Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General General why contours are no longer made

Wow JimCat! That is one helluva explanation.

DDAvis- It took two and a half beers to write....

I bought my '96 Mystique in '99 because:

- It was just off a 3 year lease with 36,000 miles.
- I was real impressed with my '91 Escort.
- I wanted a small sedan with ATX that my son could take his driver's test in. (The 5spd Escort was to be the sacrificial 1st car for him.)
- It was very well equipped with power windows, locks, mirrors, lumbar support, etc.
- The dealer wanted $6495.00.

I'll keep it for another 2 years probably.

Damn SUV's!!! and men with small penises driving T-rucks :rolleyes:

I think with 3.0 from the begining instead of 2.5, the CDW27 franchise may have had a fighting chance in North America where engine displacement is as important as cup holder displacement and back seat displacement. Contour had all 3 strikes against it... I think JimCat pretty much summed it up with his Malibu comparison... it is one of the most boring and uninspired car ever but it is one that americans wanted... Contour was not the right product for the masses:

Malibu = bigger engine than Contour (despite the fact that GM 3.1 OHV was less powerful and idled like a race horse on crack)

Malibu = bigger car than Contour (and handled and drove like one)

Malibu = functional cup holder (blah...)

My little .02; I read somewhere that the Tour cost Ford too much to make (there's that greed again). Or at least my 95 SE did; hence all the decontenting.

But I'm with most of y'all; Americans don't appreciate real class in a car. All we want is plenty of room, soft ATX ride, big bumpers, and oh yeah, CHEAP.

I love my car and it's design and all the extras that came with it (the 95). The recalls that needed to be done were done by the previous owner, and I'm having a good experience in getting maintenance done by the Ford dealer who sold me the car in Jan. 02. I paid 6200 for a beautiful car with 37,000 m. on it. I call that good value. I don't care if there isn't much knee room in the back seat. Whoever sits back there just has to sit sideways...

"If VW or SAAB had come out with these, they'd still be making 'em. Ford didn't even make much of an effort to market these. Strike three."

VW still does, it's called a Jetta and they sell em like java in yuppievilles. The back seat is tiny, but it's got the "image".

Also, Chevy sold the CORSICA for 95-96, and that is when Ford had the advantage. The Malibu was actaully aimed at the Taurus and the (Geo) Prizm at the Contour.

Anyway, the whole point of CEG is that we understand and like the car even though the general public doesn't get it.

JimCat- It took five to read. JK, it was fine reading.

Anyways, the whole "smooth ride" thing has to be the biggest joke in the auto industry. Do these people ever drive on real "AMERICAN" roads?

"If VW or SAAB had come out with these, they'd still be making 'em. Ford didn't even make much of an effort to market these. Strike three."

VW still does, it's called a Jetta and they sell em like java in yuppievilles. The back seat is tiny, but it's got the "image".

2000V6SVT, I'm with you all the way. I had one of the first Jetta GLI's when they came out with them, back in 84. White with the blue interior, bought it new for $10,000, and put 130,000 mile on it before I got rid of it. Not as much engine as my Contour, but actually a little harder edged on the handling... it was just so GERMAN. Loved that car... enjoyed it so much, that 3 years later I bought an 84 Scirocco for my wife (automatic, because her left foot didn't know how to drive... shifting without using the clutch is hard on a manual ). I still regret getting rid of the Scirooco at 75,000... Our daughter (3 years old when we bought it) grew legs when she was 6... started kicking the back seat and screaming about wanting a Station Wagon like the neighbors had. (Traded for a Mercury Grand Marquis De Sade Colony Park Leviathan Wagon... Not real maneuverable, but a hell of a "painless milews" highway car, and the wife liked it.... domestic tranquility and all that.)

But you're right on target with your comment, and you're 100% right about the Jetta being pitched to the Yuppies. I looked at 'em this time around... they're not the bargain they were in 84. Anything with the 6 cylinder is VERY expensive- even used.. They're nice cars- but VW has moved to Audiville. My 84 had all the neat mechanical stuff- but none of the power windows/lock/seats/dingleberries, etc. Don't get me wrong- everything was adjustable, but it was all manual... the only thing power was the engine. No cruise control, no tilt wheel (but with the Recaro's, that fat little steering wheel, and the pedals all perfectly positioned, you didn't need tilt) cloth interior, and a basic AM/FM Cassette. The Scirocco was the same, but it had a sunroof... body colored meatal, with a manual crank. SO german. If VW wanted to, they could put a workingman's Jetta GLI out again- just the VR6, suspension, seats and mechanical bits... they could sell it for 5 to 10 K less than what they're charging. Don't see it happining, though. That's why it's so sad seeing Ford mis-market the Contour into oblivion... it was the best "bang for the buck" going.

VW showed a 2002 Jetta GLI at the Chicago Auto Show. It was pricey like all of them. The stripped GL with roll down windows and 120 HP is 18K!

Yes we like our cars. But, the Contour's size became outdated by 1998, with Accords and Grand Ams growing. Ford didn't want to take Taurus sales, so no bigger 'tour. Big mistake, see how low the Tortise's sales has gone. And now Ford is bringing out the "500" for 2005, which is supposed to be a Passat fighter. Sound familiar?