Yes,definetly trade it for the V6. Last year,arounf this time,I acquired a 1998 Mystique GS,with a 4 cyl and automatic. Nice car to drive,but slow as molasses and terrible on gas and not much fun. Earlier this year I was looking to get rid of it as I was starting to have problems with it and didn't want to bother fixing it,but I liked the car enough to buy another.
First one I went out and looked at was a 1995 SE,V6 5 speed. Had 60k on a new engine,car was beautiful. Seller wanted $2000 because she was leaving the country. On any other day this car would fetch easily $3500-4000. I made the deal to buy it after driving it around the block. Gave her a deposit and I was happier than ever....
Then she called me the next day. "Things came up and I need the car till August..." Grrrrrreat.
So out of chance,I was driving by my local Ford dealer in Orangeville and happened to see a green Contour on the lot. Naturally I had to go look,and found a 1995 GL V6 5 speed. High miles,but the body and interior were in good shape and it was being sold as is for $1600 with taxes. Well,after trading in my Mystique for $1000,I only owed $600 on my new Contour.
Let me tell you,I absolutely love this car. I have owned a pair of Toyota Celicas,and a pair of Mazda RX7s,and my Contour is not only faster than both (with the exception of my 1987 RX7 TurboII), it's just as much fun to drive,more practical,just as much of a [censored] to work on,but even better on gas than the Celicas. I have never really been a domestic car/brand fan,but after driving a Contour,I have to say,it is definetly the best car I've owned. I miss my other cars,just due to their character and attachment I had to them,but nothing will ever replace my Contour. I would put 6 new engines,4 million KM on it and 3 complete resorations before I get rid of it. The V6 5 speed is definetly a fun car to drive. It's quick,with good handling,great road manners,comfortable drive,economical,and basically it's a little sportscar disguised as a sedan,which is why I love it.
