First Drive of the Year

Topic: First Drive of the Year - And Thoughts (Read 4195 times) previous topic - next topic

First Drive of the Year - And Thoughts

May 24, 2006, 06:32:50 PM

It's always a semi-scary experience taking the car out for the first time every spring, at least it is for me. Those of you with cars in storage all winter know the feeling. I took the convertible out for a spin to get gas last night (before the annual Memorial Day gas price gouging kicks in). I forgot how nicely that ed thing handles. For a car that has no solid roof and only metal beams holding the entire vehicle together, I'm pretty impressed with the cornering. I took it out again this morning to get part of the exhaust system rewelded, put her through some paces on some back roads. I missed her performance. Nice to have her out again.

I've been in a truck (ok, SUV, whatever...it's a truck frame) for the past six months and love how much room is in there. I felt like a frickin' GIANT squeezing into the convertible. Sheesh. I definitely don't fit in Fox cars that well. I sure as hell didn't miss that! Then again, the Cougar just reminds me of how 1980's these cars were. Ergonomics? Don't think so!

There is not much 'utility' in a Cougar either. Although I have been known to cram things in those cars that should never have fit in the first place. My 32" Sony Wega television comes to mind. Countless large air compressors. Bumpers. Seats. More seats. I remember the night we fit 9 people in my old blue '84. How we didn't get a ticket, I'll never know. Still, I've pushed Cougars to their hauling limits more times than I can count.

So I've rethought my whole outlook on these cars. For a lot of people, they are daily drivers because they have to be, as the sole car. But I'm at the point where stressing storage during the winter, if possible, should be a priority with these cars being 20 years old. And to get another vehicle to drive year 'round. Something with, you know, space inside, room to haul more than 2 people, room to put your stuff without sacrificing any interior space...things of that nature. This will help preserve our cars for the future. I'm convinced this is the way it has to be since a) they're 20 years old, and b) nobody is making the parts we need. We're on our own and have to fend for ourselves.

I guess once I stepped outside the daily-driver Cougar and into a completely different vehicle, I began to see our cars from a totally new point of view. I don't think it's possible for me to go back to a Cougar every day. And I don't want to. It's kind of scaring me. Am I liking the Mountaineer more than I should, or has the reality of the Cougar's shortcomings finally sunk in, 20 years hence?

I think it's more of the latter.

Times have changed...I've stepped into the 1990's and it's getting more difficult to look back. Newer cars are, in most respects, better all around for what we need. Our cars are getting more nostalgic. Oh they're still great cars, don't get me wrong, and will still do most things well. They just don't do what I need them to do anymore. I guess that's another reason why selling the Blue Max isn't hurting my feelings. I look at that car and see a thing of beauty, but don't feel it like I used to. At least not with that car. Still love the convertible, still want to keep it, still have long-range plans for it, still want to drive it, to push it further into design and power. But not for the Blue Max(es). Maybe I need to invest in a huge storage garage for all these cars and keep them, fix them, push them when time permits.

In any case, I've changed my views permanently now. I used to crack on SUV's and minivans. But they serve a purpose...there is a reason for everything. And now I have become one of those people that has one. But I don't think it's a bad thing. I just shifted priorities. I now believe we should be preserving and driving these cars at our discretion, not because we need to.

Your thoughts? Am I crazier than usual...or is there substance to what I believe?

First Drive of the Year - And Thoughts

Reply #1 – May 24, 2006, 06:58:23 PM

You sure thats a mercury mountaineer your driving and not the mercury mistress! didnt know they had that kind of effect. Haha J/k. I agree in that I do not use my cougars as daily drivers mainly to preserve them but also because of all those things you mentioned. I like not worrying about the car sitting outside and getting damaged, someone hittng me and then trying to find parts ect, plus the luxrys of nerwer cars when it comes to a daily driver. O yeah sign me up for the cougar storage center/ restoration building. Now one of us board members needs to hit the lottery.

First Drive of the Year - And Thoughts

Reply #2 – May 24, 2006, 07:09:33 PM

Oh the horror....Eric singing the praises of SUV's!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:flip:

I understand where you are coming from I guess though. I have 4 Fox cars...all older than '84, and really only use one as a "daily driver" (the 80 Z-7). Even at that, the Scorpio is a better "equipped" car and I have been driving it more. (A Merkur is an even scarier proposition as a daily driver though

). The Tbirds and Cougars will probably live out the rest of their lives with me as recreational rides with the poor Z-7 having to suffer through the winter.

I see myself eyeing some "newer" cars from time to time, but still nothing with much "utility", and none still speak to me the way these cars do. It's hard to believe my Tbird is 23 years old....but really that is just the body, and I still feel that with the proper gameplan of mechanical and technological updates, these cars can still be useful and efficient modes of transportation.
The biggest stumbling-block is restoration soft parts...Perhaps as we fend for ourselves in keeping these things on the road we can do more to help provide solutions for the problems.

I still NEVER see myself needing or wanting an SUV or a minivan. A wagon maybe, but a 4-door sedan (or hatchback) will handle most people-hauling (and in some cases stuff hauling) duties. A truck to have waiting to be able to use (but not drive on a daily basis...:yuck: ) would be nice to have again.

I could do a Tbird/Cougar as a daily, but unless it either stops snowing, or they stop dropping salt on the roads, I just can't bring myself to kill another one by driving it around here in the winter....the 84 XR-7 is dead because of this. I could drive one 3-seasons though, and once I get a few more things done to a couple others I just may.

First Drive of the Year - And Thoughts

Reply #3 – May 24, 2006, 07:30:20 PM

Um...I dont know about you guys, but the trunk in my Tbird is quite large; probably a bit bigger than my mom's 04 Accord. So I doubt I'll have problems with storage. The back seats aren't too bad as long as the people in the front arent tall (which obviously isn't an issue in my Italian family). I like having my car as a daily driver, but it sure as hell isn't going to be used in snow conditions any time soon. Rear wheel drive + heavy body + V8 + snow/ice/etc = not good for regular driving.

First Drive of the Year - And Thoughts

Reply #4 – May 24, 2006, 07:50:56 PM

Don't know if you'd lump a Mark VII in with Cougars and T-birds for purposes of this discussion.. but I find that the more I have to drive either my truck or my mother's '98 ZX2, the more I want to drive the Lincoln again. Nothing against either of the two other vehicles.. they both serve their purposes well. But the Lincoln is more fun for me and more comfortable for me. (although it's easier getting in and out of the truck when my back's really acting up)

I suspect I'd feel the same about the T-bird if the Lincoln weren't in the picture.

First Drive of the Year - And Thoughts

Reply #5 – May 24, 2006, 08:06:10 PM

I know exactly how you feel, Eric - remember my post a few months ago about taking the 'Bird out for a run for the first time in months, after driving the Volvo? How truly primitive the car felt? It really does take an extended time behind the wheel of a somewhat modern vehicle to make one realize just how "ancient" these things are. I almost shat myself when I stepepd on the brakes of the T-Bird and realized I wasn't gonna stop, at least not like the Volvo is capable of. 10" front discs combined with 10" drums do NOT make for good stopping. The funny thing, though, is that until I bought that Volvo the 'Bird WAS my daily driver (and is once again as the Volvo sits in the shop). I bought the car with 47k miles on it in March of '03 and it now has about 65k miles. You have no idea how bad I felt when that odometer rolled over 100,000 km (62k miles).

Driving one of these things after driving a new car can really change your mind about them. On the one hand, it brings about a bit of nostalgia, but it also exposes a lot of weaknesses in a 20-year-old vehicle that even when new wasn't exactly state-of-the-art.

If you can afford to keep more than one vehicle it'd great to have a "time machine", but many people can't afford to, or don't have the place for more than one, and we lose a lot of owners of these cars that way. They drive a new car and say "Holy shiznit, my Bird/Coug SUCKS!" I do think a lot of these people will be back in a Fox at some point in their lives, though. New cars have solid chassis, good fuel economy, reliable drivetrains, and all that, but most lack the character that these things have, and the few times I've been without a fox car I've really missed them.

I guess it's very similar for any classic car owner. If you had a '66 Mustang it would not be a very good daily driver, even compared to a pedestrian Cavalier or Focus. But it'd still be a good car to hang on to :p

This is why my Thunderbird is now an occasionally driven "toy". When I need to go somewhere I take the Volvo (when it actually runs), but when I want to have fun or just go for a drive for the sake of going for a drive I take the T-Bird. I can also tear into the T-Bird without fear of putting my DD out of commission, which is why I have started buying things for projects I've always wanted to do. The suspension upgrades will start soon. I'm trying to find the T5 swap parts. I've got TC body parts and interior to go on. When the car was my DD I'd never even be able to dream about putting the car down for a week while I replace the suspension. When I can, I will be obtaining "classic" plates from the DMV (my car is eligible in May 2008).

As more people start thinking about these cars as something that should be kept for special occasions, or at least preserved by keeping salt away, they will obtain more of a following. Right now people think I'm crazy for putting an 80's Thunderbird away while I drive a car worth four times as much in the winter, but I like the T-Bird and want to preserve it. As it ages people won't think I'm so crazy (at least I hope so...)

First Drive of the Year - And Thoughts

Reply #6 – May 24, 2006, 08:20:20 PM

A lack of ergonomic comfort in a Cougar? I say thats unheard of!

Theres something I have to deal with everyday as I still use my 88 Cougar as a daily. While I still feal excited when I open the door to the Cat and plop my but in the seat I soon realize that I'm in for a ride after just a few short miles. I can think of a number of things that make me uncomfortable while I drive my car.

1. Lumbar supports too small of an area for my back to be comfortable.
2. The front edge of the seat bottom digs into my legs no matter what position I have it set at.
3. My right foot is never happy. Its always falling over into an akward position while driving.
4. Visability. Or lack of. With the shagy rear windows you can't see shiznit. I constantly find myself smashing my face into the window trying to see around the C pillar.
5. Some of you know that the steering wheel is not centered with the seat. I've noticed this causes me to lean in my seat.
6. Lack of tilt colum, yes the car has a tilt wheel but golly what use is that. The thing is still up on the dashboard.

There are more... but at this point I've further convinced myself that I am tired and ready to move on. The car is old (250k miles) and is looking like its going to go back to its former owner. I'm guessing you all know where that is.

In a pitiful excuse to convince you all that I still like my car I must say that I still after a year and a half smile when I walk out the front door and into the driveway. I love bangin the gears and going around the corners faster than most shiznitboxes can do strait, but it gripes and complains the whole way. Banging and clanking and leaking in all ways possible. My bladder is the only thing that doesn't leak when I drive my car.

I'm faced with a delima, as I've finally got a new job and will soon be able to afford a new car. I've found a new love in the way of a fixer upper and its sure as shiznit not my Cougar.

First Drive of the Year - And Thoughts

Reply #7 – May 24, 2006, 09:31:28 PM

I understand what you all are saying but I didn't experience the same primitive feeling as someone put it until I started driving the 85 GS.

My current daily is an '04 Tiburon with a 6-speed manual. 1996 Mark 8 before that, 87 LS before that with a little bit of 92 Elantra and 86 Pajero mixed in there (lived overseas). I still drive a Cougar about 6,000 miles per year and the Tib about 15K miles.

Really, the only thing I noticed was that the less and less I drove a Cougar (after Labor Day 2002), and the more I drove my Mark 8, the smaller my Cougars seemed inside. Now that the Mark 8 has been gone for almost 17 months, the Cougars don't seem as small any more.

They have never felt primitive except for my newest addition. It feels primitive compared to my other Cougars. However, I know the reason - 3speed C5 and grandma suspension. I think the XR-7 package makes a huge difference. My other cars are tight, handle well, ride well, and feel better than my wife's Acura from the 90s. I'll put it this way, I haven't driven anything that so far "surpasses" my cats that make me think my cats are old or outdated when I get back in them.

I do agree that we should start thinking about the long-term and trying to preserve what's left.

First Drive of the Year - And Thoughts

Reply #8 – May 24, 2006, 09:57:01 PM

I think I've tried to tell you all this a few times "Cougar God". The diffrence between the 80's and 90's is incredible as far as performance goes. I drove an old 66 mustang several years ago, and it almost killed my love for the cars. I felt like I was driving an old wagon, with a motor, brakes you had to hold to the floor as well as you could, and all this while you feel like you are almost sitting on the floor of the car. Love the look, hate driving one. Our fox cars handle so much better than a 60's, and early 70's car, it's amazing. When I go from my 205,000 mile 86', to my 04' mustang....well, like you said, huge difference. My 88' still feels VERY nice by the way to drive since it has been kept up, and I enjoy cruising in it as much as my mach1.

The 90' cougars, if kept up well, still perform very well by the way. You need to drive one of the 90's cats, one in good shape, and you'll see what I mean. They really drive and feel as good as your suv. Now you can also understand why the new mustangs are selling so well. Great styling and superior handling, even in the V-6. I wished it was my daily driver.

I remember driving my 72 base satalite w/68' 440 put in it. Straight line, man was it quick, easy 13's, go to take a turn and .......WHOA NELLIE, WHOAH!!!

First Drive of the Year - And Thoughts

Reply #9 – May 24, 2006, 10:05:51 PM

Well...maybe I should also explain that my daily driver Cougars have been nothing extraordinary in the performance department. They've always looked halfway decent (thus the reason I get suckered into this body style!). But they have never been anywhere near the quality of the lowliest of Karl's cars. Even my '88 XR7 was a bumpy, harsh, unforgiving beast of a car...with a nice transmission. I have spent a little money, a lot of money, and an average amount of money buying these cars for daily drivers. And it doesn't seem to matter how much I spent, I always ended up with a car that I thought I was happy with. But now I realize that I was just happy enough...and now that I know this, how can I go backwards? I love them for what they are. But for me, they are not something I want to drive on a daily basis again. I cannot imagine never owning one though. They are too much a part of me to ever relinquish their hold. But now it's almost like I finally understand their place in my life. I don't want them to go away but I don't want them to choke me off from other possibilities either. And I think that's what happened for so many years.

I love the Mountaineer in every respect...I can see why Ford sold a shiznitload of those vehicles. Every dimension is perfect. Everything you throw at it, it takes. It is a throughly capable vehicle. But it's a truck...and it rides like one. Even the basic Cougar suspension is better than the best Explorer suspension, at least the older, non-IRS models anyhow. So it's a give and take. Right now I'm taking what the Mountaineer is giving and I am very happy with the decision.

Now...if I were to wreck it...would I be pissed? Yeah, no doubt. But I'd be even more pissed if the Blue Max got wrecked. Why? Because I can buy any part I want for the Mountaineer. Can't say the same for my Maxie.

So that's why I'm leaning toward keeping Cats and Birds as "the toys" if possible.

First Drive of the Year - And Thoughts

Reply #10 – May 24, 2006, 10:16:00 PM

I fell back in love again today
I had to take the cougar out and get pictures for the new classic plates. PA requires 5 pictures, both sides, front, rear, engine. SO It was nice enough out to snap a few.

First Drive of the Year - And Thoughts

Reply #11 – May 24, 2006, 10:29:30 PM

Man, this sucks. No one on this board ever saw my LS intact.

That car had 200,000 on it and was as nice as any of my other cats.

Never saw a garage, was driven over salt, snow, ice, everything.

I would LOVE to find a Cougar like my LS that I can drive every day without trying to preserve mileage. Like a Cougar in the same shape with say 120K miles on it. That green one just might serve in that capacity though. If it does, that C5 has got to go. I don't like the less-durable AOD but , I don't like a V6 spinning 4000 rpm at 65 mph either. I would probably be driving a Mark 8 every day if they weren't such pieces of quality-wise.

I drive After at least 2K a year, maybe more, the white 87 probably 3K a year, and I drive Before probably 1.5K a year but this is because I don't want to rack the miles up so quick because of preservation reasons.

Eric, I understand and agree with what you are saying except I still look and feel the same beauty or whatever that I did when I bought my first one 12 years ago.

Driving the Mark 8 and having the Cougar get "smaller" on me, I know what you are saying about getting back in the cat from the SUV. You have to be feeling an even bigger difference than I did.

First Drive of the Year - And Thoughts

Reply #12 – May 24, 2006, 10:47:43 PM

Another reason I will try to keep the 88' as stock, and as in good a shape as possible, and why I plan on putting the XR7 parts car suspension into my 86'. Even a freind at work liked the way my Black 88' handled. Maybe you should look into putting an XR7 suspension into your convertible one day. My 86' LS never felt as good as the my 88' XR7 does.

First Drive of the Year - And Thoughts

Reply #13 – May 24, 2006, 10:53:42 PM

Quote from: yellow86coogr

Maybe you should look into putting an XR7 suspension into your convertible one day. My 86' LS never felt as good as the my 88' XR7 does.

By the length of the list, I would suspect he surpassed what the stock XR-7 suspension can do:
http://www.coolcats.net/eric/86convertible/techinfo.html

First Drive of the Year - And Thoughts

Reply #14 – May 24, 2006, 10:55:53 PM

After driving my Ford Escape(y, especially when I'm 6'3''), I cant stay away from my Cougars. Even though my 86 is the biggest P.O.S. I have ever owned(still a nice car) I love sitting in it dreaming of what it could be and what it is even with a broken motor mount. I fall in love with these cars all over again after being away. I am deadly awaiting the day my 84 gets a heater core and I can slide corners. I've been waiting for a long time just to find a decent set of Cobra Rs for it. I love old cars, and I cant stay away, no matter the condition. You find any car, no matter what it is I will make it half way appreciatable. I cant stop modding things, these are the most perfect cars for it. By now I think you understand. Some have different opinions. Well thats my 2 cents. Not that its a big deal.
Everyone has big posts in this thread!