Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General General Message to all SVT owners

I would like to chime in, Troy.

I have a 2000 Contour SVT. It is my third Contour (96,98,00). I am the only one in my family that has bought Ford passenger cars in the past generation.

My complaints have to do with these:
1. The SVTOA Mag--will not send in the $40 for it. Also the complete lack of press in it. In fact, the mag in the current issue mentions in past tense how good the car was. Excuse me, but I just bought a 00 3 months ago and as far as I am concerned, it is quite current!

2. The lack of any SVT Contour merchandise. Excuse me, but the plethora of Lightning stuff makes me puke. Cobra I can understand.

3. Lack of product quality. Like others, I am quite concerned about the longevity of this vehicle. My 96 SE I kept to 126,000 miles. I don't think my SVT will go that long without a major repair. And maybe the extended warranty is throwing money down a rathole also. My car has 9,000 miles on it. Dealer demo. While the dealer had it (3,000 miles), the clutch, flywheel, pressure plate, and clutch bearing was replaced. Since I've owned it the transmission was replaced with a new one. Now I'm waiting for the engine itself to seize. And now I'm hearing this snap noise where the dash meets the windshield. I wonder if I'm getting the dreaded dash warp that many other cars is getting.

My SVT dealer does a good job helping me, but they know I make alot of money and could (would?) buy a BMW or Audi next time around. I also constantly remind them that I bought an SVT supposedly for the value and exclusivity of the vehicle. Not to mention that I expect to be treated better than your run of the mill Taurus or Focus or Escort owners. So they take care of me as best they can. My beef is with SVT and Ford, not any dealers.

SVT could take immediate steps to allow all current owners to receive the magazine free for their first year. And SVT could sell more Contour specific merchandise through their catalogue.

However, the build quality will haunt SVT/Ford in the future. I'm waiting for the press on the Contour tranny like I heard about the Cobra engine.

My car was one of only 2150 built in the 2000 model year. Yet the build quality is suspect. Why?

If SVT relies on word of mouth for advertising, I pray for SVT. There are many of us that are probably doing a good deal of damage by complaining about our SVT Contours. It didn't have to be this way....if only SVT would have done what they promised. The SVT Contour is not some ugly vehicle that can be pushed to the side (with their owners). We will stand up and be counted.

I bought into the whole ad stuff about this being an exclusive car with value and quality. My car drives great....when it is not in the shop getting some expensive repair on the company's dime. If I have more problems with it, I will probably get rid of it around 20,000 miles (while I can still get something for it). Then I'll buy something else, probably not from Ford.

I do appreciate your time to come onto this Board, but many of us bought into the ad language and yes, we have high expectations. Hell, my 87 Firebird squeaked less than my 00 SVT Contour. THAT is not progress.