Moving to Cougar Town! Any advice for a 'padawan' hunting the big Cat?

M

mikeijay

Hello UKCougar!

I'm an ol' skool MR2 MK1 owner (we still exist!) that's I've been tempted by the big Cat!

After looking at 406 Coupe (hmm) and the Fiat Coupe (double hmm) the Cougar wins on so many levels.

Always admired the Cougar - but never actually knew it was an 'epic' car until i did my homework and BOY am I impressed! Only wished I knew about them earlier!

Going to have a looksie this weekend - loving the V6 :D (screw insurance & petrol!)

Any words of Wisdom? Would love to buy from someone on an owners club (don't have access yet to the 'selling' page - but from what I have read, who would be crazy to want to part with one??! :D

Thanks

Mike :D
 
Thanks Ginja - thats the fastest reply I've ever had on an owners club! I'll check that one out! :)
 
Welcome to the club. The v6 rumble is very addictive. The car Ginja is pointing you towards looks a superb example.

As for your other options the 406 coupe looks nice but is made from chocolate
 
Ford Cougar - the thinking man's Vanquish. That is all.

Well, not quite. Obviously check the usual, smokey engine, make sure it has nice looking oil & plenty in - the V6 does not like running low on oil one little bit. Listen for knocking on start up, if it's there, walk away.
Many of these cars' wishbone bushes are about shot now and that is pretty much the most expensive job there is, if you can do it yourself a set of wishbones with fixing bolts will set you back around £280 - get it done at a garage and you'll not get a lot of change out of £400. If they've not yet been replaced expect it to need doing very soon.
Rear subframes are showing signs of corrosion too but you can still source decent ones in breakers yards. Flickering lights on the dash indicate possible alternator problems (a real pig to replace).
Aside from that, not a great deal to go wrong.



If you can find a car with service history it would be worth paying that little bit extra for.
 
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Welcome Mike.
Re: flickering dash lights. This is quite a common problem and is not a sign of alternator failure. A wiring mod will fix this.
First signs of alternator failure are a flickering battery warning light on the dash but initially at high revs e.g. above 6000rpm.
Let the engine reach normal temperature before you rev it that high though.
 
Thats guys for the great advice! I'm so pleased I found my way to this site.

Hopefully I'll be posting pictures of the new cat I pick up over the weekend.... now all there is left to do is decide.... C1 or C2.... decisions, decisions :D
 
i have owned both.... if both cars are standard, i prefer the look of the c2, internally and externally.

Some c2 parts are a little more awkward to find sometimes than c1, just so you are aware (things like coil packs/ht leads/alternators)
 
Welcome. Think it will take you more than a weekend to find yourself a nice one. There aren't that many around, particularly in good condition, purely because they are now getting on a bit! :)
 
The cougar one does it for me, apparently the front bumper on the cougar two was left in the oven baking for a little too long and the aperture for the front fog lights and grille stretched, Mr Magoo who was the QC man at the time, loved the look of it but the buying public didn't so unfortunately, the sheer ugliness finished off the Cougar in the UK. I bet you never knew that!:devilish::devilish::devilish:

Welcome to UKCOUGAR.:cool::cool::cool:
 
reading this makes me sad - as today after 11 years of ownership my cougar is up for sale :(

Good luck finding a cougar esp v6 as they are great cars!!
 
Finally a member of the Club

Just drove my new Cat home today! (C1, 78k, 2000, full history, almost spotless!) however almost had a panic on the way back... I noticed more white exhaust smoke/steam then I am used to and of course my lights flicker - however after about 5 minutes on the forum, I realise that I'm probably worrying about nothing! Going to have her serviced early to be on the safe side - want to keep her forever and ever! Very smooth ride!

Because of the smoke and the lights i've named her "Smokestack Lightnin' "

Thanks for everyones wisdom! ;)

mybaby.jpg
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Thanks - I still can't believe the condition she is in! the interior is mint! Those rotten Fried eggs will be gone by next week! ;)

I have not been this much in love with a car since my Mk1 MR2! last year I had an 523i and a 2010 Merc C-Sport (damn the recession!) - the Cougar feels just as classy as those premium marques. I only wish I picked one up 5 years ago!
 
Have many happy motoring miles in her, just hope you don't need to find spares for the sunroof!!
 
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