Anyone own a Mercury Cougar 99-02

[dohc324ci]

Hey all,

I sold my 2000 Mustang GT and looking to purchase a 99 Mercury Cougar for my daughter. She is starting college this year and wants something sporty and economical (I thought about giving her the stang...for a second). After looking at Honda Civics, Pontiac Grand Am's, and Dodge Avenger's she finally has her sights set on the Couger. She likes the styling and its in her price range. My question is how dependable are these cars; and what are the common problems to look for?

Any information will be appreciated

[de minimus]

I bought a V6 new in 2000 and had it for 3 years. Put 60,000 km on it. Never had a problem .....in the shop only once (aside from maintenance)for a recall on the battery cable (I think).
Great car, fun to drive. Handles well and decent power. Great on a twisty road with the manual tranny. And I'm not a FWD fan usually.
Loved the dash and interior generally, but the seats were the absolute worst I have ever sat in. And forget about the back seats - a double amputee midget wouldn't be comfortable back there.

Have you thought about a slightly newer ZX2?

[dohc324ci]

I bought a V6 new in 2000 and had it for 3 years. Put 60,000 km on it. Never had a problem .....in the shop only once (aside from maintenance)for a recall on the battery cable (I think).
Great car, fun to drive. Handles well and decent power. Great on a twisty road with the manual tranny. And I'm not a FWD fan usually.
Loved the dash and interior generally, but the seats were the absolute worst I have ever sat in. And forget about the back seats - a double amputee midget wouldn't be comfortable back there.

Have you thought about a slightly newer ZX2?

Hmmmm...did you have leather or the cloth? The back seat isnt such a bad thing (I dont want her to taxi her friends)

[de minimus]

cloth, and I'm probably bigger than you daughter ( 6'5" 300lbs) so maybe any seat in a non panther would be awful.

Good point on the back seat.

[MACFORD88]

I Havent Seen To Many Cougers At The Dealership I Work.for Any Problems.i Do Know To Pull The Transmission Out Is A Pain In The You Know Were.and I Think Some Have Recalls For Fuel Pump Or Sender.

[dohc324ci]

cloth, and I'm probably bigger than you daughter ( 6'5" 300lbs) so maybe any seat in a non panther would be awful.

Good point on the back seat.

6'5 300lbs! How did you ever fit in that thing? Big is an understatement; she's 5'2.

Thanks for the input

[ckadiddle]

Hold the phone..I think I have a coworker with a low mileage one for sale. Lemme go check. Pretty sure it's V8.


It's a 1997 Anniversary Edition Cougar. Approx. 39000 miles. No, that's not a typo. 39000 miles. She bought a new pacifica and refused to trade it in for the few hundred the dealer would offer. I have ridden in it once or twice, it has been well cared for.

[Bluerauder]

... looking to purchase a 99 Mercury Cougar for my daughter. She is starting college this year and wants something sporty and economical ... My question is how dependable are these cars; and what are the common problems to look for?

Any information will be appreciated

My son has been driving his 2001 Mercury Cougar for the past 7 years. He likes it. He's probably got between 90-100K by now. Rear seat is basically useless for real people. He doesn't use it much at all.

1. Fuel pump replaced (there's a TSB on this)
2. Transaxle overheated once (has since changed his serivce interval to 15K)
3. Loose Battery cables (mentioned above)
4. Rear brakes binding.

The car sits really low -- feels like my butt is dragging the highway when I ride in it with him. Ride is really stiff and you feel every crack, joint, stick and stone in the road. I like the car ... good for the young folks. I'd be crippled after 100 miles of driving it.

[hot-rauder]

my brother owned one for about 2 years before moving to a Lincoln MarkVII.... loved the car. with the manual it is super fun. dash was unquie and fun. perfect car for a young girl.(ya we made fun of my brother lol)

ride was not too harsh, at least we didnt think so. i could sit in the back. i was 5'4" about 160 lbs at the time. now im only 5'6" about 170 lol.

gas mileage is good and they are nice.....a definate yes here

[Blown3.8]

I worked a merc dealership, selling parts, and there was no major issues I remember them having.

So its a from me.

[dohc324ci]

my brother owned one for about 2 years before moving to a Lincoln MarkVII.... loved the car. with the manual it is super fun. dash was unquie and fun. perfect car for a young girl.(ya we made fun of my brother lol)

ride was not too harsh, at least we didnt think so. i could sit in the back. i was 5'4" about 160 lbs at the time. now im only 5'6" about 170 lol.

gas mileage is good and they are nice.....a definate yes here

Yeah I always considered the Cougar a Girls car; at that time we picked up a 99 Grand AM SE2 (so I could drive too).

Thanks rauder!

[hot-rauder]

Yeah I always considered the Cougar a Girls car; at that time we picked up a 99 Grand AM SE2 (so I could drive too).

Thanks rauder!

My mother had a 99 Grand Am SE2... has the multispoke rims and spoiler?

she absolutely loved the car. we totaled it when we aere t-boned going threw an intersection... but she loved it. very nice and sporty cars. plus the stick to the road. came factory with Eagle F1s.

[BLACKMARAUDER04]

The 1997 Is The "old" Version Of The Cougar (same As Thunderbird).
I Had A 1992 Xr7 And Loved It. It Had A Sport Feature- Flip A Swith And The Shocks Stiffen Up. Flip It The Other Way, And It Becomes A Cruise Mobile.