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:
Showing 371 through 380 of 442.00-
Love and hate relationship - 2002 Mercury Cougar
By C Rush - July 7 - 10:00 amI love driving the car and the look, but the car has a major fuel pump problem which is common in these Cougars. It had to be replaced twice on mine, and I also had a sensor go out very early on. The features are all great, but I hate having a problem every couple of months.
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96 XR-7 Cougar - 1996 Mercury Cougar
By Jason Barksdale - June 29 - 2:00 amWe bought our cougar when it was a year old it had 20000 miles on it and now it has 92000 miles ive never had any trouble out of it and I love the car in every way,it has the same 4.6 motor as in the GT Mustangs so that means any proformanes parts for a mustang 4.6 will work on it, i had a hard time trying to find somone that would put true duel exhuast on it but i got it done, its very hard to find 18x9 chrome cobra R wheels for it but i did, it rides better that any mustang ive ever rode in, over all i say A+
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my cougar - 1997 Mercury Cougar
By thelunchking - June 23 - 10:00 amsuper car x-ride roomy = comforatable to drive
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I have two Cougars! - 1999 Mercury Cougar
By My2cougars - June 10 - 12:10 pmI love to drive these cars! They can be expensive to fix and a little hard to see out of. The back seat is not a bench, so if you need room in the back, this car is not for you. You can only fit two people in the back, and it doesnt get much leg room. Both of my cup holders are broken, so I have to use the one in the back. There is a lot of trunk space, and the car has pretty good pick up too. But it makes wide turns, forget trying to make a sharp turn, it wont happen. I like the factory rims mine have on them, and I have driven them both to 150,000 miles now. They are an expensive car to fix though, the parts can be kinda hard to find and a little pricey.
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my car - 2000 Mercury Cougar
By Cougarchick - June 4 - 10:00 ami love my cougar. its never let me down. handles well in the snowy minnesota winters.
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Horrible mistake - 1999 Mercury Cougar
By Mistake!! - June 3 - 4:20 amI bought this car with close to 100,000 miles on it, i took it to a mechanic and he said everything was fine, a few months later everything started breaking down, i had to replace all of the struts and already rebuilt the transmission twice because the gears would not switch, this car is horrible i wouldnt suggest to get it, it has so many problems that i just junked it.
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Love the car!!!! - 2002 Mercury Cougar
By Lauren - May 26 - 1:43 amI have loved this car since I bought it back in 2006. I dont treat the car very well but it has been tough. Its VERY comfortable. I could go on and on about things I love about this car.
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Best of Mercury - 1999 Mercury Cougar
By barnzy - May 22 - 2:00 amThe Cougar was the first car Ive ever bought. It has overall been a good investment. It has good pick up speed, and in my opinion is a comfortable car. Other people have said this car has given them all sorts of problems but mine have been minor, typical car repairs. If your looking for a sports car at a low price, the Cougar is it. Too bad they quit making them. My problems were my driver side window, it will roll down, not up. My check engine light is always on, and ofcourse the infamous cup holder rarely works. It is wise to purchase a warranty, as with any car. I have and that window was a little expensive.
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Lemon - 2000 Mercury Cougar
By DDD000 - May 22 - 2:00 amI purchased my 2000 special edition in Aug of 2000. I paid $22,300.00 I have had nothing but constant problems with this car. It has been at the service department more than I have had a chance to drive it.
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almost purrrrfect - 2001 Mercury Cougar
By nmgprincess - May 21 - 9:20 pmlove to drive. could do without bucking when sensors need replaced, which seems to often. would like to have better gas mileage.
