The Contour doesn't even compare to the other cars I've had. My '87 Celica,which may well of had the best seats ever designed,was a great car to drive,but it kind of wore you out behind the wheel. Firm ride,sitting low,also not in a very ergonomic position.
Even with tilt and telescopic steering,at 5'9",I needed the seat almost all the way back for my feet and legs to properly operate the pedals,and I also needed it reclined quite a ways to be comfortable without sitting upright,while I had to reach quite a bit for the wheel,and the shifter was very long and truck-like,and you really had to reach for the gears. Fun car to drive,and cool car to have when you're 17,but it only lasted me till shortly after my 18th birthday.
I moved on to an '88 RX7 after the Celica. Driving position was great,but this was a very tiring and unforgiving car to drive. No power steering made it an arm wrestle around town,and the lightened Racing Beat flywheel and heavy clutch took a toll on my left knee.
My '88 Isuzu Trooper is a ton of fun to drive. Good driving position,comfortable,handles well,even if it is slow as molasses.
The Contour is in so many ways so much better than everything I've driven. I've driven a G35,WRX STi and the like,and ofcourse those are amazing cars,and they do everything well,but they cost a pretty penny for those of us on a budget. For relatively little money,we can build our cars into something that can compete with and beat cars like them. I paid $1600 for my Contour and with modifications and major repairs included together,I've got about $4k into the car,with another $1000 being dropped into on SVT brakes,SE skirts and paint within the next 6 weeks. Sure it sounds like a bit of money dropped into the car,but with all that,the only original mechanical,suspension or transaxle parts left is the engine itself! In almost 3 months,I have had new oem suspension installed,new brakes all around,which are also going to be further upgraded,new rims and tires,new ball joints,cv shafts,wheel bearings,transmission,intake,muffler,complete tune up etc. It's basically a new car,and even with the aging engine,at 270+k KM,it still runs like a champ and doesn't burn a drop of oil. When this motor goes bang,in goes an SVT motor in it's place.
Alright,I'm just rambling now,but jeez,still being a young'un at 19,you wouldn't think this is the age for someone to get hooked on grandma and grandpa's car! Oh well,my best friend drives a modified 1996 Mercury Grand Marquis!
