Pete, my wife sold her 2000 Cougar about two weeks ago for 1500.00
It was bought new locally and never seen salt. Very nice condition but she parked it a year ago because she doesn't buy parts to fix anything. She only drives a car until it needs something then just parks it and buys another vehicle. You know what it needed? Nothing but a cheap fuel filter. She drove the thing 192,000 miles without ever doing a damn thing to it tune-up wise. It still ran good, just lost a bit of pep on the hwy over time and wouldn't gain speed no faster at full throttle than it would at part throttle do to the filter plugging up. She had it in her head that it needed a new cat, but didn't listen to me telling her the fuel pump was running in a strain ( the high pitch buzz in the tank had went to a slow low pitch hum ). Before selling it, I went and bought a filter for it myself while she wasn't home, and installed it before the buyer came to look at it. Soon as I started it up I could her the fuel pump spinning faster as it was supposed to. Car ran great. Zippy as hell just like it did before the filter plugged. Guy drove it and gladly dished out 1500.00. I told him he may want to replace the plugs and wires though as they are still original with 192k. Smooth as it ran, the guy said he'd just drive it until it sets a misfire code. He turned on the cold A/C and drove away with a smile. My wife wanted to know what I did to it and I told her: '' I spent about 15.00 for a fuel filter, just like I told you it needed a year ago when you parked it thinking it needed something more ''. One day she'll listen. Or maybe not. Hell I don't argue with her once her mind is set... but I've enjoyed the 94 S10 for 13 years now after she declared it junk.
