1993 Mercury Cougar XR7 review from North America

#1 RUST-this problem finally caused me to end ownership of this car.

#2 BRAKES-the rotors kept warping on this car no matter what I did...

#3 MISC-plenty of rattles, little things going, slippery transmission sometimes.

While this car had its share of problems it truly was a great driving experience. Unique looks, personality, and rear wheel drive all combine seamlessly into a car that flat out rides better then most newer cars.

The engine is slow on this car; it pines for the V8. However, to get around this somewhat you can; get a performance intake, never drive with overdrive below 50 mph or up steep hills, and do not expect quick off-the-line performance (unless you keep it in gear 1). The transmission is also slow, but it is not meant for performance shifting. The engine is durable and generally outlives the V8 offered.

The handling on this car is superb-it is almost necessary for you to take turns fast. While the body rolls, etc. none of this is felt at all by the driver. This is one of this cars best feature's.

The interior is laid out nicely and very comfortable. Most 93 cougars have all power everything with leather. The instrument controls are easy to see, stylish, and a nice green color at night (I hate the ones with plain yellow lighting!). Somebody had mangled my door trims, but interior is still great.

The stying is elegant and graceful, especially the front end. This car says something when you see it heading towards you. All around styling everywhere is quite good, with the low point being the odd looking and too small rear window.

Personality is the most ambiguous trait for a car and is solely in the mind of the driver. This car for me has more personality than most all. Too many cars of today feel like they are pieces from the same tired jigsaw puzzle, uninspiring cars that do their jobs effectively, completely, and forgettably. This car forever retains it's own identity.