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I have to say it was a really fun to drive, peppy car. Can anyone tell me some known problems with these cars? I really want to get it and think the price is right. Like I said its a 98 t-red, black leather, power everything, 85K miles, catback, cold air induction, new tires, a few very minor blemishes in the body, aftermarket CD. I think I can get it for 5K. Is that a good price?
A friend that is a mechanic told me these cars are notorious for electrical problems, brake problems, and clutch problems.
Thanks alot!
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Find a new mechanic. Just kidding. Maybe isolated problems and/or driver errors --neglected leaky battery, driving habits for the problems with brakes and clutches. Problems with all cars under those conditions. Not just a Contour problem. I may be in the dark here but I've never had any real problems and I've found that most Contours are pretty reliable cars that can take their fair share of abuse.
You might try kbb.com to see if the 5k is a good price or not.
2005 RED GTO w/ M6
- Lingenfelter CAI
- Corsa Sport Cat-Back
- SLP LTs
- C5 Pads
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Originally posted by speeddemon40:
I have to say it was a really fun to drive, peppy car. Can anyone tell me some known problems with these cars? I really want to get it and think the price is right. Like I said its a 98 t-red, black leather, power everything, 85K miles, catback, cold air induction, new tires, a few very minor blemishes in the body, aftermarket CD. I think I can get it for 5K. Is that a good price?
A friend that is a mechanic told me these cars are notorious for electrical problems, brake problems, and clutch problems.
Thanks alot!
Your friend knows nothing about contours, let alone SVT's, they are not notorious for any of those things. Some common issues are the black plastic impellar water pump that comes in the pre-99 models. 30 minutes to replace and 75 bucks for the water pump. Check the tranny make sure it shifts smooth and doesn't grind in any gears. Check the parking brake, the cables are notorious for getting stuck and locking up the back wheels. Also a rather easy fix, 80 bucks or so for the revised cables + spring. I can't think of anything "major" that these cars are prone too, except maybe spinning bearings. My SVT has 115k and runs like a champ. Only thing i replaced on it was the camshaft position sensor, cost me 18 bucks and two minutes of my time... 
FYI, i've had my SVT since it's had 82k on it and i've beaten the piss out of my clutch and it still grips. I think the clutches on these cars are pretty good, mine is original too! 
#3162 of 6535
98 SVT Silver frost
Viper Responder 791 w/ 2way remote start 
Let the modding begin!
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I thought that the parking brake problem was only for '95 and early '96 cars.
Last edited by KyleH; 10/21/05 01:20 PM.
My Cars
1999 Silver Frost SVT - 80,000km #2603/2760 Aug. 10, 1999.
1996 Mercury Mystique LS V6 MTX - retired @ 323,151km.
1995 Ford Contour V6 MTX-sold @ 214,000km
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check the sunroof, gears are know to strip out.
99 SE V6\5spd - 156 HP\157 TQ 15.166-90.84
Totaled 02/12/06
99 SVT # 1571 - 175 HP\153 TQ 14.999-91.88
Born 3/24/99 Reborn 3/18/06
Pietenpol Racing Technologies project vehicle
90 Festiva L 5spd, Blue(not for long), 103k
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Originally posted by speeddemon40:
I have to say it was a really fun to drive, peppy car. Can anyone tell me some known problems with these cars? I really want to get it and think the price is right. Like I said its a 98 t-red, black leather, power everything, 85K miles, catback, cold air induction, new tires, a few very minor blemishes in the body, aftermarket CD. I think I can get it for 5K. Is that a good price?
A friend that is a mechanic told me these cars are notorious for electrical problems, brake problems, and clutch problems.
Thanks alot!
#1 issue I'd keep an eye on is the gearbox. It really can't handle alot of abuse such as hard shifting and wheelhop. YOur diff and syncros will fail if you beat on it and don't change the fluid. Start saving up for an HMS transmission if you want to drive this car hard.
The waterpump is a known issue, but only $75 and an hour to fix.
Brakes, struts, bushings, etc will wear out given time - just like any car. For the most part theyre not a big deal to replace.
Other than that ... Read the FAQ's here, keep up on your maintenance and the car should last a long time.
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Originally posted by KyleH:
I thought that the parking brake problem was only for '95 and early '96 cars.
A revised cable was issued but some have also reported having issues with it.
"Always do the cheap and easy ones first."
1996 V6 ATX 96K miles
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Originally posted by speeddemon40:
electrical problems
Nope, get a new mechanic
Originally posted by speeddemon40:
Brake Problems
Nope, get a new mechanic
Originally posted by speeddemon40:
Clutch Problems
Nope, get a new Mechanic
The "Electrical problem" is more common on PRe-98 COntours, brittle Wire Harness. Clutch is one of the better stockers in most cars. Many guys have over 100,000 semi hard mile son thier original clutches. BRakes, same stories.
Now, what ARE common problems with the car? Toasting the engine. Hard sweeping Right hand turns cause poor oil drainage from the heads and can spin a bearing fairly easily. Key is to keep the oil at 6-6.5 quarts, never 5-5.5 like it says. Many of us run like that, have for years.
3rd gear synchros in the trans is a common issue. If it grinds or cathces in third, keep walking. ABotu 1400 bucks to repair as the trans has to be dropped.
Keep the coolant 1/2" or so ABOVE the max line, has a picky low coolant light.
Just maintain the car well, and she'll treat you good. An escort can run better than a mercedes if it was taken better care of. Try and get some maintenance records if possible.
2006 Pontiac G6 3900SFI GTP Coupe
CAI, Stainless Cat Back, Vector Tune, Strut Brace, Eibach Pro Kit, Custom Made Projector Headlights, 4300K, 20% Tint
Former Owner- 2000 "Stryped" CSVT
CEG Dragon Run- Oct 13-15
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Originally posted by Tony2005:
Originally posted by KyleH:
I thought that the parking brake problem was only for '95 and early '96 cars.
A revised cable was issued but some have also reported having issues with it.
I had this issue on my 97SE and also notice that the casing is cracked on my 98 SVT... eventually salt/sand is going to get in there an it's going to stick.. 
#3162 of 6535
98 SVT Silver frost
Viper Responder 791 w/ 2way remote start
Let the modding begin!
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Thanks for all the info guys... My buddy is a good mechanic and I trust his opinion 99.9% of time. This may be one case where he isnt 100% correct. From what Ive been reading, many of the problems he was telling me about were pre 98. Like problems with the trannys and clutches. It appears as though that was addressed in 98 when they went from rod shift to a cable. Similiarly the same is true for the brake issues.
Are parts hard to come by and are they more expensive?
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