1998 Ford Cougar review from UK and Ireland

The only thing needing replaced since I bought the Cougar in 2001 was a fuel tank belt, underneath the car, which had been damaged by a speed bump when I was taking home a particularly heavy load from B & Q in the cavernous boot.

This car has been nothing other than a dream since I bought it. It handles town well, can cope with the countryside roads around my house, and cruises magnificently. It sticks to the road around corners, and has the power to accelerate away quickly- in fact it seems sometimes as if the rev counter gets to a certain point, and then a small jet engine ignites. I agree- not a 911, but a 911 isn't a Lamborghini, so where does all that end anyway? Some people will always want a faster car and a bigger house with a broader wide screen TV.

Needless to say I love this car, and have had no difficulties whatsoever since purchase. It is a very comfortable ride in the driver's seat. The service costs are reasonable (well, it's a Mondeo base after all), although I hear that the costs of replacing, for example, the 1/4 window, or the bumpers, can be high. One other down-side is that the rear seats are not the most comfortable, and can be difficult for the large or the elderly to get out off.

As others have posted, this car is a head turner. Driving home one day, when we were stopped at lights, the motorist behind me left his vehicle, knocked on my window, and all for no other reason than to tell me that the car looked great!!

A truly magnificent car, and a great pity that it has been discontinued. The car is fast developing a cult following.