1999 Mercury Cougar V6 Sport Package 2.5L Duratec from North America
Summary:
The car was nicely designed, but badly built and engineered.
Faults:
Bought it used @ 96000m with engine light on, and oil leak.
To get rid of all that, I had to replace:
1) O2 Sensor.
2) EGR VALVE GASKET
3) EGR PRESSURE FEEDBACK SENSOR
3) THROTTLE BODY GASKET
4) ALTERNATOR DRIVE BELT
5) OIL PAN GASKET.
General Comments:
-Horrible gas mileage 16.5city / 24highway.
-Interior is noisy, however it makes as much noise at 40 as it does at 100.
-The car is heavy for its "sporty" class, but it corners really good, and overall feels fast and responsive.
-Stock tires are not made for snow, and the car is generally not made for cold weather.
-I have a Trunk mounted 6-CD Changer, and sound system is OK, but if you used to the nice sound of Pioneers, Sonys and other custom receivers, Cougar's stock stereo will sound horrible.
-Front seats in this car are extremely comfortable (if you over 5'6" :)
-I'm pretty much satisfied with brakes, but it takes time for them to warm up.
On the inside and outside the car is very attractive and looks fast. I love driving it. Very good handling. Feels safe. Can be confidently driven at triple digit speeds. Nice and quick car for the city. The acceleration and braking are OK.
Numerous mechanical and other problems occurred on newer model cougars due to Ford's engineering issues. One of the most irritable is problem with 98'/99's sunroofs (because of the plastic tracks) The repair will cost close to 1000 dollars.
Do not purchase this car, unless you fallen in love with it, and you have tons of money to spend on repairs.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 28th February, 2005
2nd Mar 2005, 15:56
You bought a car with 96K miles on it, and you had to replace some parts that had worn out (but not, apparently, the "stock" tires)?
Well, that's just terrible, it must be because that car is both nicely designed and badly engineered, it can't make up it's mind which one!