Well,
My 99 Contour has moved on. In February, I slip into a Blazer, went undere the bumper and did $4k worth of damage. It only was the hood, headlights, radiator and condenser. I received $3500 for the car, more than I could of sold it for before the damage. I sold it damaged for $225.
I am now driving a "Brand New" 2002 Mazda B3000 Pickup. It is not used, but a long time leftover and had 114 miles on the clock from test drives. It has power windoes, locks, ABS, CD, Tilt, leather steering wheel, and 5 speed manual. It cost $11,500 with both a 3 yr, 50k bumper to bumper + Mazda cert. used car which added 12k and 1 year to the Bumper to bumper and 7 yrs, 100k drivetrain warranty. Too good to pass up. FWIW, it was built by Ford in Edison NJ, so even with the Mazda name, it is still a Ford.
So no more Contour and I am moving on to find some Mazda groups.
This was a great group. I learned a lot from it and used the information to keep my Contour on the road.
FWIW, I had 90k miles on the car. The only work was the Dashboard and I had to cleanthe fuel pump strainer once. One set of brakes and 2 sets of tires. Ir really was a reliable, good car. Averaged 25 miles to the gallon over 65k miles that I owned it.
It was and remains a great car. I miss miss the power and handling of the contour but need the utility of the pickup more.
I find other groups are not as dynamic as this one, but life goes on.
Good luck to everyone.
Richard C
2002 Mazda B3000
