Overview & Reviews

Exterior and interior changes are extensive for the Cougar. At first glance outside, you'll notice new front and rear fascias, new headlights with a projector and reflector system, a new grille, a new spoiler, new foglights and 16-inch painted or 17-inch machined aluminum wheels. New clearcoat metallic colors include Dark Shadow Grey, Tropic Green, French Blue and Sunburst Gold. Later in the year, two special editions -- the Cougar Zn and C2 -- will be offered.

• Unique styling, solid handling, large cargo space.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 48.00

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  Id buy it again. - 2001 Mercury Cougar
  By nice kitty - December 27 - 1:13 am

  First off this is not a drag car, a good number of the newer cars will stomp this one in the quarter. This car does however love carving the curves. Feels pretty solid on the road. Does well in the snow, sits a little low so watch the ice boulders in the road. Seat holds the passengers well. Back seat is made for small people.

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  Great on gas but a MONEY PIT - 2001 Mercury Cougar
  By richie19r - December 15 - 5:20 am

  Bought it with 79k for my wife in 98. Has 112k now. Car looks great outside, inside is a little small. I dont know what everyone is talking about with the gas, i average 35 mpg going 60, and about 32 mpg going 70. so far, replaced both rear shocks, fuel pump, both timing chains, water pump, plugs, wires, all 4 brakes. Now I have about 3 different noises coming from the car, in which all i cant find. Im tired of dropping money into it. As soon as something is fixed, something else needs fixed. I dont recommend it to anyone that cant work on cars!!

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  The Cougar Curse is here as well. - 2001 Mercury Cougar
  By clayman - March 29 - 10:00 am

  Loved my cougar when I got it.Parents wanted a good car that could handle LOTS of miles for when I left for college(I drive back and forth from Norman Oklahoma (Go Sooners!),sometimes twice a month, the car is a little over 2 years old, and has 87,000 on it)At 11k, brakes where bad, 34k new transmission put in, week later the drivers side window stopped.CD player skips like mad.Trunk pop still does not work.At 60k ,transmission replaced again. 6 months ago,the door handle on the pass side broke.I constantly find nuts and bolts on the floor of the car, from diffrent places in the dash.

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  Despite problems, I love this car - 2001 Mercury Cougar
  By mu4120 - December 4 - 1:56 pm

  I rolled this car off the lot with 22 miles on it and nearly 7 years and 139,000 miles later I am still driving it. The transmission did go out around 64,00 and the fuel pump was replaced (both under warranty). Other than normal wear and tear, this car is great. People still compliment me on it, and I love to drive it. However I hate how small the backseat is. I now have two kids and its way too small, but we deal with it. I wish it took off faster and the mileage isnt real great - in my opinion. However it does the job and looks great and gets me from point A to point B. I hate buying tires because they are expensive with the 17 inch rims. But I still love the car, regardless.

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  The Car I LOVE & HATE - 2001 Mercury Cougar
  By melifluffy - November 26 - 10:00 am

  I bought my Cougar brand spanking new and I thought it was the best thing I had ever done. For about 10,000 miles I loved my car and then my car became a regular at the Mercury dealers repair shop. I have had many many problems including bad breaks, a faulty gas gage, a malfunctioning fuel pump, alternator, leaking windows (which have yet to be fixed after 4 trips to the dealer), and lately my power windows have refused to go up or down. I will never recommend this car to anyone and I personally will never buy a car in the Ford/Mercury line ever again. Although my car is beautiful to look at, beauty doesnt keep this car running and/or out of the shop.

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  Fun to drive - 2001 Mercury Cougar
  By philly79 - August 28 - 10:00 am

  This car is loads of fun to drive. The pickup is lacking slightly but you can definitely get it cruising. The handling is excellent and the hatchback is key. I just hope that some of the horror stories Ive read regarding reliability arent true.

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  Good & Bad - 2001 Mercury Cougar
  By jm3115 - June 8 - 10:00 am

  Bought as my first NEW car right out of college - within a year lost the master cylinder while driving - NO BRAKES!! Lots of problems with 6 CD changer/radio too - replaced twice. Depending on terrain, mileage ranges from 15-26 mpg. Overall - satisfied 1st car. Wouldnt do it again if I had to do over.

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  What Happened? - 2001 Mercury Cougar
  By oh so sad... - December 15 - 10:23 am

  I love my 2001 Cougar, shes beautiful! But please, be careful. Mine only had 70k miles on it, I took it for a 500 mile trip to Canada, and the engine blew up on the way home. Absolutely no warning signs, my warning lamps and gauges didnt show anything. The engine started making a knocking noise, we pulled over and the oil and belts were smoking, and the radiator fluid had boiled out. It was towed, and I was told I needed a new engine. I have found more and more people with the same problem. Due to an engine defect, the head gaskets leak, and allow water into the oil. A bearing in my engine literally disintegrated because of the heat and friction this condition caused.

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  Its a Tank... - 2001 Mercury Cougar
  By 2carguy - October 19 - 11:23 am

  Just you all know this car was pass on to me after my mom passed on last year. So far the cougar has been great to me. Although its a gas guzzler and thats do to it being we 2 tons. To me its a girls car but it was my moms so i drive it and plus it only has 33,000 on it. Pretty good for a 2001. The cougar is my second ride and so far its been fun. I see so many cougar lately on the road but i never see the one like mine. My cougar has added features that was being put on the 2002.

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  Wifes Car! - 2001 Mercury Cougar
  By Tony & Lana C - October 10 - 1:20 pm

  We have had this car since 2001 and it has had no problems. Minor things that regular maint takes care of. It is not for a person over 56" to drive and dont think of putting avg size people in the back seats. Other than that we love the V-6 and the power it gives on the highway. Id buy another one.