Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General General Looking at getting a Contour for a 3rd car, few?'s

I've been parking my T-bird in the winter for the last few years and my truck is getting pretty spendy to drive Full time in the winter. I've been looking for a Manual tranny one and so far only found SVT's and the rest have all been auto's. I was wondering how well the SVT's go through the snow compared to the regualar Contours? what kinda mileage do they get in Mixed driving condition with a moderatly heavy foot? The 3 SVT's I've found all have been "stored every winter" cars and I'd hate to make someone Cry by buying it FOR a winter car. the T-bird Isn't that great in the snow with 275/40/17 tires out back, Vortech blower, and a 3200rpm stall conveter so it sleeps for the winter

I have a SVT w/ 205/55/16 Bridgestone Blizzak tires and it goes fine in the snow. I'd imagine that a non-SVT Contour may have a slight advantage in the snow due running narrower tires (I believe you can run 15's on the Contour for winter), but the manual tranny in the SVT may even the playing field a little by allowing 2nd or 3rd gear launches to control wheel spin. Hope that helps!

Welcome.

i have a 99 se sport duratec 5spd, it goes great in the snow. usualy i would have to turn off the tc because it wouldnt be helping me. id say the as long as your an experienced driver the svt shouldnt have too much power for the snow. just get some snow tires and it should be fine.

wonderful in the snow if you have good tires and no toe-in