Oppo-inions? 1997 Mercury Cougar XR-7

"JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!" (jqj213)
09/07/2014 at 18:01 • Filed to: NPOCP, Mercury, Cougar, XR7, Cougar XR7, Craigslist, V8

I've still been browsing for a second car. And I actually first found this one by driving past it every day since its two minutes from my door. I then saw it on Craigslist. Today I drove it. And I liked it quite a bit. He's asking $1400 but I could get it for around $1100. 145,000 miles (ITS THE V8) but power everything and working AC. NPOCP?

I don't know why I even like this. I think Florida might be getting to me. Car is white with some pink pinstriping on it. Supposedly a one owner car, driven by an old lady (wouldn't surprise me). New tires on it. Body looked great. Clean Carfax on it too.

Drove really nicely. Thing was quick but so quiet. Really smooth ride as well. No tears in the seats and no stains. Everything was working as it should.

Is it worth it? NPOCP

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DISCUSSION (42)

Jedidiah > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
09/07/2014 at 18:03

Aren't these Thunderbirds underneath?

Then it's basically a comfy Mustang with irs.

NP.

Dwhite - Powered by Caffeine, Daft Punk, and Corgis > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
09/07/2014 at 18:04

Depends, what do you want to do with a second car?

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
09/07/2014 at 18:04

Since it's not like your going to be carving many corners in Central Florida, I'd say that would make a nice boulevard cruiser. That seems like a good price, since I've seen shittier ones sale for more. I wouldn't buy one, but they just aren't my thing though.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Jedidiah
09/07/2014 at 18:05

Thats exactly what it is. Its a very comfy Mustang.

BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest. > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
09/07/2014 at 18:05

Definitely nice price.

jkm7680 > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
09/07/2014 at 18:06

The fake BBS wheels actually look pretty nice, It's just really.....Errrrr. Florida-Y, it just doesn't do it in the looks department for me.

Get a Volvo!

RoadHead -- Armand > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
09/07/2014 at 18:06

Maybe it's worth it. The price is low after all. That being said, why do you even want this car? It's not fuel efficient enough to be a commuter, and not powerful enough to be a sports car. It's a personal luxury coupe, and a rather boring one at that. It would make a nice cruiser, but that's about it. Here's my take: if you really like these type of cougars go for it. But they are pretty undesirable on the marketplace and can be had for cheap! For the price of this one, I'm sure you could find one with substantially lower miles if you look in the right places.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
09/07/2014 at 18:07

Hahah yeah lots of truth there! The prices on these are all over the place for some reason.

It's a much nicer Thunderbird. And I'm glad it has the V8 because moar power!

I never thought it would be my thing. I'm not a huge American car guy at all. But something about being behind the wheel just felt right.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > jkm7680
09/07/2014 at 18:10

Thats my one issue: it is totally Florida. So much Florida here. The rims were like my favorite part on it.

I want a Volvo but the issue lies in the fact that a 240 isn't really powerful enough for me. And the values on those make no sense. I found a 91 240 wagon with 190,000 miles for $4300 the other day. It was not worth $1300. So I end up with a super rough one for $600 or overpay for a decent one. And none have AC.

If I go a bit newer, like a 850, they lose a lot of charm. And slightly newer still becomes very unreliable.

For some reason the looks of this thing kinda grew on me.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
09/07/2014 at 18:12

Very nice.

ranwhenparked > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
09/07/2014 at 18:12

Oooh, it's got a luggage rack! You have to do it.

Truth be told, I have a thing for personal luxury coupes. Wish Ford and GM still made them.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > RoadHead -- Armand
09/07/2014 at 18:12

Because I just want a second car that is different. I dont have fun twisty roads here so it doesn't need to be a sports car. And fuel efficiency scares me a bit, but at least it had a bit of power. I want to to be a cruiser. Something I can take out every once in a while.

As for price, this is rather low for the V8. The V6 is cheap. But V8s aren't as common at all. They usually go for like $3-4K

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > ranwhenparked
09/07/2014 at 18:13

I loved the luggage rack.

They are a really niche market but they are quite cool.

jkm7680 > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
09/07/2014 at 18:13

The thing about these, is honestly they were just heavy and not all that powerful.

A 240 isn't super underpowered, but it is rather underpowered.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
09/07/2014 at 18:15

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > jkm7680
09/07/2014 at 18:15

I think I might save the Volvo love for my next DD when the Civic is gone. Either a C30 or C70 or V70R (jumping all over, I know)

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Dwhite - Powered by Caffeine, Daft Punk, and Corgis
09/07/2014 at 18:15

Well by me, there are no twisty roads or tracks, so it won't be a racecar.
I need it for just a second car when family is using the Civic (which is quite often now). This is a rather comfy way to get around.

GhostZ > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
09/07/2014 at 18:18

50$ says that its got massive sideswipe damage on the right hand side.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > GhostZ
09/07/2014 at 18:21

hahah you know I didnt even notice that the ad didn't show that. But no the body was really in great shape. All the paint was fine. And no dents or dings.

GhostZ > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
09/07/2014 at 18:26

I like it. There's always potential for improvement, and it's a 302, right? You can replace the entire engine for less money than the camshaft on most other motors.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > GhostZ
09/07/2014 at 18:28

Exactly. Its A) Very reliable and B) Cheap as hell to fix because it was used in so many products for so long. Its also a car anyone can work on.

I was sitting there trying to think about what mods I could do to it but I dont think I would change very much. Maybe I would plastidip all the chrome to make it look a little meaner but thats really it for now

shop-teacher > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
09/07/2014 at 18:36

I like that you're looking at things you can buy cash. The Cougar is cool car in its own weird way. The 4.7 can be a real pain to work on, but they last and parts are pretty cheap and plentiful.

The real question is this: you wanted something with a manual, are you really going to be happy with an automatic trans project car, or are you going to wish you had kept looking? Only you can answer that.

Dwhite - Powered by Caffeine, Daft Punk, and Corgis > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
09/07/2014 at 18:38

If thats what you want this isnt a terrible choice. But there are some much more luxurious options out there. Solid 4 doors from the 1960's are dirt cheap and you will look cool doing whatever you want to do. Something like this http://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/cto/461724… . Along the line of what you picked, Lincoln Mark VII's are beasts if there are any around you.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > shop-teacher
09/07/2014 at 18:42

Yeah I've gotten much more realistic. It has a special sort of charm to it. I have a neighbor who is a certified Ford mechanic and has been for over 30 years. I know he could help with everything.

And the manual. You know I really did like driving it. But I don't have any fun roads here or tracks. Its a lot of boring stop and go sitting at lights. Which makes an automatic better. Maybe when I can have a sports car, like a Miata or Mini I can and will get a manual. But I don't think its the best choice now.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Dwhite - Powered by Caffeine, Daft Punk, and Corgis
09/07/2014 at 18:47

Oh my gosh I would love something like that. But my parents want me to be safe so it needs to be full of airbags and all the safety shit. Also dad wants it post 96 so it has the code reader.

I would love an old car like that though.

I kind of have this dumb desire for a large luxury thing now. I'm really thinking about it.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > GhostZ
09/07/2014 at 18:59

Being a '98, wouldn't it be a 4.6?

Dwhite - Powered by Caffeine, Daft Punk, and Corgis > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
09/07/2014 at 19:00

Whats your budget?

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Dwhite - Powered by Caffeine, Daft Punk, and Corgis
09/07/2014 at 19:07

im staying really low. Like $1500 max

GhostZ > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
09/07/2014 at 19:27

That's why I asked. I wasn't sure.

Agrajag > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
09/07/2014 at 19:36

I had a 1994 Thunderbird with the V6. It was one of the slowest cars I've owned, but it rode so nice and handled remarkably well. NP

Dwhite - Powered by Caffeine, Daft Punk, and Corgis > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
09/07/2014 at 19:39

Not sure the condition of the ones you will get in your price range but Lincoln Mark VIII's are pretty cool cars too.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Agrajag
09/07/2014 at 20:09

Honestly the ride was amazing. And it hit speed with no noise or anything. I really liked it more than i should.

Im really considering this

venivelovici > jkm7680
09/08/2014 at 00:11

An ex of mine had a 245 and I have a 745. Odd that back to back, the 245 always feels so much more sluggish. Sure, it comes down to a lot of individual factors like fuel and engine maintenance, but I just never liked the narrower car though they share motors and transmissions.

venivelovici > Dwhite - Powered by Caffeine, Daft Punk, and Corgis
09/08/2014 at 00:20

Definitely cooler than a Merc, but I think they alll had air suspension which can be a costly maintenance issue, especially on this budget. In this price range, I might expect to find a Mark VII. but probably not in great shape. I think the VII is one of the best-looking American cars from the 80s. Like all Fords of the time, the interior is crap, but the silhouette is cool. Especially the LSCs and the monochrome paint. But again, VIIs had air suspension at each corner.

Atomic Buffalo > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
09/08/2014 at 01:20

It's a kitty car! There's a meowing kitty right on the steering wheel.

Great quiet comfortable confident cruiser. Nice back seat too. The world has abandoned big coupes like this, and it's a damn shame.

As long as you don't need to park in narrow spaces — long doors are no fun in tight parking lots.

fordy875 > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
09/08/2014 at 01:43

I had the 95 T-Bird.. w/ the V6. It was a great handling freeway mile eating monster. The only thing I wished for was the V8. I vote NP. Just watch for rocker rust or clunks from that IRS, its a PITA to track down.

fordy875 > GhostZ
09/08/2014 at 01:45

Its 4.6L

fordy875 > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
09/08/2014 at 01:48

With the tbird and the 6 I was averaging up in the high 20's, maybe 27 ish. I'd shave off at least 5 mpg for the V8 IIRC.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Atomic Buffalo
09/08/2014 at 07:26

There really was a ton of room. I'm a big guy and had plenty of space in this thing.

And yes the doors were massive! But there really are no tight parking areas to worry about.

But I bet on the highway this car would be great. It cruised at 50 with such ease.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > fordy875
09/08/2014 at 07:28

This car has been in Florida its whole life so that's really going in its favour. I didn't spend like 30 minutes under it but from what I saw there was nothing to worry about

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > fordy875
09/08/2014 at 07:28

Thats honestly way better than I expect for this! I'd be OK with that

Joseph Shaul > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
09/09/2014 at 15:56

Anything this old is going to need at least $500 in minor repairs. Belts, fluids, water pump, dampers....