Another side of this story...
What does it cost to maintain a Contour driven a modest number of miles, just for average commuting/getting around town (so... no performance mods, or the driving that can go with them)?
My still-stock '95 GL V6 ATX only has about 67K miles on it (I still drive my '86 5.0 when the weather's nice), and the car has been remarkably reliable. So what has it cost me - since 1995 (took delivery when '96 models were already in; November '95)
- Let's just estimate normal tune-up stuff (oil changes, filter changes, etc.). I change the oil myself before 5K miles; always Mobil 1/Motorcraft filter; I'm on my 14th oil change, at probably $30 in supplies per change ($420). Throw in several transmission fluid changes (one at dealer; the rest myself - let's guess $150). Add $100 for coolant changes. Let's be generous and add $100 for other filter and fluid changes over time (air & fuel; PS fluid; bleed brakes, etc.). Yes, still original plugs and wires; they still seem to work fine (though I could use an IAC/TB cleaning right now).
- Normal wear-item replacement on this car (brakes, etc.) has been typical: Front pads at 50K; rear pads at 58K. Yup, original rotors, calipers, etc. Replaced the battery at 40K (it failed completely - without warning - and annoyingly early; but still under $100).
- Not too many repair items: My IMRC vacuum solenoid failed at 45K miles; replaced myself for about $30. I also replaced the infamous water pump at 58K (it hadn't failed, but I was worried); let's guess $75, including coolant and supplies.
Hmmm - I'm running out of things. Note that this means I'm still running the original 14" steel wheels and tires (well - one fun concession - I also have a set of 15" SE aluminum rims with summer-only tread I picked up on the CEG classifieds for $300, so the 14" tires don't have 67K on them). Admittedly, both sets of tires are near the end. I'll probably put all-season tires on the alloys and sell the steel rims.
I'm not counting a few minor body repairs (in one, the car was hit while parked). Even these haven't been a big deal.
I'm having a hard time getting to $1500 for ALMOST TEN YEARS of Contour fun (and this includes a second set of wheels and tires). I'm not even sure I've replaced any light bulbs.
I don't know - maybe I just got a good one. But in my experience, Contours are well designed, very reliable and very reasonable to maintain.
