Just drive one, you will help yourself right out of it. I drove 2 of them, one a 5-speed, one a 6-speed. the 6-speed tranny SUX. I was hunting for gears, too (never had that problem with a Trans Am Hurst 6-speed). Besides that, the 5-speed is a bit lighter, and felt faster to me. Cramped interior is an understatement. Feels like you are in a coffin(might be a good reason for that if you line up next to an SVT, or even my wife's Saturn, for that matter).
I didn't think that they were worth $20-25k, either. But they look nice, especially in my rear view mirror.

-Tavis


'99 SVT Contour #535/2760, born 11/30/98. Toreador Red / Prairie Tan Wife's car: '00 Saturn LS2. Dk. Toreador Red (no joke) / Graphite Sunday Bruiser: '67 Camaro rs/SS350 4 spd. Ermine White / Custom Yellow