1986 Mercury Cougar XR-7 2.3L turbo from North America

Summary:

Freakin' awesome

Faults:

The car was going through timing belts every 10,000 miles for a while, but has since subsided.

The alternator went out at 110,000 miles and we replaced it with a rebuild from "Manny, Moe & Jack" and went through 6 of those in 8 months before switching to NAPA.

General Comments:

This car handles like it's on rails.

The turbo is even factory original! We just followed the recommended procedures for priming it when changing the oil.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 24th June, 2003

31st Mar 2008, 18:56

UPDATE:

Car now has 193,000 miles and still running strong. And hasn't cost an arm and a leg to fix when it does break down.

Still running factory turbo although I disconnected the factory boost controller and installed a manually adjustable one to increase boost to ~24 psi.

Blew the factory head gasket at approx. 189,000 miles, a fuel pump at 191,600 and shattered the distributor gear roll pin at 192,500 (probably due to "hot rodding") ;)

1986 Mercury Cougar LS 3.8L V6 from North America

Summary:

A good demolition derby car

Faults:

Well for one, The transmission is shot, I blew 3 tires in one day, plus put a hole in the gas tank when I blew the right rear tire and ended up into a ditch on my passenger side. That was all in the first day I had it.

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

Review Date: 12th June, 2003

1986 Mercury Cougar 302 V8 Ford from North America

Summary:

The best high performance Cougar out there.

Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

It is the best car I have ever owned. It has also been the most reliable car I have ever seen. It also has the best ride and the leather seats have not started to fade or tear yet. It handles in cornering better than a new Cougar.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 13th July, 2002

1986 Mercury Cougar V6 from North America

Summary:

A money pit on wheels

Faults:

The heater core blew.

The water pump blew.

Sparkplug blew from socket which caused extensive damage to the head.

Brake system had to be completely replaced.

Engine leaked oil.

Transmission leaked fluid.

General Comments:

This car was the most expensive car to keep on the road that I have ever owned.

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

Review Date: 12th June, 2002

14th Jul 2004, 16:34

Dear Steven,

Your problem is probably your driving. If you drive a vehicle hard, you are probably going to have a lot of problems like you did with your car. Ford (or Mercury) are not the kind of cars you would drive hard, but they are good cars.