Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General General talk me out of buying an SVT

Actually I'm in a similar situation. I have a 96 Contour Sport with 78,000 miles on it and I've been thinking about either getting a new car soon or upgrading the Contour. When a car has this many miles on it, I was wondering if it is really worth the effort modifying the car or am I going to start running into a lot of problems as the car gets older? I would really like to start small and get a new exhaust and air filter for the car and then invest more money into the car after that. Any thoughts?

hey now, look who's talkin

You will be paying for something the rest of your life. Enjoy life or don't pay. Get the SVT

just how many people have really driven both SVT and non-SVT contiques I wonder. My old 96 SE which was an MTX and of course had the duratec seemed very similar to my current car. I just miss the old steering feel and the old shifter a bit. Some on this site have said the pre-98 SE's may have been faster etc or just as good with handling since they had the fattest sway bars. I personally hope not since I definitely won't be buying the SVT unless it's significantly different in feel from my car. Anybody whose actually had a non-SVT contique wanna chime in?

I've driven a 97 SE and then I owned an SVT. Had Ford not softened the suspension up so much with the 98 models, I would have gladly paid $5k less than an SVT. But lowering springs cost only cost about $250 and intake/header/exhaust is only $1000.

Save that cash, and put a turbo on that Mystique. Keep the "content" of the 98 and enjoy the power of the turbo. If you're into handling, get the BAT kit and my rear strut tower bar. If you want an SVT for looks, get the two bumpers and sideskirts for the SVT and put them on your car.

Problem solved AND you get the car paid off sooner. Just pay off the personal loan for the other stuff later :p

Oh, and light blue means SLEEPER!

Stick with the Mystique. No go with the Svt, ah wait no the Mystique, no the svt (I don't even have the money for a svt but I still can't make this desision)
Hey roadrunner could you clarify for me, is the GS better than the LS, I thought it was the other way around?

I've driven both. There is a Night and Day difference. If there wasn't, the SVT suspension wouldn't be going on the 97. That's just my opinion though.

Best option at this point is to go drive an SVT and see what you think. It's a great drive...

Also like Chris said the BAT Kit and an Aussie bar will give you the same feel. Turbo's are fun too.

I have both a '95 SE ATX and a '98 E1 SVT. In some ways I like the SE better, and visa versa. The SE has stiffer suspension (too stiff for some), and the steering is heavier. I like the heavy steering, but in time it would be tough steering with one hand while shifting if it was an MTX. The car SEEMS much heavier and more solid than the SVT. Corning with the SE is like corning in a go-cart. Very flat, you can turn on a dime. For lack of a better description, the SVT is lighter on its feet. It feels lighter, and is more nimble. Don't like the over-steer on the SVT. Seems you have to steer it back out of a turn (especially at slow speeds). The SVT is of course faster, but not as much as I had expected. Don't know if this comparison is valid for 96 Mystique.