1996 Mercury Cougar XR7 review from North America

Serpentine belt snapped while driving on the inter-state. $25 repair.

2 O2 sensors were bad, causing the check engine light to illuminate occasionally. $90 repair.

Alternator quit. Acquired a second hand 150amp alternator from a Crown Victoria Police Interceptor. Charges at a nice 14v now.

Apart from regular servicing that's about it.

This has to be one of the most overlooked, underestimated car's ever. When my 96 Lumina blew it's second intake manifold gasket, I got rid and wanted another car. Luckily I had a friend of the family selling her 96 XR7 Cougar with the 4.6L. I test drove it and immediately fell in love.

The power from the 4.6L is just truly amazing, a lovely quiet cruiser, but put the pedal to the metal and it promptly throws you back in the seat and you get a lovely engine note.

The interior is like sitting in a control room, everything is designed around the driver and accessible. The half leather/velor seats are perfect and give plenty of lower back support.

This car is fully loaded with all the toys. Cruise, remote locks, drivers door keypad, climate control, CD changer, 8 way power seats, self dimming rear view mirror. Long journeys leave you refreshed unlike some of the smaller cars.

I was surprised to find out this car is rear wheel drive. The car sits squat and low and grips like a sports car in corners with very little body roll.

I test drove a 99 Cougar after purchasing this one, and walked away disappointed because it lacked ALL of the qualities of my 96. Sure the older body style might not be to everybody's taste, but this is just an awesome car and I'm disappointed that Ford don't produce them anymore, because I'd buy a brand new one in a heartbeat.