1999 Mercury Cougar Review
1999 Mercury Cougar Review
View more photos
Used Cougar for sale
Appraise This CarSee Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Built on one of our favorite platforms with zippy engine choices and unique styling.
Cons
- The Flat Rock, Michigan plant where the Cougar is being assembled is not known for screwing together the tightest cars in the world, so reliability may be a sore spot with owners used to Japanese cars.
What’s new
Mercury reintroduces the Cougar this year after a one-year hiatus that saw the departure of most of Ford Motor Co.'s personal coupes. The new model is built on the Mondeo global platform that is also the basis for the Ford Contour and Mercury Mystique. This new coupe is powered by the same engine choices as the Contour/Mystique, which means that buyers can choose between a zippy Zetec four-cylinder and a high-revving Duratec V6.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1999 Mercury Cougar V6 2dr Coupe and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.30 per gallon for regular unleaded in Nebraska.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Nebraska
$196/mo for Cougar V6
Cougar V6
vs
$167/mo
Avg. Midsize Car
Vehicle overview
We have seen examples of Ford's New Edge design philosophy at several auto shows over the last few years. Some, like the Lincoln Sentinel, were spooky. Others, like the Mercury MC2, were cool. We weren't sure, however, how we were going to like the first U.S. production model featuring all of these odd slants and angles.
Well, New Edge is finally here in the form of the Mercury Cougar, and we are pretty sure that it's going to be a hit. More like the MC2 than the Sentinel, the Cougar is a nice blend of creases, edges and curves. The overall appearance of the body looks like a piece of material that has been pulled taught over an angular steel frame, kind of like an old biplane. The ultimate effect, however, is much more Buck Rogers than Red Baron.
Underneath this eye-catching skin are components that are much more familiar to us. The Cougar is built on the same platform as the Ford Contour and Mercury Mystique. It also shares roughly 70 percent of its parts with these two entry-level sedans. This is important to Ford Motor Co., because it keeps the cost of the Cougar down. It is important to you, because it virtually guarantees that the Cougar will be one of the best driving coupes on the market.
Frequent readers recognize Edmund's affection for the Contour/Mystique cars. The well-balanced steering, excellent suspension, exciting drivetrains and powerful brakes have led us to comment countless times on these cars' preeminence in the compact sedan segment. The fact that the Cougar will be sharing these components allows us to hazard the assumption that it too will be a hoot to drive.
The Cougar is an important car for Mercury. It will be the only model in the Mercury lineup that is unique to the marque, everything else sold at Mercury lots is a Ford or Nissan clone. It also signifies that Mercury will serve as the testing ground for Ford Motor Co.'s groundbreaking design plans. Traditionally, Mercury would be the last of Ford's three major divisions to incorporate new styles. Now it leads the pack.
Prices for the four-cylinder Cougar start at $16,500; a V6 model loaded with equipment can be had for less than $22,000. Expect lines to stretch around the dealership when this car hits showrooms. Preliminary interest on our end shows that you are not likely to find a dealer willing to sell you one for $500 over cost.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 1999 Mercury Cougar.
5 star(44%)
4 star(31%)
3 star(16%)
2 star(8%)
1 star(1%)
160 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.13 out of 5 stars
Great car for the price!
wicked_gk, 01/24/2012
1999 Mercury Cougar V6 2dr Coupe
I bought this car for $400 not-running. It had the common fuel-pump failure. Cost me $200 for a new one with labor. The mechanic then told me the engine had been over-heated which I suspected. Luckily Ford cross-platforms many of their vechicles so another engine was cheap ($350). Swapped engines and ever since its been running like new :) Interior quality is high quality and the … suspension is rides smooth. Will be keeping this car till it stops running :)
5 out of 5 stars
Why did they stop making the Cougar?
Teresa, 09/08/2008
1999 Mercury Cougar I4 2dr Coupe
In 2002 I bought a used 1999 Cougar, this proved to be one of my best decisions! I have put thousands of miles on this car. I have popped down the back seats and hauled more than in those toys trucks that are so popular. I have dressed up and taken my girlfriends out on the town in this sporty little car. I have saved so much on my gas bills, with my mileage ranging from 29 to 31 mpg. So … I ask why did they stop making this car?
3.75 out of 5 stars
Hate to love it
ghignight, 09/14/2013
1999 Mercury Cougar V6 2dr Coupe
I got my 1999 Mercury Cougar about a year ago. I really just got it because of the gas milage. I have had only normal wear and tear out of it. Tires, battery ect...when I got it it had 115k and a year later it sits at 140k......I have no major complains its fast and really sporty looking. It makes a good car for men for women......would make a great first car
4.5 out of 5 stars
going strong
plybybunnie, 07/17/2009
1999 Mercury Cougar V6 2dr Coupe
a've had my cougar 'georgette' for 5 years now, just turned over 200,000 miles, all original parts. very good running, reliable, just now starting to think about replacing the important parts. i LOVE my car and it has served me well. i don't see how anyone could not be satisfied with one. they must drive worse than me. i've taken my car cross-country several times, raced it, taken it … camping. for a small car, it can hold and handle whatever i've dished out. thank-you cougar makers! i am one very satisfied customer!
1999 Cougar Highlights
V6
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 20 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $196/month |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 14.5 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Safety
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original0
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
Consider these recommendations
Related Used 1999 Mercury Cougar info
Vehicle reviews of used models
- Used Ferrari 458 Italia 2011
- Used Scion xA 2013
- Used Toyota Matrix 2011
- Used Suzuki Grand Vitara 2010
- Used Lexus GS 450H 2010
Popular new car reviews and ratings
- 2024 MINI Cooper
- 2024 BMW X4
- 2025 Nissan Murano News
- 8 Series Coupe
- 2023 Porsche Panamera
- 2023 BMW X3
- Audi TTS
- Ford Bronco 2023
- 2023 Kia Sorento Hybrid
- Audi Q8 Tron
Other models
- New GMC Savana-Cargo for Sale in Rutherford, NJ
- Used Audi S5 in North Hollywood, CA
- Used Buick Riviera in Alameda, CA
- New Mazda CX-5 for Sale in Gulfport, MS
- Used Smart Fortwo in Saratoga Springs, NY
- Used Mazda 2 in Caldwell, NJ
- Used Suzuki Kizashi in Seymour, IN
- New Chevrolet Express for Sale in Vidalia, GA
- Used Kia Carnival in Piscataway, NJ
- New Subaru WRX for Sale in Elizabethtown, KY