Mercury Cougar + Problems?

[B3NN3TT]

Seriously. YOu come onto a forum dedicated solely to the 99+ Mercury Cougar, and expect an unbiased opinion on whether it's a good buy or not?

That's kind of like asking a Marine if you should join the military.

Anyways. Six years with mine now, and I'd be homeless if I had to take it into a shop every time I broke something. Luckily, I do all my own work. But it makes me happy. It's a mutually destructive, codependent relationship.

[skater]

I think you should go for it - you sound like you really like the car, the price seems to be good, and you have more info on that car than any other used car you'll ever buy, and a mechanic that's familiar with it... GO FOR IT!

Originally Posted by B3NN3TT

It's a mutually destructive, codependent relationship.

Sig-worthy!

[zaydq]

Originally Posted by B3NN3TT

Seriously. YOu come onto a forum dedicated solely to the 99+ Mercury Cougar, and expect an unbiased opinion on whether it's a good buy or not?

That's kind of like asking a Marine if you should join the military.

Anyways. Six years with mine now, and I'd be homeless if I had to take it into a shop every time I broke something. Luckily, I do all my own work. But it makes me happy. It's a mutually destructive, codependent relationship.

I've been all over the place...all i face is bias against or bias for ford, i ask the question here because you guys have the car itself, and i'm sure if people had alot of problems...they'd tell me . I more so wanted to see if anyone would give me personal stories on how reliable/how crap it was.

[devildog]

I love mine. I bought mine and one week later drove from colorado to virginia. 2400 miles. About a month after that drove from virginia to south dakota, then to colorado then back to south dakota and then back to virginia. A total of about 5300 miles in two weeks time. Then about a month later drove to colorado. 2400 miles then to san diego, 1100 miles all without nothing going wrong. I wouldn't trade my cougar for anything. Also Allan Jackson is rich as hell and could buy any car he wants. But no he is crazy bout a mercury! not a gm or a honda, he is gonna buy him a MERCURY and cruise it up and down the road!

[zaydq]

Anyone know how i can convince my father? any strengths in this car that might allow him to give me the money for it? I can probably do it myself...but i want to spend little time convincing and more time driving it lol.

[iceberg65]

take him for a test drive in it and show him how it handles. even on stock suspension it corners quite good. plus the interior is one of the nicest ive seen in the price range.

[Goldie]

Originally Posted by zaydq

I more so wanted to see if anyone would give me personal stories on how reliable/how crap it was.

I've had mine 8+ years now and the ONLY repairs needed are:

• new alternator (common cougar repair - and likely expected on any car with 100k miles)
• new fuel pump (Ford recall replacement)
• new hvac blower resistor ($7 fix)
• new brake sensor switch ($90 dealership fix that probably would have been $7 if I wasn't on the road at the time and not able to do it myself)
• re-program PATS (done when car was under warranty)

then normal maintenance stuff like brakes, tires, filters, etc.

Only time I was 'stranded' was the PATS issue. Nothing else was to the point of taking the car off the road - and don't foresee any issues in the near future either.

[marinofan]

I love mine, I've had just over a year now and so far (knock on wood) No issues at all. I've given it oil changes and air filter changes, and that liquid gold they sell at gas stations out there in the pumps. Other than that I haven't had to put any other money in it that I wasn't planning on putting in it.

My sunroof works too.

[zaydq]

Originally Posted by Goldie

I've had mine 8+ years now and the ONLY repairs needed are:

• new alternator (common cougar repair - and likely expected on any car with 100k miles)
• new fuel pump (Ford recall replacement)
• new hvac blower resistor ($7 fix)
• new brake sensor switch ($90 dealership fix that probably would have been $7 if I wasn't on the road at the time and not able to do it myself)
• re-program PATS (done when car was under warranty)

then normal maintenance stuff like brakes, tires, filters, etc.

Only time I was 'stranded' was the PATS issue. Nothing else was to the point of taking the car off the road - and don't foresee any issues in the near future either.

The alternator i can live with, the fuel pump should have already been done considering the seller did all the recalls. The cheap and inexpensive fixes I can do with a friend and no idea how much the PATS costs...but you're the first i have seen with this problem. Guess i'll give my dad a call right now and tell him we're going to check out a Ford! wish me luck haha.

[zaydq]

SUCCESS! I convinced my father to come check out the car. He is gunna take it to his mechanic upon consent of the seller to make sure the car is in good condition. Will keep everyone posted! My dad thought the cougar was still based on the thunderbird(surprisingly, i subsequently found out why he hates ford so much, he had so many probems with his thunderbird) after telling him it wasn't, he sort of lightened up and agreed to have a look see, how awesome is that!