MERCURY COUGAR

If the late '60's and early '70's pony-cars are your bag, MERCURY COUGAR is another good buy these days. There isn't that much difference underneath the sibling models from GM, FORD, and CHRYSLER--Camero/Firebird, Mustang/Cougar, Barracuda/Challenger-so why not save yourself some money and choose the ones that haven't yet received cult and status and are, therefore relative bargains. among this group, the COUGAR is frequently the most cost-effective purchase.

If you want a car of this type mainly as a driver, pick one with the small engine-it's lighter and better balanced with consequently better handling. If you want a show car or one primarily for investment, opt for the biggest, hottest engine you can get, with competition suspension (an XR-7 will be appropriate) and stickshift.

Prime investment gambits are buying one-of-a-kind cars (not possible with pony-cars), the only example remaining (also not possible), the oldest one built (possible), or the last one built of a series (also possible)--something to set your car apart from the lookalikes. Baring one of those possibilities, the first year of production or first year of the convertible models (1967 & 1969, respectively, for COUGAR) are good buys. You should be able to pick up a '67-'70 model in excellent shape for under $7,500 or a "fixer-upper" for under $3,000.

(Article courtesy of MOTOR TREND Magazine, November, 1988)