Overview & Reviews

Depending on how old you are, you probably have different recollections of the Mercury Cougar: Baby boomers will likely remember the original V8-powered pony car and its evolutionary change into a big, personal luxury coupe. Car enthusiasts of a younger vintage are probably more familiar with the Cougar as a small, spry front-wheel-drive sport coupe. About the only common link between all Cougars is their Ford genetics.

Debuting in 1967, the first Mercury Cougar was closely related to the second-generation Mustang. Mercury's version was marketed as being more plush and European. Coupe and convertible versions were offered, and this was the first time that "XR-7" appeared as an option package. From a performance standpoint, these early Cougars were highly regarded, especially as they could be equipped with a variety of powerful V8 engines.

By the mid-1970s, however, the focus on performance had diminished. The Mercury Cougar of this era was more of a personal luxury car. Mercury even experimented with sedan and station wagon variants. The Cougar finally settled into its role as a luxurious coupe at the dawn of the 1980s. As a close relative of the Thunderbird (atop Ford's new "Fox" chassis), the Cougar remained rear-wheel drive and could be V6- or V8-powered.

With consumer tastes shifting away from this type of vehicle in the 1990s, Mercury cut all previous ties for the Cougar's final iteration. As a smaller front-wheel-drive coupe with a focus on style, this Cougar was meant to draw in young buyers who otherwise perceived the Mercury brand as being old and out of touch. However, this approach didn't quite work as well as Mercury had hoped. Faced with disappointing Cougar sales, Mercury finally pulled the plug on one of its most popular and well-known nameplates in 2002.

Most recent Mercury Cougar

The Mercury Cougar spanning from 1999 to 2002 was based on the Ford Contour (and the associated Mercury Mystique), a small sedan with European breeding. Mercury hoped these underpinnings would give the Cougar a sparkling on-road personality while the coupe's sharp "New Edge" styling did the rest, yet this generation of Cougar never met with much success. Some say the car's branding as a Mercury ruined its chances with the younger consumers the company was after, though our experience with the car gives us a few theories of our own.

The Cougar had the makings of a credible entry-level sport coupe thanks to its accurate handling, head-turning exterior styling and an available 2.5-liter V6 with a five-speed manual transmission or four-speed automatic. It also had a generally well-laid-out and comfortable interior (rear seats excepted), a surprisingly utilitarian hatchback body style and a price that was considerably less than other competing models of the time.

On the other hand, the car was merely adequate in a lot of ways. Steering feel was heavy, and acceleration was nothing special, even with the 170-horsepower V6 (the standard four-cylinder put out a meager 125 hp). Outward visibility was also poor. In a comparison test of six sport coupes we conducted in 2001, the Mercury Cougar finished last.

Needless to say, this wasn't one of our favorite sport coupes. Shoppers still interested in a used Cougar from this vintage, however, can pretty much look at any year, as Mercury didn't make any significant changes during the model's four-year run. Slightly altered front styling went into the '01 model, when the instruments and steering wheel were also revised. For the Cougar's final year, Mercury released the 35th Anniversary Package with chrome wheels, hood scoop and an in-dash CD changer. There were also a few special appearance packages, such as the C2, the Zn ("Zinc Yellow") and the XR.

Past Mercury Cougar models

The last and best of the traditional Mercury Cougars came along in 1989. Along with the still-related Thunderbird, the Cougar was redesigned atop a new chassis with an independent rear suspension, and to everyone's surprise, gave up its V8. Instead, this Mercury Cougar used a pushrod 3.8-liter V6 with 140 hp (supercharged to 210 hp in upscale XR-7 trim).

The 1991 model year saw the demise of the five-speed manual transmission and the dropping of the supercharged V6 in favor of Ford's classic 4.9-liter pushrod V8, rated at 200 hp. A better 205-hp 4.6-liter SOHC V8 replaced it in 1994, when the body got a styling refresh and the motorized seatbelts were traded for dual airbags. More styling changes came in 1996, and the interior was made over for the Cougar's last year in 1997.

The basics stayed consistent throughout this Cougar's model cycle. A 200-inch-long body, roughly 3,600 pounds of weight and numb steering kept it from being truly sporty, but rear-wheel drive and the all-independent suspension gave it respectable handling and a rather serene ride. Acceleration was fine with any engine besides the basic V6, though gas mileage was pretty dismal regardless. Interiors are attractive (despite Ford's old hard-to-use radio) and four adults will fit, though the Cougar's interior space and comfort are more in line with that of a midsize car than its size and weight suggest.

There are definitely smaller, lighter, faster, more efficient ways to cruise the streets in two-door style, but if rear-drive, a V8, a decent-size backseat and a low price are of top importance (and muscle cars aren't your thing), this generation of the Mercury Cougar is probably a pretty good pick.

User Reviews:

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  Good and Bad - 2000 Mercury Cougar
  By Paulyzz - January 7 - 2:00 am

  I love this car, the way it looks, and the way it handles. I have had nothing but problems with it though. Already on the third alternator, have had 2 shorts in the radio (which still doesnt work right), and the car would not start on me on several occasions. There are too many problems to list here. This car has been in the shop in excess of 25 times, and Ford had to give me a premium warranty because I was threatening to declare it a lemon. Love the car, but would never buy another one, which is a shame, becasue you dont see them all over the place.

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  Save your money - 1999 Mercury Cougar
  By deathpig - December 24 - 2:00 am

  Dont even waste your money on this LEMON. I have had the car for 5 months now and i have had nothing but problems. The car has been in the shop 6 times already. Everything from the hood and trunk release, sun roof, engine, emission sensors, and the list could go on. I will never buy another Mecury, not to mention that the dealership has been a real pain in the kneck.

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  Hunk of Junk - 1999 Mercury Cougar
  By lalala - December 20 - 3:56 pm

  After 10 years, the car still looks great, but thats just about all I can say. I bought my car new in 1998, and 2 days after I bought it it wouldnt start. This was just the beginning of my problems. The engine light keeps coming on, no matter how much I get the car repaired. The alternator has gone out 3 times, once leaving me stranded on the freeway at 2am in a storm. I am so constricted because with 86000, this car should still have life, but I cant even drive 20 minutes on the freeway without something happening. Oh yeah, and did I mention the sunroof? Dont even get me started.

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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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  dont buy it! - 1999 Mercury Cougar
  By daveyzstar - December 14 - 10:00 am

  this car is so much fun to drive, when you can drive it. two weeks after i bought it used with only 27,000 miles, i had to replace the transmission. shortly after that the brake pads, and most recenly the alternator. i also had to put in a new stereo because the cd player didnt work. the doors leak, vents pop up, and the remote doesnt work.

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  NICE RIIIDE OVER ALL - 1999 Mercury Cougar
  By SPEEEDY - December 14 - 10:00 am

  I drive my cousins 1999 cougar and have to say it is just awsome. I get attraction all the time. Exterior is just very neat. Interior is also very nice...futuristic lookin....Comfort wise it is very nice...specially driver side..just one problem...seat doesnt move froward or backward....other wise its very comfy....Performance wise it is nice....just doesnt pick up good at the begining but after 30 or 40 it flies....specially on highways...from 60 to 90 no problem...and ride is mad smooth...you cant even tell that ur goin 80 or above....bracking is the most powerfull i have ever seen....I would very highly recommend this vehicle...

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  1999 mercury cougar - 1999 Mercury Cougar
  By f duarte - December 2 - 2:16 pm

  The 1999 mercury cougar is a good car to show off, but it runs too slowly. I have an v4 with 120hp when there are many other cars with v4s that have lots more hp.

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  So far so good - 2002 Mercury Cougar
  By mandanstan - December 2 - 11:56 am

  Just bought the car from an individual a few days ago, and enjoy it so far. It handles very well, but, just like everyone else says, it doesnt have the most get up and go. Its definitely a reliable A to B car, but dont go racing anybody. The seller said it was his daughters car and she had never had any problems the 2 years that she had it.

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  Great Car - 2000 Mercury Cougar
  By Mike - November 27 - 11:40 am

  I got this car in apr 03 from an auction for 3k. well it had 97k miles on it then and it has 143k now and ive never had anything replaced. i did notice the hatch on the back likes to stick and the cup holder doesnt fit larger cups.. doesnt seem like that is worth complaining about tho. i think it is the "sports package" edition since it has everything on it i.e. moonroof, leather, electric seats, spoiler etc. i have traveled from Richmond to Miami and last summer stayed in Syracuse NY and drove down to Richmond VA just about every weekend for 3 months (yes a 7 hour drive!) and the car has never broken down or any problem what so ever! maybe i just got really lucky..

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  GREAT CAR FOR THE MONEY - 1999 Mercury Cougar
  By kiltliftertexas - November 26 - 2:00 am

  Those of you who are considering should feel comfortable buying this sleek model coupe. I have highly enjoyed my experience. My only advice would be to make sure that the electronics and braking systems are in good shape. I have not had any real problems with mine, but I have heard of a few.