I just happen to save the .htm for the 2000 SE from Edmunds.com (which should be pretty much the same as a gl):
WHAT'S NEW FOR 2000
Only one version of the Contour is available this year (not including the SVT). It is very similar to the 1999 Contour SE Sport series. New colors are offered and an emergency trunk-release handle is standard.
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PROS AND CONS
Pros:
Solid handling, standard V6 power, affordable price.
Cons:
Limited room for rear passengers, pedestrian interior.
EDMUND'S REVIEW
There is nothing like a little sibling rivalry to shake things up. The arrival of the 2000 Ford Focus has affected both the Escort and the Contour. Effectively, the Focus will be slotted between the Escort and the Contour in terms of price. To avoid having the Focus steal sales away from the Contour, Ford has taken the Contour upscale, discontinuing the entry-level LX series from 1999.
The 2000 Contour is very similar to the '99 Contour SE Sport. The 2.5-liter Duratec V6, 15-inch, eight-spoke aluminum wheels, rear spoiler, remote keyless entry, body cladding and fog lamps are now standard. A 60/40 split-folding rear seat is also standard, though leather seats are no longer available.
Whether these upgrades will help alleviate the Contour's rental-fleet image, we're not quite sure. But we do know that when we've been behind the wheel of a V6-equipped Contour, we've generally had a good time. The V6 is just one part of an equation that makes this car such an excellent purchase for the shallow-pocketed enthusiast. The real excitement of the Contour's driving experience is the result of the car's excellent chassis, suspension and steering. Toss the Contour into a corner, and it's as easy to catch as a softball thrown by a preschooler.
Since its introduction, the Contour has won plenty of awards and has received great press from automotive critics. In 1998, Ford gave the Contour an exterior freshening to make the car more distinctive in the crowded family-sedan marketplace. The interior still receives some gripes, however. It lacks some of the refinement found in competing cars and Ford has never been able to solve the lack of room for rear-seat passengers.
People less concerned about driving and more concerned about spaciousness may want to investigate the Dodge Stratus and Chevrolet Malibu. They aren't as exciting as the Contour, but they can hold people more comfortably. And if you're disappointed that the Contour LX is no longer available, you need not worry-a quick hop to your local Mercury dealership will net you a 2000 Mercury Mystique GS, which is effectively the same thing.
Test drive 50 different vehicles yourself at Edmund's auto show, which will be touring the U.S. in the Summer of 2000. (More Information).
WARRANTIES
Basic: 3 yr. / 36,000 mi.
Drivetrain: 3 yr. / 36,000 mi.
Roadside: 3 yr. / 36,000 mi.
Rust: 5 yr. / Unlimited mi.
SPECIFICATIONS & SAFETY FEATURES
Performance Data
Acceleration (0-60 mph): 8.5 sec.
Braking Distance (60-0 mph): 138 ft.
Roadholding Index: 0.81
Base Number of Cylinders: 6
Base Engine Size: 2.5 liters
Base Engine Type: V6
Horsepower: 170 hp @ 6250 rpm
Torque: 165 ft-lbs. @ 4250 rpm
Dimensions
Exterior:
Length: 184.6 in.
Width: 69.1 in.
Height: 54.4 in.
Weight: 2769 lbs.
Wheelbase: 106.5 in.
Interior:
Front Headroom: 39 in.
Rear Headroom: 36.7 in.
Front Shoulder Room: 53.9 in.
Rear Shoulder Room: 53.3 in.
Front Hip Room: 50.7 in.
Rear Hip Room: 45.3 in.
Front Leg Room: 42.4 in.
Rear Leg Room: 34.4 in.
Maximum Luggage Capacity: 13.9 cu.ft.
Safety Features
Anti-Lock Brakes: Optional
De-powered Air Bag: Standard
Head Air Bag: Not Available
Side Air Bag: Not Available
Integrated Child Seat: Not Available
Traction Control: Optional
Stability Control: Not Available
Crash Test Results
Driver: Rating = Very Good
Passenger: Rating = Good
Side Impact Front: Average
Side Impact Rear: Good
Crash Offset: Poor
Bumper Bash: Poor
Fuel Data
Fuel Tank Capacity: 15 gal.
EPA Mileage Estimates: (City/Highway)
Manual: 20 mpg / 28 mpg
Automatic: 20 mpg / 29 mpg
Range in Miles: (City/Highway)
Manual: 300 mi. / 420 mi.
Automatic: 300 mi. / 435 mi.
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