Comments: 1-15, 16-23
The only thing that has gone wrong with my Cougar is that the key sometimes refuses to turn in the ignition. This has caused the car alarm to sound embarrassing me in crowded parking lots. Usually just taking the key out and trying it again will start the car.
This car has been so much fun. I live in Montana so I know this car can get up and go. I used to travel over Marius pass, a windy mountain road in the rockies, and this car could get me through the 35 mph turns at over 60 mph. The car has enough power to downshift and quickly gain enough speed to pass those pesky Grand Ams coming out of corners.
My first vehicles have been a 1980 Ford Fairmont and a 1970 Chevy Pickup. The Cougar gets better gas mileage than the pickup and better performance than the Fairmont. This car is also the favorite to go cruising in with my friends because the girls like it more than my friend's Neon.
I am glad that someone had good luck with their Cougar. My car was a LEMON. I had 27 issues to deal with in a year and a half. I will never buy another Ford product because of their poor customer service and unreliable vehicles.
I had no luck with the Cougar either. If you have had several problem with yours and are reading this feel free to email me at cpqa_1@hotmail.com.
Thanks,
Chris.
I have had good luck with my Cougar and also with Ford the only problem I've had with mine is the moon
roof not going all the way back and my warranty took care of that. Mine is also really fast and all my friends love my car. I only paid 10,500 for a fast manual v6 and most the people like it more than any grand am or other sports car around.
I have a Grand Am and I took offense to the reference to them in this review. If you are looking at Cougars, consider Grand Ams also. I can name 3 reasons why the Grand Am is better. 1, the stopped making the Cougar after 02. Could it be because too many people had complaints with it? 2, the Grand Am top of the line is comparable to the top of the line Cougar (equipped with more features, even) and is thousands less. and 3, the V6 Cougar only produces 160 hp where as the Grand Am V6 produces 175. 15hp may not seem like much, but for thousands less and a more reliable car, it only makes the package more appealing, doesn't it? I'm sorry you wasted your money.
I'm using msn's Carpoint. com as my source, and the Cougar's 2.5L V6 makes 170hp, GrandAM's 3.4L (only in the top models) makes 175hp (that's almost a liter of displacement to make 5 extra horses,) and because of that bulky 3.4L pushrod engine the GrandAM is not only sluggish, but heavier than the Cougar. Why is it that GM can't make decent performance powerplant under 3L of displacement? Could it be that they still use pushrods instead of overhead cams, or is it because they still use L shaped heads, instead of hemispherical heads, like every other car company in the world, I think it's just about time for GM to upgrade its blocks and heads to get with the times.
I've had my 99 Cougar V6 for 4 years now and the impression I have is equally good and bad. The first model attracted a lot of attention. A few times at the intersection at a red light, there would be fascinated strangers parked beside me giving the car all sorts of compliments, mostly to its attractive looks. The warning sirens that go on if you forget your keys in the ignition or have the lights on (while driver door opened and engine off) has saved me from being stuck a few times. The down shift acceleration has allowed me to pass quickly and comfortably every time. However, I had more problems in 4 years than my dad had with his 93 civic in 11 years. My overall impression is, this car has a great body style, good performance and costs a lot less than its competition. But, can be very expensive to own because off the mechanical and some electrical problems.
To say that I am disapointed with my 2000 cougar, which I had purchased as a leftover in 2001, would be a gross understatement! I have had numerous problems with my car. since I purchased my car I have replaced two fuel pumps, three fuel filters, a whole engine, multiple fuses, ground wires, cables, my CD player does not work, my sunroof does not open and the seal on my rear window is coming off. it is impossible to enjoy the zip that this car has because it is never working! I am very unhappy with my cougar. it is really a shame because appearance wise it is great.
2001 Mercury Cougar
My Mercury Cougar (4 cylinder) was nothing, but problems the entire time I owned the vehicle
the car's engine would "die" at random and force me to "pop start" the vehicle in motion (usually
going about 65 mph) I took the vehicle to the dealer umpteen times and they could never find
a problem, I even filed a complaint with a dispute board and asked that the vehicle be purchased
back from me (this was only 1 1/2 years after I bought it) I never got anything, but an extended
warranty --I finally traded the car in this year and bought a 2004 Ford Mustang--I guess it all
worked out for the best -the Mustang pretty much blows away the cougar performance wise
and visually as well... wonder why they quit making the cougars this year...hhmmmmmmm
makes you wonder.
We have a 2000 Mercury Cougar that we purchased in Nov. of 2000, We have had to have the fuel pump replaced 5 times, the first one going out at 10,000 miles, none of the technicians can seem to figure out what is causing them to go out therefore the problem will continue. When I called the Ford customer service department I was told that the Ford solution is "for me to continue to take my car to their service department and have the repairs done then for me to pay for it". I think this is a sorry solution and I will never buy another Ford product because of this. I was also told that it would not be considered a defect unless others were having the same problem. If anyone else is having the same problem I would like to know, please feel free to email me at RoeShadowen@aol.com.
I have to say that my 2000 cougar handles well and is very attractive, but the constant electrical malfunctions outweigh the cars' performance. I have had the car shut off on me four times in two years leaving me in the middle of freeways and service streets, and in addition my sunroof won't go back. The main cable that runs from the engine to the battery had to be replaced and the battery sits too close to the engine causing potential problems with cables and wires. It almost seems like Mercury didn't do enough tests and pushed this car out into the market too quickly. (which is probably the reason they stopped making it)
Gerard SoCal
Just bought a 2000,with 48K miles in Dec 2003. Problems with hesitation at about 1500 to 2000 RPM. A tune-up helped, but it still does it periodically. Rear latch problems. I have seen other reviews stating the same. My theory on this one is that the springs lose their tension and become weak so the hatchback just falls back into the slot because it is so heavy. New springs are 11.50 each, but I'm going to try and replace them and will let everyone know if successful. Also only one third of the rear window defroster works. Not needed much in Fla. so I probably won't fix. Suspension is terrible. Every bump or crack in the road is felt as though there aren't any shocks at all. If this is sports suspension I want no part of it. Dealer service gets an "F", Salesman says no chip in key and doesn't have remote- wrong. New key and programming is over 100.00. Not happy. Car is for wife and she loves it- mostly looks and acceleration. She is not a mechanic and only sees the good side of the car. After reading all the negatives about this car I wish I had never bought it. Not looking forward to all the future problems. Previous car was a Nissan Altima, a great car and basically no problems for over 6 years. I would not recommend this car for any reason. Bart Florence, e-mail at candieman8@aol.com if you would like to compare notes etc.
I made the comment about the 2000 Cougar with hesitation problems. After the third trip to the shop I returned it back to the dealer and bought a Mustang. It was scary to read all the problems in this column. Did not want to risk it because I tend to keep a car for many years. Luckily I was able to trade it back in - but still got screwed. Something about depreciation and I had owned it for 3 weeks so it was now worth less. Mustang is wonderful.
8 Jan 2004.
To the guy who keeps replacing his fuel pump:
I also own a new cougar-V6 with a 5 speed. If you take care of it, (and didn't buy one of the ones produced very early in the year) then it's a great car. I've had no problems except the rails on the sunroof warping, which is normal, and unfortunately not covered under warranty usually.
The fuel pump is the other regular issue. This is the same fuel pump that causes problems in the Ford Focus. The main thing here is that it is mounted badly, and is only fuel cooled. Notice that you'll typically run out of gas when it says you have 50 miles left in the tank if you park on an incline. But to prevent all these problems, don't let your car drop below a quarter of a tank. You shouldn't drop below there anyway because youre then pulling junk up from the bottom of the tank, like dirt and such that gets into fuel stores under gas stations. This will keep it cooled, and thus unlikely to go out. It will also keep it from choking in 3rd gear (which tends to happen when youre low on gas).
Hello
I bought my cougar in Dec 2003 and so far so good I didn't have any problems with this car. I have extended warranty on it and after reading all this reviews I am glad that I did bought it. it has 2.5 V6 engine in it and it gives a best performance. Suspension is very smooth. I have no idea why other guys have troubles with it. everything is working and I am happy with this car. If you have any comments just e-mail me @ sand200202@yahoo.com
V. K.
I bought my wife a 2000 Cougar for her birthday in 2003 and since I have had (a year and 1 month) It has been in the shop a total of 5 times. All 5 times it has been the transmission. Yesterday it left my wife stranded in the middle of a very busy interstate. I am very unhappy with this car. On the other hand the service people have been very nice and are really trying to work to resolve the problems. But 2 transmission later I think it is time to get a new car. If you plan on buying a Cougar, don't if you are not careful it will suck you dry. Thanks for hearing me.