start putting commercials of the 2000 Cougar now when the '01 is only a month or two away.

    MWS, do you know if Ford is planning on advertising the '01 Cougar? Hey man, at least advertise the Cougar S.

    If Ford doesn't wanna spend money advertising the Cougar, I got another suggestion. On the next James Bond movie, I'd like to see him driving a Cougar with a 4.6 V8. Imagine all the gizmos you can put on that Cat. Hmmmm!! Put the Cougar in a movie--that's better than any advertisement in MTV.

    Just curious, but how many people in here actually watch MTV? I don't. Could it be that Ford is advertising in the wrong place??
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    malibumalibu Member Posts: 155
    Jdice: I can feel your excitement on getting your cat! You will love it. I have a client that ownes an Alpine Stereo store and he put the system in our boat and in our F350, he will give me a great deal on a system with a changer. The stock one isn't bad in my opinion, just want something a little louder with a changer.

    Dasaint1: I will check into the mask info....THANKS! The commercial described above is the same one my daughter saw, I tried watching MTV to see it, but couldn't handle it that long.
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    fish8fish8 Member Posts: 2,282
    I have always been very skeptical about puting a bra on my Cat. I have heard horror stories that people find scratches all over the front of the car from the bra flapping in the wind. I guess if you have a bra you need to keep the front very clean and waxed. The only reason I thought about getting one was for my trip down to Florida. After the trip I would take the bra off. Just my opinion!!!!!

    Welcome back MWS!!!!
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    stageleftstageleft Member Posts: 391
    Theory:

    Mercury is advertising the '00 Cougars to sell them and make room at dealerships for the '01s. Typical. They probably won't advertise the '01 Cougar either. Although, if they do want to show an ad for the "S", they should show it out running something. Maybe even show how well the Cat handles. At least the older Bond-esque spots showed the car handling a bit.
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    catscratchcatscratch Member Posts: 34
    MWS
    If the cougar blackout is a subtle feature, I may have just overlooked it. The car is up on a display ramp, thus preventing a guy from getting up close and personal w/ the car.

    Medford Motors, Inc.
    Medford, WI 54451

    There's the info anywhoo...
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    giddeup_50giddeup_50 Member Posts: 27
    It may be a while before any new commericals are made as long as the actor's guild strike is on...
    L/M just got into some hot water while trying to shoot an LS spot using a non-union actor and trying to use "feature darkening makeup" to cover him up. Though this done, so I understand, to hide the driver and emphasize the car (which is the selling point of the spot), but with the strike ongoing, it was taken as a racial slur as well. Consequently, that spot will not be aired...
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    badulahbadulah Member Posts: 961
    Actor Guild smacter guild. They should get us to do a commercial!!
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    badulahbadulah Member Posts: 961
    All:
    We have completed the first step in getting the CSG back up to speed. We now have an official mailing address.

    Earlier in this topic we mentioned that donations will be needed to get the web site moved to an official URL with A LOT more space. We received several emails and numerous posts from members who would like to donate to the CSG. If all of you are still interested, you can mail your donations to:

    Cougar Support Group
    PO Box 41
    Hawthorne, New Jersey
    07506

    Please be sure to include your screen name somewhere in the envelope. We do not have a business bank account yet, so please make checks payable to Robert J. Kibler (that's me, Badulah), or you can send cash. We know this is very unofficial like, but we do have plans to get a business bank account in the very near future. We will send anyone who donates a receipt for their donation. If anyone has any questions, please feel free to email us, we will be happy to answer them.

    Sincerely,
    Rob Kibler AKA "Badulah" &
    Joe Pilkington AKA "StageLeft"
    CSG Caretakers
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    jimcal1jimcal1 Member Posts: 11
    Thanks to Malibu for posting pictures of the California Special Edition 2000 on the CSG site. But the pictures tell me the designers still do not have a clue as to what their market should be. All they have done is slather A1 sauce on an underdone steak. They should take the $1350 and spend it on a 200-225 hp V6.
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