I believe all 98+ Duratec-equipped Contiques use PATS keys.

I purchased a blank PATS key at a Ford dealership for my wife's 98SE for $35 -- and that included cutting the teeth in the key. I programmed the car myself to recognize the new key.

There's a FAQ somewhere on the CEG site that explains how to program your 98+ Contique to recognize a new key. I followed it and now I have a functional spare (3rd) key!

1996 Ford Contour SE (Mine): V-6 MTX/DMD/MSDS/K&N3530/Torsen/Spec-1/Split-Exhaust/Walbro/Syncromax..119K 2003 GMC Yukon XL SLT (Hers): 285HP/Stock..93K