Cougar Support Group - Chats On...

badulah · January 2001

Malibu:
Under normal conditions the Monte is faster than your Cat, but if your willing to get really down and dirty, the Cat has a higher top end speed. You could get him on the freeway late at night and show him what your Cat is really made of.

There aren't many cars that can do 140mph stock (145mph with the chip).

I do miss the rumble of my IROC-Z. You could hear me coming down the block in that car. It was such a cool sound. One of my neighbors has a Vette, and he has a Borla exhaust on it. When he drives by he always revs his engine, as if to remind me that his car is faster then mine. His car does sound really good, but he really needs to get a life.

malibu · January 2001

Thanks for the tip...He just constantly bugs me about how fast his car is and how he could just spank the cougar. I told him lets go down Los Berros Road...it's a very windy road that I drive everyday now that we live at the inlaws. He just laughs and says it too dangerous. His car has 200hp, but it's an automatic and alot heavier. I say lets take the GTO out and see what he's got. He just says no way, that wouldn't be fair. He's a diehard Chevy man and just want's to bag on my little kitty. Plus he's probably jealous! I know what you mean about the Iroc, a girl I work with drives one and vibrates my office windows. I drove the GTO one day and set off her alarm though. He-He. I'm hanging around you guys too much and getting bad habits!

dasaint1 · January 2001

Fish8, I used to open my door too, in order to pop the hatch. But Benisem had pointed out to me that if the door is locked, the hatch release won't work. She's right.

Although now, the hatch is exhibiting a new strange behavior. When I pop the hatch either by the key fob or release button, it pops the trunk open but not all the way open. It's as if there's two locks on the hatch and only the first one is released. I have to hit the fob or release button a second time to completely pop the hatch open. Does this happen to anyone else?

dasaint1 · January 2001

If my memory serves me correctly, you promised to catch and grill a big fish for us at Lake Placid. Since that didn't happen, you've got a second opportunity at Lime Rock.

Whadayasay?!? Everyone will be there with their apetite.

gustafsc · January 2001

Hatch pop up.

Mine's the same way.

I found that when opening the thing from the outside, hooking a couple of fingers under the edge of the hatch and then operating the remote with the remaining fingers allows you to pull the hatch when the lock releases.

I still believe that the problem is partially due to insufficient spring pressure. To my eye (and testing of the spring resiliency by hand) the spring is too small (short) and too weak to work reliably.

So far, Mercury has done everything but replace the spring or add a helper spring. Too simple, I guess.

Skip G.

badulah · January 2001

Skip:
Been trying to email you all day, but it keeps getting returned. Is there a problem with your email server?

fish8 · January 2001

I dropped my car off at the dealer this morning and they said that they need to replace my hatch mechanism.

badulah · January 2001

All:
Have a GREAT weekend!!

blueovalnews · January 2001

The Cougar S option has been cancelled, according to information obtained from Ford Motor Company. A full report is due by Monday on www.blueovalnews.com.

Steve Blake
sblake@blueovalnews.com

stageleft · January 2001

Iexplore2000:

Please let me be the first to tell you that I too, have an Explorer and a Cougar and they compliment each other very well. On the one hand, I have the Explorer, which is used for more-than-two-people trips; shopping at Costco; hauling computers; taking the mountain bikes out; taking the dog for a ride; etc ...

The Cougar is used for fun drives; commuting; grocery shopping; long trips; taking the dog for a cruise ... ;^)

Anyway, my point is that when you want a truck/people mover - you've got the Explorer, when you want to take corners at 50 mph - you've got the Cougar.

Dasaint:

Nope, I don't fish. Y'all were gonna catch the fish and I wuz gonna grill it up. I did say I'd grill it. It's a good idea, but we might have to check with the track first, because I'm not sure how they'd feel about a barbeque in their parking lot. I am thinking about bringing a small Hibachi, though ... keep your fingers crossed!

The (now infamous) recipe for Bleu-cheese (it's fraunch!) Filet Mignion:

It's really too simple for all the hype. I just cut a pocket in the edge of some 3/4.lb filets, then seasoned them with garlic pepper and fresh ground pepper. Then I crumbled up a block of fresh Bleu-cheese (that's just the way it's spelled on the package) and stuffed it into pockets I had cut into the filets.

I seasoned a 12" frying pan with olive oil - enough to coat the pan - and two spoonfuls of fresh minced garlic (we like garlic). When the pan was hot and the garlic began to brown, I seared the fillets until they were browned on the outside on both sides. After they were sufficiently seared, I put the whole pan in the oven at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes. (you can't do this with any cookware - some types will melt. If you don't have pans you can put in the oven, transfer the filets to a baking pan that's been warmed while the oven was warming).

Have a beer.

When the timer goes off, check the filets - you can either cut them or use a fancy-shmancy meat thermometer - but they should be reddish-pink at the very center, and all the Bleu-cheese (this is the best part) should be melted. The meat thermometer should read between 150 and 160, but don't put the thermometer into the cheese because the cheese is much hotter than the meat and you may not get an accurate reading (geek stuff, sorry).

When they are done, serve them on a plate with your favorite sidedish, mine were mashed potatoes and spinach. Sprinkle them with some parsley flakes (it's all about the presentation!), and serve them up.

Enjoy!

(Happy Cougaring!)

blueovalnews · January 2001

The Cougar S option has been cancelled, according to information obtained from Ford Motor Company. A full report is due by Monday on www.blueovalnews.com.

Steve Blake
sblake@blueovalnews.com

fish8 · January 2001

Hi all!!!

While my cars in the shop, I am driving a Ford Focus ZTS(sedan) as my loaner. Have any of you driven this car? The Focus was car of the year in 2000 so I was interested in seeing what all the fuss was about. The Focus is very disappointing. Besides all the noises and rattles, the car is VERY slow. I don't think it has the optional 130hp engine, but this Focus barely moves when pushed. There is a rattle in the drivers side (door/dash area) that sounds like the workings in the door are not screwed in correctly. The handleing is pretty compitent, but not even close to the Cougar.

I hope everyone had a great weekend!!

gambit293 · January 2001

No #$*#!!* Cougar S??

What the $&*!??

I was seriously thinking about ordering one too.

It looks like Ford has completely withdrawn its support for this car. A better performance model, IMHO, was critical to maintaining cougar sales. Those silly little exterior changes they made certainly won't help the cougar "stay fresh" in the sport coupe market. A brand new Integra is right around the corner, set to arrive in a few months. In about a year or two, we will see the new Nissan Z.

I'm happy to see that the sport coupe market is reviving, but unfortunately it doesn't look like the cougar will be around to play the game.

camelard · January 2001

Let's not jump the gun. The end of the Cougar S means what? Now? 2002? 2003? I notice the option is still listed and can be ordered on the Ford Canada site.

jimbo_g · January 2001

I may just have to trade my kitty in on a Z in a few years.....Have you seen this car? It is beautiful....at least 260hp six speed trans....rear wheel drive and priced from 25-29k!! Definately a consideration i must say.

My old car was a 1991 Nissan 240sx and honestly i miss that car terribly. don't get me wrong i love the "kitty' but the nissan will always have a special place in my heart. If they still made the 240 i would most likely be driving that instead of my "coug" But the "coug" is my new baby and i do love it. In two to three years, however it may be replaced by a nissan :-(

Jimbo_G

Jimbo_G

badulah · January 2001

blueovalnews:
Um, thanks for the news, twice. Blue Oval may have decent information from time to time, but their stories are chocked full of rumors and speculation. The Cougar-S project is in danger, but until FMC makes an official statement, I'm not going to get upset by anything anyone else has to say, including Blueoval News.

StageLeft:
I'm going to call the Home & Garden channel (HGTV) and see if I can get you a spot on the Emeril show.

fish8 · January 2001

Anyone home?

badulah · January 2001

I'm here!!!!!, but where is everyone else??

Karen_S · January 2001

I'm here! And salivating over that bleu-cheese steak recipe.

KarenS
Owner's Club host

fish8 · January 2001

I got my car back today. I love getting my Cat back after I have been driving a lesser vehicle(Focus) and noticing how great the Cougar drives. It is so much faster and has a better ride!!

badulah · January 2001

Fish8:
Glad to hear that you got your Cat back. Did they fix it this time?

Also, do you have any plans to attend either the Lime Rock event or Cougar Fest 2001?

fish8 · January 2001

They had to order parts for the rear hatch mechanism.

burnsmr4 · January 2001

Carp is not a dirty word, Edmunds.com -- leave the post alone, please :-)

Two weeks in a Mercury Sable
Well, I'm going to have been officially without my Cougar for 2 weeks as of tomorrow (Tuesday). I took the darned thing in for service to have the driver's side window fixed -- AGAIN -- and to have the rear hatch release checked. I've been living inside of a Burgundy Mercury Sable for 14 days, and -- scared to say -- I'm quite fond of it. Here's the friggin' time line:

Day 4 -- told technician has been working on 15 cars in front of mine; will start repairs on Day 5.
Day 5 -- told all but 2 parts are available and will be ordered to arrive on Monday, ML Day.
Day 8 -- no parts arrive (on MLK Day -- DUH!).
Day 10 -- still no parts; Ford factory manager offers to call on my behalf.
Day 11 -- still no parts; looking at VW Golf, VW Passat, Toyota Tacoma Double-Cab, etc.
Day 13 -- return Ford factory manager phone call and decide to wait out the weekend.
Day 14 (TODAY) -- parts should arrive from Ford no later than Wednesday (Day 16); Ford factory manager will ship parts tomorrow from the floor of the factory if parts don't show.

Is this not a load of Cougar crap? The Ford factory manager thinks that the dealership technicians broke some parts while trying to follow a fairly straightforward TSB.

Rear hatch release woes
Everyone seems to have the same problem -- the door frame button for the rear hatch works fine most of the time, but the key fob button for the rear hatch never works. I'll let y'all know if the goofs at my dealership remembered to fix this problem -- and how they fixed it.

Fish8 -- which dealership?
Fish8, man, we cannot have any luck with our cars. Something must be infecting them here in the Atlanta area. Which dealership (there are many moronic examples) gave you the standard, "Duh! We're Ford and our products suck, but we'll pretend not to be able to recreate your problem!" answer?

Wanna go car shopping one weekend? We can do lunch or something :-) I'm seriously considering it. I've already decided not keep this car longer than the 3-year/36,000 mile warranty. Too much of a risk. Let me know :-)

camelard · January 2001

the distinct impression that we are getting better service from Ford Canada than you guys are from FMC. I had to get a new engine for my Escort ZX2 which had to be ordered and BUILT and it only took 20 days (15 actually from the time they ordered it). The other 5 (3 business days) was lost because the dealers senior tech was off sick.

camelard · January 2001

All:

I am a little lost on the chat days now. Are we still on for Tuesday this week?

fish8 · January 2001

Lunch? I love mexican ;-)

My dealer is Pugmire on Hwy 41(Cobb Parkway) This dealer is the closest to my work, therefore it is very convenient. I was in a loaner all weekend and finally picked up my car today. They told me that the parts for my hatch "should" be in tomorrow. We'll see!!!

Car shopping huh? Since this car is a lease, I still have about 2 years left. But, since my wife is pregnant I have considered looking into trading in on a 4 door. I really love the VW Jetta's. If my wife will go for it, I might look around in June-July time frame. Though when I got my Cougar my wife said this car was going to be kept the entire lease period.

What dealer do you go too? I know we have been through this before, but I don't remember.

fish8 · January 2001

I received some Mequiars wheel cleaner for Christmas and on the label it says to NOT use on uncoated polished aluminium wheels. I have 15" wheels and was wondering if they are coated or uncoated. Does anyone know? Thanks

burnsmr4 · January 2001

I'll have to pass on Mexican and/or Thai, but maybe something else would work :-)

I took my car to Southern Lincoln-Mercury. If you ever need a loaner, get one there. If you are back for a repeat problem, they don't charge but the daily tax on the loaner car. Otherwise, it'll cost you. The loaner car, unfortunately, is their only saving grace.

While I'm thinking about it -- someone mentioned a technician being out sick. A sick technician also factored in to the long repair period for my Cougar. Must be a Ford thing...

badulah · January 2001

Burnsmr4 & Fish8:
I'm really sorry both of you are having so many problems with your cars and service departments.

All:
I sent MWS0520 an email in reference to the Blue Oval statement. Here is what he had to say:
"As I have stated before, Blueovalnews only prints rumors and innuendo. We have not made any announcements to our dealers regarding Cougar S. We have recently told them that the C2 is now available in a manual transmission and that the Zn is now available for dealer orders.

But thanks for keeping a pulse on it for us..."

What is a "Zn"? Anyone have any info on this?

gustafsc · January 2001

Hi Gang:

Just put baby in for the brake valve recall, oil/filt, hatch pop up, inspect exhaust system, and if I'm lucky, a bath.

Met a guy with a black Cougar in for multiple deaths. Told him about us. Maybe a new member, or at least he'll look. Said that he'd read Edmunds before buying, so he knows how to find us.

Later,

Skip G.

Karen_S · January 2001

At this time, and to my knowledge, the CSG chat is scheduled for every Tuesday night (4-5pmPT/7-8pmET).

KarenS
Owner's Club host

burnsmr4 · January 2001

Ha! For once, I have more information on something than Mr. Badulah :-p Just kidding :-)

The Cougar ZN Special Edition is something that the Ford factory manager shared with me when I talked to him last week. Some sort of electric yellow 2001 model with 17" wheels, non-functional hood scoop, a sportier spoiler, and specially stiched/upholstered bucket seats. That's what I remember anyway.

Again, no performance tweaks whatsoever, unless you count the big-[non-permissible content removed] wheels. Only 2000 or so will be manufactured. Dealerships should already have information on the car.

Please note -- when I spoke with the guy, he had just come back from the factory floor (third time that week) dealing with major hood scoop fit and finish problems. Keep an eye on that if you decide to get one.

badulah · January 2001

Actually I just found out what this Zn kit comes with, and Burnsmr4 is correct. The wing and hood scoop are manufactured by Visteon. They are apart of the Visteon Road Effects Kit (which I won at Cougar Fest last year, and will be getting installed after this miserable winter).

Bigger tires are nice, but how about a bigger engine? That would be much nicer!!!!

badulah · January 2001

Fish8:
I think your wheels are coated, so you should be fine, but I would double check that. Even coated wheels can get damaged with harsh cleaners.

gambit293 · January 2001

The only friend of mine who actually has a cougar just had to drop hers off at the shop because the battery light came on. She just moved from cali to Chicago. I guess the cat doesn't like the cold.

Well, I guess there is still hope that the Cougar S comes through, but to be honest, I'm not holding my breath. Heck, a normal v6 would probably be good enough for me.

badulah · January 2001

Once again I will be hosting the chat session this evening. We are scheduled from 7pm est - 8pm est. I hope to see all of you there!!!

badulah · January 2001

DANA & KAREN S:
We can't get in ot the chat room. Whats the deal?!!

camelard · January 2001

Did you find out why we can't get into our chat room?

coolchick · January 2001

This chat thing and the CSG is getting off to a mighty bumpy start. What gives?

camelard · January 2001

I don't know but it kind of sucks doesn't it!

mouse409 · January 2001

whats going on, I finally found the room and its closed oh-well =^..^=

badulah · January 2001

AWEEE MAN!! Mouse409 was going to join us and the dang board is down!!

(grits his teeth and snarls)

badulah · January 2001

(eye begins to twitch, head starts to shake, eyes roll back in to his head, and he begins to transform in to is alter-ego, Baron Von Kibler)

VAT IS VIT DA CHAT VOOM!!! Vie is it not vurking!!!! Ve haf vays of motovating you!!! Make it vork now or suffer za consequences!!!

camelard · January 2001

we wait until 8:00 and have a chat with Edmunds' Editor in Chief instead

badulah · January 2001

Sleepy time is at 8:00. I have been dead tired all day long. If it were not for the chat, I would be asleep right now (I havn't been sleeping very well lately).

stageleft · January 2001

Oh I'm sure they'll appreciate that!

stageleft · January 2001

Well, you could cash in early at this point. :^)

badulah · January 2001

Want to tuck me in Lefty?

Rock my Badulah on the tree top, when the wind blows.......

camelard · January 2001

stageleft · January 2001

Eww.

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