Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General General Test Drove a 99 SVT

I finally test drove an SVT here in Houston. I owned a 95 Zetec MTX and this was NOTHING like that! I got it up to 100 on the tollway before the pavement ended. What a thrill. Maybe it was a bad example to set for my 16 year old daughter who is getting her first car in a couple of days but I had to give a try. The dealer wants 11,750 for it and has 37k and it came from Albany,NY. It does have that rusting look to the undercarriage but nothing was rotting. I am a little hesitantto buy because of it needing premium fuel. The next day I did find a 98se V6 w/ mtx. I have been looking for a long time for one of these. It has 42k and they are asking 6900. Too good a deal? I have to take a day off to look at it since it's 50+miles away. What would you do?

though I usually use 93 octane, I've put in 89 before with no adverse effects. Put in perspective, the cost difference between the two isn't really that much. On a typical 11-gallon fillup, premium costs 50-70 cents more. $11.7k is not a bad price if it's in good condition...

Here are a couple of images of the SVT

http://www.pbase.com/ddehoyos/svt

You know you want the SVT........if you can afford it, why not? Sounds like a good price, my '99 w/26k was $13k. You cannot find another car of this caliber for the money. The sounds this car makes are worth the price of admission, let alone it's awesome handling and exclusivity. Yeah, there maybe about 4 other SVTC's around here, but I've got the only green one, dammit. Anytime I dread having to go someplace, I just remind myself that I'll be driving my beautiful motor car, makes me feel so much better. Yeah feeding it premium sucks, and the way I drive around town a tank's good for about 240 miles, and I drive a lot, for no particular reason.....my work is 5 miles away...but I've put 5000 miles on the car in 3 months. If you can afford it, get it.

It's a fair price for the SVT. I'd do it.

But what about the 98 v6? I think I like the idea of having a "silent killer" Contour. There is only 25 Hp difference between the two as it sits. With mods, maybe I can get 10-15hp more without killing the budget. It is almost 4k cheaper. I can get the sound with mods.

I'd look at the 98 car, since it's hard to find an SE with MTX. That way, you are sure in your purchase.

Yea, but there is a lot more than just the 25 hp and sound...Go for the SVT!

i smell flames coming my way, but i really cant tell that big a difference between my $4000 96 SE and my dads 11/12 thou SVT. personally, id rather have an SE or SE Sport, and invest the money i saved into mods.

I would say get the SVT. I have driven both and made my choice about 10 months ago. I love my SVT! It never fails to put a big smile on my face! Ny neighbor had an SE Sport at the time I bought mine. Not only did he want to drive my car all the time, but I got better gas mileage! The one you looked at is at a good price too. Jump on it before someone else does! Just my opinion.