1994 Mercury Cougar XR-7 review from North America

My grandmother bought this car brand new in 1994 and I just recently bought it from her.

This car has had the typical MN12 platform problems, such as 4R70W transmission had to be rebuilt around 75,000 miles. however you can have an updated valve body installed and eliminate the problems that plague the 1994 and 1995 vehicles.

The head gaskets had to be replaced at the same 75,000 miles with updated Fel-Pro gaskets.

The upper ball joints need replaced due to the rubber degrading.

I'm replacing the engine mounts this week, they crack and separate and make the idle feel very rough in gear.

One small crack in the drivers side leather seat.

I had to remove the passengers window motor and lube the tracks since grandma never used it.

This is my 6'th MN12 platform vehicle. I have had a 90 Thunderbird, 3 different 93 Thunderbirds to include a Super Coupe, and a 92 Cougar LS and now this 94 XR-7.

These cars are very comfortable with the 1994+ interior with the only drawback being the cheap leather that requires constant care.

The Mercury versions of the MN12 platform offer increased luxury over their Ford counterparts in the form of more standard features, such as lumbar support and nicer wheels.

The mechanics of these cars are simple with the help of various on-line sites.

The EEC systems are accurate and with a cheap code scanner, you can pinpoint and fix any problem yourself. I advise anyone with a check engine light on to have it looked at, they don't just come on for anything like some other makes.

The 3.8 is by no means quick, but it does a fair job of hauling around the 4000 pound plus car. Once its up to highway speeds it can cruise all day without slowing down.

The Transmission in the 1994 and 1995 models leaves much to be desired, they shift awkward, and need rebuilt more often. They were revised in the 1996 and later models and the revisions can be added to the older models.