1987 20th Anniversary Mercury Cougar

[Nacho]

Well, my dad bought one of these when they were released... here are the specs:

5.0L V8
155HP (have a strong feeling that is wrong? my dad seems to think its like 370-420)
RWD Automatic
Fully Digital Cluster
one of only 5000 made in the US, 800 made in canada
one owner, garage kept
has a few dents and dings from people being careless in the garage...but thats about it.
A/C doesnt work...Heater does extremely well, though
Equalizer is also a bit messed up...nothing that can't be fixed though.
100% stock.


Well, the main reason for me posting this is because we are trying to get rid of it. My dad wants to keep it, or sell it to someone who will care for it. My mom is pushing for him to do the "Cash for clunkers" thing with it though, because she thinks it is just a waste of space.

I'll put some pictures up when i can find a working camera, but what do you all think we should do?

My dad is against doing cash for clunkers because he just bought an 09 Nissan Rogue, and doesnt want another new car, though my mom is trying to have him do that and put the money twards an 09 lancer for me :). (yeah i know...id love to get an audi...but since you have to use the $4500 twards a NEW car, thats a bit out of my price range >.<)

Also if anyone is interested in taking a look at it in person or seeing pictures before i post them, send me a message and we can work something out. We just need to get rid of this thing ASAP =/

[dr.evil]

155HP (have a strong feeling that is wrong? my dad seems to think its like 370-420)

HA! That is all.

[audia]

$200 dollars. You ship it to me.

[Nacho]

so im guessing that you think it would be more worth ti to do the cash for clunkers thing...?

and yeah...155 HP cant be right. I cant find it anywhere in the owners manual, and every website says 155 for the XR-7, which is the one that we have. That just sounds wayyy too low for a 5.0L V8...

[davis449]

so im guessing that you think it would be more worth ti to do the cash for clunkers thing...?

and yeah...155 HP cant be right. I cant find it anywhere in the owners manual, and every website says 155 for the XR-7, which is the one that we have. That just sounds wayyy too low for a 5.0L V8...

LOL! That 155 HP figure is form the XR-7's Turbo 4 cyl. model, the V8 for that year and particular model was 150 HP.

[Nacho]

LOL! That 155 HP figure is form the XR-7's Turbo 4 cyl. model, the V8 for that year and particular model was 150 HP.

ok so its a V8 with 150HP...? o.O that just sounds retarded to me lol.

[Cecchini]

Sounds about right for an 80's v8 powered car. Gutless wonder if you ask me. I just have one question though. How the hell does your dad think that a pos late 80's mercury cougar would come equipped with 370-420 hp? Thats one off butt dyno.

[Nacho]

ok so im guessing that the general opinion is to just go for the cash for clunkers program?

[davis449]

ok so im guessing that the general opinion is to just go for the cash for clunkers program?

Exactly.

[Nacho]

well now the question is...what should i use the money twards? o.O

since it has to be a NEW car, the options are pretty limited. lets say the car can cost no more than $22k. Any ideas?

[94jedi]

well now the question is...what should i use the money twards? o.O

since it has to be a NEW car, the options are pretty limited. lets say the car can cost no more than $22k. Any ideas?

Wow, another guy from Salisbury.

Anyway, if you need an inexpensive but fun car, I would go for a Mazdaspeed 3. That's what I have and I love it. Actually, I'm trying to sell mine. pm if you're interested. I'd let it go for a lot less than a new car will cost you and you won't have to do the cash 4 clunkers thing.

back on topic though, a mazdaspeed 3 brand new can be had for around $24k out the door. If you know you're going to be modding the car alot and you prefer rear wheel drive, go check out a hyundai genesis coupe. Get the 4 cyl w/ the brembo's and the track pack. It'll be around $24k as well but the block will hold 400 whp before needing internals. I'm sure you'll be happing on the stock turbo for a while, add the typical bolt ons and that car will be alot of fun.

[Nacho]

Wow, another guy from Salisbury.

Anyway, if you need an inexpensive but fun car, I would go for a Mazdaspeed 3. That's what I have and I love it. Actually, I'm trying to sell mine. pm if you're interested. I'd let it go for a lot less than a new car will cost you and you won't have to do the cash 4 clunkers thing.

back on topic though, a mazdaspeed 3 brand new can be had for around $24k out the door. If you know you're going to be modding the car alot and you prefer rear wheel drive, go check out a hyundai genesis coupe. Get the 4 cyl w/ the brembo's and the track pack. It'll be around $24k as well but the block will hold 400 whp before needing internals. I'm sure you'll be happing on the stock turbo for a while, add the typical bolt ons and that car will be alot of fun.

yeah I was looking at the mazdaspeed3's. If i were to buy yours, though, it would defeat the purpose of trying to get rid of the cougar :p.

Would it be worth getting the Mazda3 GT, then adding in a turbo and all that stuff later on? i mean, for right now, im just looking for a hatchback that gets good gas milage(meaning more than my grand am's current 14 city, 20 highway -.-), and can be easily modded later on.

and yeah im actually leaving frederick to go down to salisbury this comming monday. just got a transfer to the bestbuy down there so i start on wednesday :) and school starts the 31st >.<

[94jedi]

yeah I was looking at the mazdaspeed3's. If i were to buy yours, though, it would defeat the purpose of trying to get rid of the cougar :p.

Would it be worth getting the Mazda3 GT, then adding in a turbo and all that stuff later on? i mean, for right now, im just looking for a hatchback that gets good gas milage(meaning more than my grand am's current 14 city, 20 highway -.-), and can be easily modded later on.

and yeah im actually leaving frederick to go down to salisbury this comming monday. just got a transfer to the bestbuy down there so i start on wednesday :) and school starts the 31st >.<

gotcha. I know the old 3's used to love getting a turbo added. I don't know about the new ones but I'd imagine they do to. Obviously, you'd need some internals and a copper or maybe even stacked head gasket if you turbo a naturally aspirated car (assuming you run high boost). Keep in mind, modding a car that wasn't originally turbo'd will get expensive. It's cheaper to start w/ a car that's turbo from the factory. My Ms3 gets like 24-27 mpg, more if I'm highway only. It does pretty well.

[94jedi]

ps- let your dad keep his cougar and buy my MS3!! lol.

[marty was here]

this piece of shit is exactly what cash for clunkers is meant to kill off

literally, wow at this piece of shit, wow that some one would WANT to keep it. WOW at any one, minus the government of course, giving you more than $1 for it.

(ps, my fam had a shitter like this when we came to the states, its was a piece of shit in 96, its still a piece of shit now)

[RomanA6]

try Cash 4 Clunkers yet?

aw damnit, marty beat me to it

these things aren't exactly collectibles

[Nacho]

he just seems to think that some collector will buy it, and he thinks he can get like $3000 at least for it...

just because there were only 5000 of the 20th anniversary ones made doesnt mean its a collectors item...its still a crap car regardless..

[bhazard]

Actually if you folks will open your minds you will find there are SEVERAL sites dedicated to these cars and people that WILL pay what you want for one in decent shape.

I know of a few people myself that daily driver their Audis to keep their Fox-body Thunderbirds or Cougars in nice shape. I drive my 1988 Thunderbird turbo coupe everywhere just because its the most comfortable car I have ever sat in and can still run circles around most cars I see one the road, even after 21 years and 172,000 miles. The DOMESTIC FORD turbocharged four cylinder from the EARLY EIGHTIES is quite a beast.

[88turbo]

Actually if you folks will open your minds you will find there are SEVERAL sites dedicated to these cars and people that WILL pay what you want for one in decent shape.

I know of a few people myself that daily driver their Audis to keep their Fox-body Thunderbirds or Cougars in nice shape. I drive my 1988 Thunderbird turbo coupe everywhere just because its the most comfortable car I have ever sat in and can still run circles around most cars I see one the road, even after 21 years and 172,000 miles. The DOMESTIC FORD turbocharged four cylinder from the EARLY EIGHTIES is quite a beast.

much agreed, I also drive my 1988 thunderbird turbo coupe everywhere with no problems and ice cold air and I am well over 200,000 miles. what is that to say that these cars are junk? I have 3 turbo coupes and 2 older cougars.

this piece of shit is exactly what cash for clunkers is meant to kill off

literally, wow at this piece of shit, wow that some one would WANT to keep it. WOW at any one, minus the government of course, giving you more than $1 for it.

(ps, my fam had a shitter like this when we came to the states, its was a piece of shit in 96, its still a piece of shit now)

as for you where's your room to talk? your just afraid of a car that has more style and options than you do common sense. have a good day now ;)

[koolade9]

much agreed, I also drive my 1988 thunderbird turbo coupe everywhere with no problems and ice cold air and I am well over 200,000 miles. what is that to say that these cars are junk? I have 3 turbo coupes and 2 older cougars.



as for you where's your room to talk? your just afraid of a car that has more style and options than you do common sense. have a good day now ;)

dude... give it up. It's like the guys who adore ford escorts, or fat girls... I'll never quite understand you people.

[kingcars]

Hahaha I love ignorance. Especially at the whole "OMG a V8 with only 150hp WTF?!" Ever remember the oil crisis and all of the emissions regulations that closely followed? Yeah, V8s ended up getting castrated for almost 2 decades because of it...there were 400ci+ V8s only putting out 150-175hp in the 70s. Ford's 5.0L was actually one of the first V8s to finally get a little bit of power with the Mustang which could run mid/low 14s stock in the mid-late 80s. Of course, Ford couldn't have the Tbird/Cougar 5.0s to challenge their precious Mustang so they detuned them drastically, though only a couple hundred bucks and a weekend of work can change that. You people need to get your facts straight. Oh and BTW - in 1987 (and 1988), the Tbird Turbo Coupe was putting out 190hp with a 2.3L 4 cylinder...and won Motor Trend Car of the Year. Yeah they must be junk...

It's a shame that many "car guys" have to be so narrow minded that they can't see past their own personal tastes. I put car guys in quotes because people like that aren't real car guys. I like cars of all types - Fords, Chevies, Hondas, BMWs, etc etc...of all years and eras. Doesn't matter to me.

[havi]

Well, let's not let this get any uglier than it is. Here's my take, not that anyone here cares. I had an 88 Quattro, and an 88 Tbird. I will keep the Tbird over the Quattro....though the Q was nice, it just wasn't me. I gave it to my brother for his daily driver. He already has an '85 Coupe with the tuned suspension straight from Germany. He is a rally racer up here in MN. Not sure if he's ever on this board or not. That said, he's a big fan of Audis, I'm a big fan of Fords, we don't call each other's cars crap or deserving of C4C applicants. This is your dad we're talking about. It would be like him saying your Audi (if you have one) deserves to go to the junkyard. A little respect can go a long way. Now, the problem with his car is it's probably not worth $4500, but maybe $3000 if it's in good shape. The problem with C4C is it takes something that could run and drive that's paid for, and trading it in on something that even though costs more than $20,000, ain't worth a dime to a collector. Not to mention being strapped under another car payment that 9 out 10 people these days can't afford.

[Nacho]

Well, let's not let this get any uglier than it is. Here's my take, not that anyone here cares. I had an 88 Quattro, and an 88 Tbird. I will keep the Tbird over the Quattro....though the Q was nice, it just wasn't me. I gave it to my brother for his daily driver. He already has an '85 Coupe with the tuned suspension straight from Germany. He is a rally racer up here in MN. Not sure if he's ever on this board or not. That said, he's a big fan of Audis, I'm a big fan of Fords, we don't call each other's cars crap or deserving of C4C applicants. This is your dad we're talking about. It would be like him saying your Audi (if you have one) deserves to go to the junkyard. A little respect can go a long way. Now, the problem with his car is it's probably not worth $4500, but maybe $3000 if it's in good shape. The problem with C4C is it takes something that could run and drive that's paid for, and trading it in on something that even though costs more than $20,000, ain't worth a dime to a collector. Not to mention being strapped under another car payment that 9 out 10 people these days can't afford.

The thing is, though, my dad isnt a collector. he knowns nearly nothing about cars, and this thing litterally hasnt moved since october 08. Right now my mom and I are trying to convince him to do C4C and get a 2010 mazda3 GT.

[havi]

One thing I'm not sure on, is the gas mileage. The '88 probably gets too good of gas mileage to qualify for the Mazda3 ?

[FITZ TITS]

OK it's very clear that the OP is having conversations with himself. He keeps making accounts and posting to agree with his own comments.

[Nacho]

One thing I'm not sure on, is the gas mileage. The '88 probably gets too good of gas mileage to qualify for the Mazda3 ?

nope. it gets roughly 14 MPG

[havi]

14 doesn't seem right. Should be low 20's.

[audia]

Actually if you folks will open your minds you will find there are SEVERAL sites dedicated to these cars and people that WILL pay what you want for one in decent shape.

Pics or it didn't happen & GTFO.

[FITZ TITS]

Pics or it didn't happen & GTFO.

I bet if you ran all three of their IP's, they'd all be the same.

Nacho
kingcars
havi

[mtshank]

should be able to sell it in a redneck town like Fredneck...betcha could sell it up in Hagerstown as well...Is it stock? I grew up in Hagertown..LOL

[mtshank]

that's a perfect car to sell on craigslist...you should get plenty of calls that waste your time

[88turbo]

I bet if you ran all three of their IP's, they'd all be the same.

Nacho
kingcars
havi

are you fricken dense or what? Havi and Kingcars are buds of mine and if you wanted to waste the time to check IP's you'd find out that your the asssss

[Anon]

BUILT NOT BOUGHT



Engines for the 1981-1987 Audi Coupe:

Type Size Horsepower Years
ohc I-5 2,144 cc 100 1981-1983
ohc I-5 2,226 cc 110 1984-1987
ohc I-5 2,309 cc 130 1987

Engines for the 1985-1991 Audi 5000CS Turbo Quattro/200 Quattro:

Type Size Horsepower Years
ohc I-5* 2,226 cc 158-162 1985-1990
*Turbocharged





fuuuuuuucccccckkkkkkkk you

[Beelzeebub]

Ive never seen so many who've just joined in the last 72 hours in one thread.

[bhazard]

nope. it gets roughly 14 MPG

Its rated 19mpg combined by the EPA, so it does NOT qualify for C4C. If a dealer does offer the trade in they will not get reimbursed by the government.

The program is also ending REAL soon.

You will have a lot better luck selling the car to someone that actually wants it. Craigslist, ebay, and there ARE forums dedicated to these cars with people that actually want them.

Thats all I'm here for, I don't want to see a "worthless pos 80's American car" needlessly destroyed.


Btw Im not going to associate myself with "Anon" here...


Also to the original poster - How many miles are on the car and can you post some pics?

[havi]

I'm not with anon neither. I would just try putting it on CL and hope for the best. Times are sucking right now, so I don't think anything sells easily.


For as many people that seem to hate 80's Cougars, just as many seem to hate foreign cars. Sad but true. I'm an owner of both, so I get it from both sides, lol.


'08 Winter Rally

and the 2 door

[Nacho]

Its rated 19mpg combined by the EPA, so it does NOT qualify for C4C. If a dealer does offer the trade in they will not get reimbursed by the government.

The program is also ending REAL soon.

You will have a lot better luck selling the car to someone that actually wants it. Craigslist, ebay, and there ARE forums dedicated to these cars with people that actually want them.

Thats all I'm here for, I don't want to see a "worthless pos 80's American car" needlessly destroyed.


Btw Im not going to associate myself with "Anon" here...


Also to the original poster - How many miles are on the car and can you post some pics?

I believe the car is at around 52k miles, and it's all stock. I've also been trolling some of the websties like cougar club of america, and there seem to be a lot of listings, but no actual buyers. I will post some pictures as soon as I can find my camera :S

and to whoever said I was making accounts and talking to myself...no. This is the only AZ account that I have, and what would the point of talking to myself be?

[RomanA6]

this thread =

[marty was here]

GTFO of the states and go back to your POS country no one wants you here you communist shit.

LOL communist shit? you reallly dont know me do you troll?

as for you where's your room to talk? your just afraid of a car that has more style and options than you do common sense. have a good day now ;)

LOL MORE STYLE? come on, you are on an audi forum, our wheels have more detail/quality than a cougar.

The Cougar received a complete restyle for its 20th anniversary. Much smoother than the previous Cougar, it featured flush-mounted headlights and grille. The side quarter glass retained its upswept design, but it was stretched more to the rear of the car. The interior remained unchanged for the most part. The GS was dropped, leaving the LS and XR-7 models. The XR-7 changed by dropping the turbocharged I4, which Mercury felt was not keeping with the Cougar's heritage. Instead, the 302 V8 became the standard engine. The manual transmission was also dropped this year. The digital instrument cluster, previously optional on the GS/LS models, became standard on the XR-7 as well. The special lower tri-stripes and blacked out window trim continued to set apart the XR-7 from the LS. Mercury also took note of the Cougar's 20th anniversary by creating a limited edition Cougar to celebrate.


[edit] 20th Anniversary Cougar
1987 was the Cougar's twentieth anniversary and a limited edition Cougar was produced to celebrate. The car went on sale in February 1987. The Cougar LS was the starting point for this special model. All of these special Cougars featured these standard items to set them apart from the regular production Cougars:

Cabernet Red exterior w/Midnight Smoke moldings
All exterior badging (front bumper, grille trim, trunk lid nomenclature and moulding trim) was finished in 24 karat gold. C-pillar emblems were finished in a gold cloisonné.
Non-functional luggage rack LOL SERIOUSLY
Mustang GT wheels painted gold with a Cougar center cap
Special "20th Anniversary Edition" dash emblem
Light Sand Beige interior with unique part leather, part suede Ultrasuede seats with heating and three-user memory profile. The seats also featured a special Cabernet Red piping.
Special embroidered 20th Anniversary floor mats
Traveler's convenience kit
A hardcover book - "Mercury Cougar 1967–1987" which detailed the history of the Cougar
150 hp (112 kW) SEFI 302 V8
Sport handling suspension package (XR-7)
The only options available were power moonroof, power antenna, illuminated entry, keyless entry, automatic climate control, engine block heater and the Traction-Lok axle with 3.08 gear ratio.

With the new MN-12 chassis and new body style coming up in 1989, the 1988 Cougar barely changed from the previous year. Outside, the biggest change was that the XR-7 now came in a new monochromatic color scheme. Only available in three colors (black, red, and white) with body colored or optional argent color wheels set this Cougar apart from its brethren. The base 232 in³ (3.8 L) V6 was revamped to include multi-port fuel injection and an internal balance shaft that increased power to 150 hp (112 kW). The 302 V8 received a dual exhaust option which added 5 hp (4 kW). The analog gauge cluster returned as standard on the XR-7, but the digital cluster remained as an option on both the LS and XR-7.

Total Production:

1987 - 105,847
1988 - 113,801

the thing i put in bold are reasons this car will never be "collectable" or a "classic"

[Nacho]

sorry for the horrible quality. took the pictures wiith my phone...no flash...horrible light in the garage. and like i said, dead battery so i cant move it outside either.

and we ARENT doing C4C because my dad still seems to think he can get more.

and Marty from dvag, those numbers are NOT from the 20th anniversary one. one of the above pictures is directly from the 20th anniversary cougar book thing that came with the car stating that only 5,000 will be built for the US market.