No Reserve: 1997 Mercury Cougar

This 1997 Mercury Cougar XR7 two-door personal luxury coupe has been owned in California since new and has been driven only 72,260 miles. Powered comes from a well-maintained 4.6-liter Modular V8 paired with a 4-speed automatic transmission. The CARFAX report for this seventh-generation Cougar shows extensive service history including a recent oil change, brake service, and air conditioning system service, as well as the replacement of the radiator fan, oil pan gasket, water pump, and thermostat. Finished in Silver Frost Metallic over a gray leather interior, this Cougar is now offered with a key fob, a license plate frame, uninstalled spare parts, a CARFAX report and a clear California title in the seller’s name.

The Cougar first got its start in 1967 as a pony car and evolved into a personal luxury car. The seventh-generation debuted in 1989 on the MN12 platform as a two-door coupe exclusively. It was marketed as the flagship of the Mercury division and received a facelift in 1996 with changes to the nose and grille, along with the addition of body-colored cladding. This Silver Frost Metallic Cougar from the final model year of the generation features chrome badging and a rear spoiler.

Silver-painted seven-spoke aluminum wheels are wrapped in Hankook Optimo tires.

The twin-cowl, five-passenger interior is furnished with gray leather power-operated bucket front seats and a bench in the rear, coordinated with matching materials on the door panels, center console, dash, carpeting, and floor mats. Amenities include keyless entry, a power sunroof with a sliding shade, power windows, power door locks, cruise control, dual illuminated vanity mirrors, and an AM/FM/cassette stereo.

Instrumentation includes a 120-mph speedometer, 7K-rpm tachometer, and accompanying gauges for the fuel level and coolant temperature. The six-digit mechanical odometer reads 72,260 miles, which is supported by the CARFAX report.

The 4.6-liter Modular OHC V8 has been well-maintained as shown by more than 30 service records on the CARFAX report. Noteworthy maintenance items include an oil change, air filter replacement, and air conditioning recharge in 2022; a radiator fan replacement in 2021; an engine timing cover replacement and oil pan gasket replacement in 2020; and a water pump, thermostat, radiator, drive belt, and intake manifold gasket replacement in 2019. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a console-shifted 4-speed 4R70W automatic transmission. A cold start video is available below.

The brakes were serviced and the fluids were changed in 2022. The chassis uses a four-wheel independent suspension. Additional photos showing the underside are available in the carousel.

The CARFAX report shows minor damage to the front end dated June of 2011. The vehicle passed a California emissions inspection in April of 2022. The sale includes a key fob, a license plate frame, and uninstalled spare parts.