SVT kits = good. Nothing looks better than ANY Contour or Mystique with a full SVT kit. That is how every Contique should look.
I have a GL. I had SVT E1 rims. A tow truck driver saw the wheels and was like "oh wow,you have a Contour SVT?!" and I was like "haha,no,just the wheels. This car is a base model GL with the V6." He was like "ooohhh.....cool." I even had the "Contour GL" emblem on the trunk.
I'll agree with doing whatever looks good,and I agree with misbadging and lying. Don't pump your junk up to be something it's not. Yeah,a Zetec ATX '98 Mystique with an SVT bodykit and FSVT wheels is a real SVT alright....
Actually,I might be in that boat. With my '95 Zetec Tour,I'll probably SVT kit it,but it's getting supercharged,so it'll be pretty quick,but I'm only doing the SVT kit for looks,because IMO,that's what I think looks best on a Contour. I'm not putting any SVT emblems on it,infact I'd prefer to find a "Zetec" emblem or decal or something to place on the trunk under or beside the Contour emblem.
People walking up to the car will be like "hey,pre98 with an SVT kit,what's under the hood? Wow,supercharged Zetec!" Now that's different!
