for me... I had to start finding a car... I wanted to find a decent sized car for a good price. I looked at Escorts, and the only ones I liked were the GT's and ZX2's which both were out of my price range (I would have taken them regaurdless of it they are 2 door or not)... I looked at Honda Civic's which I only liked the 2 door... and I REALLY wanted a 4 door car, mileage was too high to find one in my price range also. I looked into Daewoo, and came SUPER close to buying a 2000 Lanos Hatchback with an automatic... But decided against it. My brother calls me one day and says "What about a contour?" Both of us knowing very little about them... He pointed me in the direction of a 96 Mystique LS which was out of my price range (which I SHOULD have tried to get because an mechanic had owned it). AND the other option was a 96 Contour GL. There was literally NO information about this car in the paper except where to look at it. I showed up, and low and behold its 1) in my faveriote color (NO thats not what determines buying a car for me). The body was in pretty good shape. I walk up closer to it.. and i see that it has a stick... That was the killing point, I HAD to have the car. 100K miles, but when we started it... Ran like a top. Took it for a drive, and thats when I knew... I had to jump on this car. I had my dad look it over, said it was a good buy. Bought it within the week for $1750 out the door. 2K miles later... Timing belt snapped in my driveway... i got about 10 minutes of warning on my drive home from school. I got over charged to replace that and my serpentine belt. Ive also had a bunch of little various problems that I have delt with... Lately I have needed Sway bar links and bushings... I have no money to replace them... Nor do I have any time... it makes me sad because the klunking noise drives me NUTS!. I love how the car drives, I love the unique styling of the car, and if I could... I would never give mine up. I REALLY want to drop a new engine and trans into it if mine ever gives out. But I know that I need to get rid of her some day, its a sad day for a kid to let his first car go to some other kid who probably will beat the [censored] out of it. But Its ok... because the contour spirit will roll on in my Focus! HEHEHE.
