16th Feb 2009, 17:40
I just got a 1999 Mercury Cougar a week ago. $10000.00 financed through a local dealer. I love the look of my red baby!!! When I test drove it, it was just what I was looking for! Exactly what I have always wanted! (I'm only 22).
I went in on Feb 9 to look around and fell in love with it!
After signing the deal, $13500 in all, I went home very excitingly!
Not even an hour had passed by, when I went back out to take a five minute trip to the convenience store in my beautiful car, it wouldn't start. Took it the next day to get it checked out, and it was the alternator. 2 days in shop. 1 day missed from work since I had no way to get there!
When I picked it up Wednesday, everything was fine. Later that evening, my hubby went to take it for a drive, and it made a screechy noise. We left it like that noting that I couldn't miss another day of work. So Friday, check engine light came on. being a mile away from the dealer where we got it, I took it in, the mechanic reset the code and I told him about the screeching noise it would make all of a sudden.
He said it was probably the starter and would need it there another 2 days. So I took it in today, and it's actually the flywheel that is missing teeth! The flywheel is located between the motor and transmission, so hopefully I'll get my car back Wednesday!
As I'm typing this, I just called the service shop, noting it has a 1 month warranty, and told him some minor problems which are the speedometer stopped working all of a sudden, (it worked fine after being tapped on that glass), the driver window has difficulty going up, and the remote or button inside of car will not release the trunk. I have to open it with the key, and hold it open with one hand while I load stuff with the other.
Hopefully that will all be fixed by Tuesday evening... so I can at least enjoy my beauty on Wednesday since I got an extra sick day off just in case... good luck to me as I have not even owned it for more than a week!
Let me know your problems and if it's a good idea to keep this car or not!! msilva8609@yahoo.com
18th Feb 2009, 11:39
I agree with this guy. I paid 3200 for mine used with 69000 miles on it. I say dump it now because the problems are just starting. new trans, 3300. and that's the 100k/3 year warranty, which you want, trust me. haven't had it a full year yet, new alternator, 206, and trans, 3300, speed sensor, 54, new tie rods... the list goes on.
22nd Feb 2009, 18:39
I'd say take it back.
TOO MUCH for such an old car and it's an unreliable design.
This model is for enthusiasts that love the style and can fix/upgrade almost everything themselves.
Return it for a full refund if you still can. Look at the new Civic SI Coupe, it's got more power, better fuel efficiency, 100x times more reliable and looks awesome too. You can get a new one of those for a couple of thousand more.
I wanted it myself but didn't want a car payment + higher insurance.
My second choice was the Cougar, and after researching all options for 10 days on Craigslist, I bought a 2000 Cougar V6, 5 Speed, 83k for 3200$ from a small dealer in MA.
Dealer are struggling to sell now, so take advantage and buy a new Honda, please. I really feel bad for your situation and hope that all turns out well.
On the other hand, if you absolutely want a Cougar. Go on Craigslist and look at all Cougars for sale, try getting the best condition possible (they haven't made them since 2002).
24th Feb 2009, 12:32
I too have a 99 cougar 2.5L V6 have had it for 2 years, check engine light on for all two of them. replaced fuel pump twice and now have recently been stalling out while driving on highway, streets or wherever. have taken it to 3 different mechanics and they all tell me my car is in top shape. can annyone help because im afraid during one of these stall outs I am going to get hit and possibly die!
25th Feb 2009, 15:21
The cougar/contour/mystique tend to have a wiring harness problem. The insulation on the wires gets brittle over time and causes shorts that are hard to track down. My best guess is that you have such a problem.
26th Feb 2009, 15:53
So, I too have `99 Cougar. This car and I have been to hell and back.
Recently my ignition is sticking when I remove the key. Also, sometimes clicks when trying to start, a quick jump and she's running again. I just had a tune up about 2 months ago.
She had her check engine light on since I got her 3 years ago. A good tune up took care of the light, for 2 months, it's back on again.
Oh, she had a fuse problem that caused it to not read on any computer that ran a diagnostic, that was fun...
3rd Mar 2009, 10:16
Hey, I have a 99 Cougar that stopped running last fall. I was driving home from work when I noticed it was making a slapping noise, and when I was about 3 miles from home it was a lot louder. As I went to turn down my street, the car died right when I hit the brakes, so I coasted half way in my driveway. I got it to start once more, and pulled the rest of the way in. I shut it off and now it won't start. It cranks over, but nothing happens. So if anyone has any idea what it is, email me at alpine169@hotmail.com
8th Mar 2009, 19:10
For those of you who have a "Check Engine Light" on and ignore and expect the car to last are mistaken.
The light is there for a reason, although the code may throw some other code, it can be something similar or something before that part causing that part to "malfunction".
The cars overall seem to be very good cars, keep up your maintenance as any car. Brakes, tires, batteries, rotors and WINDOW MOTORS are common in any car, not just the Cougar, so stop complaining.
Thanks.
8th Feb 2009, 17:17
I bought a 1999 Cougar 5 months ago. It ran amazing; three mechanics said the engine was sound and it was going to last me a long time. That was absolutely wrong.
I drove this car everywhere with no problem. It was running great, but on Xmas Eve the car decided to not go into gear. Now I've never had a problem like that before, it just now doesn't want to go into gear, then it does and then it didn't, and now it won't go into gear anymore.
The trans went is what I'm told. All in one day, poof, I had a trans problem.
I took it to 2 mechanics and they all want more than I paid for the car, so lucky me, I'm screwed cause Mercury didn't recall this thing like they should have. Thank you Mercury! You know where you can put this car!