Hello Everyone! Possible New 98 SVTC Owner in the works.(pics)

[Suspiciously Stock]

Yesirrrr.
Hi, again, eveyone. My name is Chris and I'm coming to you all the way from North Texas (Dallas suburbs). For the last 3 years I've owned strictly E46 3 series BMW's. Amazing cars. I am currently driving a 5-speed 330Ci w/sport pckg. The car feels like a glove. Unfortunately, I will be heading off to an actual university soon. No more joonya college. So that means I must conserve money where I can and that means selling my E46.
So, as a replacement, I have set my heart on the Contour SVT. I loved these cars in high school and always admired their looks, especially in black. I had a buddy at work that owned one. He loved it and it was the first car that actually got me interested in driving a MT. I can't go back to automatics now.

I've been stalking the forum for the last 2 weeks. I'm a regular poster at Bimmerforums and Tehdriven. I hope to be a regular here since this looks like the place to post if your an SVTC enthusiast.

Anywho, it's becoming harder to find these special cars and so far I've only come across 2 in North TX. One owned by a private seller, and the other on a dealership lot. I have been very interested in the vehicle that is sitting on the lot and I visited the vehicle personally the last 2 days. No test drives.

I've been wondering what everyone's thoughts are on this particular vehicle.

here are the details and pics
1998 SVTC, Black, 98k miles.





http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g58/Chris323i/P1020182.jpg

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g58/Chris323i/P1020183.jpg

Can this cracking plate be replaced?
http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g58/Chris323i/P1020184.jpg

Cracked Weatherstripping
http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g58/Chris323i/P1020185.jpg

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g58/Chris323i/P1020187.jpg

Missing cap. Looks common on these cars. How much does this part run?


Bubbling paint
http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g58/Chris323i/P1020189.jpg

more bubbling
http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g58/Chris323i/P1020190.jpg



lots of micro-marring
http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g58/Chris323i/P1020192.jpg





dripping :nonono: oil?
http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g58/Chris323i/P1020195.jpg





So I want to hear it from you guys/gals. Am I buying a bust or is this a good project for a college kid on a budget. I've worked on Fords before, they aren't a big deal to me. Heck, IMO working on my BMW is far easier than working on american cars
but i digress. There is no question I will have to wet sand the paint to bring the car back to it's natural state.
Mechanically, my hope is to bring the car to my personal shop and get a list of what needs repairing. I will then tally up the costs of those repairs and hopefully the dealership will roll those repair costs into the price of the car so I can get it fixed and safe enough to drive this car to West Texas for college (Texas Tech, maybe).

Anywho, hello again everyone. If this car isn't worth it, I'm willing to wait a bit.






BTW the car is selling for $5,400.

[csvt2200]

That's a bit much for the car IMO. When I bought mine a year ago I paid $1,100 less than that for my 99 with 89k miles, stock, with the usual chicken feet that is common with Black CSVT's and a couple other minor body blemishes. I also bought mine from a private party though...

[loggerbomb]

Not worth the asking price.

[beyondloadedSE]

I'm not sure if I would even pay $3000 for that car. Its pretty hit.

[Suspiciously Stock]

yeah, the car needs work for sure. Next door is a Mustang GT for $7700 with 77k, 5speed. I might test drive that. I really want to drive that contour though. I'm really set on one of those cars.

[blu_fuz]

search the classifieds on here for something nice. If not here check on craigslist.com - fun stuff there too....

edit: I just checked craigslist.com and all the texas cities listed.... 1 car too much listed one time - good luck with your search. don't look on craigslist

[beyondloadedSE]

search the classifieds on here for something nice. If not here check on craigslist.com - fun stuff there too....

Exactly, heres what $5500 could get you.

http://www.contour.org/ceg-vb/showthread.php?t=18718

[bagged]

def. not worth that check classifieds might be a black one in there:laugh:

[Steeda...]

I heard there is a red one with less miles for less money in the classifieds

[bagged]

I heard there is a red one with less miles for less money in the classifieds

uhm you are wrong sir check again .........im pondering selling my black car
but skeedas car for that price.......someone jump on that isht so i dont have to buy it!!!!!!!

[LauraSVT]

Check out Autotrader, too, using SVT as a keyword. There are quite a few -- some are not exactly right down the street, but it's the type of car you may have to travel for.

As a reference point on price, take a look at this one with far fewer miles than the one at your local lot.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=227245852&dealer_id=57426214&car_year=1998&model=CONTOUR&num_records=25&make2=&start_year=1998&keywordsfyc=__U1ZU__&keywordsrep=083086084&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=0&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&make=FORD&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=100000&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=01984&advanced=y&end_year=2000&doors=&transmission=&max_price=&cardist=2571

[Suspiciously Stock]

Exactly, heres what $5500 could get you.

http://www.contour.org/ceg-vb/showthread.php?t=18718
:drool:

[Suspiciously Stock]

Check out Autotrader, too, using SVT as a keyword. There are quite a few -- some are not exactly right down the street, but it's the type of car you may have to travel for.

As a reference point on price, take a look at this one with far fewer miles than the one at your local lot.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=227245852&dealer_id=57426214&car_year=1998&model=CONTOUR&num_records=25&make2=&start_year=1998&keywordsfyc=__U1ZU__&keywordsrep=083086084&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=0&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&make=FORD&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=100000&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=01984&advanced=y&end_year=2000&doors=&transmission=&max_price=&cardist=2571
i would most definitely pay for one to be shipped over if it wasn't over 300 miles away.
yeah, but i check autotrader regularly for contours with a 5-speed and V6. Just 2 pop up and the other is a little over the mileage that i want.
I thought about it today. If I owned a GT Mustang, I really wouldn't take uch pride in owning one. Don't get me wrong, the 4.6L V8 sounds ungodly with the right exhaust but if I had an SVT in my driveway I would most definitely be a proud owner.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=228987767&dealer_id=57314266&car_year=1998&model=CONTOUR&num_records=25&make2=&start_year=1981&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&engine=6+Cylinder&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=200&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&make=FORD&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=75150&advanced=y&end_year=2008&doors=&transmission=Manual&max_price=&cardist=11

[LauraSVT]

Start looking for cheap flights. When I searched Autotrader for SVTs, I did not set a mileage limit, and got at least 25 of them. If you can get a very good idea of the condition of the car prior to arriving, you may be able to work a deal from afar. There are lots of folks on here who travelled a good distance to snag their cars. Mine's a southern belle -- she's from North Carolina. I flew down from Boston and drove her back. She was flawless, and is still stunning.

[TST-MT-CSVT#4923]

don't know if u want to travel for one .. but there is a nice one i think for 3800 or bo.... http://cnj.craigslist.org/car/424213593.html ....i would go for this one .. 85k .. not too bad .. check it out

[Suspiciously Stock]

Well, I've convinced myself to drive as far as Austin and Houston to buy a car so I've come up with one craigslist ad that is offering a Black 1999, 65k for $7500. Hopefully I can get the thing down to 6-7k. I won't be doing any buying until maybe next week, this weekend the soonest.
I also found a nice little SVT Focus with 50k miles going for $9k.
Not bad...

[Suspiciously Stock]

Haha, guy says it's in nice shape. I think I'll need pictures before I can decide what's "nice shape" and what's not. :)

[TST-MT-CSVT#4923]

Well, I've convinced myself to drive as far as Austin and Houston to buy a car so I've come up with one craigslist ad that is offering a Black 1999, 65k for $7500. Hopefully I can get the thing down to 6-7k. I won't be doing any buying until maybe next week, this weekend the soonest.
I also found a nice little SVT Focus with 50k miles going for $9k.
Not bad...




good luck with that man .. take your time " no rush " lol .. you will own one one day :laugh: ... the focus deal doesnt sound too bad like you said ..

[BlackE1]

Car looks like it needs a lot of work... I mean look at the rear trans mount.
http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g58/Chris323i/P1020195.jpg

[Suspiciously Stock]

Car looks like it needs a lot of work... I mean look at the rear trans mount.
http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g58/Chris323i/P1020195.jpgYap. I'm glad I took that pic. I was sure someone could find something wrong besides leaking motor oil. I don't think I'll waste the dealer's time by driving that car. It will only leave a bad taste in my mouth.

[PacificTourG]

Well, I've convinced myself to drive as far as Austin and Houston to buy a car so I've come up with one craigslist ad that is offering a Black 1999, 65k for $7500. Hopefully I can get the thing down to 6-7k. I won't be doing any buying until maybe next week, this weekend the soonest.
I also found a nice little SVT Focus with 50k miles going for $9k.
Not bad...
I saw that one listed on Craiglist. If you go down and buy it, you could let me know.

Edit: Here's another one. Not much info though.
http://www.usedcars.com/Sites/UCC/vehicledetail.aspx?make=Ford&model=Contour&zip=77040&vehicleId=7262707

[beyondloadedSE]

I heard there is a red one with less miles for less money in the classifieds

Is the charcoal included?

[Suspiciously Stock]

Called the owner. He sounds like a real friendly Texas guy. Says he hasn't driven it much in the last year. He owns 2 Lightnings. He's also an older gentleman so I don't think he's much of a racer.
Says everything is stock except the radio (awesome)
Car has been through two bumps. One from a deer, (light, new fender and paint by Ford) and a ding in the rear (presumably repaired by Ford), new dash due to some kind of recall? (repaired by Ford)

Says he will send over pics when he gets home. I will host them for you cats to see.