Originally posted by Stazi:
Originally posted by ScottR:
...I bought my Contour about a year ago for 3,300 dollars. It's a 1996 and had 59,000 miles on it. Within six months, the engine overheated and I had to sink about 4,000 dollars into replacing the head, the timing chain, the water pump, the spark plugs, the thermostat, and other stuff. And then the check engine light came on and I replaced the MAF filter, both O2 filers, the fuel filter, and had the engine timed at a dealership.

I even bought brand new studded tires to get me through the winter. But the Contour was nothing but a money sucker, and the problems seem to be without end. Ironically, given the mountainous terrain where I live, it was getting 19 miles per gallon.

So I have put the whole mess on a car lot for 2,200 dollars, and I'll be lucky to get that. I expect 1,500 is probably what I'll get.
...This board is an excellent place to chat and exchange ideas, but the reality is that Ford Contours suck.



No, the reality is that you can't turn a wrench and fix stuff yourself.

Most people who pay attention to a car, don't drive it till it overheats and craps itself. If all you do is fill it with gas and leave everything else up to a dealership or drive-through oil-change place, then sure, you're going to miss things, allow stupid errors to be made by ignorant mechanics AND get your wallet emptied in the process.

There are issues with this cars and every other car. Maintenance, pro-active precautions and opening the hood yourself can help take a car a long way.



Actually, be fair Stazi. These cars can be money pits, and if you are unlucky enough to buy one with problems, they can really cost a lot . (Mine had obviously been beaten on by some one who didn't maintain it properly, and I had (among other things) a blown ATX which hid itself nicely until a month after I got the car. Cha-ching!)
Also, they are not the most backyard-mechanic friendly cars to work on either. The engine bay is really tight, and some 'simple' jobs (on other cars) can cause you to think 'F#$k it, I'll let someone else rip their hands to bits'.

Of course (touch wood) my contour, after the major expenses a month after I bought it, is now running perfectly well, and when that happens, it can be a joy to own. But I spent more in the first month of ownership than I did on the car purchase. S$%t happens!
The car is now properly maintained, and shouldn't cost too much, other than basic maintenance. But it is a bit discouraging to spend that much so quickly.