Professional Opinion

I buy and sell automobiles for a living. For the past several years I have leased a brand new mid-size sedan every two or three years. With automobile lease rates and residuals becoming less desirable every year, last year I decided to "curb" the best trade-in I could find. I see an average of three trade-ins per day, so my choices were far from limited. I wanted a Ford or Lincoln-Mercury product, and I was leaning toward a Lincoln Mark VIII. I was not, however, looking forward to paying for one. I finally came across a Performance White Tri-Coat Pearl Metallic 1996 Mercury Cougar XR7 with every available option except the moonroof. I bought this car on the spot and I am extremely satisfied with the Cougar! I prefer the formal roof line of the Cougar to the sloping lines of its cousins, the Ford Thunderbird and the Lincoln Mark VIII. Also, a well-equipped Cougar has nearly all the same amenities as the Mark VIII, plus the same engine, powertrain, and dimensions. The result is comfort and performance comparable to that of a high-end luxury sport coupe. The 1996 Mercury Cougar XR7 was a bargain when it sold for about $20,000 brand new, and now you can buy a nice one for about half that.