"Why are the 95-96s better than the rest?"
Made in Kansas City, MO?

"I think I may go with the 96 Mercury/V6/Manual/100k for $2.5k. "
Good price.
"I'd consider is a 98 Contour with 52k miles for $3k.. That seems a little too good to be true.. Can see chips on the bumper, would anyone buy a 52k for $3k?"
This is a steal.
"Also, does anyone have an answer on the folding backseats? Someone said 98+ its only on SE Sports, what about 95-97?"
1996 GL no folding backseats (I'm sure someone will have one and post that theirs had it

), LX and SE 60/40 split folding backseats were standard.