2000 Mercury Cougar V6 2.5 V6 from North America

Summary:

Great car, a lot of maintenance

Faults:

With in the first two months I owned my car the synchro mesh for first gear, both shift cables, the alternator, and the radiator all went. Since that time I have also had to replace the fuel pump, fuel filter, fuel gauge censer, catalytic converter, and the battery. The mass air flow has also been cleaned out.

General Comments:

I have very much enjoyed driving my cougar. The handling and over all performance is incredible. Although there is still a hesitation I haven't been able repair yet. I find the seats are a little uncomfortable on long trips, but it was built for performance not comfort. Even with all the problems I've had, I still love my car! The gauge cluster, and interior lines are just as awe inspiring as the exterior. I'm always getting compliments on it's looks.

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

Review Date: 20th November, 2005

2000 Mercury Cougar V6 Coupe V6 from North America

Summary:

Awesome!!!

Faults:

I had to get the fuel pump replaced, but it was covered with the recall.

General Comments:

I really like my cat. Besides getting the fuel pump replaced (covered by recall),I haven't had any problems. I really like the way it handles and I would recommend buying one to anyone that is interested in one.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 19th November, 2005

2000 Mercury Cougar Special Edition 2.5L Duratec V6 from North America

Summary:

The bane of my existence

Faults:

Well this list is quite long.

First the sunroof broke, then somebody tried to steal it.

Driver's door window motor and mechanism was replaced. After that, the fun started.

I have had 2 coolant overflow tanks replaced.

The alternator, fuel pump and engine!

Yes I said engine. This problem was from a thrown connecting rod. I had complained to the local dealer that the car had a hesitation around 3-4k RPM in 3rd gear. They had the car for a month and a half, and said that the car was operating normally.

Also at the same time, I had complained about a rattle at start up (connecting rod). They said that it was because the oil hadn't been primed properly, and to not start the car right away. They said to put the key in, turn to the on position, and wait till the count of 3, then start the car.

The new engine cost 5000. The engine light has been on for a month, and they replaced the IAC motor 500 bucks. Engine light still on. Was told that 3 of the 6 injectors were not getting the proper pressure. Bought new injectors for 400 bucks, engine light still on. Was told all four 02 sensors were bad replaced them, and wouldn't you know, the engine light is still on.

Now the story is that because I have an after-market intake and 19lb/hr injectors, that they cannot diagnose the car unless the original parts are put on the car. The reason it has those parts is because before the engine blew, I was only getting 18 mpg. With the aftermarket parts, it brought it up to 21 mpg with no engine light on, about one week before the engine blew the light came on. And they get it turned off, and it comes back on, and they say it's something altogether different.

I have gone ahead and leaned out the running rich problem myself, and am going to reprogram the ECU to better suit the engine.

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

Review Date: 4th November, 2005

19th Nov 2005, 04:15

The garage should have scanned the car's computer to see what fault codes were stored. This would have told them which components to replace.

12th Nov 2006, 16:19

The engine light can be triggered by the leaks in the vacuum lines, or by the gas cap, which is an 'emissions' cap used to maintain pressure in the gas tank. apparently, there are also a number of emissions-related triggers, including the DPFE and the EGR itself. I carry an AUTOXRAY code reader in my 2000 cougar, as well as enough tools to replace alternators, starters, DPFEs, steering pumps, and half shafts. my cougar has 140,000 miles, and, I suspect, its engine will need replacement soon (150,000 miles).