Help Buying a Cougar!!

[fomoco_44]

Hi All,
This is my first post so please bear with me.
I was wondering if you Cougar fanatics could help me........I'm looking at upgrading my daily driver(MK2 Escort 1.6l Auto). I am seriously considering a Cougar or Probe, and just had two questions I need answering:
1. What are the service\parts costs of these imported cars like compared to the local content Fords?
2. What kinda mileage can I expect with daily city peak-hour driving(thinking of going for an auto cause of this)?

Massive Ford Freak here......currently I have 9 Fords in the back yard and one in storage.

[XR5-Boy]

hehe, welcome to the dark side of the Fords...sorry, couldn't help myself. I've had my Cougar for about 8 months now and here's the low down on my experience so far...

Day to day running of the cougar is not too bad. It's my daily driver and i average around 11.5-12ltrs (auto). Manual trans u should get a little btr. Normal service cost are about average. Parts though can be expensive (just changed my wheel hub and bearings) and that wasn't cheap. Mechanically the Cougar is strong so u shouldn't have a prob. Just try to source one that has low k's (below 100k if u can) and is well looked after.

Hope i've been of some help. Some of the other guys may want to add their 2 cents aswell.

[chelle26]

i can't give helpful infos...i owned my 2000 Escort ZX2 L4 2.0 for two years..i think cougar is great rather than probe..some ford auto parts can help you with service\parts costs and the mileage.

[fomoco_44]

Thanks guys........thats a great help. Was worried mpg would be higher, thats about what I'm getting at the moment with the Escort. She's a great little car but I just need something with a few more mod-cons.

[cpapashley]

Originally Posted by fomoco_44

Thanks guys........thats a great help. Was worried mpg would be higher, thats about what I'm getting at the moment with the Escort. She's a great little car but I just need something with a few more mod-cons.

I think the car's history is very important, if you can speak with the guy that has maintained the vehicle you find it would be good. Parts can be expensive, not because of any other reason than Ford rips you off...

There is a lot of support for the vehicle in NA (thats north america) and Europe. So hoping on the forums there will help with understanding what you have purchased.

The Duratec 2.5l engine is a ripper, the CD4e Auto needs to have been maintained (fluids changed) and...

I am not sure if the Cougars have a transmission cooler as standard, if not you need one for the long term health of the ATX.

If it has less than 100,000 km on the clock then really just sticking to the maintenance schedule will see you in an excellent daily driver for a long time. If it is over and there is some doubt over the maintenance then there could be some costs but having said that, nothing more than any other car.

Really I am just jealous that you are in a position to buy, take your time in looking, don't rush and you will be rewarded...

Post some pictures when you get the cool cat...

Maybe one day I can trade my people mover for a cougar...

[fomoco_44]

Just one last question before i stop harassing you guys.........are there any complaints from you cougar drivers about the cars? Things like:
Cramped driving position, poor visibility, awkward ingress\egress from the car, blinkers on the wrong side, complex cruise-control operation etc etc etc.
Think I'll go for a test drive next weekend. I had my heart set on an Eibach, but they are far and few between.

[XR5-Boy]

Originally Posted by fomoco_44

Just one last question before i stop harassing you guys.........are there any complaints from you cougar drivers about the cars? Things like:
Cramped driving position, poor visibility, awkward ingress\egress from the car, blinkers on the wrong side, complex cruise-control operation etc etc etc.
Think I'll go for a test drive next weekend. I had my heart set on an Eibach, but they are far and few between.

The only prob i have is the seat's lack of support for lateral movement. the bolsters are pretty average. Driving position isn't cramped at all. It's actually quite roomy. cruise is easy to use (and only on the ATX models i think). The Cougar is a very underated car. It handles like a sports car should (even if it is FWD) and is quite nimble for the size. Steering is firm, but not too firm and the passive rear wheel steering gives that extra turn-in when needed (i like the ease of parking the car )

[Dshibi]

Only issues I can think of...
- Cruise control only comes in Automatic versions, and these are said to be more sluggish than the manuals.
- Sun visor's are almost useless... put it down and you can't see a thing!

Aside from that, I don't have a problem with driving position, driveability or indicators on the leftside, it's something you can quickly adapt to Rear vision is impared by the fattened C pillar, but to be expected for the type of car. Front and side vision is quite good. Rear seats are usable, but not comfortable for tall people.

Driving dynamics are excellent, the 2001 model interior is updated from the 99-00 and said (by reviewers) to have better seats. The leather optioned Cougar's have heated seats, and bootspace is aplenty.

Parts are hard to find, and can be expensive. If something goes wrong with the car, your Ford dealer may not know how to deal with it. Particularly electrical issues dealing with door actuators.

Cougar-Boy, you referred to passive rear wheel steering? Cougar's don't have this.

Eibach editions are sought after... differences to normal include the Eibach suspension, different 17" rims, Visteon bodykit and spoiler including cosmetic bonnet scoop and I think Tickford badging. Some later models were sold with Eibach bodykit parts as well. Sunroof's did come as an option, as well as CD stacker in the rear. 2001 models feature updated front grill, headlights and bumper, as well as revamped interior.

Dan

[XR5-Boy]

Originally Posted by Abraxas

Cougar-Boy, you referred to passive rear wheel steering? Cougar's don't have this.
Dan

I've got the original brochure from the dealership and it states in the specifications that the car has passive rear wheel steering. I'll double check when i get home but i'm positive that it has this.

[XR5-Boy]

Ok, i have found the original brochure from FTE on the 01/02 model Cougar my dad grabbed back then when he was looking at them. Go to the last page (if you have it) and under the rear suspension section, it states "Independent 'Quadralink' system with strut-type coil spring/damper units, two trasverse and one trailing arm each side, incorporating passive rear wheel steering, Rear anti-roll bar...

If anyone wants a copy of this, i can scan it (but i'll have to grab the scanner from dad's work)

[Dshibi]

http://www.eurofordclub.com/gallery/...chure/page11tu

Well, there's no arguing there, it's written in the brochure. But I can't say I've seen anything underneath the rear of the car to be passive rear wheel steering...

Dan

[cpapashley]

Originally Posted by Abraxas

http://www.eurofordclub.com/gallery/...chure/page11tu

Well, there's no arguing there, it's written in the brochure. But I can't say I've seen anything underneath the rear of the car to be passive rear wheel steering...

Dan

Maybe it is very passive..... :

anyway to help Fomoco out it seems there were five cougars listed up on carsales.com.au today??

So follow the link....maybe they are just re listings...??

Cougars for Sale

[XR5-Boy]

fomoco, as you can see, we're all passionate about our Cougar's (and cpapashley with his mpv :P ) If you have any other question, don't hesitate to ask!

[fomoco_44]

Thanks Guys......thats been a big help. Bit worried about the service side of things as it will be a daily driver and clock up a few miles, though for the money being asked for them now and the list of features that comes standard......its hard to find better value on the market!!. :
May have to put off the buy for a little while.....Don't have any room down the back and I don't wanna sell my track-weapon-in diguise MK2 Escort just yet. :