Hello. Well, I found a 2002 cougar at auction for 1k 2 years ago. Didn't know anything about the model and bought it just because I figured I could maybe flip it. It had been sitting for over 8 years in garage and it was well maintained garage stored car before that. So rust was almost non existing. Just minor body and interior issues and only 128k miles. I learned later that due to the fact that it was the last run of the cat and that they didn't sell well in u.s and the fact that only about 3k of this particular model package sold here, makes it a near extinct cat 20+ years later. It's top speed is near 150 and it's a well handling Lil go getter. I like it better then any of the eclipses and other small sports that I've driven. So, I decided that I'd probably keep it as a investment at very least. I want to fully restore it. However, one day all the sudden there was loud grinding noise then no movement from my tranny. It shifts the same. Clutch seems to be fine. Speedometer will even show speed increase in all gears. And I did get wheels to spin but only on Jack's with no load and it was noises and not spin was slow. Very slow. So this leads me to consider the differential to be my problem. Unfortunately due to its rarity I'm having issues finding replacement tranny. I'm some what mechanically inclined and not comfortable with the prices to fix anything right now. I need any info from anybody about this car and finding and fixing this gem. Any advice will be.well received. If anyone knows and can help with finding a replacement tranny will have my full undying gratitude.

2002 mercury cougar. 2.5 v6 5 speed manual transmission.