Cougar & Probe - Ford's Aussie Orphans? - Page 7

XR5-Boy · 15-07-2007, 07:34 PM

Guys, some fresh pics are up on NECO of my car. Dan, let me know which ones u want.

http://www.newcougar.org/forums/vide...away-56kb.html

Dshibi · 15-07-2007, 07:41 PM

Excellent photos George! The resolution they're at is fine, so I can use those if you're okay with that

Hope all's well with your Coug now, I don't like it when they give us trouble!

...I have creaky sounds coming from my suspension...

Dan

XR5-Boy · 15-07-2007, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Abraxas

Excellent photos George! The resolution they're at is fine, so I can use those if you're okay with that

Hope all's well with your Coug now, I don't like it when they give us trouble!

...I have creaky sounds coming from my suspension...

Dan

yeh that's sweet. The res is 800x600 but the originals are 2816x2112 so yeh lol. If those ones are sweet then all good to use them ;)

thearrow · 16-07-2007, 01:50 PM

Daniel I got your message and I will do my best to get there a bit far ahead to make a solid commitment yet.

At my last service my mechanic said to me that at my next service ( 97000 km) I would have to replace my plugs & leads and that the plugs alone are $25.00 each. Is this correct ??

I presume there are others that have done this & would appreciate some advice. It's not going to happen for a while yet as I am only at 88000km now.

CYA !!!!!

XR5-Boy · 16-07-2007, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thearrow

Daniel I got your message and I will do my best to get there a bit far ahead to make a solid commitment yet.

At my last service my mechanic said to me that at my next service ( 97000 km) I would have to replace my plugs & leads and that the plugs alone are $25.00 each. Is this correct ??

I presume there are others that have done this & would appreciate some advice. It's not going to happen for a while yet as I am only at 88000km now.

CYA !!!!!

Are those plugs from Ford? Seems a bit steep to me :S You can purchase NGK's cheaper(i think) from super cheap or autobarn (part number PTR5D-10 with a 1.0mm gap) My leads are due next service. They're starting to look worn. If you're looking to do it urself, the front 3 are easy, it's the back 3 plugs that are a nightmare!

Dshibi · 16-07-2007, 06:14 PM

I haven't changed my spark plugs, but I wouldn't go Ford ones if you need to replace them. Lookup some other brands and get a good decent set. That way, it doesn't matter if you're spending a bit more - at least it'll be a quality brand?

Oh, Dave, we need numbers for the AFD by end of week... get in touch with Timmeh if you come to a decision.

Dan

pcperfection · 16-07-2007, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thearrow

Daniel I got your message and I will do my best to get there a bit far ahead to make a solid commitment yet.

At my last service my mechanic said to me that at my next service ( 97000 km) I would have to replace my plugs & leads and that the plugs alone are $25.00 each. Is this correct ??

I presume there are others that have done this & would appreciate some advice. It's not going to happen for a while yet as I am only at 88000km now.

CYA !!!!!

Hey Dave, good info on spark plugs here http://www.newcougar.org/forums/2-5l...know-love.html
and yes they are bloody dear here, may be cheaper to get some from the U.S , think they are around US$5
Cheers
Mark (Cougar)

cpapashley · 17-07-2007, 07:50 AM

No Doubt about those plugs being dear, but the NGK's are fine (have them in the MPV), there are a number of reports that the bosch plugs are not up to the mark in these engines. So steer clear of them otherwise you may end up replacing everything again.

I think from memory I paid around the $18 for the NGK's, but they may be cheaper at supercheap or even repco.

Happy hunting.

Oh also don't forget that pricing wise it may be cheaper to go with the mazda HT leads than the clearly overpriced ford offerings.

thearrow · 17-07-2007, 11:09 AM

Daniel I don't want to enter but I will try and come and see how you guys are getting on and want to check the mods to your cat.

Whatever happens I wouldn't have time to spend a whole day camped out at Warwick Farm.

Thanks for the tip guys for plugs and leads I will do a bit of research before I commit.

XR5-Boy · 19-07-2007, 03:46 PM

Hey all,

found this review of the Cougar from back in 2002. The guy seems to like it (with an overall 4/5)

The last line of this review had me in stiches!

http://www.ciao.co.uk/Ford_Cougar_2_5__Review_5274017

thearrow · 20-07-2007, 09:49 AM

Cougar-Bot I have read this before and it is quite humorous there are other reviews around the place like

Here: http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/Se...OUGAR&ref=True

&

Here: http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/Se...OUGAR&ref=True

I have tried to put up my own reveiw twice now but it didn't work. never the less interesting reading.

CYA !!!

thearrow · 20-07-2007, 09:54 AM

Sorry about mis-spelling your name cougar-boy.

Actually before I bought mine I did a lot of research on the net about Cougars and this was one of the reviews I read. It was also how I found out about the Eibach model and resolved to get myself one.

Any other reviews around the place please post them.

CYA !!!

Dshibi · 21-07-2007, 09:17 AM

I did mega-research before buying mine... tho couldn't find an Eibach, and after considering the options, I thought the SX model would be the better to go for. (Liked the interior better, and the front I felt had more aggression). Bought up all the old brochures (tho I've missed the 99 model Aussie edition) and some magazines from around the world too...

Here's a couple more online reviews tho...
http://www.marque.com.au/usedcars/06...ord_Cougar.htm

http://www.mynrma.com.au/cps/rde/xch...car_review.htm

http://www1.autotrader.com.au/mellor...B?OpenDocument

http://www.topgear.com/drives/B4/C0/

Surprisingly, it's funny to see some still point to America as the country of origin for the Cougar... idiots... if they only did a little bit of homework!

Dan

thearrow · 23-07-2007, 10:18 AM

So there I am on Saturday I pull up in the car park and this guy comes up to me and says,

"What kind of car is that????"

"I am a real Ford man and I have never seen a Ford like that before???"

So of course I felt obligated to explain to him what exactly he was looking at.

:

So does this happen to you guys???

Dan thanks for posting the reviews I have read most of them as they appear to be freely available on line. A lot of reviews seem very similar particulary the local ones and I am suspicous that there is a bit of plagiarism going on. :evil3:

Dshibi · 23-07-2007, 10:42 AM

I wish I had a few more people asking about it I suppose... I get it at work though - people not quite sure what it is etc.

It's far better than the blank faces I'd get from any car part shop like Repco or Supercheap. I don't even bother anymore!

Dave, you're right about the reviews. I think it's a bit bad too that they all say the same things. I found from Wheels and Motor mag, BEFORE the Cougar came to our shores they couldn't wait for Ford to bring it over. Then, when they both drove it, they complained about the seats and a less-inspiring drive. However, they did have a fair bit of praise too.

There's only one magazine road test I'm aware of for the 01 model, which Performance Ford magazine wrote up back in their second issue and it was a nice review, and about the only time a Cougar has been a 'feature' car in their pages (not including random photos and On The Street submissions).

Dan

XR5-Boy · 23-07-2007, 02:58 PM

hehe, yeh Dave, i get that all the time. It's epecially good when a Holden driver is droolin while lookin at the cat hehe.

On another note, mr.RACV came to visit my car today. Battery was totally gone! He tried to jump start and needed the booster! Anyway, a new battery is in the car now so all good

cpapashley · 24-07-2007, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cougar-Boy

hehe, yeh Dave, i get that all the time. It's epecially good when a Holden driver is droolin while lookin at the cat hehe.

On another note, mr.RACV came to visit my car today. Battery was totally gone! He tried to jump start and needed the booster! Anyway, a new battery is in the car now so all good

I cannot remember if I mentioned this before Cougar-Boy, but make sure you get that alternator output checked on the car to make sure the battery is getting recharged.

XR5-Boy · 24-07-2007, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cpapashley

I cannot remember if I mentioned this before Cougar-Boy, but make sure you get that alternator output checked on the car to make sure the battery is getting recharged.

Nah, the alternator is fine, the battery failed completely. It was from late 2003 and due to be replaced.

thearrow · 25-07-2007, 02:22 PM

I think it was only the yank ones had problems with the alternators.

Cougar Boy did you have trouble with the central locking when the battery was flat coz that was what happened to me.

The central locking all of a sudden took on a life of its own turning on/off by itself.

XR5-Boy · 26-07-2007, 06:51 PM

Yup, had that prob! I drove it to the shops that morning, it locked fine. Came back, it opened up. Then i go to start the thing...nothing....then the locks start goin nuts@! lol. Anyway, the RACV bloke gave me a jump start and it seemed ok while it was sitting there. I go to take off and the electrics start goin crazy! T/C went stupid so i turned it off and pulled over again and got the guy to grab me a battery. 10 mins later, the battery turned up and i was on my way

thearrow · 10-08-2007, 11:22 AM

Am I right that "All Ford day" is this Sunday ??

Who is going ??

photn · 10-08-2007, 11:36 AM

yesm.

about 20 different cars.

check out the EUro Ford section on here.

or head on over to www.eurofordclub.com

XR5-Boy · 02-10-2007, 09:47 PM

Hey guys,

For those with NECO access

http://www.newcougar.org/forums/vide...ps-my-car.html

Also, Dan, nice brakes

George

Dshibi · 02-10-2007, 10:56 PM

Haha... put a girl in the photos and the NECO Guys go nuts...

Anyone would think Cougar owners are lonely buggers?

Nice photos George

You'll have an air filter on it's way over to you shortly...

Dan

XR5-Boy · 03-10-2007, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Abraxas

Haha... put a girl in the photos and the NECO Guys go nuts...

Anyone would think Cougar owners are lonely buggers?

Nice photos George

You'll have an air filter on it's way over to you shortly...

Dan

I know man! They're bloody unbelievable! She's fully clothed and not even on my car! hahahaha. I'll let you know when the filter arrives!

cpapashley · 03-10-2007, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Abraxas

Haha... put a girl in the photos and the NECO Guys go nuts...

Anyone would think Cougar owners are lonely buggers?

Nice photos George

You'll have an air filter on it's way over to you shortly...

Dan

I think the word would be youngand lonely.......

thearrow · 23-10-2007, 11:30 AM

Hey Boys,

Check this out, it looks brand new !!!!

http://www.drive.com.au/used-cars/FO...1&SG=429709308

It's only done 4254 KM's.

CYA !!!

XR5-Boy · 23-10-2007, 03:07 PM

OMG!!! Where has that car been????? Obviously no where but man, almost 8 years old and with that many k's!! Factory coolent is in there too from what i can see!

cpapashley · 24-10-2007, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thearrow

Hey Boys,

Check this out, it looks brand new !!!!

http://www.drive.com.au/used-cars/FO...1&SG=429709308

It's only done 4254 KM's.

CYA !!!

:

:

....and it is only just down the road, anybody car to donate some money to a poor old pensioner like me......

thearrow · 25-10-2007, 12:10 PM

If I had the money I would buy it in a hot second. Probably be able to get a couple of grand off. Doesn't look like it is registered yet. Unbelievable that it has only done so few K's would love to know the background to it.

Maybe "driven to church on Sunday's by a little old lady" HAHAHA who knows !!!