Originally posted by Lou3:
I've seen a few nice Contours that looked like '95 models and am starting to like that body style more than the later models. Are there any major disadvantages to the older models? If so, can they be upgraded without too much trouble or expense?
The '96 and '97 cars had wiring harness issues. I don't know how difficult it would be to replace them. Harnesses are usually $$$$$
The auto trannies also had slightly different internal workings and had a tendency to generate wild line pressures at cruising speeds. A few blown tranny casings resulted. There is a CD4E Jr tranny kit that supposedly resolves this & other minor issues.
I don't know if there are any significant differences in the manual transmissions. Maybe ask in the transaxle forum if you need the info.
On a postitive note, the older cars are not as prone to dash warp except over the cluster. The older cars also had more cool features like glove box lighting, dash clock, etc. They had cup holders that would actually hold a cup, but they were fragile and prone to breakage. Finally, the lip spoiler on the pre-98 cars is 
Must be that jumbly-wumbly thing happening again.
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