Would You Buy A Contour Again?

[akrump47]

-Would you buy a Contour again based upon previously owning one?

No. My interest is gone, and has others have pointed out, there are plenty of better choices out there now. C-SVT's were great cars for their time. Unfortunately they were killed off right as the horsepower and performance wars were really starting to take off.

-What year/models have you owned?

Two '98 SVT Contours. 1st one I had for 4 years, loved and obsessed over it most of the time, and dumped my wallet and soul into it. It was wrecked and I parted it out here last summer. I have fond memories of that car. 2nd SVT I had for little under a year. It constantly pissed me off even though it was "better" modified than the silver one. After selling it, I never looked back.

-What do you think your experiences with cars overall are (i.e., have you only been driving for a short time...is your Contour the only car you've ever owned...etc)

Been driving for 11 years. My contours were the 2nd and 4th cars I owned. I have driven/worked on other cars as well.

-How much auto experience do you have with auto parts/maint?

My mechanical experience is good. I started doing my own work on my 1st car, but really picked up alot from my first SVT. I believe in doing my own work, to a point. There are some jobs that are not worth the time/hassle of doing it yourself. I keep my cars clean, well maintained and don't abuse them.

 

[pstrbrc]

Yes, but the next will be mtx. Unless I get carried away and rebuild the extra cd4e I have with all the "good" parts.
This '99 se is my first, and I'm really happy with it.
My background is engineering, and I've served some time as an industrial mechanic. I'm a gearhead. Was caught making "vroom, vroom" noises under the nightlight with a plastic car at 1 in the morning when I was 3. Never owned a car that I've left stock. Well, until the Merc I'm driving now. But that's because I tore everything else I owned apart and haven't gotten around to finishing them.
I really enjoyed tearing the Zetec apart and putting it back together. It's a cool engine. Lots of potential. Ports look like they have potential. Sure could use a header that actually bolted on, though.
The chassis has potential, too. Much better than the '91 Escort I owned.
Only complaint is road noise on the highway. We take several long trips a year, and the 'Tour has the loudest road noise of any car we've owned. Next project on it will be to tear everything out of the interior and give it a good thick coat of sound deadening paint. Or, if I finish the cd4e before we use up this car, maybe a supercharger. I'm working on a new design.

 

[Silver Bullet]

Sure would and did. I bought one to fix up for my daughter.

Apples for apples I don't think there is a more fun, safe, practical, sportier or economical car for the money. And you get 4 doors and a decent trunk to boot. Remember if you were to buy another one today only $3k to $4k for a good condition, well maintained, high mileage CSVT, half of that price for a non SVT. Honestly what is the competition in this category. I also like the relative simplicity of the car and readily available reasonably priced replacement parts.

Sure it doesn't match up to current model offerings but you can't compare a $4k car to a $30k car. Heck a new Evo, STi, etc will depreciate more in value by driving off the dealers lot than our cars are worth.

 

[Frank T]

No, l like to get a car with an auto....

98.5 Contour SVT.....My brother bought it new and gave me a heck of a deal four years ago...Only 53k on it when I got, now 133k

Owned lots of cars over the decades:
67 Nova II station wagon
67 Mustang coupe
70 Maverick
78 Datsun truck
68 VW Bug
79 Honda Prelude
84 Mazda RX-7
85 Nissan truck
85 Merkur
87 Mazda RX-7
92 Honda Civic sedan
98.5 Contour SVT(still own)
01 Bullitt Mustang(still own)
85 RX-7 GSL-SE(still own)
68 Mustang coupe(still own)
99 Lexus ES 300(wife's car)

The Contour has been surprising realible over the four years I've own it....Had all cats replaced under federal warranty , maf rebulit, oxygen sensors been replaced, and shifter cable did snap on me two years ago......Still have the orginal clutch in it...Other wear and tear items...I drive it on the freeway 80 miles a day

I do minor work on cars like change oil,rotate tires and changed the plugs on the Contour although it took a long time....Otherwise, I get it done professionally....