You can also DIY for a lot less.

Check the following sites for cats:

http://www.all-catalytic-converters.com/ford-contour-converter.html

http://www.catalyticonverters.com/ford_contour_catalytic_converter.html

I'm sure there are a lot of other places that sell cats cheap as well.

According to those sites, if you replaced ALL of the cats, then it would run you about $1300. Replacing one or two would be a lot less.

You can also read the following tech articles to try and determine which cats are bad:

http://www.all-catalytic-converters.com/techtips.html

http://www.howstuffworks.com/catalytic-converter.htm

96 Contour SE Duratec V6 24-valve 2.5L ATX 108,000 mi. Replaced: crankshaft w/ DMD, EGR valve (clogged), EVR, DPFE, PCV valve, evap emissions hose & tube (cracked), window regulator (broken), LH & RH PCV tubes, UIM gasket (leak), ignition coil