Well, I'm assuming you can do without the 2 extra doors and the winter driving ability a Contour (or other front-wheel-drive car) provides. Plus you'll be paying more insurance on a Stang.

If all that's ok, as others have said, definitely get a V8 and 5spd. Reliability should be fine, gas mileage shouldn't be too bad (my old 90 GT got 25mpg highway no problem.)

I think Mustangs are plenty of fun to drive and there are tons of mods out there for them.

98 Contour V6 MTX, T-Red, 150k mi. Pic SVT Dual Exhaust, KKM Intake, Donnely Mirror, Dension DMP3 Player w/80GB of MP3s, Wheelskin 95 F-150 91 Mustang GT 06 Honda Shadow Aero