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Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 238
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Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 238 |
Knowing what I now know, I would still buy a Contour. I think I would've chosen an SVT, though. My car's great handling, good looks(I still get compliments), and reliability have all gone on to justify my choice. Problems? After 54K hard miles, I have only replaced the front brake rotors, the IAC valve, and the heater fan resistor. Nothing major, and nothing I couldn't do myself. Only trip to the dealership so far has been for one recall.
I also enjoy this website and the "cult" status Contours seem to now have(much like Datsun 510s and BMW 2002s). Plus, every time I do some mod to it, I become happy with it all over again. All in all, a great car for the money! As for its resale value, I don't care. I bought the car to drive and keep, not to resale in a few years.
Martin
2000 Contour SE V6 ATX
Med Steel Blue Metallic\Greystone interior
Mods: SVT grill(insert painted aluminum), foglight mod, amber reflectors removed, gas bonnet lifters, 2nd horn installed, 2001 Focus 16" rims, Knauberized, debadgerized, pre-98 sail panels, Bullitt fuel door, A6 sidemarkers, K&N air filter, TH fix, Flowmaster\glasspack exhaust, clock recontent, trunk release bezel recontent, Mystique rear dome light, express-open sunroof, Ford accessory rubber floor mats, Ford accessory door threshold protectors.
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 88
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 88 |
Originally posted by TheGreatOne:
I did alot of research on my car, and really had my heart set on it as it was pretty much the best of both worlds in terms of what I wanted in a car. Regardless of ford's dealer service or whatever, I love my car. Dealing with ford is an easily solved problem...take them out of the equation. Only time you see my car at a ford dealer is when it has to be there. Yeah, what he said! (and, I woulda pushed hard for compensation re. an electric water pump and Accusump!)
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 308
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 308 |
I wouldn't have bought it. I would have gone for an SVT
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Joined: May 2001
Posts: 150
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Joined: May 2001
Posts: 150 |
I love my tour so much, I'm trying to talk hubby into buying a SWEET 98 for sale not far from us that way we both have one to drive ( and we can get rid of a his bowtie z-24!!) Would but another one again in a heart beat, especially if I could find another Duratech,MTX, except this time with a moonroof, SVT would be really sweet!!! 
95 Teal Se 5 spd,duratech, loaded(except moonroof) no mods.
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 130
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 130 |
I voted ?Yes?. It's been a great car. Only thing I can complain about is this - with allot of the problems we may experience with these cars, Ford really does have crap for tech support. Without this web-site, I was ready to trade it in and really take a big loss due to the trade value. I found this site and did some of my own fixes and told the dealership somethings which needed to be looked at. After that the car was back to normal. This web-site has changed the way I felt about this car... I was ready to drive it off a cliff - if it would have made it to one without stalling. Now I am proud of my little Mystique and feel great about it. She may not be as Sporty looking as the Contour SVT but it's a Sports Car in disguise. I surprise lots of people with what this little car with it?s AXT can do. I?m just envious of you who have a MTX! Eurythmian
'96 Oxford White Mercury Mystique "Spree"
Equipped with a stock 170hp Duratec 2.5L - V-6, 4 speed ATX
It's a Tubeless Tique!!! ( DFW will understand... )
Purchased NEW @ $18,756.00 on 1/11/97 with 25 miles on the Odometer for the wife.
Now has a little over 57,000 miles on it and it's my ride after getting the wife a 2000 Windstar SEL.
High Beam - Cool Blues in all four Head Lights.
885s in Fogs.
Head Light Switch Wiring Mod ? Can now run with Parks and Fogs together.
Updated the sound system and did sound proofing (What a difference!).
Dad of twins.
I'm such the family man.
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 586
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 586 |
I would go with a Hell Yes as well, Little quirky things that bothered me in the beginning I now look back on and laugh. Coolant sensor, high idle, sqeaky rear suspension, short tire life (Z-Rated), a gazillion recalls. The car had been dependable and it is a blast to drive and it is unique. I would buy another if I knew then what I know now.
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 9
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 9 |
Would I buy another Ford F150 4x4, absolutely, in a second.
The Contour is fun to drive. A great 4 door sporty family car for short tripping. Learned alot, front bearings, struts, swaybars, ect. When the time comes she will be replaced with another good deal, or a more economical Honda.
96 2.5L SE manual
99 4.6L F150 XLT 4x4
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Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 277
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Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 277 |
Knowing what I know now? No, I would have waited a week and bought the Mystique that showed up in that time. I would instead be driving a Black 98 Mystique with moonroof and slightly lower miles, also the black one hasn't been painted by the dealer so I could remove the door ding gaurds. If I something happened to mine today, the black one or a svt would be mine soon.
Ryan
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'98 T-Red Mystique LS, MTX, SVT Exhaust, KKM
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You and the Captain make it happen
(I'm in college what do you expect?)
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 13
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 13 |
Hell YA, I own 2 of them.
See Sig.
Patrick
'98 V6 ATX GL Pacific Green Contour
'96 4C ATX GL Performance White Contour
'93 V8 351 F150.5
'68 Fiat 850 Sport Spider (In Peices)
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Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 3,248
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Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 3,248 |
Nearly 200 responses -76% favorable. So, while the group that hate SVT/Contour is the most vocal, they are outnumbered 3 to 1. My comment: the grass may look greener in the other pasture, but maybe that's because that pasture has more cow****.
1999 Amazon Green SVT Contour (#554/2760)
Stock SVT Duratec V6 with:
Intake- K&N filter/75mm MAF meter
Exhaust- MSDS Y-pipe/Bassani catback
Durability-Ford "dual mode" damper, Mobil 1/K&N oil filter
179.2 FWHP at 6900 RPM
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