1978 Mercury Cougar XR-7 review from North America
"This car is the perfect sized luxury coupe for power and safety"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
The engine blew up three months after I got the car despite all attempts to save it. After I put a new Ford factory 302 back in it I've changed the oil every 2500 or so miles and nothing has gone wrong with the engine in the last 120,000 miles (still runs like new).
I have had problems with the light switch, the headlights used to flicker out on me, so it's been replaced twice.
The fuel pump went out twice, and the ignition module went out twice.
The master cylinder was replaced once and the brakes pull and vibrate badly (rotors), twice replaced. No other trouble.
General comments?
The car has been with me through all kinds of weather and terrain, always handled well. Very comfortable and safe feeling.
This car was a graduation gift for me, and most of my single life's memories involve that car, it's never let me down without warning.
I bought a parts car to help resore it to perfection, but I can't bear to tear that one down, it's got ALL the options. Now I have two, and one mad wife.
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| 1978 - Cougar XR-7 351 Windsor It is the bomb, glad to be restoring it |
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| 1975 - Cougar XR-7 351cu in 2bbl A stylish mid size car that can easily be turned into a sleeper |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| Year of manufacture | 1978 |
| First year of ownership | 1987 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2001 |
| Engine and transmission | 302 V-8 Automatic |
| Performance marks | 8 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 7 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 8 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 5 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 82350 miles |
| Most recent distance | 205112 miles |
| Date of Entry | 15th June, 2001 |