Spend some time reading the forums, and I think you'll discover a side of the Contour/Mystique that's missed by many reviews.
There are some common maintenance issues and problem areas you'll need to learn about (all cars have them), but the contour.org FAQ areas are a great place to get started.
I believe the Contour is a great mix of handling, performance and affordability. The development of the SVT models means there are lots of upgrade goodies available.
What I've learned from this community has helped me go almost 10 years now in my '95 GL with virtually no problems. And my maintenance costs have been very low, thanks to the knowledge I've gained here to do most work myself.
Quick story: I ended up driving a friend's Accord back and forth to work for a few days due to travel schedule issues. It wasn't until I was back in my Contour that I realized just how simply *boring* the Honda was - as I caught myself laughing out loud after swinging out of an exit ramp, listening to my V6 run up to 6000+ RPM.
Drive and enjoy!
P.S. Welcome to CEG!
