tredsvt98
Veteran CEG'er
i was jk
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Contour SVT vs my 1989 Accord... what to do
- Thread starter Cash68
- Start date
i was jk
loggerbomb
Hard-core CEG'er
Insurance was the same price for my '96 Mystique and my '99 Contour.
He was talking SVT vs regular Contour. I know for my insurance there is a small difference, about 15 dollars a month.
Hey Laminar, you might want to check my join date. Hint: I've been here longer than you.
LMAO! Yes, been here for that long and before today I don't think I have ever seen you before.
Since you have been here that long you should know that 150K miles is getting up there for some 'tours and you should know what the common problems are.
elraido
I kant speel
ok guys that is enough with the bickering. please come back on topic with this thread.
This means would a 150k SVT be a good buy for the OP, etc
yeah, I don't know why everyone on here is acting like someone took a dump in their corn flakes. He obviously has some knowladge of the car if he knows about the waterpump and oil starvation.
But, yes...just get a SVT off the bat. For me, the insurance was almost the same as my SE. I only pay $300/6 months for full coverage with a $1000 deductable.
LMAO! Yes, been here for that long and before today I don't think I have ever seen you before.
Since you have been here that long you should know that 150K miles is getting up there for some 'tours and you should know what the common problems are.
I lurk occasionally. I don't post much because other than I'm a fan of them, I don't have much to say. And... I have picked up on the waterpump, and the oil starvation, but is there anything else I'm missing? Basically, 200k is no problem for a honda... but a Contour SVT? I don't know. Seems like a lot of SVTs for sale have new engines. I don't want to buy this SVT, then have the engine blow up. I am NOT hard on my vehicles either, I drive pretty gently most of the time.
tredsvt98
Veteran CEG'er
3L time? :shrug: that would be fun
I lurk occasionally. I don't post much because other than I'm a fan of them, I don't have much to say. And... I have picked up on the waterpump, and the oil starvation, but is there anything else I'm missing? Basically, 200k is no problem for a honda... but a Contour SVT? I don't know. Seems like a lot of SVTs for sale have new engines. I don't want to buy this SVT, then have the engine blow up. I am NOT hard on my vehicles either, I drive pretty gently most of the time.
waterpumps buy this point should have been replaced it it was going to be a problem.
again the oil starvation thing has become more of a myth then anything. like I said already my oil pressure never changes when taking sweeping right hand turn. if the pump pickup wasn't able to pump oil the pressure would drop ...
again its about maintinence. any engine could theoretically could fail the next time its run. you have to check the car out and figure it out.
Desiato
Hard-core CEG'er
Not interested in the regular contour. At all. I'm an enthusiast, and aside from being less desirable, if I get a base model I just get the urge to upgrade everything anyway, and it costs a LOT more to do so from a base model. I'd rather get an SVT and keep it stock, and actually enjoy driving. I guess I'm worried about ford build quality, because the last Ford product I owned was a 1978 Mercury. My honda is 19 years old, and I've had almost no problems until now. The exhaust failed at 220k, the left headlight quit working after a minor accident, but other than that, it's been extremely reliable. I just don't want to get an SVT, and run into a ton of problems. Do contours suffer from any electrical gremlins?
It sounds like you've had a good experience with your car, but that doesn't necessarily mean because it's a Honda. I have a lot of respect for that generation of Hondas, but I don't see nice 20 year old accords all over the place -- excluding the restorations. Yours looks exceptional to me because most cars like that in Ottawa rusted away a long time ago.
Also consider that the you're comparing a 200hp 3000lb sports sedan to a 100hp(?) 2600lb sedan that's about the same size as the last generation of the Ford Escort.
In any case, there's no way anyone can tell you how reliable this 150k ten year old SVT Contour will be. Its condition has more to do with the life it has lived than its build quality and platform at this point.
But based on the experiences of Accord owners I've known and reliability reports I've read, there's no reason to think that a 1998 V6 Accord would be more reliable than a 1998 V6 Contour.
Are you likely to have as much success as you've had with your Accord? Probably not. Most Accord owners haven't either. The SVT Contour is heavier, has twice the power and is aggressively tuned compared to your Accord which will mean more wear and tear and potentially higher maintenance costs. That the Contour you're considering is an SVT could mean that it's been driven hard because of the audience it appeals to -- or it could also mean that it was exceptionally cared for because of the audience it appeals to...
If you buy this car and it has problems, don't blame Ford. It's a 150k mile ten year old car.
In any case, there's no way anyone can tell you how reliable this 150k ten year old SVT Contour will be. Its condition has more to do with the life it has lived than its build quality and platform at this point.
I know, and if I go look at it, I will check it out. But apart from the waterpump/oil starvation issues, they're pretty solid cars right? Or is there something I'm missing? When I purchased my SVX, I had to check all the differentials, and I knew the low speed turn binding was a simple O-ring in the power steering reservoir. So are there any other common issues that I should be aware of?
As for the car, it's a 1 owner car I think, and it's an older guy who owns it. He wanted to give it to his kids, but they hate stickshifts.... so... it might be pretty nice. We'll see.
PurpleMystique
Hard-core CEG'er
He was talking SVT vs regular Contour. I know for my insurance there is a small difference, about 15 dollars a month.
Sorry, I should have said my '96 Mystique and my '99 SVT.
I knew what an SVT was when you were still riding bicycles.
I ride bicycles now. And you're maybe 5 years older than me. That's cool.
In fact, I'm pretty sure I'm the one who originally TOLD you what the Contour SVT was.
Yes, Rob, you've taught me everything I know about cars. NOT REALLY
Honestly, the biggest single reason I'm not jumping on it is that you're a prick, you think you're better than me, and I don't want to think of your stupid ass everytime I get into my car.
That's a wonderful reason not to get a car you'd otherwise love. Because it will make you think of someone you've never met in real life and whose internet persona you don't care for.
Oh okay, so it's a better idea to just buy a regular contour and then proceed to track down SVT suspension/brakes/exhaust/engine/tranny and then install them all? Oh and SVT seats and gauges and all that? Sorry. No. I'd rather just pay more up front, and not waste my time upgrading to things that come standard on a model readily available.
Yep, install that SVT tranny. I have one here I'll sell you for $2000. They're really rare.
Seriously, what are the best mods on this platform? 3.0 swap, headers, catback, LSD, suspension. All of which cost roughly the same to do to an SVT as they would a normal MTX Duratec. But hey, you're a few years older than I am and have been a member on a Contour website for longer than I have, so what do I know? I haven't been DRIVING Contours for the past 8 years.
Seriously, what are the best mods on this platform? 3.0 swap, headers, catback, LSD, suspension. All of which cost roughly the same to do to an SVT as they would a normal MTX Duratec. But hey, you're a few years older than I am and have been a member on a Contour website for longer than I have, so what do I know? I haven't been DRIVING Contours for the past 8 years.
TRY TO UNDERSTAND. I don't want aftermarket crap. But if I get a base model, I'd have to upgrade everything to SVT standards. If I get an SVT, I'd keep it stock, and it costs a hell of a lot less and takes a lot less time to just buy the freakin SVT in the first place. I am not looking for a project car, I am looking for a nice, rewarding daily driver. That's it.
for those that can not read, stop the bickering now.
tredsvt98
Veteran CEG'er
for those that can not read, stop the bickering now.
OWNED!:laugh: good call
for those that can not read, stop the bickering now.
Thank you. I'd appreciate it if this thread stayed on topic so I can figure out what to do.
Thank you. I'd appreciate it if this thread stayed on topic so I can figure out what to do.
not a problem, that is why we are here.
this thread will remain on topic from here on out or it will be locked and infractions will be handed out.
loggerbomb
Hard-core CEG'er
I lurk occasionally. I don't post much because other than I'm a fan of them, I don't have much to say. And... I have picked up on the waterpump, and the oil starvation, but is there anything else I'm missing? Basically, 200k is no problem for a honda... but a Contour SVT? I don't know. Seems like a lot of SVTs for sale have new engines. I don't want to buy this SVT, then have the engine blow up. I am NOT hard on my vehicles either, I drive pretty gently most of the time.
I think you see a lot of people drop new engines in these cars because it has become the next step in Contour Modification to drop a 3L into them. Around here your not 'elite' unless you have done a 3L turbo. With all the swaps I assume that some people can do them so efficiently that when an engine gets up in mileage or shows some signs of wear (or if a tranny goes) it's just cheaper to drop in a new engine? More likely because of the 3L swaps than anything else.
You are not going to see an engine blow up. You might see a tranny disintegrate or a spun bearing, but as long as you keep the 6.5 quarts and don't stomp on the throttle all over the place you should be fine.
Some cars do have bad wiring harnesses, but from what I see they are rare and should be nothing to be overly concerned about. Caught in time I think you can prevent anything serious from happening. I know in my experience the only electrical gremlin has been a short in the door light - and that was actually in my mystique.
Sounds like your Honda is on it's way out anyway. You could always retire it to a winter driver.
96RedSE5Sp
Hard-core CEG'er
One thing that you have to consider is that safety wise, a Contour is a thoroughly modern car and your Honda is not.
All Contours have side impact door beams, dual airbags, and modern safety cage construction. Many Contours offer 4 wheel disc brakes and ABS. As far as handling, I think the Contour would still hold it's own against most nameplates that are still in production.
Contours also performed very well in crash tests and in the real world, several CEG members have done their own crash tests and all have walked away.
Plus I'd guess that a V6 Contour would have about 300 to 400 pounds on your Honda.
Time for you to get with some more modern technology.
All Contours have side impact door beams, dual airbags, and modern safety cage construction. Many Contours offer 4 wheel disc brakes and ABS. As far as handling, I think the Contour would still hold it's own against most nameplates that are still in production.
Contours also performed very well in crash tests and in the real world, several CEG members have done their own crash tests and all have walked away.
Plus I'd guess that a V6 Contour would have about 300 to 400 pounds on your Honda.
Time for you to get with some more modern technology.
One thing that you have to consider is that safety wise, a Contour is a thoroughly modern car and your Honda is not.
All Contours have side impact door beams, dual airbags, and modern safety cage construction. Many Contours offer 4 wheel disc brakes and ABS. As far as handling, I think the Contour would still hold it's own against most nameplates that are still in production.
Contours also performed very well in crash tests and in the real world, several CEG members have done their own crash tests and all have walked away.
Plus I'd guess that a V6 Contour would have about 300 to 400 pounds on your Honda.
Time for you to get with some more modern technology.
It does have a more modern suspension. >shrug<
But yeah, I know about the safety, airbags, etc. I just don't know. It seems so stupid to get rid of car for such a relatively small problem like the carb, and a few other minor things. I do like SVTs though, always have. I've driven a 99 forest green? one back in the day, and I loved it. The shifter is great, and loved almost everything about the car.
It does have a more modern suspension. >shrug<
But yeah, I know about the safety, airbags, etc. I just don't know. It seems so stupid to get rid of car for such a relatively small problem like the carb, and a few other minor things. I do like SVTs though, always have. I've driven a 99 forest green? one back in the day, and I loved it. The shifter is great, and loved almost everything about the car.
well that is when it becomes personal preference. do you want to continue driving something older or would you like something newer with some more pep, refinement, etc compared to what you have now.
btw its tropic green if you are refering to a SVT
well that is when it becomes personal preference. do you want to continue driving something older or would you like something newer with some more pep, refinement, etc compared to what you have now.
btw its tropic green if you are refering to a SVT
I'm torn. I like driving it a lot. It's fit my life really well, and I really enjoy pretty much everything about it. I just hate that damn carb with passion. Carbs are horrible horrible things. I think the best thing to do is go test drive the SVT, that will help me make up my mind.