Mercury Cougar vs. Ford Thunderbird
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Mercury Cougar and Ford Thunderbird contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Mercury Cougar and the Ford Thunderbird.
When comparing the Mercury Cougar's and the Ford Thunderbird's specifications and ratings, the Mercury Cougar has the advantage in the area of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars. The Mercury Cougar and Ford Thunderbird have the same fuel efficiency base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Mercury Cougar's and the Ford Thunderbird's specifications and ratings, the Mercury Cougar is a better car than the Ford Thunderbird.
Pricing: A used 1997 Mercury Cougar ranges from $1,500 to $19,675 while a used 1997 Ford Thunderbird is priced between $2,524 to $10,219.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the base engine of both the Mercury Cougar and the Ford Thunderbird makes 145 horsepower. Both the Cougar and the Thunderbird are rated to deliver an average of 19 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 432 miles. Both models use gasoline.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Mercury Cougar and Ford Thunderbird are comparable in regards to front head room, front shoulder room, front leg room and rear shoulder room.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$18,340
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
N/A
Category Starting MSRP Range:
N/A
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$18,395
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
N/A
Category Starting MSRP Range:
N/A
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$7,536
Price Range:
$1,500 - $19,675
Category Avg Price:
N/A
Category Avg Price Range:
N/A
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
3
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
91,383
# Good or Great Deals:
0
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$6,711
Price Range:
$2,524 - $10,219
Category Avg Price:
N/A
Category Avg Price Range:
N/A
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
1
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
39,604
# Good or Great Deals:
0
Mercury Cougar Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
Not available
Safety:
Not available
Ford Thunderbird Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
Not available
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Mercury Cougar
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Ford Thunderbird
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
Mercury Cougar Rankings
Not yet available
Ford Thunderbird Rankings
Available Body Styles
Coupe
Available Body Styles
Coupe
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Mercury Cougar Trim Levels
XR7
Ford Thunderbird Trim Levels
LX
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
145 hp @ 4000 rpm
Torque:
215 foot-lbs @ 2750 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.041 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
145 hp @ 4000 rpm
Torque:
215 foot-lbs @ 2750 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.041 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
3.8 liters
Engine Configuration:
V
Number of Cylinders:
6
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
16 / 24 / 19
Range (city/hwy):
288 / 432 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
3.8 liters
Engine Configuration:
V
Number of Cylinders:
6
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
16 / 24 / 19
Range (city/hwy):
288 / 432 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Standard/Optional Features
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Available
Keyless Entry:
Available
Roof Rack:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Bench Seats:
N/A
Bluetooth:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Seats
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Ignition:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Navigation System:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Power outlet:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Satellite radio:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Voice Recognition:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Alloy wheels:
Available
Keyless Entry:
Available
Roof Rack:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Bench Seats:
N/A
Bluetooth:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Seats
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Ignition:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Navigation System:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Power outlet:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Satellite radio:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Voice Recognition:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Features
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Backup camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Backup camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.1 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.5 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
59.1 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.6 inches
Rear Leg Room:
36.5 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
58.9 inches
Cargo Space:
Not yet available
Overall Interior Volume:
Not yet available
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.1 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.5 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
59.1 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.5 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35.8 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
58.9 inches
Cargo Space:
Not yet available
Overall Interior Volume:
Not yet available
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3536 lbs
Width:
72.7 inches
Height:
52.5 inches
Length:
199.9 inches
Wheelbase:
113 inches
Ground Clearance:
Not yet available
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3561 lbs
Width:
72.7 inches
Height:
52.5 inches
Length:
200.3 inches
Wheelbase:
113 inches
Ground Clearance:
Not yet available
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
Not yet available
Wheel Type:
Not yet available
Tire Size:
Not yet available
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
Not yet available
Wheel Type:
Not yet available
Tire Size:
Not yet available
Exterior Colors
Beige
Light Prairie Tan Clearcoat Metallic
Black
Black Clearcoat
Blue
Light Denim Blue Clearcoat Metallic / Moonlight Blue Clearcoat Metallic
Green
Alpine Green Clearcoat Metallic / Arctic Green Clearcoat Metallic / Pacific Green Clearcoat Metallic
Red
Laser Red Tinted Clearcoat Metallic
Silver
Silver Frost Clearcoat Metallic
White
Vibrant White Clearcoat / White Opalescent Clearcoat Metallic
Gold
Not available
Purple
Not available
Exterior Colors
Beige
Light Prairie Tan Metallic / Light Saddle Metallic
Black
Black / Ebony Satin Metallic
Blue
Boysenberry Pearl Metallic / Light Denim Blue Metallic / Medium Wedgewood Pearl Metallic / Royal Blue Pearl Metallic
Green
Alpine Green Pearl Metallic / Aquamarine Frost Pearl Metallic / Arctic Green Metallic / Dark Tourmaline Pearl Metallic / Light Pine Green Pearl Metallic / Medium Willow Pearl Metallic / Pacific Green Pearl Metallic / Vermont Green
Red
Bright Amber Pearl / Dark Toreador Red Pearl Metallic / Laser Red Metallic Tint / Midnight Red Pearl Metallic / Toreador Red Metallic / Vermillion / Vermillion Red
Silver
Silver Frost Pearl Metallic
White
Ivory / Performance White / Performance White Metallic / Ultra White
Gold
Aztec Gold Metallic
Purple
Desert Violet / Royal Plum Pearl Metallic / Thistle
