1999 Mercury Cougar from North America

Summary:

It is a pretty reliable car

Faults:

Check engine light is on.

General Comments:

Car is in pretty good shape and is reliable.

Check engine light is on. It reads that the oxygen sensor is what is wrong. Each sensor has been checked and they are fine. I can't get it inspected until I get the light off.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 4th June, 2008

1999 Mercury Cougar from North America

Summary:

I think this car is not for a person who can't afford a ton of repairs

Faults:

89K: Catalytic converter went out (2days after I purchased the car)

100K: Alternator went out

100K: Starter went out the same day I picked it up from getting the alternator fixed

90K: Brakes needed to be replaced again, 2nd time since buying the car

90K: Tires were replaced

100K: Heater Core went out, the heat only worked on full blast

133K: Unknown tire noise on the drivers side

133K: Leaking break fluid

132K: Radiator randomly went out

General Comments:

The inside is nice and compact.

The outside has a nice body and looks sleek, but the engine and everything else is randomly breaking.

The check engine light and wrench light randomly goes on and off for no reason.

The cup holder in between the drivers seat, tips over any drink that it's holding when you turn left; it doesn't hold it very securely.

The bucket seats in the back are uncomfortable; if you're taller than 5', you can't fit back there.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 21st May, 2008

1999 Mercury Cougar 2.5L DOHC V6 from North America

Summary:

Fun and comfortable to drive, but you better plan on buying some parts

Faults:

I bent one of the factory 16" steel alloy wheels, the cheapest I could find a replacement for was $480, I was able to find 4 aftermarket Enkei rims for $400 installed and balanced.

The alternator bracket was missing a bolt and actually bent itself out of shape.

The sunroof has broken and won't shut completely.

The motor started to burn oil around 130K miles.

Due to the bent bracket the alternator fried itself.

The clutch and master cylinder went out at about 140K miles.

Shortly after replacing the clutch and master cylinder the pressure line for the transmission broke.

Recently someone cut me off on the highway forcing me to slam on my brakes, now I have a crack all the way through on of my brake rotors.

I also had to replace the tie rods, brakes, ball joints and Hub assemblies when I bought the car.

The blower motor for the heat and A/C died on me just before winter.

The back 3 spark plugs on the motor were fowled out causing the motor to miss. (I had to remove the intake manifold to reach them.

The check engine light has been on since I bought the car due to poor catalytic converters.

The break pad wear sensor broke off on the front passenger side causing the brake warning light to remain on constantly.

The pigtail to the left front Lo-beam headlight melted and needed to be replaced, the warning light still comes on every now and again, but clicks off as soon as I start to drive.

General Comments:

The car is quicker than most yet still lacks behind my roomate's 4cyl due to the weight of the car.

The car handles and drives well.

The traction control works excellent the car actually launches instead of just spinning tires.

The interior is very comfortable as long as your in the front, if you get stuck sitting in the back you'd better be ready for a very cramped and uncomfortable ride.

Rumor has it that the 2.5L motor is garbage and usually doesn't make it past 130K miles. Mine's over 150K and runs fine with the exception of burning oil (easily fixed, I added Lucas oil stabilizer when changing the oil and haven't had a problem since.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 12th March, 2008

1999 Mercury Cougar 2.5 LITER from North America

Faults:

Dash lights brightening and dimming with rpm. oil filter blows off in cold weather. check engines lights. sunroof inoperative.

General Comments:

BESIDES THE DASH LIGHT PROBLEM AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT THE CAR IS QUICK AND AGILE. I LOVE DRIVING IT. The alternator problems everyone is having has to do with the battery positive wire coming off the alternator and where it travels. It needs to be relocated. I had it done at a ford store. There is info from ford on this problem. I have no idea about the check engine light, if disconnect both sides off the battery and hold the two cables together for ten or more seconds the check engine light goes away for awhile. Long enough to go pass emissions, and you will have to actually pass emissions because the car computer will not talk to the emissions computer and so they hook the car up to the exaust tester/ analyzer. I do it every other year to pass emissions. It works and its free! The oilfilter blowing off in cold weather is simply solved by warming the engine up a little before driving the car like a maniac. I've learned that after replacing 4 filters. Keep oil and a filter in the hatch though just incase. It's a fun car to drive isn't it?

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 31st January, 2008