[Guest]

I'm looking to purchase a 2001 Cougar. It is a MTX, has an inline 4 (wanted a V6, but they couldn't find one), but it's perky. It has 21000 miles on it. The only disadvantages I see is that the oil filter is out of the way and some of the trim is unsnapped in the back (big deal). They originally wanted 14,500, but he offered 11,000 at one point. Should I try to go lower? It blue books at 12,995, but I'm sure that is just because of the mileage. The wheels are pretty standard (they don't have the cougar symbol on them like all the others I've seen), it has no power seats (besides tilt), but it does have a CD player. Am I correct in assuming it's a somewhat low trim level?

Thanks for the help!

 

[2kBlackCatGurl]

it sounds just like my b/f's '02 4 cyli.....

 

[Guest]

Did he buy his new, or used? How much did he pay for it?

 

[BigDaddyTiberius]

I'd say it sounds kinda expensive. There are always cougars on here for less with Mods and V6's. I paid $8750 for my V6 MTX with everything but traction control and ABS and only 34,000 miles. Have you tried Autotrader.com?Autotrader.com

 

[carsnrockmusic]

dude...that's too much...while i respect you goin for the "better" engine you can get a nicer cougar for cheaper..look in the for sale section on here

 

[Guest]

I think that I will offer 10,000 and make them throw in new tires and an alarm if he won't go lower than 11. I do have to admit, the car is pristine. I checked autotrader and off the bat I couldn't see anything else that looked nice. I was tempted by the V6s, but now that I think about it, I would really like the gas mileage more than 45 more HP...

Is the I4 a good engine?

Oh, I did check the for sales, but I couldn't really find what I was looking for.

 

[NorCalCoug]

The gas mileage difference between the Duratec V6 and Zetec I4 really isn't very appreciable, so long as you're not mashing the gas everywhere with the V6. You should be able to get a lower price than that though; even if there was only a $500 dollar difference between the I4 and V6 in the new Cougars.

 

[B3NN3TT]

The Zetec is a GREAT engine, but not really suited to the 3000+-pound Cougar. But it is adequate; if you don't value acceleration and hearty passing power, you'll be fine.

The Zetec is WAY more reliable than the V6...

 

[Ness1216]

Zetec can be made a beast though, its really restricted from the factory. It responds better to mods than the duratec if that is your goal. Both are fun to drive, I have the zetec cougar and my dad has the duratec cougar, both mtx. Really not as big of a difference as you think. Also with my experience a zetec cougar seems to be better at turning. The duratec feels sluggish in turning compared to the zetec. Gas mileage isnt different around town but on highway I can get like 38mpg and with ac off its pushing 40mpg. And the zetec has plenty of passing power if you get it in the right rpm range.

 

[NorCalCoug]

Originally posted by: Bennett9000
The Zetec is a GREAT engine, but not really suited to the 3000+-pound Cougar. But it is adequate; if you don't value acceleration and hearty passing power, you'll be fine.

The Zetec is WAY more reliable than the V6...

85,000 hard miles of life on my Duratec V6 in less than two years without failure or issue. :shrug: (I ain't easy on my cars. )

 

[FastCat2002]

I recently bought a 2002 1-4 and I love it. It only had 12000 miles and I paid 13000 made themm put a sunroof in it for me to buy. Go with the Zetec!!!!!!!

 

[B3NN3TT]

Originally posted by: NorCalCoug


85,000 hard miles of life on my Duratec V6 in less than two years without failure or issue. :shrug: (I ain't easy on my cars. )

You know and I know, that's the exception, and not the rule

But I'll grant the MOTOR itself is stout. It's the accessories that blow.

 

[carajo]

Originally posted by: Bennett9000

Originally posted by: NorCalCoug


85,000 hard miles of life on my Duratec V6 in less than two years without failure or issue. :shrug: (I ain't easy on my cars. )

You know and I know, that's the exception, and not the rule

But I'll grant the MOTOR itself is stout. It's the accessories that blow.

1999 V6 that will officially go over 70K tomorrow... the only problem I've had is the alternator... on my third set of tires and still got original brakes

DUDE don't wuss out, hold out for the more power - you won't be sorry

BTW, I don't get any worse milage than the 93 escort I had before I bought my cougar (new in June 99). get 33 mpg on some highway driving. average about 25 mpg mixed driving...

 

[PizzaSlut]

Mine has over 125,000 miles on it. Still running strong and no signs of any problems with the engine. The 4-cylinder would allow more room and be friendlier to those that aren't skilled but want to work on their own car, IMO.

 

[Guest]

Really? So the 6 cylinder is not much worse than the 4 on gas mileage? That is cool. I am actually going to have to wait before I can pick up the car anyway, but that gives me something else to think about. Basically, I want a daily driver that looks nice, and isn't underpowered. When I test drove that car, I didn't really get the feeling it was weak. But I think that would make the V6 that much more fun... I'm not really interested in modding it too much. I'll do the normal stuff: removing air restrictions, putting in better consumables (oil, fuel, air filters), dress up, etc.

Basically, I don't need it to be super fast. Thats what the SHO I am working on is for! But if the trade offs are not drastic, I would like to have the V6.

Edit: Oh yeah, I like options, like a moon roof, Alloy wheels, heated mirrors, that stupid stuff. That is the one big thing keeping me from getting this car. It is bone stock, no options other than A/C (is that an option these days?) and a CD Player).

 

[slownfurious]

sounds like my old cougar no options except power windows a/c and cd player. it did have a V6 too:biggrin:

 

[CougarXR02]

The Cougar you described is as stripped as they came. 15" alloys, a/c, cd player, and power windows were all standard equipment.


And I wish I could get 30 mpg. To get that I have to coast in neutral for very, very long stretches. Mixed mine is in the high 23's, and on a highway trip with "conservative driving" it's in the high 27's, maybe low 28's. But most highway trips I do are over 70 mph, by at least a little, at which point the milage is in the mid to high 26's. and before I put the intake on (i.e. in stock form) you could subtract 1 full mpg or more from each of those numbers.

 

[RigaTony00]

the 4 cylinder cougars didn't have many options you could get to begin with. They had a convience package, with stuff like cruise, keyless entry, and a rear window wiper, but they didn't have the sport package, with the goodies like 4 wheel disc brakes, 16 inch rims, foglights, a spoiler, metal-looking pedals, and that stuff. I actually have the sales brocuhre for the 2001 cougar (the one I had) right here on my desk. I can scan an email it to ya, if you want to take a look.



Tony

 

[Guest]

Go for it. dmfisher at seattleschools dot org

 

[Kinger]

Mine is for sale, hard to find one with more options. $13,000 takes her.