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Topic: 86 Cougar, 3.8, 49K miles (Read 1589 times) previous topic - next topic

86 Cougar, 3.8, 49K miles

86 Cougar 3.8 V6. 49K miles for $3800. You know it would help if the owner took more pictures.......

Quote
I have a 1986 mercury cougar 3.8 v6 is in excelent condition has 49000 miles it never seen snow hass no rust new tires runs and drives like new call or text 312 907 5072 3800 obo


https://chicago.craigslist.org/sox/cto/d/1986-mercury-cougar-low-miles/6336367173.html
88 Thunderbird LX: 306, Edelbrock Performer heads, Comp 266HR cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, bunch of other stuff.

86 Cougar, 3.8, 49K miles

Reply #1
There's an 84 just like that with under 50k miles for $3k here. Started at $6k. Probably been up off and on for 5 years.
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

86 Cougar, 3.8, 49K miles

Reply #2
It's probably over priced, but who knows? I don't see any interior pictures so it's hard to say.
88 Thunderbird LX: 306, Edelbrock Performer heads, Comp 266HR cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, bunch of other stuff.

86 Cougar, 3.8, 49K miles

Reply #3
Sill for sale.

As a side note it seems the bulk of the low mileage, "minty", Fox Thunderbirds and Cougars near me for sale are low option V6 cars.
88 Thunderbird LX: 306, Edelbrock Performer heads, Comp 266HR cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, bunch of other stuff.

86 Cougar, 3.8, 49K miles

Reply #4
Quote from: thunderjet302;463682
Sill for sale.

As a side note it seems the bulk of the low mileage, "minty", Fox Thunderbirds and Cougars near me for sale are low option V6 cars.

Ive noticed that also, seems most of them are V6 cars.
Mike

86 Cougar, 3.8, 49K miles

Reply #5
Something like 75% are Sixers, about 12% are v-8 and the rest are tc's roughly. Some years more or less then others, but that's the basic "new sale" breakdown.
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

86 Cougar, 3.8, 49K miles

Reply #6
Quote from: Haystack;463688
Something like 75% are Sixers, about 12% are v-8 and the rest are tc's roughly. Some years more or less then others, but that's the basic "new sale" breakdown.

Explains all the V6 cars that are left. Plus most cars don't have all the option boxes checked either.
88 Thunderbird LX: 306, Edelbrock Performer heads, Comp 266HR cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, bunch of other stuff.

86 Cougar, 3.8, 49K miles

Reply #7
As boring as the v6s are, the few I have owned have been very reliable. I don't think I had a major issue out of any of them. They almost always leak oil from somewhere though, heh.
CoogarXR : 1985 Cougar XR-7

86 Cougar, 3.8, 49K miles

Reply #8
I've never had a v-8 that didnt leak.
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

86 Cougar, 3.8, 49K miles

Reply #9
Quote from: CoogarXR;463708
As boring as the v6s are, the few I have owned have been very reliable. I don't think I had a major issue out of any of them. They almost always leak oil from somewhere though, heh.

I'm pretty sure the 83-87 CFI 3.8s are better about keeping the head gaskets intact than the 88 and up cars.
88 Thunderbird LX: 306, Edelbrock Performer heads, Comp 266HR cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, bunch of other stuff.

86 Cougar, 3.8, 49K miles

Reply #10
Quote from: thunderjet302;463727
I'm pretty sure the 83-87 CFI 3.8s are better about keeping the head gaskets intact than the 88 and up cars.

Not in my experience...they all left a lot to be desired, regardless of model year. My current '84 had a head gasket failure when I bought it (cracked heads). My first '84 suffered a head gasket failure at 130K+ miles, not too bad for factory, but still inevitable.

86 Cougar, 3.8, 49K miles

Reply #11
I had a 95 Thunderbird with a 3.8. Made it to 92000 miles and 16 years on the factory head gaskets. I traded it away at that point but I assume it has popped the gaskets by now.

I thought the 83-87 cars were better in the fact that they could make it over 100K miles before the gaskets popped. The 88 and up 3.8s were going south in the 50-60K mile range.
88 Thunderbird LX: 306, Edelbrock Performer heads, Comp 266HR cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, bunch of other stuff.

86 Cougar, 3.8, 49K miles

Reply #12
My 83 3.8 still looked like no one had messed with it. It had 114k or so before it got wrecked.
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

86 Cougar, 3.8, 49K miles

Reply #13
Still for sale: https://chicago.craigslist.org/sox/cto/d/1986-mercury-cougar-53k-miles/6626762430.html

Down to $2600. Tempted to offer $2000 cash. But no place to store it, plus it needs $$$$$ in upgrades (at least a 302, trans mods, 8.8 rear, frame reinforcement) before I'd be happy.
88 Thunderbird LX: 306, Edelbrock Performer heads, Comp 266HR cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, bunch of other stuff.

86 Cougar, 3.8, 49K miles

Reply #14
Wow, still for sale from last November!  The '86 I just bought looks just like it, minus the dings and scuffs mine has, and some bubbling under the paint in the quarters.  But the paint, wheels, etc are all the same.  Mine also has the 3.8/C5.  My car needs a trans, but I only paid $375 for it.  Interior is still clean as a pin, with about 120k miles on it.  Hope you get it.