2000 mercury cougar

[Frank D]

I've been used car shopping for the past month or so for a car for my 17 year old son. He would like a Honda Civic 2 door but they cost more than I can afford unless you find one with well over 100,000 miles and then they are still $5,000-$6,000. He also likes the Dodge Neon but every mechanic I talk to says stay away from Neons. I test drove 2 Neons and both had very noisey motors. Also a thread here pretty much wasn't very favorable to the Neon. To get to the point, today I looked at a 2000 Mercury Cougar with 72,000 miles that was in great shape and was affordable. It has a 2.5 litre Duratec V6, auto trans, ABS with traction control, AC and power everything and most important to my son, a CD player. I have read good things about the 3.0 litre Duratec V6 but I haven't heard about the 2.5 Duratec. Anybody here have any experience with these smaller Cougars or know anything about them and would you buy one? Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[brianl703]

I know of two 2.5 Duratecs. One has 150K on it. The other has 118K on it.

Yes, I'd buy it.

 

[Dave Hess]

Frank,

Go to www.epinions.com and you can read many owner's reviews on the Cougar.

My wife has a 1998 Civic with 112,000 miles and I can say these cars are great for a high school / college kid on a tight budget. They are very reliable and get good gas mileage 32 city / 38 highway. I wouldn't hesitate to buy a used Civic.

 

[Ryan00TJ]

An old GF of mine had a 2000 Cougar with the 2.5L Duratec. Seemed like a nice well built car and had nice gettyup for what it was. I would imagine it would have to get good gas mileage too.

 

[rjundi]

Check insurance prices. The Civic insurance is exorbitant. You may find the other choices have expensive insurance too. Ask the insurance agent of less expensive alternative and narrow your choices that way.

 

[brianl703]

quote:

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Originally posted by LT4 Vette:
I wouldn't hesitate to buy a used Civic.

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After seeing one bounce around like crazy going over the railroad tracks today..I would.

"Chopped springs hug tha road tightly"

Ill-advised modification for sure.

 

[55Test]

quote:

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Originally posted by LT4 Vette:
I wouldn't hesitate to buy a used Civic.

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If the Civic was owned or driven by young people, then I would hesitate as it most likely has been abused in some manner.

 

[Dave Hess]

I never said to buy a used Civic from a young person. I said they are great cars for a young person with little $$$. You can definately find a nice 2 door Civic for $4000 if you take the time to look.