Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General General Reliability

I have the opportunity to purchase a 1998 Contour SVT with 40k miles on it...I've been reading up on the car and it seems their reliability history is questionable...
I just wanted some 'honest' opinions from SVT owners....

You are asking a very subjective question. I don't think that anyone can tell you what car to buy, since your situation is going to be very different from anyone else's. Bottom line is that you need to make your own decision.

That being said, I believe that the only question that anyone can answer is "If they were going to buy a used car, would they get a Ford Contour again?"

Personally, the answer would be no for me. I look for basic functionality out of a car. I want a car to get me from point A to point B. I also want as few problems as possible with the car. Therefore, I would go with a Japanese car.

As I said, your situation is probably different.

I don't know how long you've been reading these posts but you will get very different stories. A larger percentage of members here will say to buy it. Then deal with the idiosyncrosies (sp?) later. For the most part, if anything goes wrong with the car you will be able to figure out what to do right here at CEG.
I have had a 95 zetec, daughter has 98 zetec, wife has 98 se duratec mtx and I have a 98 SVT. So far so good.
I am probably jinxed now
Keep reading, you'll figure out what to do after you drive it a few times

www.pbase.com/ddehoyos/svt

As DavidD says, the majority will tell you that it is a good buy, as long as there is a CLEAN history, and a RECORD of maintenance.

Does the contour have problems? yes.

Are some of them expensive to repair? yes, if left unmaintained.

Is it a "fun" car to drive? yes, definitely

Bottom line is: It is a nice car, stylish, refined, and provides for plenty of fun. It has its problems (i.e. Waterpump failure, weak tranny, various interior recalls, etc) but I guarantee you that you will not find another car that DOESN'T have problems of its own. All cars have inherent problems. It is a matter of weighing what you want to be able to do, with what you are willing to deal with.

For the money, I think you get the best combination of performance, luxury, handling, and style that you can get for your dollar. My choice: Be prepared to keep it up, and GET it..

Hope that helps..

Ray

I just bought mine 2 weeks ago: 98 SVT. I think it's a great car, but after reading some of these posts, I'm getting a little worried. I plan on replacing the waterpump with a metal impeller version soon just to save me the grief of being stuck later.

That's the best advice there is. No service/maintenance history, no deal.

i just bought mine a couple months ago,and i LOVE it...mine was a former fomoco fleet vehicle,and 1 owner besides myself,it had a good maintenance record and flawless carfax..if everything looks good on yours i say go for it..all cars are different,and all brands and kinds of cars have problems..just do your homework first..

I think it is hit or miss on that. Some SVT owners on this site have vowed to never buy a Ford product again and have had massive engine or tranny failures. Others, however, have had virtually no problems and love the car. So I would say to simply check the maintenance records and have an OASIS lookup at a dealer (use the VIN#) to check what repairs have been done to it.

Good luck.

stay far far away my friend. i just bought a csvt and within 1500 miles have a horrible tick. i think its a valve but could be anything but its a topend prob. brought it to ford they cant tell me whats wrong. they could only tell me a need a new motor :rolleyes: at 6,000. losers ill NEVER buy another ford

Lots of new people in this thread!

Hey guys!!! Welcome to CEG!!!!!

I think it is the general consenus of most of the people on this site...these cars ROCK.

I owned a 2.3 mustang before getting the Mystique and I could tell the difference between the two. My mystique would blow my mustang away on a track right now.

Ground rules need to be observed here too. You will indeed have lots o' fun with your 'tours. Just remember, street racing posts will get you locked out quickly. They are a no-no.

Enjoy the site! Learn, seek, absorb knowledge, and teach the masses why your car ROCKS!

L8R
Rich