The term “economy size” can mean different things depending on context. If you’re talking about cars or airplane seats, it means small. But if you’re talking about dish detergent or cat litter or something, the economy size is the big one. That doesn’t have much to do with today’s choices; I just always thought it was strange.
Now, about yesterday: It’s not that I have any particular fondness for the Dodge Stratus, in either coupe or sedan form. But I do believe in letting people enjoy things, and not yucking someone else’s yum for no reason other than to get attention. I felt compelled to defend not only a perfectly serviceable car, but also anyone who loves it, for whatever reason. We’re pro-car here, and to me that means any car, used in any way. (Except that street-takeover crap; those guys can get bent.)
Of course the white Stratus was the better deal. That goes without saying. I wish the dealership selling the red car all the luck in the world; they’ll need it. At half the price, it would still be a decent beater for someone, but for more than five grand, there are much better options out there. Even I will concede that. In both cases, I hope these cars find new owners who take them on awesome adventures and create a bunch of cherished memories. That’s what makes a car great.
You know how some fast food restaurants will sell you any size drink you want for the same price? That’s kind of what we’re doing here. Three thousand bucks, your choice, big or small. They both have their pros and cons. Let’s take a look so you can make your choice.
1979 Mercury Cougar XR-7 – $3,000
Engine/drivetrain: 302 cubic inch OHV V8, three-speed automatic, RWD
Location: Riverside, CA
Odometer reading: 81,000 miles
Operational status: Runs and drives well
There wasn’t much to like about American cars from the late 1970s. Build quality was crap, and horsepower numbers were pathetic. But there is a category of car that thrived during this time, and it’s a category that I for one miss: the personal luxury coupe. To hell with speed, handling, or economy; these things were all about comfort and presence. This Cougar XR-7 is a classic example of the breed, both the good and the bad.
This car is powered by a 302 cubic inch V8 rated at – wait for it – 134 horsepower. It weighs two tons. You do the math. Gearing is probably not on its side either; in these days before overdrive automatics became commonplace, most cars had very tall final drive ratios to keep the revs down on the highway and improve economy. If you’re looking for acceleration, look elsewhere. It does seem to be reliable, though; the seller says it was just driven across the country with no problem. It leaks a little oil, but I’d be more surprised if it didn’t.
The interior is where these old land yachts really shone, and this one is in surprisingly good shape. It has some cracks in the steering wheel rim, like all old Fords of this era, and the plastic seat backs are faded to pink, but the upholstery is in good condition and the seats look comfy. The air conditioning needs some help, though; the compressor kicks on, but it doesn’t get cold. Sounds like a good time to do an R-134a retrofit.
The paint is absolutely shot, but it only has a little rust – where else? – along the bottom edge of the vinyl top. All those things do is ruin styling and trap water. I will say this for it, though: it wears its age well. Some cars just look like hell with faded paint, but this one manages to look dignified.
1992 Ford Festiva GL – $3,000
Engine/drivetrain: 1.3-liter OHC inline 4, three-speed automatic, FWD
Location: Kissimmee, FL
Odometer reading: 116,000 miles
Operational status: Runs and drives well
As a result of the same forces that neutered big cars in the late 1970s, small cars were popular throughout the next decade or so. Ford initially filled the small end of its lineup with the Fiesta, an import from Europe, then later with the Escort. But in 1988, a car even smaller than either of them came along: the Festiva. Designed by Mazda and built in Korea by Kia, the Festiva was the butt of a lot of jokes when it first appeared. But then a funny thing happened: it turned out to be a pretty damn good little car.
I always forget that the Festiva was even available with an automatic transmission. Most of them have a four- or five-speed manual, which makes a lot more sense for a tiny car like this. But us Americans will do almost anything to avoid having to use a clutch; I think the only small cars of this era not available with an automatic were the Yugo and the VW Fox. This automatic is only a three-speed, but that’s probably for the best. An overdrive gear would probably just bog down. The seller says it runs and drives well, and is driven daily.
Yes, it has those silly automatic seat belts. For the first couple of years, the Festiva had regular manual shoulder belts, but it also had a carbureted engine. This one is fuel injected, but it has annoying seat belts. Pick your poison, I guess. Since it’s the fancy GL model, it has air conditioning, but the seller says it needs a recharge – and, of course, a repair on whatever’s leaking that causes it to need to be recharged.
Outside, it’s a little dull and dinged-up, but it looks decent enough. The tinted windows are annoying, but not surprising in Florida. And it wears larger wheels than standard; I can’t place them, though. Late ’90s Honda or Mazda, maybe? In any event, the wheel swap probably makes it easier to find tires. The original 12- or 13-inch tires are almost nonexistent these days.
The funny thing about these two cars is that in a drag race, it would probably be a dead heat. The Cougar would use about four times as much gas doing it, but it would be a hell of a lot more comfortable. It’s all about what you want from a car, I guess. Are you more of a big floaty boat person, or a tiny little go-kart fan?
I got a Festiva as a rental during a vehicle emergency when my truck was stuck in the mountains. It was actually a decent little car that zipped up and down the mountains.
The Merc would be a lot more appealing if it had the 400 (or 460, don’t know if they still offered that in 79) because it would be the start of an interesting project. With the 302 it’s going to be pretty slow no matter what.
For honeymoon we rented a manual Festiva, and it was a fun little bugger to squirt through traffic. lLter on I worked in a Sears Auto, sold 4 Good Year 12 inch mid range tires, mounted and balanced, for a Festiva, for about $135.00. Owner declined an alignment as he said would be cheaper to just buy two new tires if the front ever went out of alignment. People rarely think of the replacement cost of tires when buying a vehicle, ans these day they really should.
Both, I will get the Cougar and then go pick up the Festiva and throw it in the Cougar’s trunk.
Mercury!
The charm about classic American personal luxury cars is that there is no modern equivalent, big SUV’s are not the new Cadillac Eldorado or Lincoln Mark III.
“i got me a Chrysler it’s as big as a whale, and its about to set sail”
I drove a new-at-the-time Festiva with that 3-speed automatic for more than two years. The automatic was just about the only thing I didn’t like about it, but it’s not a deal-breaker… but… those tyres look like they might have a bigger overall diameter than the originals, which might put even more of a damper on its get-up-and-go.
On a scale of one to five stars, the Cougar gets one star – it’s slow, very thirsty, needs paint, handles awfully and is overpriced. It would be comfortable and quiet, and it runs. With gas going up to six bucks a gallon, it would be prohibitively expensive to drive it. Those whitewall tires are also at least ten years old, so budget another four hundred bucks for a new set.
The Festiva loses stars for the automatic and the AC not working. You will have to spring for your own radio, since the seller is keeping his classic Sparkomatic. Also, with no plates, the paperwork might be a bit funky. Two and a half stars. It’s basic transportation as it is, not much more than that. It would go about three times as far on a gallon of dino juice as the Mercury, though.
Every year the town of Louisburg, North Carolina plays host to the largest gathering of Ford Festivas and those who love them…..in the world. (Probably). Festiva Madness has been going for two decades now, and a few of us from TriangleRAD make it a point to attend every year. From factory-clean to rat-rodded and everything in between, Festivas of all stripes travel from all over the eastern US to participate.
As you an imagine, the cars are only half the fun, if that. The people who own and love these cars after all these years, and are brave/crazy enough to road trip them hundreds of miles to meet up with other Festiva-heads in a parking lot in North Carolina….let’s just say they’re fun to hang out with.
Had not voted yet but that crowd sounds like fun. Festiva for me!
Even though it sounds like an artificial sweetener.
FYI, the Yugo was available with an automatic in its last year in the US (1991). It was sourced from Renault and was apparently pathetic. Only 50 or so were made.
I’ll take the Cougar, because red velour.
Had an ’88 Festiva, loved it, but it started rusting out too much to pass Virginia inspection. Then it started burning and throwing oil all over. 12 years of hard use!
I’ll take the Festiva. At least it’s honest about what it is. It’s transportation, it’s cheap, it gets you where your going. It’s not trying to be something it’s not. That Cougar doesn’t know what it wants to be. A muscle car? Nope., too big, too heavy, too underpowered. A luxury barge? Again too underpowered. I vote for honesty. That’s the Festiva.
I like both of these options, but I don’t want to hoard, so we’ll take the Cougar.
Festiva. It’s probably as fast (slow?) as the Cougar, drinks 1/3 of the fuel and will fit anywhere. Too bad it’s an auto; the manual ones were warriors, just like the teal one the salesman I used to work with used for about 15 years until it wore out.
It’s a Ford, it’s a Festiva. It’s aFordable!