1997 Mercury Cougar XR7 review from North America
"A beautiful, powerful, comfortable, underrated American Gem"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
I have had not problems with this car at all unless you include routine maintenance such as brake pads ect... I love the reliability of the Cougar!
I was advised at one point by a Ford tech that this car has a finicky transmission, and that if it starts to shift rought like running over a washboard, change the transmission fluid. I have found this to be true! It will solve the problem and shift like brand new.
General comments?
This is may second Cougar of this body type. My 1993 was devastated in a five car pile up, sandwiched between a Range Rover and a Ford Expedition. In the end, it just didn't have the body mass to compete!
But I love this one even more than my 93'. It's quick, comfortable, and not expensive to own and it's beautifully styled. Once this one started getting higher miles, I thought it probably wouldn't be that hard to find one with lower miles. I was wrong! They are getting hard to find in good condition.
Sad to know that this is the last of the affordable V8, rear drive american near-luxo coupes. I hope they reincarnate this car someday!
Recommended reviews
| Nice, but unreliable with costly repairs |
|
| A Great V-8 |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| Model year | 1997 |
| Year of manufacture | 1997 |
| First year of ownership | 1999 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2005 |
| Engine and transmission | 4.6L V8 Automatic |
| Performance marks | 8 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 10 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 9 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 8 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 23000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 126000 miles |
| Previous car | Ford Cougar |
| Date of Entry | 30th October, 2005 |