1983 Mercury Cougar review from North America

Replaced water pump at 175,000 miles.

Replaced left-front brake caliper soon after.

Replaced heater core around 180,000 miles.

New front tires, rotors recently.

Replaced alternator twice in 8000 miles.

Turn signal lever broken, but usable, causes break light fuse to blow at random.

Windshield wipers come to rest 3 inches above where they should.

I bought the car without an air conditioning pump and it was missing hoses. The previous owner had rebuilt the engine a couple of thousand miles before selling it leaving it riddled with both electrical and mechanical bugs. The aftermarket dual exhaust is rusted through. I'm always able to look past these sometimes frequent hassles and I've been able to accommodate by learning how to fix and prevent future problems.

I've had to drive with an emergency jump-pack battery and a trickle charger for the past seven or more months. The car gives me starting trouble in the rain and on hot summer days whether it's been driven that day or not. Gas mileage is acceptable, but the 5.0 can guzzle when its power is really used.

It's comfortable, appealing, and powerful. There is potential for these cars in performance and muscle for those capable and interested. Parts are readily available and fairly inexpensive, though particular parts have never really been reproduced as aftermarket replacements. It's a grand thing that its thunder-bird cousin can supply parts as well. When I look at the car I think of puppy-dog eyes- like it's begging for a little more TLC and a quick trip to the store.