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1950 messages,  Last post on Jan 17, 2012 at 2:23 PM

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What is this discussion about? Mercury Cougar, Hatchback

For Cougar lovers everywhere!

Messages Page 140 of 195

#1391 of 1950 Edmund's gives Cougar last place :-( by dgemini

Nov 24, 2001 (12:56 am)

Just read the review of Edmund's 2001-2002 Sport Coupe Comparison Test. When I clicked on last place I knew the Cougar would be last (even though I secretly hoped it would be higher)
 
One of the worst things about the article is that I have been looking for a review on the Cougar to see how it compared to the latest comptetion.
 
It was really sad to see the same things we have been saying for the last couple of years:
 
"The nice thing to say here is that the Cougar is a good car but that the other five cars are simply better. And while that's true, a higher finish would have almost certainly come about if Mercury had decided to offer the Cougar S for 2001."
 
Sad but true.
 
I still love my Cougar...and I plan on owning the car for quite a few years after it is paid off (please baby...stay together for daddy!) but it would be so nice to own a car that is considered to be among the best in it's class...instead of being considered among the worst.
 
At least they did say that the Cougar IS a good car, AND it does look good.
 
Anyway...enough venting for now...
 
24 more days and I will be driving my Cougar for the first time in over 6 months! Yaaayy. Even better, I will be with my wife! Yaaayy

#1392 of 1950 by fish8

Nov 24, 2001 (5:59 pm)

I just wanted to drop in and say Hi! I have not posted in awhile and wanted to let everyone know I am still alive. Later!

#1393 of 1950 The question is... by burnsmr4

Nov 26, 2001 (6:34 am)

...is your Cougar still alive?
 
If so, don't let it read the Edmunds.com homepage story on sport coupes.
 
I agree with the above -- no more beeping. I can live without the beep. Honestly. I can.
 
[Runs out of room holding back tears. Schedules appointment with beeping therapist.]
 
By the way -- hope EVERYONE had a GREAT and SAFE Thanksgiving. Raise your hands if you flew over the holidays. Those with your hands up get a cookie for having (a) cahonies and/or (b) a helluva lot of courage.
 
Later,
burnsmr4

#1394 of 1950 by badulah

Nov 26, 2001 (10:53 pm)

Hey All:
I'm glad to see everyone is still around and doing well. I'm sorry that I have not been around lately, but I plan to change that.
 
I have been in contact with Lefty on a regular basis. We are planning to get together sometime after Christmas and we will discuss the 2002 CSG calender. We are still doing work for Capaldi Racing and we plan to have several gatherings at various races in order to support him and his team. Hopefully we can hold this group together for a few more years.
 
-Rob

#1395 of 1950 badulah by dgemini

Nov 27, 2001 (3:08 am)

How are you? How's the job hunting going?

#1396 of 1950 Hello Everyone! Happy T-day for you americans by advocatus

Nov 27, 2001 (8:27 am)

Hello Everyone... it has been a long time since I've posted... I hope everyone is well. My Cougar and I just turned 15k... it's only been six months.. and I'm worried.. too much driving! Nonetheless, my little baby has gotten me where I needed in record time, and the V6 has gotten me out of sticky situations (Pa Turnpike). My question is.. I need the 15,000 mile maintance and I've called a couple dealers to get their price for that maintance.. and these are the totals.. 395.00, 204.00, 90.00, and 80.00 ... they all promise the same service. I don't need to get my cabin air filter chained, it's only been six months. the guy who quoted me 395.00 I asked what he did, and he said alignment and tuning... etc etc..
 
What do you guys think? How much did you guys pay? Thanks for the help!
David (Philadelphia)

#1397 of 1950 Don't pay anything: by gustafsc

Nov 28, 2001 (7:37 am)

David:
 
Just about all of the items listed in the scheduled maint can be done by yourself.
 
All of the fluid levels can be seen by looking into the clear or translucent resivours (spell?), you can change any of the filters that you need to, rotate your own tires (or have it done cheap at your local gas station), free brake inspection at the local brake shop (Midas, Carex, etc) and they usually do a complete underbody check at the same time, free.
 
You shouldn't need a tune-up or any work like that.
 
The only reason for going to the dealer would be the computer records of scheduled service, and even that's not required for the warranty.
 
C.G.

#1398 of 1950 Good information by burnsmr4

Nov 28, 2001 (11:24 am)

Thanks, Gustafsc -- good stuff. Did you ever find out what your 30K mile service cost at the dealership? I've changed my air filter, cabin air filter, and gotten an oil change.
 
I haven't changed the PCV valve (how do I do that?) or the fuel filter (where, other than dealership, for this?). Nor have I had the brakes inspected. If I get those three done, I've basically done the 30K service, right? If you have suggestions for those last items, share 'em.
 
Thanks,
burnsmr4

#1399 of 1950 Other stuff: by gustafsc

Nov 29, 2001 (7:42 am)

Sorry to say, I've not cracked the Owner's Manual since I got the car.
 
But, having said that, most libraries have service manuals somewhere in the 600 section of the non-fiction collection. The Cougar is based on the Contour/Mistique, so the manual (Chiltons or other) shouldn't be hard to find.
 
If you're not having any problem with engine operation, chances are that the fuel filter and PCV valve are OK. You can check the PCV valve by pulling it out and shaking it. If you can hear the slide moving (rattle), it's usually OK. Put it back in.
 
Fuel filters usualy don't go bad unless you've gotten some bad gas at a low volume dealer where the tanks may acquire some crud over time. Water is usually more of a problem than dirt though. My last car had over 60K mi and never needed anything changed (Nissan Sentra Se-R sport coupe).
 
Injector cleaner in the tank won't hurt, but gasoline does have a detergent already mixed in, and as long as the car is driven regularly, gum buildup shouldn't be a problem either. But, your option if it makes you feel better.
 
In some cases, benign neglect is OK. If it ain't broke, don't fix it!
 
Skip G.

#1400 of 1950 Another little scrape by coolchick

Nov 29, 2001 (1:57 pm)

Arrrghhhhhh!
 
A little old lady bumped/rubbed/scraped my passenger side rear wheel well in the parking lot yesterday while I was in the store buying groceries. She did wait around for me to come out to take responsibility, and it's minor cosmetic stuff, but still.....aaaaarrrrrrrggggghhhhh!
 
It irks me especially because I had picked a spot at the end of the row where there wasn't a place next to me for someone to park, but she was squeezing through and managed to ding me anyway.
 
Her insurance folks have set up an inspection/estimate appointment for Monday afternoon, and my dealer is one of their preferred shops, so that will keep things a bit easier to deal with. And they're paying for a rental while my darling Adelaide is being touched up. Let's hope I don't get a purple Kia =8^o

Messages Page 140 of 195

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