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

I still haven't been able to find Troy's e-mail address. Can someone post it or e-mail it to me at timeless420@hotmail.com. Want to try and get my certificate and magazine issues I never got

Troy,

I have a 2000 SVT #289 of 2150 and so far have not had any serious problems. I do have a few things I'd like to bring up that concern me about this vehicle and SVT.

Issues with the CONTOUR:
Overall, it's a great car and I'm happy with 95% of it, but?

1). I'm most concerned with the paint quality. I understand that the EPA is tough and Ford uses water-based paints, but Ford's method of application needs improvement. This is my first clear-coated car and I know the process is base-coat then clear-coat. Unfortunately, the coats on my SVT are much too thin and areas like the engine compartment and inside trunk are not clear coated at all. The finish is flat and has uneven coverage. It's embarrassing to open the hood. The super thin application also promotes a lot of stone chips, more than the acceptable amount. However, this is one area that SVT isn't as much at fault on, as is the Kansas City Assembly plant.

2). The longevity of the engine is also a concern. I haven't had any serious problems in my first 14K miles, but I also wonder how long it will last. I debate on getting the extended warranty, or not? I wonder if Cleveland Engine Plant #2 is even capable of producing new SVT replacement engines, should the worst occur? I do know that Ford planned on producing a new stamped steel oil-pan for the Duratec, but nothing ever came about. This whole oil theory doesn't leave one feeling warm and cozy.

3). The sunroof locked-open deal can usually be resolved with relieving the tension of the bound motor assembly. Just loosening the single motor screw can fix the problem. To bad the dealers never figured this out. I've seen lots of posts on the board by people who have had the who thing replaced many times, only to have the problem keep reoccurring. I learned this myself by doing my own troubleshooting. Hint, Hint TSB?? ;-)

Issues with SVT/ SVTCOA:
I agree with the majority of people on this board?

1). Customer Service, and or lack of it, seems to be a big sore spot. I think the dealership is generally to blame is a lot of instances, but the one thing the upsets me is the new "premium service" for 2001 SVT owners. They get a guaranteed loaner and a free wash/vacuum during each dealer visit. What about the other SVT owners still in their warranty period? Can we be pro-rated and get this service until it expires? Why do all the benefits come after I purchase a vehicle? Maybe this is one of Ford's ways of keeping us in new vehicles. As I understand it, the guy at the dealer in front of me with his new 2001 SVT Focus will be smiling as his car comes out of the service department nice and clean, while I'm stuck pealing the paper floor mat and plastic seat cover off myself in my dirty 2000 Contour. That doesn't make me smile.

2). The fact that SVT offers no incentives to purchase one of their vehicles is another issue that burns the skin off my rear. At least provide some decent financing rates from Ford Motor Credit. They will still be making money! Why to SVT owners get stuck at 9-10% when the standard Ford cars/trucks can get 4.9% or lower financing? Also revise the College Graduate discount program! Make it available to people who have graduated, but didn't choose to instantly run out and buy a Ford before they even got a job. I missed this unfair arbitrary deadline by 1 month and was pretty much ignored by Ford Customer Service and the Survey Team. I point is our only incentive is a vehicle that is supposed to be above normal in quality, performance and value.

3). Aftermarket support for the Contour in the FRPP catalog would be a nice start. Cups, clothes, etc are a good. I recommend some other useful items such as, but not limited to:

- Mudguards specifically molded to fit the SVT Contour side skirts.
- Floor Mats molded to the floor pan shape that hold and contain snow & dirt
- Pillar Gauge-pod kit with oil pressure and voltage gauges.

Looking back on this post, my list could go on and on. I guess I just needed to vent a little and point out some ideas. Thanks for reading this post and taking the time to come to the CEG. Feel free to email me if you have any questions or concerns.


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Tom,

89GT STEEDA
2000 SVT Contour (#289 of 2150)
Items 4-Sale

For anyone that is wanting Troy's email address, who didn't look through all the posts here to find it, it's:

troym@campbellco.com



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Scotty Luther
rscottyl@onebox.com
AOL IM: RScottyL
2000 Ford Contour SVT
Built 12/9/1999
Toreador Red/Prairie Tan
#832 of 2150

Troy:

1) Bumper sag
2) Blown engines
3) Transmission weaknesses

These are three issues that have dragged on
to the point where it's no longer excusable.

Something as simple a designing a new bracket
for the real bumper should have happened VERY
long ago.

T.

The fact that these major mechanical issues are continuing is testament to the fact that SVT does not consider the Contour to be in the same league as the Cobra and Lightning. And probably now the Focus.

Troy,
VIN# 1FAFP68G3YK

My problems aren't with SVT but with Ford and the dealership's lack of caring and effort put forth in caring for my SVT. Check my service history and you'll see repeated service of the same problems. Just an overview:

* sunroof stuck open. dealer said all mechcanics that could fix it were out - get it fixed on my own out of my own pocket.

* sideskirts (rocker panels) HANGING off of the car after my 1st oil change.

* went in to get it fixed, left it with them for a week - still not fixed.

* doors creaking after 4 months. requested fix. next day - creaking.

* creaking from back of car. had it serviced, loud thumping on the way home. had it serviced again. 1 month later creaking is back.

* rattling, buzzing coming from various areas of the dash. ford tells me "gonna have to charge you to fix it and it'll cost you big"

* black plastic sleeve that covers the hinge/arm of the trunk was shattered after 2nd service. requested fix with last service. was NOT fixed.

* leather boot around the brake lever broken. requested part in September of 2000 - still NOT fixed.

After owning my car for 10 months and 9,000 miles I never expected to have this many problems with the car and the service. The Ford guys seem to not care nor understand.

Thanks, Peter

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2000 SVT silver/blue
#1522 of 2150
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tinted windows
stereo

Troy,
I don't believe there is anything SVT [or whatever the outfit is called now] can do to remedy the problems many of us have with our Contour SVT's. At $21K new, I expected a car with slightly less fit and finish than say a comparably priced Accord, but that would be much more fun to drive. Well, the car is certainly more fun to drive but the quality is so dreadfully far below my expectations. I take my role as a consumer *very* seriously. I could ***** and moan about Ford and SVT to everyone I know [and if they ask, I just might]. In the end however, the only direct recourse I have is to never buy another Ford product. I want to make sure at least *one* person there knows this....twenty years from now, when one of my sons is getting ready to buy his first car, I will quietly remind him what I think of Ford products.

Whats funny is that these ARE ALL not SVT issues!!! My Contour gl has had the SAME # of problems and SAME coutless adventures at Ford dealerships. I still have people come up to me and say, "Dont ever buy a Ford again, PLEASE" I thought I love Fords, but maybe it was just the car I was into, not the company. Like I said before, Contours in general have had problems, now only the SVT's are being recognized? WTF? I guess I will never get any backup on my contour. Which has had the trannie replaced, no a/c anymore, paint is STILL peeling and the many other problems.

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Nick Jones
1998 'tour gl 'Willow Frost Green'
Mods:
Reflectors taken out/blue bulbs everywhere/no badges/limo tint on all five windows/White racing stripe/KKM Intake/Duel 2 1/4" cat-back exhaust/new res/H&R Springs/superchip (on the way)/17" DTM white on Dunlop sports/Sony mobile CDX-M750 ES deck/12" Fosgate/800W amp/all speakers in doors replaced
Future Mods:
Zetec turbocharger/White face gauges
"The world is a race track!"
Nick's Homepage
saturn_k1@hotmail.com

Nick's Profile

TOUR IS BACK IN COMMISSION!!

Dont know if im to late to join the party but what the hell let my ranting begin

First Off i own a 2000 contour silver/blue
vin#1fafp68g5yk125818 built 1-3-00

im 19 and this was my first brand new car. my family has always been fomoco drivers. my dad owns an f150 my mother HAD an e150 my sister owns a mustang and now i own my contour

for the most part ive been quite happy with my car its peformance is great, rides nice, four usable doors, and above all the car can handle...however i dont think i can truly ever love a car that may let me down since owning my tour its been to the dealer 5 times, twice for the same stalling problem (both times i was left stranded in a dangerous situation: aka on the side of a highway) and truly hearing the stories of engine and transmissions taking a dump has me worried. i own a high performance sports sedan, but i cant drive it as such in the fear that i might break it

i know ford/svt wont give us a qualfie for free....however what if as owners we buy the differential and have you install it free of charge (and not void our warrenty) i personally would be glad to put down the money to add a qualfie to my tour if ford were to install it. in all honesty it would be only fair and ford would only be out, give or take 160$ (8hrs install by 20$ hr)this would go a long way to make owners happy.

also what about a modified pan for the engine would be nice. if you could design, build, and market a pan (at a fair price) again i would be willing to buy the pan to put my mind at ease. really at this point all i would like to see is inproved reliability as a whole in my car

truly the other problems i could care less about squeaks/rattles if i didnt want them i would have spent more on my first car bumper sag....not pretty but again ill deal. and i dont really car all that much for svt catalog items either. however performance parts would be nice to have avaiable directly from ford

and truly like everyone else i dont feel the dealer i take my car too cares about me as a consumer (slow, unknowlegeable, ignorant). i guess they feel they already had me as a customer who cares if he comes back

in the end i feel it would go a long way if svt/ford were to fix some of the major problems we have been having as a group

i do want to thank you for taking the time to listen to me b*tch but like the others i just wanted to vent and if you need further information i keep very specific logs and would be able to detail my cars problem(s)
my email is relentless1214@hotmail.com



[This message has been edited by RELENTLESS1214 (edited April 10, 2001).]

My turn...

First, I'd like to thank Troy for having the guts to come here in the first place. Troy, you rock for that...

I am a recent SVT owner, although a long time Ford owner. I?ve owned a ?72 Mach 1, a ?86 SVO Mustang, and a ?92 Tempo GLS (Hmmm?predecessor to the CSVT? Sport suspension, unique body panels, fog lights, and a?a?3.0 engine!) Anyway, I bought my '98 "E0" CSVT (#2663) just before Christmas of last year (almost 4 months ago). I absolutely love this car. IMHO, it's the almost perfect blend of size, style, and performance (although I keep telling my girlfriend that it doesn't go fast enough...(hint)).

Just as an FYI?I?ve seen a lot of posts (I read them all) with owners worrying about if their car will last ?til 60,000 miles. My car had 87,000+ miles on it when I bought it, and now has almost 91,000. It runs like a top. The previous owner took tremendous care of the car; all warranted maintenance done and on time. I intend on continuing this maintenance consistency as well. I can?t say that all of the CSVTs will last this long, but I?d be really surprised if mine didn?t last well into the mid 150,000 range before needing any major repairs. Time will tell on that one?

I have two issues that I?d like to convey to Troy.

The first is the lack of visibility within the Ford and SVT camps. Shortly before I bought my car, I could go to the SVT web site and see a SVT Contour tab on the first page, click on it, and get the info that I need. Now, since the SVT Focus has arrived, I feel like the "red-headed step child" of the SVT community (my apologies to any red-headed step children reading this post). Now you have to go to the site map to find the CSVT pages. Why? I know that the CSVT isn?t a production vehicle anymore, but there must be a better way that this.

The second issue is the lack of performance parts. I followed the suggestion in the FAQ on the SVT page and ordered the Ford Performance Parts catalog. Not a single part in that 132 page catalog goes in or on a SVT Contour. Why? There?s a listing of performance air-filters on page 85. There?s an air filter for an Expedition, a Ranger, an Escort, an Explorer, a Thunderbird, a Cougar, an Aerostar minivan, a Windstar minivan, and even a Motor Home?but no Contour SVT! Why?

Anyway, I think I?ve made my point and I?ll bring this rant to a close. My blood runs Ford blue and regardless of poor service from Ford dealerships (which I?ve had too) and limited recognition from the SVT camp, and limited performance parts from the aftermarket world, I?ll be buying more Ford products in the future.

Thanx for letting me chew your ear Troy. It?s truly appreciated.



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'98 E0 Contour SVT #2663,
SilverFrost/CD/Moonroof
Bone Stock...for now.