1988 Mercury Cougar LS (Special Order) January 14, 2012, 10:39:36 PM 1988 Mercury Cougar LS Special Order:D First new car we purchased, bought it from the dealer (Columbia, SC) I worked for at the time. The entire car is original, the only parts not original to the car are the battery, tires, front brakes, wiper refills, and needed maintenance items>> oil filter, fuel filter, etc. We wanted the XR7 but didn't want to pay higher insurance, so we opted for the LS with the 5.0 liter V-8. We ordered it with the console shift, dual power seats, premium sound, full size spare tire (big mistake), and 7.5 rear end w/2.73 gears. I have gotten as much as 29 mpg on the hwy since we went with the 2.73 gears. I have all of the paperwork, window sticker, manuals, and I even managed to sneak the file for my car, from the dealer when I quit in 1994. The car was only driven in nice weather; we drove our 2nd vehicle if the weather was bad. It has always been garaged and the only paint issues are your normal rock chips on the front bumper and grille. The carpet and original mats have never been used, I covered the floor with thick mats from day one and they have remained covered for 24 years. This wasn't our "everyday driver," it was a going to church, driving on the Blue Ridge Parkway, and other special events kind of vehicle. The trunk was never used so it looks new too. The only work done to the car was fuel line clip recall/campaign, throttle body bushing recall, and Ford sent me a recall notice for the ignition switch but I haven't had that recall done yet. 10-15 years ago I did replace the rear shocks because one of them was squeaking, I installed Monroe Sensa Trac but I kept the original rear shocks. Since I worked for a Mercury dealer I was able to acquire several extra NOS parts for the Cougar, just in case I needed them down the road. New complete seat tracks (electric), ignition module, coil, cap, rotor, drive shaft, window motors, etc. I may have to pull the old Cougar out of mothballs now that I found this site and my oldest son is really interested in the older cars too. I found my son an original 1993 Fox Mustang in October and we have been doing some maintenance work to get it on the road. It was a one owner but the only maintenance the lady did was regular oil changes, the plugs were original (motorcraft with the paint on the tips) and so were all belts and hoses, we are replacing all parts with OEM replacement parts from a motorcraft wholesaler. I will get better pictures of the car when we get it out of the car hauler. The interior is in perfect condition. I will probably part with the car when it turns 25 years old....just don't have the room and it needs an owner that will drive it regularly. Quote Selected
1988 Mercury Cougar LS (Special Order) Reply #1 – January 14, 2012, 10:52:04 PM wow, she looks mint, other than the rock chips and acquired dust.. welcome! Quote Selected
1988 Mercury Cougar LS (Special Order) Reply #2 – January 14, 2012, 10:56:15 PM How many miles, and what would you part with it for? Quote Selected
1988 Mercury Cougar LS (Special Order) Reply #3 – January 14, 2012, 11:09:28 PM Quote from: Shadow;377763wow, she looks mint, other than the rock chips and acquired dust.. welcome! Thanks for the welcome! Those darn rock chips look terrible, especially since I always kept it waxed...the wax has gotten down in there..looks terrible in the pics but not as bad in person. Quote Selected
1988 Mercury Cougar LS (Special Order) Reply #4 – January 14, 2012, 11:18:31 PM how long is your car trailer? I'm looking for one to haul my camaro/ or tbird behind my winnie. Nice to see clean cars like that too, nice ride. Quote Selected
1988 Mercury Cougar LS (Special Order) Reply #5 – January 14, 2012, 11:29:53 PM Quote from: Haystack;377764How many miles, and what would you part with it for? I can't tell you exactly what the miles are, I haven't driven it in 5 years:) I'll look the next time I fire it up, I do go out and start it occasionally to keep the fluids circulated and battery charged. The interstate battery is brand new and the one I took out (last week) was eleven years old and would still start the car but it was getting real weak. I do know the miles are somewhere around 62-65,000...not even broke in yet! The transmission fluid, engine oil, antifreeze, etc. were always changed regularly too and always used motorcraft fluid in the trans but opted for Valvoline 10w30 in the engine. The car came with a "care kit" and I still have that too, it had leather conditioner for the shifter & steering wheel, silicone lubricant for the weatherstrips, etc. The factory weatherstrips look new (I used the silicone lube on them), factory full size tire has never been on the ground either. Since we opted for the full size spare, we never had any trunk space, Cougars are not known for spacious trunks anyway. I'm not certain what the asking price will be yet...I haven't even discussed it with my wife yet. I'll get better pics ASAP! Quote Selected
1988 Mercury Cougar LS (Special Order) Reply #6 – January 14, 2012, 11:39:46 PM Quote from: blain_gatterdam;377772how long is your car trailer? I'm looking for one to haul my camaro/ or tbird behind my winnie. Nice to see clean cars like that too, nice ride. My trailer is a 24 foot Shadow Master and there is plenty of room for the cougar and a bunch of other junk too. I bought the trailer in North Carolina, I highly recommend the Shadow Master, it's well built and not near as expensive as the haulmark brand. The dealer told me they are built by the Amish (sp) somewhere in Indiana...not sure though. Thanks for the compliment on the cougar, I like that black T-Bird in your signature too. Quote Selected
1988 Mercury Cougar LS (Special Order) Reply #7 – January 14, 2012, 11:56:32 PM It is a good looking car from what I can see. Might be to nice for me, but I am probably the only person who might be close enough to drive down and take a look. When you are ready to sell, I won't promise you the world, but shoot me a number. I got taxes coming up in the next two weeks or so. Quote Selected
1988 Mercury Cougar LS (Special Order) Reply #8 – January 15, 2012, 12:02:13 AM Quote from: Haystack;377777It is a good looking car from what I can see. Might be to nice for me, but I am probably the only person who might be close enough to drive down and take a look. When you are ready to sell, I won't promise you the world, but shoot me a number. I got taxes coming up in the next two weeks or so. I plan on spending a lot of time on this forum, I'll be sure to let you know (first) when I'm ready to let it go. What part of Utah?? I almost bought a house in Cedar City but the timing just wasn't right, beautiful state IMO. Quote Selected
1988 Mercury Cougar LS (Special Order) Reply #9 – January 15, 2012, 12:09:29 AM Cedar city and st geprge are the good part of the state. I'm in magna, about 15 miles west of slc and about 60-70 miles east of bonneville salt flats. Quote Selected
1988 Mercury Cougar LS (Special Order) Reply #10 – January 15, 2012, 01:47:31 PM I am impressed with how clear those headlight lenses look! They don't seem yellowed at all.My '87 also has the full-size spare option. I agree with you, big mistake. Huge waste of space. Quote Selected
1988 Mercury Cougar LS (Special Order) Reply #11 – January 16, 2012, 06:30:06 PM Quote from: 88cougarfan;3777601988 Mercury Cougar LS Special Order:D First new car we purchased, bought it from the dealer (Columbia, SC) I worked for at the time. The entire car is original, the only parts not original to the car are the battery, tires, front brakes, wiper refills, and needed maintenance items>> oil filter, fuel filter, etc. We wanted the XR7 but didn't want to pay higher insurance, so we opted for the LS with the 5.0 liter V-8. We ordered it with the console shift, dual power seats, premium sound, full size spare tire (big mistake), and 7.5 rear end w/2.73 gears. I have gotten as much as 29 mpg on the hwy since we went with the 2.73 gears. I have all of the paperwork, window sticker, manuals, and I even managed to sneak the file for my car, from the dealer when I quit in 1994. The car was only driven in nice weather; we drove our 2nd vehicle if the weather was bad. It has always been garaged and the only paint issues are your normal rock chips on the front bumper and grille. The carpet and original mats have never been used, I covered the floor with thick mats from day one and they have remained covered for 24 years. This wasn't our "everyday driver," it was a going to church, driving on the Blue Ridge Parkway, and other special events kind of vehicle. The trunk was never used so it looks new too. The only work done to the car was fuel line clip recall/campaign, throttle body bushing recall, and Ford sent me a recall notice for the ignition switch but I haven't had that recall done yet. 10-15 years ago I did replace the rear shocks because one of them was squeaking, I installed Monroe Sensa Trac but I kept the original rear shocks. Since I worked for a Mercury dealer I was able to acquire several extra NOS parts for the Cougar, just in case I needed them down the road. New complete seat tracks (electric), ignition module, coil, cap, rotor, drive shaft, window motors, etc. I may have to pull the old Cougar out of mothballs now that I found this site and my oldest son is really interested in the older cars too. I found my son an original 1993 Fox Mustang in October and we have been doing some maintenance work to get it on the road. It was a one owner but the only maintenance the lady did was regular oil changes, the plugs were original (motorcraft with the paint on the tips) and so were all belts and hoses, we are replacing all parts with OEM replacement parts from a motorcraft wholesaler. I will get better pictures of the car when we get it out of the car hauler. The interior is in perfect condition. I will probably part with the car when it turns 25 years old....just don't have the room and it needs an owner that will drive it regularly. Beautiful Cougar :).You don't happen to have any pictures of the factory paint and/or inspection marks on the car do you? I'm interested in seeing where the factory marked these cars as they rolled down the line. Quote Selected
1988 Mercury Cougar LS (Special Order) Reply #12 – January 17, 2012, 02:27:11 PM Looks very nice. Hoping to see some full pictures of it soon:) Quote Selected
1988 Mercury Cougar LS (Special Order) Reply #13 – January 18, 2012, 01:08:22 AM Quote from: thunderjet302;377861Beautiful Cougar :).You don't happen to have any pictures of the factory paint and/or inspection marks on the car do you? I'm interested in seeing where the factory marked these cars as they rolled down the line. When I get it out of the trailer I'll check for the inspection marks. Nothing has been adjusted, painted, etc, so if the factory marked it, I should be able to find and photograph it. Quote Selected
1988 Mercury Cougar LS (Special Order) Reply #14 – January 18, 2012, 01:13:22 AM Quote from: sarjxxx;377938Looks very nice. Hoping to see some full pictures of it soon:)I hope to have better pictures soon. I can't get the car out of the trailer without pulling it out of the backyard. Backed the trailer next to the fence and then we put the camper in front of the trailer. That's why I need to get rid of some stuff, I got too much stuff to keep up with. Quote Selected
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