Unfortunately, even if Ford was a great company, all it takes is one bad dealership to destroy someone's opinion. Ford would not have so many of the top selling vehicles if they weren't doing something right. That doesn't mean that I love them to death, we had an aerostar that was a complete lemon. My dad spent thousands trying to keep it running. We finally gave up and got a Honda Odyssy, but I digress. I love my Contour to death though, have had relatively few problems with it, but partially cause I got a 99 and by then a few of the bugs had been worked out. The only expensive repair was my defective Firestone tires. The radial belts shifted on them. Tires were roated, balanced, alligned as recommended as well as never once being underinflated, but I once again digress. I think that it really matters which dealership you use and who you talk to. Each one has different policies and such. Some are greasier then others. The only thing that I disagree with stronly now, is the fact that the waterpump has not been made a recall. I only have 21,000 miles so I am gonna get the pump changed out at 30 or 40K to be safe. Ford isn't perfect, but they are okay if you deal with the right people. Regardless of that, as somebody stated above, "But I love my Contour" and thats the truth!
