[ChrisBcritter]

Hi all,
Been reading the forum a bit and it looks pretty helpful and informative, so here I am... About two weeks ago I bought this '02 Cougar V6 Sport from an estate auction in the CA high desert; it was a one-owner 48k mile original that spent its life with a lady in Rialto. I ended up getting it very cheap ($1150 including the 15% fee) because it quit running before the auction house could get it smogged, in which case they could only sell it to a licensed dealer (and my boss's partner is one). My mechanic got it running after replacing a charging fuse and the Idle Air Control valve, and it passed smog on the first try, thank goodness. So here it is:

So what it needs now: Tires, rear brakes, front struts, and the sunroof is stuck popped up. And since the photos were taken, it got a fist-sized ding/scrape on that perfect hood when the motorcycle my boss bought at the same auction tipped over while both were being hauled back .
Plans for it: Fix the issues and make it a nice weekend driver. Got all the service manuals of course, and the Carfax had no bad surprises.
Looking forward to learning more from you all!

 

[mmc757]

Welcome! Great looking car!

 

[JScullin]

Nicely done! The sunroof issue is pretty well documented here, but it being an '01+ I would hope it has the updated internals.

 

[ChrisBcritter]

Yes, I'll be digging through all the sunroof posts - too bad they're so troublesome; love having a sunroof open on warm summer nights.

 

[DarkCat00]

Welcome!
All the sunroofs have problems. It’s less likely for the 01-02’s to break though, but over time they do. And it’s possible that the motor might have went out too. I have spares for mine just in case. I have a 6/00 cougar and it has the updated sunroof. I try to lube it up with white grease so that it doesn’t bind up and break.

Keep your car looking great as those headlights are the hardest to find. Especially in that condition. Have fun driving it as they are great cars. I’ve owned 3 so far. I’m currently on 1 running and 1 parts car. I recently sold my 01 Zn to someone in NJ. And that is there 2nd one. Good luck


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[ocondan223]

Hi here is my 1999 with 92,500 on it

 

[SpaceCatsAZ]

Welcome, and god help you.

pps: be very, very careful around any electrical plastic bits.

 

[ChrisBcritter]

Thanks all! As for the sunroof, I bought a used motor from a seller in Vegas on eBay. Jimmy, my mechanic, saw it and showed me it was no good (despite what the seller said) because four of the wires were broken off from the microswitches (D'OH! Should've seen that in the ad). "Seller does not offer refunds" of course - how did he get a 100% rating? Bought another motor and Jimmy got it installed, now it pops up and down OK but just makes a loud buzz instead of sliding back. He thinks someone pried the roof open at some point. Stay tuned...

 

[ocondan223]

Hi all,
Been reading the forum a bit and it looks pretty helpful and informative, so here I am... About two weeks ago I bought this '02 Cougar V6 Sport from an estate auction in the CA high desert; it was a one-owner 48k mile original that spent its life with a lady in Rialto. I ended up getting it very cheap ($1150 including the 15% fee) because it quit running before the auction house could get it smogged, in which case they could only sell it to a licensed dealer (and my boss's partner is one). My mechanic got it running after replacing a charging fuse and the Idle Air Control valve, and it passed smog on the first try, thank goodness. So here it is:
View attachment 82784

View attachment 82783

View attachment 82785

View attachment 82786

So what it needs now: Tires, rear brakes, front struts, and the sunroof is stuck popped up. And since the photos were taken, it got a fist-sized ding/scrape on that perfect hood when the motorcycle my boss bought at the same auction tipped over while both were being hauled back .
Plans for it: Fix the issues and make it a nice weekend driver. Got all the service manuals of course, and the Carfax had no bad surprises.
Looking forward to learning more from you all!

 

[ChrisBcritter]

Had a talk with Jimmy the mechanic today; decided to forego messing with the sunroof any further for now. Got the oil pan gasket replaced, and the front struts will be next - will just get complete assemblies - then brakes... and STILL waiting for the auction house to return the paperwork so I can title it. Also need a radio antenna (it's snapped off just above the threads) and a good driver's mirror assembly (this one appears to have been mended with a drywall screw and silicone 🤮).

 

[SpaceCatsAZ]

Do you have my car? Creepy, lol

 

[ocondan223]

Had a talk with Jimmy the mechanic today; decided to forego messing with the sunroof any further for now. Got the oil pan gasket replaced, and the front struts will be next - will just get complete assemblies - then brakes... and STILL waiting for the auction house to return the paperwork so I can title it. Also need a radio antenna (it's snapped off just above the threads) and a good driver's mirror assembly (this one appears to have been mended with a drywall screw and silicone 🤮).

Hi you can just get struts I never found complete assemblies ones Walmart or Amazon to buy struts and top mounts best price for good ones I paid 65 strut each and mount 50 each antenna ebay 20 with mount that screws to roof get the small one it works just as good and will not broke like OEM one .I just had to buy a whole minor it was 45 on ebay last time I checked ebay they had a black one 125 if not junk yards my have one cheap .If u can do the breaks urself AutoZone or Amazon for parts 125 total get the rotor to so much easier tires whole set installed I just paid 525 at Mavis tires and bjs I paid 470 one year I have a 1999 and my tires are 215 50 r 16 but they are very pricey and hard to fined so I run 215 55 r 16 and they work great for me and lasted longer if I was u I would check charging system out to just to be safe because I had to replace alternator 4 or 5 time because I do not drive the for that much and battery I am on my 11 one so far I have a alarm and system in my car so I now have a yellow top battery they have them on Amazon for 313 with tax for O'Reilly has them total was 255 both free shipping and if u go with that battery buy the charger same name as the battery that is like 200 will help you out in the long run . So for sunroof u are going to ND a new rail I was told you can replace them not sure how much because I lost power to sunroof before I could get it fixed both I would just replace both rails because you have to remove the headliner and that will need to be replaced 2 I was told that is around 200 to 225 .I bought my cougar used in 2001 with 33

 

[ocondan223]

With 33,475 on the car and now has 92,350 on the car I had 5 alternator 11 battery's 7 set of tires my fly wheel replaced 2 times because guy fk up the first time that was a 1100 total second time was free had front strut and rear strut done with mounts window shield replace front bumper rear one 2 driver side fender and door with minor and hood replaced o and my front end rack was replaced power steering line but with all that said I love this car because when it is running good it is so much fun to drive and it is the last car I bought with my DAD before he died so I will pay whatever the price is to keep this car on the road with buying the car and all the work I had done in 22 years I have about 5O,000 in to the car in all said and done I love this Silver Fox .Good Luck with ur cougar it was been the best for me because when I am driving in the car I am with my Dad know manner who is in the car with he is there with a big slime on this face .Dam I loved that guy.