Ask the Car People.SM


Cougar Support Group - Bigger & Better - READ ONLY

1081 messages,  Last post on Nov 27, 2000 at 5:53 PM

You are in the Cougar Support Group-Archived Discussions Forum.

Messages Page 24 of 109

#222 of 1081 re:200SX by ryster

Jun 24, 2000 (5:01 pm)

Good afternoon!


Just to clarify, 1998 was the last model year for the Nissan 200SX, which was basically a 2-door Sentra. The coupe (200SX) was cancelled starting with the 1999 model year when Nissan deemed low sales did not justify continuing production. The SE-R was the "hottest" model, but was nowhere near the performance bargain the previous generation Sentra SE-R turned out to be.


Now for my Cougar question...my dad currently owns a '98 Mercury Mystique that he purchased new about 2 and a half years ago. His Merc has 50,000 miles on it, and he is giving serious consideration to buying either a leftover 2000 V6 Mystique, or going with the V6 Cougar. Many auto magazines state the seats in the Cougar can be downright painful on long trips. Is this the case? His job requirtes him to make numerous trips and he generally drives his own vehicle (sometimes his destination is 300 miles one-way.)


His Mystique has been trouble-free (for example, still has original brakes even at 50K.) Have Cougar owners had a lot of problems with their cars? With his busy schedule, he does a lot of his own routine maintenance and finds continuous trips to the dealer for little problems very inconvenient. How difficult are oil changes at home?


Finally, how is visibilty for passing on the highway and backing up, etc.? I myself have a '99 Camaro, so I am used to reduced visibility. But Dad was expressing concern about the Cougar's visibility.


Thanks for your input!!

#223 of 1081 by daexpert

Jun 24, 2000 (5:07 pm)

ryster, in my personal opinion, the seats in the Cougar are very comfy, but some people do not like them. I used to make trips to NC all the time in Cougar (about 5 hours from where I live) and I didn't find the seats to be bad at all, but it also depends on your body. As far as visibility goes, I think that's sort of a weak point on the Cougar because of the way the mirrors are shaped, but, if you can adjust them just right and you're careful like you should be with any car, there should be no problems.


And yes, the Nissan that pulled up next to me last night was a 200SX SE-R model, and I was surprised at how it could haul.

#224 of 1081 by daexpert

Jun 24, 2000 (8:15 pm)

By the way camelard, I went to that website and it says the Nissan can do 0-60 in less than 8 sec so that would explain why it kept up so darn well, its stats must be pretty close to that of the cougar, except the cougar probably handles better.


I have another stick-shift driving question. Sort of dumb but I might as well ask. Why do some people say it's not a good habit to shift in the middle of a turn or curve? Is it possible to lose control of the car in that instance or what? Thanks.

#225 of 1081 ryster by fish8

Jun 25, 2000 (3:00 am)



Seats: I am almost positive that the Cougar seats have been redesigned for the '01 model year. 2000s still have the old seats. The redesign was due to the number of complaints. My seats are fairly comfortable. They could be better. My longest trip was about 350 miles or about 6 hours and the seats were fine.


Visibility: I have no problem with it. Granted, I don't have a rear spoiler on my '99 Cougar.


Problems: Since the Cougar is based on the Contour/Mystique platform, they should have the same track record. As the Cougar model matures the problems that occur have lessened. I have had a few SLIGHT annoyances with my Cat, but I still love the car. Except those damn rattles!!!!!!!


I would recommend a new Cougar. Looks great, handles great and you will get lots of attention!!!!!

#226 of 1081 by fish8

Jun 25, 2000 (3:02 am)

I just saw the Cougar on Speedvision in the Touring class race. Unfortunately, it was being lapped by faster traffic. Still cool though!!!

#227 of 1081 Cougar did fine in Florida... by burnsmr4

Jun 25, 2000 (5:19 am)

Hi, folks...


My kitty did just fine on a 1300-mile round-trip to Florida. I had the alignment done before I left. I'm a service visit behind (need 15,000 mile service 17,000+ miles on odometer), which ticks me off, since now I'll need to get the 15,000 mile service WITH ANOTHER alignment. Might as well. Could have knocked it out of alignment on bad interstate and Florida backroads.


Funny story about the alarm and getting caught inside the car -- I love to scare my girlfriend in the car with the alarm. She's waiting for me outside of a store or at the gas station, and what do I do? PANIC BUTTON! I've very nearly had to clean her seat out in some cases, and it's notorious for getting me into real bad trouble -- ALWAYS CATCH HER IN A HUMOROUS MOOD, FELLAS.


Once, when I left her outside while running into a university campus building hunting for a friend of mine, I set the alarm and locked the doors. Well, when I came out of the building and started walking through the parking lot toward the car (in plain view), the alarm went off on its own! My girlfriend jumped and screamed inside (I could see her flipping out), and she started looking around and saw me (now) running toward the car.


Turns out that she got a call on the cell phone, and the car was hot. I didn't realize that she couldn't unlock the car using the power locks with the alarm set. I also didn't know that just opening the door from the inside (which unlocks it anyway) will set off the alarm. She did it herself, but because of my prior offenses, I was blamed!


Nowadays, I find it quite humorous to keep her OUT of the SALE stores at the malls and shopping centers by locking her in the car with the alarm on. She's scared to get out, and I don't have to worry about her getting stuck in a shopping frenzy when all I want to do is make a quick stop.


Ladies, this should also work for the guys if they have a tendency to want to make multiple stops to the Home Depots, AutoZones, and Hooters on the way home


Sincerely,
burnsmr4

#228 of 1081 by camelard

Jun 25, 2000 (5:25 am)

Ryster:


Now that I have the lumbar support set correctly I find the seats very comfortable. As far as visibility goes, no problem for passing if the side mirrors are set right. Backing up the visibility could be better.


Daexpert:


The only time I can think of where shifting in the middle of a turn or curve would be a problem is in some winter driving conditions. As soon as you hit the clutch you are essentially free-wheeling which could cause loss of control on black ice.


For the best handling you should be accelerating through a curve so I suppose you could experience a loss of control if you are shifting at the top end and experience some drag.


Aside from those situations I don't know. When driving on residential streets I typically shift from 1st to 2nd on the turn and I have never noticed a problem with handling.

#229 of 1081 multiplying kitties by jayhawk5

Jun 25, 2000 (2:19 pm)

  It seems that the Cougars have been reproducing here in No. Virginia. The last month I've seen them all over the place. When I got my car 6 months ago I didn't see any- now I see them everywhere. It's strange, every time I see one it puts me in a good mood!

#230 of 1081 by daexpert

Jun 25, 2000 (5:49 pm)

I agree to that, jayhawk5. I've seen lots of Cougars around here. I see them everyday on 66 on my way to Rosslyn every day. The ones I see the most are silverfrost and green.

#231 of 1081 Riding comfort in the Cougar by giddeup_50

Jun 25, 2000 (10:30 pm)

I travel 1200 miles at a shot (round trip) from Detroit to Phila. in my Cougar to visit my parents and the seats in the Cougar(sports package)are far more comfortable than the ones in my recaro knock-offs in my 88 GT convertible. The ones in the convertible are way too soft over long stints and I find the Cougar to be supportive, a bit firm, but it makes you get out every 4 hours or so and stretch your legs. Which you should do anyway. Don't want sleepy drivers out there.

Messages Page 24 of 109

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement