Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General General Tested a 1.8T

All I can say is...wow, these cars are nice. It was a 2002 with the 180hp turbo. It had TORQUE to boot! Effortless acceleration.

The Girlfriend is looking for a new car, SVT's outta the picture (need warranty)

I loved the engine but the seats and dash left a little to be desired, and we tested an auto,(so she could drive) so I really don't know about the shift linkage.

It was a very nice car and quite refined, but just didn't have the sporty roar of the SVT, I guess nothing a good exhaust wont help. Kudos to the Getta/Golf guys on this board, sweet ride.

Cool cars indeed...love the sport pkg...I've done research on them with a buddy who is interested in one. Its amazing what an intake, downpipe, catback and chip can do...a grand buys about a second off the e/t.

Shift linkage doesn't feel very positive, and the clutch was very light and rubbery compared to the tour. But, its something you could get used to!

Torque steer is insane with the MTX, but it's a quick little car, and a chip will make it a whole lot faster

Been looking myself. I test drove a Gti the other day, and it was nice. If the seats are a downside, wait a few more months and get into the 25th Anniversary Gti. Comes with Recaros. Check it out on www.vwvortex.com and click on the 337 link. It is a sweet little deal.

Also, check out APR and Garret for chip info. APC's chip is supposed to be top notch with the Vortex crowd. Undetectable by the dealer and you can get it to flip between stock and chipped modes with a few pushes of the cruise control buttons. Nice gains. 240 ft/lbs aint playing around....

hehe, see my sign.

will be drivign this is May , the Mrs will keep the Cougar....

Value of a new car warranty is over-rated...here is why:

Suppose you want to buy a new car that costs $20k rather than used one at $10K. If you buy the new one you have an additional debt of $10,000. Suppose you pay 7% interest on that debt...that costs you $700 per year in interest.

Do you think that the non warranty repairs on the $10,000 vehicle are going to cost you an extra $700 per year?

If you still are not convinced remember that in addition to saving $700 per year in interest cost you also get to keep that extra $10K. If you figure the car is going to last you 10 years thats like another $1000 per year you are saving with the $10K vehicle. So your repair bills would have to be over $1700 per year before the new car is going to come out ahead.

Nothing wrong with buying a new car just because you want to though.

I hear ya, jeffyscott. She just wants a 'new one' and doesn't want to have to worry, you know women

Personally I had no problem buying my SVT at 85,000 Km. Replace the water pump and add syn. tranny fluid and your set. Saved myself a good $15 grand for a new Jetta (spelt right this time :rolleyes: ) however that 'stealth chip' sounds cool. Hum, "honey can I borrow the keys"

«Do you think that the non warranty repairs on the $10,000 vehicle are going to cost you an extra $700 per year?»

Hehe, the warranty on my '98 Contour expired at the beginning of 2000, here are the repair costs since then:

2000: around 1000$CDN (CV joint, tie rods, frozen E-brake cable, etc)
2001: around 680$CDN (O2 sensor, wheel bearing, etc.)
2002: nothing yet!

I haven't included regular maintenance or wear items like brakes; these were repairs made to parts that would normally be covered under warranty.

I'm not trolling or anything; I still like the car, and it's stabilized in the last 6 months, but the period from 60000kms to 100000kms was pretty, uh, eventful...

Okay $1000 canadian is less than $700 US, right?

I have kept records of all repair/maintenance expenses for last 15 years on my vehicles...based on that my planned budget is $0.06/mi. Can be a lot less though, I had a horizon for 12 years and average was about $0.035 for repairs and maintenance.

I went the next step down and bought contour under $4k last year...then I do not need collision insurance, which is another savings especially with teenage driver in the house. ...and more importantly less of a concern when it gets smashed after 2 mo. by said teenager.

if ya want roar that compares with an svt get a vr6 and go with a nuespeed intake. very very cool sound