Things changed over a year:
1 - starter (died)
2 - 4 KYB struts and OEM springs (1 strut totally died and the car drove like garbage). ps. oem springs are a waste of money
3 - coil pack
4 - spark plugs twice
5 - wires twice
6 - tire (started making an odd noise like it decided it wanted to be a winter tire)
7 - outer tie rods (both)
8 - inner tie rod
9 - air filter twice
10 - trans fluid
11 - air conditioner hose
12 - coolant hose
13 - control arm
14 - fuel filter
15 - headlight light-bulb
16 - interior light-bulb.
This car for me has been garbage!!
I've been a cougar owner since 2005. I've driven my 99 cougar (which is bone stock) quite a bit over the course of the year and have had times when the car is enjoyable to drive (usually right after repair and before some new problem showed up).
This car always seems to have one problem or another that needs to be fixed. what is shocking is that the problems are not even related, but somehow the car knows when a problem has been fixed to trigger another problem! Also, this car seems to know when I am super busy with other stuff and demands attention by creating some problem that needs to be fixed without delay. ie recently started misfiring which was because of a fault coil pack (this will be the second one in a year).
For some of these repairs I had to take it to a local shop because I just didn't have time to fix it myself and paid dearly for it. I'm starting to hate this car and wanting to blow it up. ohh, if you are the police and reading this after checking into a report of my car blowing up.. it wasn't me.
I have had my 99 Mercury Cougar since driving it off of the showroom floor. I have had none of these problems, in fact, the only service to the car were routine maintenance, oil change, tire rotation, etc...
It is unfortunate the problems you have experienced, but I assure you that these are not common problems. There are always lemons of every car out there. Sorry to hear that you had to get one.
I feel your pain my friend. Just trade the car and get a new car; at least you'll get some money from that piece of junk!