2.0l Coug

willeaper

Well-known user
Mar 24, 2014
596
438
UK
I'm looking at buying a 2.0L Cougar to add to the collection and possibly save one, honest views/advice on this model would be welcome.
Also would be pleased to hear from any 2.0l owners in the club.
thanks,
Wil
 
Different car I know, but I always found my 2.0 litre Probe handled better than the V6 one. Maybe less weight upfront? Not sure if Cougar is the same. I'm sre the 2.0 is nippy enough though.
 
Agree with previous opinions. My first Coug - Mako - was a 2.0 Zetec. She was rev-happy and definitely handled more evenly than Tiger does. My only criticism was that you had to beat the holy hell out of her to get her to move. But once she was up on the cam, she was about the same as the V6.

My opinion is that you are doing a wonderful service to this club with your acts of preservation. If you want to obtain one, that's great, but please don't feel as though you have to just to preserve the car's memory.

I loved Mako very much, but frankly I have always thought that the Coug deserves V6 torque because of its nature. But I'm still happy to be wrong because of the wonderful work that Al has done. Not to mention the guy who fitted an NB to one!

In summary, if you think it's worth your time, go for it. You'll hear no criticism from me.
 
Obviosly near identical cosmetically, but two totally different beasts to drive. I always find the V6 a lumbering drive, maybe that's because i'm used to a nippier 4pot. When i first had my C1 zetec, tbh i did find it lacking poke even in comparison to the 2.0 mondeo but maybe that was due to the injection/intake system. Yes a zetec does need more work but it pays divi which in part is why i've stuck with mine after all these years. I know all about piston envy :rolleyes: and i don't want that to come into this topic, but i do feel that can be a big part of V6 ownership for some. Legally, a 4pot will do everything a V6 will do, you just need to drive one or the other. Comparing L4L the V6 wins hands down on paper and there's no mistaking that torque and the beautiful rumble. To get my kicks, i put stage two cams into a ported/polished head, blueprinted up at Bolton mafia HQ courtesy of our Mark and Nick, and myself, in there with uprated rings and all sorts of other toys. It's a completely different drive to the V6 and the sound imo is fantastic when it's up on those cams and as my brother said "it's got some poke annit" :LOL:.
To put a standard zetec into your collection can only be a good thing imo Will, if only to stop me feeling lonely when i lift my bonnet at shows. (y)
 
Thanks for info mate, just for interest what are the differences cosmetically?
I still really p****d that I missed that red 2.0l for sale recently! But hopefully it went to a good home...
 
Thanks for info mate, just for interest what are the differences cosmetically?
I still really p****d that I missed that red 2.0l for sale recently! But hopefully it went to a good home...

Cosmetically:

Zetec has front foglight blanks as standard where the V6 has fogs fitted.
No engine spec boot badge on the zetec.

That's about it.
 
The Zetec also missed out on the front map reading lamps and the illuminated sunvisors.

I'm sure the map readers were standard kit on all variants. I've changed so much on my zetec over the years i may have lost track but i can't remember ever "upgrading" to mapreading lights although i did fit the later type overhead console (5 lights)
 
I'm sure the map readers were standard kit on all variants. I've changed so much on my zetec over the years i may have lost track but i can't remember ever "upgrading" to mapreading lights although i did fit the later type overhead console (5 lights)

They were. The Zetec OHC had a centre light, reading lights and no warning lights.
 
Obviosly near identical cosmetically, but two totally different beasts to drive. I always find the V6 a lumbering drive, maybe that's because i'm used to a nippier 4pot. When i first had my C1 zetec, tbh i did find it lacking poke even in comparison to the 2.0 mondeo but maybe that was due to the injection/intake system. Yes a zetec does need more work but it pays divi which in part is why i've stuck with mine after all these years. I know all about piston envy :rolleyes: and i don't want that to come into this topic, but i do feel that can be a big part of V6 ownership for some. Legally, a 4pot will do everything a V6 will do, you just need to drive one or the other. Comparing L4L the V6 wins hands down on paper and there's no mistaking that torque and the beautiful rumble. To get my kicks, i put stage two cams into a ported/polished head, blueprinted up at Bolton mafia HQ courtesy of our Mark and Nick, and myself, in there with uprated rings and all sorts of other toys. It's a completely different drive to the V6 and the sound imo is fantastic when it's up on those cams and as my brother said "it's got some poke annit" :LOL:.
To put a standard zetec into your collection can only be a good thing imo Will, if only to stop me feeling lonely when i lift my bonnet at shows. (y)


ive got a zetec.. just thought id let u know:LOL:
 
I'm sure the map readers were standard kit on all variants. I've changed so much on my zetec over the years i may have lost track but i can't remember ever "upgrading" to mapreading lights although i did fit the later type overhead console (5 lights)

They were. The Zetec OHC had a centre light, reading lights and no warning lights.

They obviously changed their minds between printing the original dealer brochures and owners handbooks and when they started production. ;)
 
X Pack was V6 only, therefore leather was never factory fitted to the 2L.

Absolutely right. Hence many of us upgrading their four-bangers to V6 trim. After all, Ford were kind enough to run the looms. As a Rover fan who experienced this, that was awesome. Heated seats! Fog lights! Mako had everything.

They obviously changed their minds between printing the original dealer brochures and owners handbooks and when they started production. ;)

Can't account for that. After all, this was the time when Mercury died and at the same time, Leaseplan stopped funding coupes and demanded 4-door cars.
 
Thanks Chris, I appreciate your view as ever.
I've decided ,I will try to find a good low mileage Zetac, there aren't many around!
 
Thanks Chris, I appreciate your view as ever.
I've decided ,I will try to find a good low mileage Zetac, there aren't many around!

Thanks, Wil.

If you have the facilities to go for it, why not? What's wonderful here is that you could get a totally standard, cloth interior 2.0 and keep it that way with no desire to modify it. That's really great.
 
Any idea how many C1 and C2 UK Zetecs were registered? Thanks

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What is a standard Zetec engine like for durability etc?, I know it depends on service history etc,
the only I can find available now have 90-100k plus