When it comes to the classic world, the term “affordable” can prove difficult to define. That is because with wages and incomes varying widely, what one person may consider affordable may prove out of the reach of others. That brings us to this 1973 Mercury Cougar XR7 Convertible. It is a two-owner survivor that presents well and has no apparent needs. The buyer could slip behind the wheel of this well-equipped beauty and drive off into the sunset without worrying about possible restoration work. That makes a sale price of $13,900 look awfully tempting. The seller listed the Cougar here on Craigslist in Phoenix, Arizona. It has only been on the market for a few days, and I won’t be surprised if someone snaps it up pretty quickly. I must say a big thank you to eagle-eyed Barn Finder T.J. for spotting this excellent survivor.

The seller claims this Cougar is a two-owner survivor that has been garaged its entire life. Thanks to spending its life in a dry climate, it remains 100% rust-free. The panels are clean, and the underside shots reveal nothing beyond the dry scale that is common in cars from Arizona. The car rolled off the line resplendent in Ginger Metallic with a White vinyl top, and the seller states that it retains its original paint. The dry climate that preserves classic steel can wreak havoc on paint, but that isn’t the case with our feature car. There are no signs of patchiness, checking, or other deterioration. The panels are straight, and there’s no evidence of prior repairs or accident damage. The power top and its operating hardware is new, and the system works as it should. The glass looks flawless, and there are no problems with the chrome or trim.

I admit that when I saw the location of this Cougar, I was dreading what we might find when we turned our attention to its interior. The Arizona sun has a reputation for baking upholstery and plastic, and we’ve seen many cars over the last decade that have fallen foul of this problem. However, this Cougar is an exception. There is no evidence of UV damage, and the condition of the upholstery and plastic are indicative of a vehicle that has been treated respectfully. It has no apparent needs, and I would rate it above average for a survivor-grade car. It has some excellent creature comforts, including air conditioning, power windows, and an AM/FM stereo radio.

The original owner may have set their sights on comfort over outright performance because lifting this Convertible’s hood reveals the entry-level 351-2V V8 producing 168hp. The rest of the drivetrain includes a three-speed C6 automatic transmission, power steering, and power front disc brakes. The journey down the ¼ mile would take around 17.6 seconds, which is about what buyers expected during this era. However, point this classic at a stretch of open road, and it should cruise comfortably at freeway speeds all day. It could also be the perfect weapon if you felt like partaking in a spot of top-down boulevarde cruising. The seller indicates that apart from a new aluminum radiator, this Cougar is original and untouched. They don’t mention any mechanical issues, suggesting it is a turnkey car ready for immediate enjoyment. They hold a collection of receipts for servicing and other work, along with the original Build Sheet verifying its specifications and equipment.

By 1973, tightening emission and safety regulations meant high-performance models lost some of their hard edge. That was the case with the Mercury Cougar XR7, which was more at home on the open road than the ¼ mile. However, that made them ideal candidates for relaxed touring, and our feature car is no exception. I previously touched upon affordability, and the key to my contention is the overall condition of this classic. It has no apparent needs and is not a vehicle begging for restoration. The indications are that the new owner won’t need to spend a dime beyond the purchase price before taking to the roads to savor the classic motoring experience. The price looks highly competitive in the current market, and I suspect someone will need to act quickly if they plan on taking it home. Are you tempted?