Contours are hit or miss, I have 28k on one with zero problems (other than dash board warp) and 89k on another. I am the third owner (I think) of the 95SE and the only major problem is a water leak in the trunk and my waterpump died (might be original for all I know)
I see nothing wrong with boosting the car. Like Buckshot, if this puppy blows, I'll just have to pick up the peices (literally

) and start again. All cars are prone to failure and even more so once you start tinkering with them.