Faults:

Alternator.

Battery.

Power steering pump.

Water pump.

Thermostat.

Fuel injector sensor.

Mass air flow sensor.

General Comments:

I am so frigging glad I was too stupid to research a car before purchasing. I bought my 2000 Mercury Cougar in Feb 2009, knowing the motor needed to be replaced for 800, and just knew I was getting the deal of a lifetime with this gorgeous car.

Well I replaced so much on this car, and spent so much money, that it's not funny, it is hilariously stupid. Still don't know for sure what's wrong with it, and of all the year and a half I've owned it, I have driven it maybe 10 miles, and that's because we live one mile from the store, so 2 miles there and back. Still laughing? Me too.

I would not suggest even a Ford, much less a Mercury. The guy at the store said he thought the rattling is my flywheel, so I am trying to research it to see if it may be, and if it's even worth it to try. This car is a big fat money pit.

Faults:

I have had 5 fuel pumps replaced since buying the car in 2001.

An alternator, windshield wiper motor, sunroof broke, motor on drivers window blew, and thermostat...

I, like so many bought this car because it looked very nice. This car has been a nightmare since I have had it, I will never own another one. With today's economy, who can afford to have such a high maintenance car.

The only reason I still have the car is that it is paid for, but it is looking like it may be scrap metal before long...

General Comments:

It wouldn't be so bad if it wasn't $400.00 a pop for the replacement of the fuel pump.

Faults:

Replaced control arms, tie rods, battery. (2008)

All around brake job. (2009)

Body kit, new 17" rims. (2009)

Rear defrost doesn't clear middle of window.

Clutch is sticky in the first 3 gears.

E-Brake always freezes in the cold.

General Comments:

Body kit problems...

There are no mounting holes for the rear bumper, just locking pegs that easily break, so if you are looking to install a new rear bumper, you need lots of fiberglass bondo...

The front bumper would not fit unless I removed the plastic under mold. So I welded together a custom under mount of metal.

Faults:

The trunk has always been a challenge to open with the remote or inside button. Springs to assist the truck to open were replaced at about 20,000 under warranty, but we continue to have the problem.

Defrost vents tend to pop out of place.

The blower motor would only work on high at about 40,000. Replaced the resister myself located behind the dash, which was an all day job. Very tight space to get to.

Also at around 40,000, started to have the flickering light problem that comes and goes.

Had the front wheel bearing replaced at 55,000 costing $125.

At around 60,000 miles, started to experience engine surging and sometimes hard starting. Today the car will not start, the engine just turns. I'm thinking this is the fuel pump issue that Ford will repair free of change up to 10 years from start of warranty.

General Comments:

Purchased this 2000 Mercury Cougar new, still own and it's been a good reliable car for us. It has been garage kept, driven mostly on the highway and not driven hard.

It handles well but the ride has never been great with the sport package.

The back seat is really just for kids.

I was amazed that we got 7 years out of the original battery.

Our Cougar still looks sharp for an 9 year old vehicle.