Thinking of buying a Cougar

[Camaro91]

Hi,

After a short hiatus from owning American cars I am starting to miss driving them. I'm thinking of buying a Cougar because it fits the bill of a fairly large 2-door coupe, built in the US but with the added advantage of RHD and mechanics who will have seen one before.

It's a toss up between the 2.0 and the 2.5 at the moment. My pal is a mechanic and says the 2.0 will be much easier to work on should anything go wrong, and also more economical.

The downside is it's about 40hp less powerful.

I know the 2.0 is on a timing belt, but if the V6 is on a chain I would probably pick it on reliability grounds.

Does anyone have any opinions or advice on which engine I should go for?

[Podie]

Personally, I'd avoid the Cougar. Not as good as the Mondeo on which it was based.

If you're set on it, go for the 2.5. Check the water pump has been changed for a metal impellor version and that the lights don't "pulse" at idle.