1987 Mercury Cougar LS 20TH ANNIVERSARY 5.0 - 302 C.I. from North America

Summary:

A good looking car with good performance and incredible reliability (expect 200,000 miles or more)

Faults:

All of the following were replaced after the vehicle exceeded 150,000 miles (10 - 12 years old) :

Starter.

Heater core and radiator.

Alternator.

Water pump.

All hoses.

Exhaust system.

I should have the accelerator cable replaced because it sticks every now and then when first getting in the car.

Minor "expected" replacements include: tires, brakes, wheel bearings, rear wheel bearing, shocks and struts, O2 sensor, plugs, rotor, distributor cap.

General Comments:

I still own the car, and as of 10/20/03 it has 178,000 miles with the original engine, timing chain (never adjusted), transmission, rack & pinion steering, and still runs great. I expect to easily pass 200,000 miles, and maybe 250,000 or 300,000 before replacing the engine.

Very comfortable, and one of the most quiet cars when driving on the highway (not much road or wind noise).

No lie. In the past, I have made 2 trips from Charlotte, NC to Detroit, MI (650 miles) on 1 tank (22 gallons) of gas. Driving "nice" on highway expect 28-30 MPG, if the engine is in good shape. Explained by overdrive and 2.73 rear end gear. Going 45 MPH the car is only doing 1000 rpm, and at 70 MPH it is doing around 1800 RPM.

Huge trunk compared to import cars.

Traction could be better when trying to accelerate from start on wet roads. (Maybe more expensive tires would help???) It doesn't take much gas to spin the tires which may be explained by the 270 lbs of torque at a low 2000 RPM.

No reason to even consider buying an import with the proven reliability of this car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 20th October, 2003

17th Aug 2009, 15:24

I still own my Cougar and love it... TOTALLY.

I have stored it since 1992, and it remains in mint condition with 70,000 km.

I am only now considering selling it.

1987 Mercury Cougar LS 3.8 from North America

Summary:

Best car ever made

Faults:

The car has only had minor things for the mileage. I tuned it at 100,000 (I guess it is time to do it again), changed the tires twice, put on a water pump and alternator. The engine and transmission have NEVER been into.

General Comments:

I told my wife I would buy her another car when she wore this one out. I guess I won't have to for a while.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 11th June, 2002

1987 Mercury Cougar LS V6 from North America

Summary:

Drop this car into a volcano

Faults:

What has not gone wrong with the car is the more important question. I have had constant electrical problems that never seem to get fixed. The car will stop while driving or it will just not start. I have replaced the battery twice, I have had new engine mounts put in, I have had the electrical system redone, and it still is not a very reliable car. The driver and passenger windows have dropped while I was driving. The drivers side has dropped twice! It has been a constant nightmare since I was given that car by my grandmother and I would not wish this car on my worst enemy. It was not a well built car with some rather major blind-spots, especially in the tiny rear window. It is a comfortable car, but how much comfort can you get pushing your car to the side of the road?

General Comments:

The windows might drop at any time.

Serious blind spots from design, including tiny rear window.

Large doors are hard to open in compact places which also makes it hard to get in and out while trying not to damage other cars.

Paint frays and starts to peel.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 5th February, 2002

1987 Mercury Cougar LS 5.0L SO V8 from North America

Summary:

Rear wheel drive, great styling, V-8; anything else would be uncivilized (or is it civilized?)

Faults:

Replaced a U-joint.

Fixed the exhaust pipe.

Transmission flushed.

Tires need replacing sometime, (Hee-Hee) or at least they need to be balanced.

General Comments:

I'm 6'6 and the only problem I have with the interior is that if I put the seat back far enough for my legs, my arms are almost too short to reach the wheel and the stereo.

Great gas mileage for a V8. Good performance for a non-HO V8.

Beautiful styling.

Excellent reliability.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 29th August, 2001