Originally posted by SVTCuervo:
.........but its still one of a gazillion on the road. Anything other than an 03 cobra has no personality. The styling is crap, the interior is just nasty. Its a Ford with all the Squeeks and Rattles.

In my CSVT I turn heads. Its not a well know look. But on the other hand, I could be driving even an 03 cobra down the street, light up the tires, and let the supercharger wine like hell and still no one would think anything other than "wow its another stang".
/quote]

I don't see how a Contour is any less a Ford with all the squeaks and rattles. My SVT had them too.

I think your your evaluation of other people noticing your car quietly going down the street vs. another car, any one) with a loud exhaust and spinning tires is misconstrued. Maybe you would think, "oh, it's just another Mustang" but I suspect you are in the minority.

Anyway, back to the topic at hand. Drive what you are thinking about buying. If it doesn't impress you, then don't waste the money changing. Only you cand decide how it feels. A stock V6 Mustang would not impress me, auto or manual. Although, I suspect with the right tires, a light V6 manual coupe would actually do well at an autocross. There is something to be said for controlling the rear end with the throttle. I have seen some pretty wierd things at autocrosses. A GT stick can be had for under $20k and IMO is a heck of a deal.

To those of you who say a Cobra is the only Mustang you would consider, consider that it costs at least $10k more, probalby $15k. I think you would be very impressed with the performance of a GT compared to a Contour vs. spending 50% more for the same chasis.