Faults:

None

General Comments:

Superb pickup! The kind of car that will hold you, in your seat, until you take your foot off the accelerator.

Cornering/Maneuverability is great, handles like a race car.

Very gas efficient/economical...runs great mileage.

However the backseats are very firm, and rounded (to hold you in the seats)..being somewhat uncomfortable.

Faults:

While I've had this car there have only been a few minor things go wrong.

The annoying trunk latch sticking that the dealer claims is normal.

It's equipped with the factory CD player with semi-detachable faceplate. When I change a station the connectors will sometimes come apart and temporarily turn the stereo off. I've found that is very common with that particular model of factory stereos.

That very annoying little wrench light that appears every so often reminding you that you need maintenance is on again. (I thought only GM did asinine things like that.) If anyone knows of a way to turn it off other than having the dealership do it (for a fee of course), please let me know.

Other than that the car has been fantastic.

General Comments:

I have only one complaint on this car's performance; it's a slush box. (This car was originally purchased for my EX-wife who refused to learn how to drive 5 speed) My advice to anyone that enjoys performance cars is to get the manual transmission.

The car's handling is impressively superb. I once passed a Cavalier Z24 on an expressway cloverleaf on ramp doing 65mph, on his outside no less! (He cut me off a half mile before, so he deserved it)

Smiles take over my face whenever I come to a corner. With body roll is at a minimum it seems I can go around them as fast as my nerve will allow.

I can stop on a dime while still having excellent on center feel.

Acceleration is good, however, it would be much faster if I had control of the gears.

Interior appointments are on the plastic side and look a bit cheap. Though they are laid out well always within reach. With its six-way power seat I can always find a comfortable driving position.

Ultimately I am very impressed with the car given the price I paid, so if you are looking for a sports car and you have limited funds, don't overlook the Cougar. I couldn't be happier with mine (again, unless it was a manual).

Faults:

Headlight assembly had a leak, and would fog up. The dealer couldn't get a replacement, said they fixed the seal, but I ended up having to do it myself with sealant.

General Comments:

Unfortunately I lost mine in a freak accident, and am still mourning the loss.

However, I have a great testimony to the safety engineered into this car. The entire engine, front end, trunk and undercarriage were destroyed in a rollover on rocks. The passenger compartment didn't budge an inch and I walked away without a scratch.

Anyway...

The Cougars seats are designed for a narrow back, the passenger seat seems the most comfortable.

It had power, but the response lagged a bit.

I had no problem with defects or bugs in 14,000 miles.

I've never driven a car that can corner like the Cougar, and have taken 35 MPH curves at 55 without squealing.

If you are looking at one of these try out the other competitors also (Celica, Eclipse, Stealth). You'll find the Cougar can hang with the more expensive copycats (Cougars were first with this design).

I'd consider this style of car the low end of "true" sports cars, which puts it into elite company. Furthermore, for it's cost, the Cougar might be the best bargain.