You guys a all full of $hit saying that the 2.5l duratech was a problem engine.
The failures that happened to those engines was caused by them having no
baffles in the oil pan and the regular joe that knew nothing about that engine
and let the oil sit around the add mark would starve the engine of oil at high rpm
during cornering or steep uphill.My contour now has 260000 kms on and has
been beaten with no restraint since day one ( aug 97 49000km).The only
reason I would say go for the focus is it's cheaper to mod.If you like the
cougar get a 2001 or 2002,many improovements where done in thoses model
yrs.If you have $$$ to mod and want POWER you can swap a duratech
3.0L and get the ovalport heads portmatched for the splitport 2.5L but with
a svt tb and upper intake and cams and a ADC chip to handle all of that and
you'll be looking at 250HP.You'll just have to live with Ford fit and finish but I'm
satisfied overall with the car.GO AND LOOK AT
WWW.FASTCOUGAR.COM and
you'll find out and see all you need to know about the cougar and how it's a
wonderful but expensive car to mod.