[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!

 

[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.

 

[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...

 

[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 🤮).