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Topic: advice about buying an 83 Cougar (Read 1493 times) previous topic - next topic

advice about buying an 83 Cougar

I have been looking at an 1983 Mercury Cougar with the basic V6 engine for $300 to $400.  It will require a new exhaust system from the manifold(which is fine) to the ler.  Alignment, find out why the shifter display is not reading properly, investigate a miss when the engine is running, and an oil-pan leak.  Probably just plan on pulling the engine and cleaning/replace seals etc anyway.  I have no experience with this model of car and am looking for a car that would be a good one for driving to work, home, and University while being a little sporty doesn't hurt.  Does this sound like a good deal with everything that has been said? Also mileage is around 153k. Any help, advice, warnings, suggestions, and whatever would be greatly appreciated. 

PS
If this is the wrong location I apologize and please move if appropriate.

advice about buying an 83 Cougar

Reply #1 –
Welcome!  The exhaust shouldn't cost too much.  The shifter indicator not lining up is usually a broken plastic piece that goes on the column.  These cars make great sporty daily drivers.

BTW, Where in Nevada are you from.  I'm in Las Vegas.
1986 Mercury Cougar - 2.3T/T5 swap, TC brakes and suspension and rearend, 3" exhaust, 255 lph fuel pump, Stinger BOV, Gillis MBC @ 18 psi
2003 Chevy Suburban Z71 - Daily driver
2015 Chevy Volt - Wife's daily driver

advice about buying an 83 Cougar

Reply #2 –
Quote from: Loaded87IROC;315926


BTW, Where in Nevada are you from.  I'm in Las Vegas.


Northern Nevada.  Commuting between Fallon, Reno, and Carson City specifically.  Thanks, I appreciate the vote for the car.  I have a 95 Ford Contour with a transmission that broke 2 weeks into owning the car and so bad that the fluid burned, locking up the tranny to boot.  And with the complexity of the electronics and engine controls, a real bear to work on. 
This has actually been one of the better deals I have seen on Craigslist and looking at the awful used car market in general.  I know there will always be issues with any car but don't want to end up like this guy: :flame:  If I can avoid it.

advice about buying an 83 Cougar

Reply #3 –
These cars are pretty easy to work on and the drive train parts are durable and easy to come by if they break due to them being fox body cars.  I've owned my 86 (I;ve owned 4 total) for 11 years and it has always been reliable for me.  The engine and tranny still ran perfect when I pulled them for the engine swap.  Good luck with your choice!
1986 Mercury Cougar - 2.3T/T5 swap, TC brakes and suspension and rearend, 3" exhaust, 255 lph fuel pump, Stinger BOV, Gillis MBC @ 18 psi
2003 Chevy Suburban Z71 - Daily driver
2015 Chevy Volt - Wife's daily driver

advice about buying an 83 Cougar

Reply #4 –
welcome to your new home friend :D not sure how bad cars rust out that way but look it over good including the inner strut towers

advice about buying an 83 Cougar

Reply #5 –
I have owned 2 83's and they are very reliable. My old one was the 3.8 v6 carburated (probably the same type you are looking at). It was very good to me. I only sold it because it was wrecked when I bought it (I only paid $100 for it and drove the  out of it every day). My current 83 is the 5.0, and I drive it probably 100 miles every day. See my roadtrip topic too, I drove it up to canada, down to florida and back, 3000 miles, with no problems.

I love fox cougars. To me they are the most comfortable car out there. They fit me like a glove! Easy to work on, and cheap stock parts too. Lots of easy performance upgrades. Buy it dude!
CoogarXR : 1985 Cougar XR-7

advice about buying an 83 Cougar

Reply #6 –
Well as of today I am the owner of a 1983 Mercury Cougar 3.8L V6 Automatic.  Thanks everyone and looking forward to getting to know everyone better through the boards as well as use all the great knowledge available here.

advice about buying an 83 Cougar

Reply #7 –
Congrats, now you must post pics!
1986 Mercury Cougar - 2.3T/T5 swap, TC brakes and suspension and rearend, 3" exhaust, 255 lph fuel pump, Stinger BOV, Gillis MBC @ 18 psi
2003 Chevy Suburban Z71 - Daily driver
2015 Chevy Volt - Wife's daily driver

advice about buying an 83 Cougar

Reply #8 –
Congrats on your new Cat!!  Wanna see...wanna see.......pics?
1986 Mercury Cougar XR-7 Turbo-charged 5-speed.
Owned 22 years.

advice about buying an 83 Cougar

Reply #9 –
AHA, found the pics.  http://www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com/showthread.php?t=27681
1986 Mercury Cougar - 2.3T/T5 swap, TC brakes and suspension and rearend, 3" exhaust, 255 lph fuel pump, Stinger BOV, Gillis MBC @ 18 psi
2003 Chevy Suburban Z71 - Daily driver
2015 Chevy Volt - Wife's daily driver

advice about buying an 83 Cougar

Reply #10 –
Lots of potential there!!  Looks like you did good Joshua!!
1986 Mercury Cougar XR-7 Turbo-charged 5-speed.
Owned 22 years.

advice about buying an 83 Cougar

Reply #11 –
Quote from: Loaded87IROC;316105
AHA, found the pics. 


Yep, thanks for that and also in addition to the 3! I was able to do at a time have a set on flickr that will post once I can do urls

advice about buying an 83 Cougar

Reply #12 –
Quote from: CougarGal;316106
Lots of potential there!!  Looks like you did good Joshua!!


Thanks, I really hope so and thanks for the kind words.