Just bought a 1998 FORD COUGAR 2.5 V6 24V 3dr Coupe

L

lesk

Forum user
Aug 28, 2011
20
0
Shortly to be in Corfu
Hi,

I am now the proud owner of the above with 64K miles on the clock and ebony black in near showroom condition with 2 previous owners and loads of accessories on it. I paid £895 for it with tax/mot and I am ecstatic with the condition, the price (obviously) and the performance so far. I really do not understand people devaluing this car when it is such a beautiful motor and having had a range of mercedes I can compare favourably or equitably with the quality and finish of the vehicle (at least on the cheaper models).

I have some questions. The first is the cambelt, I read somewhere this should be carried out every 40k miles, is this essentially correct or is it realistically a lot longer?

The second is I am driving it down to Greece in two weeks and will be living down there for at least 3 months. Are any Cougar owners living down that way? and do you have any problems with parts, servicing etc.,?

Anyway, besides all that I am pleased to find such a select group of people with obvious discerning taste in cars...
 
aaah, thats a big relief. I seem to have more engine than I realistically know what to do with. i'm just glad it has an ignition switch and accelerator pedal attached. :D
 
Hi Lesk, and welcome to ukcougar.com, your in the right place for all things cougar related, as well as some crazy banter. You will also be able to find all the fixes you need in our subscriber sections. Have a browse around the open forums and get a feel for the place. Remember! ukcougar.com is the only workshop manual for the big cat.
As above, only the 2.0ltr zetec engine has the cambelt. The 2.5 V6 Duratec has a timing chain so should not normally need replacing.
 
After buying this car on heart rather than head I am relieved to discover the car is everything I wanted it to be. The toss up was an MPV, 4WD, Mercedes or this Cougar and I didn't realise the values were so deflated so was amazed at the quality of the car for the price. I really cannot understand it but I'm not complaining. Anyway, I would like to know if there is anything I should be looking out for although currently there seems little to find wrong with it there might be something I'm missing.
 
My zetec has been very good to me over the last year. I can't speak from personal experience for the V6 engine.
But other parts I'd probably check are front wishbones and the rear subframe for rust.

If I keep my car I'd like to spend a weekend or 3 taking off my sub frame and then renew / get rid of the rust if possible and give it a coat or 2 of protection.

Edit: oh and subscribe to the forum, the extra forums you get are very useful for technical knowledge.
 
The-Computer-Saint said:
Nope, the car came with no service history. I like to live dangerously. Although if its every 40K I'm up to 125K now which would suggest it needs doing 5k miles ago
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Ford recommend 100k, but i always advise 60-70k, and that includes all pulleys.

lesk said:
After buying this car on heart rather than head I am relieved to discover the car is everything I wanted it to be. The toss up was an MPV, 4WD, Mercedes or this Cougar and I didn't realise the values were so deflated so was amazed at the quality of the car for the price. I really cannot understand it but I'm not complaining. Anyway, I would like to know if there is anything I should be looking out for although currently there seems little to find wrong with it there might be something I'm missing.
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Probably still one of the most positive things i hear is how much car you get for the money, and with the devaluation of these cars, it rings more true as time goes by. Generally note the ride quality, check suspension components. You will hear how expensive the front wishbones are to replace, but considering they should only need replacing once in the cars lifetime, they probably work out as expensive as a couple of sets of HT leads and plugs for the V6.
 
Hi and welcome to our exclusive club. Great choice of car, you will not be disappointed.

As previously mentioned, subscribing opens up a whole world of Cougar information and advice

Get some pictures posted when you can (y)
 
I am subscribed :D and my 20 year old son has just parked up behind mine and is still trying to drag his chin off the kerb :D I now have to take him for a spin... needless to say I shan't poodle along... mind you he fairly scratched my eyes out when I told him my insurance premium.... LOL
 
Hello and welcome aboard Lesk. Sounds like you picked up a little bargain and you can't beat that V6 sound! lol The Coug is a great car, but some parts can be a little expensive, as Pid_16v (Al) said earlier - especially the front wishbones. I have just bought one for mine which will be replaced this coming month. It was £144 including delivery direct from Ford Parts UK.

What part of Devon are you in? As I'm out at Crediton (just west of Exeter) and Add_issan (Silver Frost Coug) is just down the road in Torquay, and recently we had a new member called "Richie" who is in Exeter with a nice Melina Blue (Blurple). So it's good to hear of someone else down here in Devon, although you say your going to Greece for 3 months. Maybe catch up with you when you return??

ps. Your not the chap that I spoke to at Tesco garage at Crediton who is from Okehampton are you??
 
No, I'm not that chap, and I bought the car in Torquay, as I am only up the road from there in Seaton (by the sea). :) I got a PM with some usefgul info this morning but, not worked out how to reply yet( Don't worry I will sort that out tonight just been busy today... well, busy'ish mainly looking at the modded cats on here).
 
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