When I was looking for cars for today, I found these two that didn’t really go together. Try as I might, I couldn’t come up with anything that really went with either one, at least that I felt like writing about, so screw it – they’re facing off against each other. They’re about the same age and price, at least, so that’s something.
Let yesterday’s Showdown be a lesson to anyone trying to sell a car: Presentation matters. Especially if you’re asking top dollar for a car. I don’t think that Buick wagon was as scruffy as the photos made it out to be, but it did not make a good impression. The uber-clean and well-photographed Chrysler LeBaron absolutely trounced it. If the Buick’s seller had taken an hour or two to wash, vacuum, and carefully photograph it, it might have been a closer contest.
I choose the LeBaron anyway, which I’m sure will come as no surprise to regular readers. I really like that body style, and maroon is a good color for it. The basic 2.5 and automatic combo is a bit of a letdown, but it’ll get the job done, and I know that engine well enough to trust it. That’s a good price for that car, too.
So, a bit of an odd couple for today, then. We’ve got a formerly-nice Lexus sedan that has lived a hard life, and an orphaned Ford product that has barely lived at all. Which one is more deserving of your three grand or thereabouts? Read on and decide.
2000 Mercury Cougar – $3,200
Engine/drivetrain: 2.5-liter DOHC V6, five-speed manual, FWD
Location: San Mateo, CA
Odometer reading: 74,000 miles
Operational status: Runs and drives well
The Mercury Cougar nameplate bounced around between Ford products for most of its existence: it was at various times a Mustang, a Torino, and a Thunderbird. But this final Cougar had no Ford equivalent; instead, it was one of Ford’s cast-offs. This car was meant to be the third-generation Ford Probe, but the Probe was discontinued before it was launched. The development work was already done, so Ford slapped a Mercury Cougar badge on it and sent it out anyway. Unlike earlier versions of the Probe, which were Mazda-based, this one is based on the European Ford Mondeo, sold here as the Contour and Mercury Mystique.
Two different engines and two different transmissions were offered, and this car has the best combo: a 2.5-liter Duratec V6 paired with a five-speed manual. It’s front-wheel-drive, but so were all its competitors at the time. And honestly, if you’re still shunning FWD cars in this day and age, you’re going to find your pickings slim indeed. This car has just 74,000 miles on its odometer, and the seller says it runs and drives “excellent.”
The interior looks great; honestly, I didn’t think these cars were this nice inside. It’s a classic example of Ford’s “New Edge” styling, with grand sweeping curves and almost no straight lines. Whether you’re a fan or not, you have to admit it’s better than a giant screen glued to the dash. I do think I see a modern touchscreen stereo, but if that annoys you, you can always change it.
The New Edge theme continues outside, and I have always thought the Cougar pulled it off better than some other examples. It’s not an exciting color, but that’s all right. It’s clean and shiny, and it shouldn’t have any rust to worry about. The aftermarket wheels are a matter of taste; I would usually rather see stock wheels on a car, just for proper fitment, but these don’t look bad, and I think they’re the stock size.
2001 Lexus IS 300 – $2,850
Engine/drivetrain: 33.0-liter DOHC inline-6, five-speed automatic, RWD
Location: Lake Stevens, WA
Odometer reading: 228,000 miles
Operational status: Runs and drives well, with a couple warning lights
Lexus sedans were a hit in the US from the start, and quickly gained a reputation for excellent quality and reliability, but they weren’t generally seen as a whole lot of fun. With the IS, Lexus aimed to change that perception and set its sights squarely on the BMW 3 Series. This car has an inline six driving the rear wheels, and it’s tuned more for handling than for ride comfort. Those attributes didn’t steal that many buyers away from BMW, but they did make the IS popular among a certain type of secondhand buyer. A lot of them were lowered, equipped with loud intakes and exhausts, and beaten within inches of their lives. This car seems to have led such an existence, but its current seller has been trying to bring it back to some level of respectability.
One thing that made the IS 300 such a darling of the tuner crowd is its engine, Toyota’s 2JZ inline six, shared with the Supra. It’s an already powerful engine that takes modifications well and is capable of making ridiculous horsepower in the right hands. But it’s also a Toyota engine, which means that if you just keep it stock and treat it nicely, it will keep happily spinning indefinitely. This one has no modifications besides a “cold air” intake and an aftermarket exhaust, meaning it’s probably just louder than stock, not really faster. It runs and drives well, but it currently has a check-engine light for an oxygen sensor. In addition, the ABS and traction control lights are on, which probably means a rear wheel sensor has failed or is disconnected. I believe both systems use the same sensors. The car had previously been lowered, but the seller raised it back up to stock ride height, and I have a suspicion that a wire may have been severed during that process.
There are no photos of the interior in the ad, which worries me a little. All we get is this view of the center stack showing the aftermarket Kenwood stereo. This car was most recently driven by a high-school kid, and I know how they treat their cars – after all, I was one once. I hope this isn’t the case, but I fear the interior is in sorry shape, hence no photos. At least the air conditioner works.
The fact that this car was even offered in screaming yellow shows Lexus’s intentions with it. The fact that it is no longer all yellow shows that some previous owners’ intentions were not honorable. Both bumpers and one front fender have been replaced, but not painted to match. There is also some minor damage to the trunk lid and the driver’s door. A new used trunk lid is included, but it’s blue.
With one of these cars, you’re looking at what it is, exactly as it sits: a sports coupe with a somewhat spotty reliability record that’s in really nice condition at the moment. With the other, you’re looking at potential: it was once a nice sports sedan and it could be again with a little love, or it could be the basis for a much wilder build. It all depends what you’re in the mood for.
Cougar for me as it’s manual and not beat to shit.
While I would like to see a 33 liter I6 in action, there’s no way I could ever purchase that IS. You just know what it’s going to be like and how it was treated. It’s the Cougar all the way. All it needs is the removal of those wheels with something closer to stock
The Beast of Turin says hello.
Talk him down a couple hundos on the IS and use it as the base for racecar hooliganism. No desire for a Mercury Cougar no matter how nice it is.
I didn’t even have to read the article. I know about the Mondeo coupe. Its gonna be reasonably easy to maintain.
The Drift-Tax IS300 was a big nope. I love RWD, but NO.
Scrolled up and saw the cougar was a five speed. Made me feel happy on the on-the-fly choice.
The Cougar is just too clean to pass up. And while it’s no IS300 in terms of performance, it’s reasonably fun to drive with a manual. I put some miles on a fleet Mondeo 5-speed of similar vintage when I worked in France, and it was plenty of fun to fling around twisty D-roads.
The Cougar, no question. I don’t recall if it was related to either of the two Probe generations… I drove a rented probe for one hour (I don’t recall which gen) literally 30 years ago, and I liked it. And because I imagine they might be Probe-related in some way, that means I’ll like the Cougar. Also, my dad had a Cougar from the early ’80s and though it was a boat, I drove that a fair bit too (I was but a wee young’un back then). This cat looks good on the outside, and decent on the inside, and I think that styling phase that Ford went through was among its more interesting/appealing ones.
PS: only NOW have I read the details and see this Cougar isn’t Probe-related, but rather based on a Mondeo/Contour, which I also drove decades ago and as best I can recall, it was merely OK. It makes sense that the two Probe gens were Mazda-based, since they drove responsively in a way that few American cars did back then.
I’m still going with the Cougar, of course. 😉
Cougar is pretty nice for, well one of those cougars. the 6 and a manual was probably rare, but the spec I would want. Still, for what I would use either of these for the IS300 is still my choice. I would actually want to spend some money on the drivetrain to make it a supra in Yuppie clothes.
Harlequin Lexus!!
My inner college-aged self is weeping at the state of that IS. They were nice back in the day. This one is beat bad.
The Cougar was always overshadowed by the Eclipses, Integras, Celicas and Preludes of the world. This one is at least a good survivor.
Still, I’m tempted to throw the imaginary money at the IS and finish whipping it ’til it drops.
“Engine/drivetrain: 33.0-liter DOHC inline-6, five-speed automatic, RWD”
“One thing that made the IS 300 such a darling of the tuner crowd is its engine, Toyota’s 2JZ inline six, shared with the Supra. It’s an already powerful engine that takes modifications well and is capable of making ridiculous horsepower in the right hands. But it’s also a Toyota engine, which means that if you just keep it stock and treat it nicely, it will keep happily spinning indefinitely. This one has no modifications besides a “cold air” intake and an aftermarket exhaust, meaning it’s probably just louder than stock, not really faster.”
Check again. At 33 liters I’m pretty sure this one has been bored and stroked *a bit*.
it was a special Edition. https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSFuvw2724DwENNN917Nq9pvigAvEOhGDYtIHcTvQ-WIg&s=10
I love how the plastic dash around the radio has big gouges in it. Like how does that happen?
Oh, you can probably guess how that happened. Had to get it out somehow, what am I going to go get a tool? I already have a flat head IN MY HAND
Gimme that Cougar. Clean, low miles, manual, looks nice in and out. Easy.
The Lexus is done. Multiple CELs, screwed up suspension, engine mods. crappy color, an auto, damage to trunk and door, a turd on wheels. Just burn it now.
The HS parking lot warrior has no chance. I knew about the Modeo connection with the Cougar, but didn’t know that it was slated to replace the Probe – learned something new today. In that role, it would have failed miserably and gone down with infamy rather than simply obscurity. As it stands, it failed because the target customer never looked twice at Mercury, and the days of the touring coupe were already waning. Anyway, the car itself presents as a reflection of good ownership. It’s obviously been cared for and used lightly. I always thought this last generation of Cougar wasn’t bad, it just wasn’t really a Cougar. As a car, it would be an engaging, comfortable, and (dare I say it) interesting ride due to how uncommon it is now. It also might be a great car for…..(wait for it)…….a high school student!
Not touching that sideshow special with a 10ft pole. Besides I always thought that Mercury Cougar looked neat 🙂
Being well past the age of 19, I could not be seen driving that Lexus. The Merc is not very exciting but really clean and far more age-appropriate for me.
I would take the Lexus. It just needs a manual swap and a Beam’s engine in the front. The way it looks, I would probably just rattle can that thing black and get some suspension and decent wheels. It’s never going to be the lux ride it once was, it has 230k miles, so lean into the bad ideas and have some fun.
The Merc is clean with low mileage.
The Lexus is pretty beat and was previously owned by a high school student.
Absolutely no debate. If I’m spending my money, it’s on the Cougar.
Any car previously owned by a high school student, especially one that enthusiasts like, is nothing but a huge red flag.
I always liked those Cougars and this one is particularly nice. It always bugged me that they put the least sporty steering wheel they could find in it though. It sticks out like a sore thumb, like a direct transplant from a Sable or something.
That gen Lexus IS 300% one of my favorite cars, even clapped out and automatic.
There is a white wagon I ogle from the train that parks at the mall in Milpitas right before I get off. I look for it everyday.
That Lexus looks like it smells like axe body spray and regret. It will look great with a new set of rims.
Ah, the elusive 22JZ (no shit)
Cougar but the first thing I would do is to find a set of stock alloy wheels for it.
This Cougar looks like it’s in better condition than the one who was hitting on me a couple weeks ago!
Jokes aside, that Lexus is a NO.
Condition uber alles, again. That IS was a cool car. “Was” being the keyword here.
The manual in the Merc is just icing.
The 3.0 Taurus V6 is a popular swap in the Cougar and Contour/Mystique. Also, they were *this* close to offering a Cougar S from the factory with the Contour SVT V6 that dealers had already taken deposits for it before they canceled it.
But I voted for the Lexus because Toyota is better than Ford, and transverse V6 engines SUCK. And of course, the yellow is awesome 😀