Originally posted by unibagel:
...... Could it be the VSS??? ....

No. Most likely intermittent poor connection at/in instrument cluster. See this thread for possible solution click .

I experienced similar symptoms (+ low fuel light) a few times, a couple of years ago with my '98, fortunately they haven't returned.

98 Mystique LS v6 atx 163,000km 97 Contour LX v6 atx 163,000km