1991 Mercury Cougar LS review from North America

Air Conditioning failed around 70,000 miles.

Both front and rear brakes have been replaced (rotors and pads) more than once.

Front coil springs at 93,000.

Headlight switch wiring harness malfunctioned causing headlights to blink after 15 minutes of use at around 100,000.

And of course the big one, head gasket went a few months ago at about 102,000.

Rear body mounts have rusted through at 104,000.

Rear coil springs at 104,000.

Rear wheel bearing at 104,000.

First off, this car was my Grandmother's (she got it new) and was passed down to me when I was in college at about 65,000 miles. She didn't drive it a lot in the 8 years she had it and never had any problems. Regular service only and some new tires.

I didn't drive the car much for the first two years I had it. I was at college and only drove it in the summer and the occasional weekend when I came home to visit. With that being said, most of the 40,000 miles I have put on it have been in the past two to three years.

Aside from the AC failing, most problems did not begin until after 80,000 miles. The brakes have been repaired several times in the past three years and just don't seem to last. I do most of my driving in the city (Pittsburgh), so that probably doesn't help. Usually my annual inspection revealed one or two $100-$150 repairs each years during these last few years. I don't feel that this is too outrageous as I park on the street and the car has been exposed to Pittsburgh winter weather for almost five years now. It's bound to take a toll on the car.

Finally, the 3.8 V6 is a sweet engine performance wise, but the head gaskets will go eventually. Mine lasted until about 102,000 and from what I've heard, that's not too bad. The repair, along with a few other minor engine repairs cost me $900.

Despite the frustration over the past year (probably $1500 worth of repairs, with at least $500 more that need to be done now), I really loved this car. When everything was in proper condition, it had a smooth ride and great power for its class. It was comfortable and for the most part reliable until the past year or so when it became an almost constant problem, most likely due to weather and mileage deterioration.

In closing, I am shopping for a new car as I have realized that it's time for the Cougar to move on to the great junkyard in the sky.