Faults:

At 134,000 miles was necessary to have intake ports cleaned and "DPFE Sensor" replaced.

At 153,000 miles a computer board went out causing all fuel injectors to stick open, pumping 3/4 of a tank of gas through the motor and out the tail pipe in 3 miles. Fixed in two days and $500.

At 174,000 miles all catalytic converters pluged up causing the car to quit. Two mechanics quoted between $1500 and $2000 to fix the problem. This is the point where I say. It's no longer worth fixing. We have put a bandage on the problem. I'm sad. This has been such a great car.

General Comments:

This has been a great car. In the 4 years of ownership we have put 110,000 mile on this car.

Very dependable and reliable.

Very comfortable.

Very roomy for 2 adults and 2 kids, however, wouldn't suggest putting 2 adults in the back seat for long periods.

Faults:

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.

General Comments:

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.

Faults:

Nothing, she's been as good as gold.

General Comments:

An incredible performance car with a supercharged engine that pins you back in your seat. Fantastic sounding engine, especially with the characteristic whine from the supercharger.

Not only is Cougar XR7 fast, but its very luxurious too. Mine had leather seats, a superb stereo, cruise control, plus a decent (but not too soft) ride.

The Cougar is a fine handling car too, not like a sports car though, it's more of a grand tourer. It makes a fine chariot for long distance touring. I drove mine to Europe on three occasions.

Quite thirsty though, perhaps due to the supercharger. 21mpg on average.