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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 171
CEG\'er
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OP
CEG\'er
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 171 |
Well, I have been looking (unsuccessfully) for an CSVT here in MI. The cars I have seen have scared me enough to not want to buy a car site unseen out of state now. Anyway there is a person in my sub selling a 99 SE. ITs a 4cyl, auto, 125k miles, air, full power, clean. IT needs a pass side mirror. Seems to run well and I think I could pick it up for around $1750. Its not really what I want, but it is cheap and wouldn't add another monthly payment, plus get great gas mileage. Do you all think its worth it?
I really hate having to drive my Lightning daily and fill up 5-6 times / month at about $45!!!!
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 105
CEG\'er
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CEG\'er
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 105 |
As a daily driver, if its been well maintained, I don't see why not. A passenger side mirror is an easy fix. However, if you were looking for an SVTC, you might think about going for a V6 MTX. It will get you a lot closer to SVTC performance and you might be a little disappointed by the Zetec, especially paired with the, imo, performance-blunting CD4E.  I would go for, at the very least an MTX, and preferably a V6 MTX. I don't know where you are, but if you aren't out in the boonies, I am sure you can find one if you aren't in a big hurry to buy.
1995 Contour GL 2.0L ATX- Teal Metallic+Grey Int.
Brown University, Class of 2008!
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 7,431
Hard-core CEG'er
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Hard-core CEG'er
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 7,431 |
That's an excellent price considering the age of the car. One word of warning I will say is to take a good look all around the car if you are considering purchasing ... rust or corrosion underneath, etc ... replaced parts in this car are your friend because they will last. At that mileage, a new transmission might be in order so be wary of that as well (even including the cost of a new one, it's still a good price!).
From personal experience after owning my Probe GT, I now look more toward maintenance and care rather than low mileage. The PGT only had ~76K when I bought it, but fell apart within the next 10K miles because it sat and had not been properly maintained. The Contour will last a long time if properly cared after.
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 467
CEG\'er
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CEG\'er
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 467 |
The one you mentioned won't perform near what the CSVT will. The Zetec/Auto will leave you wanting alot more in that department. My SE Sport MTX is the closest you can get to a SVT. IMO hold out for a Duratec at least. Right now I'm pretty happy with my Sport. Its a good platform to start with if you want to do mods. You can have the intake and heads ported and such to perform much like the SVT, change the cams to SVT ones, and even swipe an SVT computer from a junk yard to solve that portion. When you look toward the suspension the Sport has alot of the features of the SVT, larger sway bars, stiffer springs, 4 wheel disc. When you upgrade to the BAT kit and aussie bars you would be on a level field with many of the modded SVTs in the handling department. I would say find a '99 or '00 SE Sport. It will should be cheaper on insurance and runs strong to start with and can be easily modded. Check Ebay and maybe find CEGers in that area to take a personal look at the car and give you their feedback on it to help you decide on the purchace. I'd be up for a road trip if you are in the area to take you to pick up the car
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 871
Veteran CEG\'er
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Veteran CEG\'er
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 871 |
Look for a Duratec, even an ATX, you will be happier with the engines performance, I wouldn't get a Zetec that is not an MTX. The SE Sport has a better suspension than the plain SE.
Keith W
98.5 SE Sport ATX
Lt. Denim Blue
Other car
'02 3.0 Duratec Taurus wagon
Want some real political discussions? Try
www.freeconservatives.com
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 171
CEG\'er
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OP
CEG\'er
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 171 |
Well I knew that performance and handling would be no where near CSVT, or even Duratech Se levels. The price was the hook. I went and looked at it up close, yikes! Some things I couldnt see in driving by were the front end had a light collision, one head light was full of water and the rear passengers side had been backed into. Plus the missing mirror and hub cap. No way!!! Ill get what I want and just spend the extra $$.
My current choices are: 1. CSVT 2. Focus ZX3 3. Miata 4. Contour Se V6-M5
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,264
Hard-core CEG'er
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Hard-core CEG'er
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,264 |
Foci I think might have even worse resale than Contours, so you may find some good deals there. I wouldn't be looking at any Foci from before 2002 though, as they were so full of problems. Anything built post 02 though has since landed the car back in "reliable transportation" territory.
You'd probably find that with some decent tires, a ZX3 is actually a very fun car to drive despite being low on power.
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 171
CEG\'er
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OP
CEG\'er
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 171 |
Well the stars and moons may have aligned suddenly. On our way out to lunch today I was scanning the local dealership lots as usual. As we pass the Chevy dealer I noticed a silver Contour, but on second glance I notice its an SVT! So we pull in and I give it quick once over. Its a 1998, silver, only 56000 miles, new tires, 3 mo warrany. Everything looks original, no mods. Body and paint are excellent, interior looks very nice as well. Asking price $7800.
Im going to go over after work and take it for a spin. If it drives nice and they'll come down "close" to $7000 OTD, then I may just buy it! Sound like a good deal?
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,220
Hard-core CEG\'er
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Hard-core CEG\'er
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,220 |
That's a good deal for you, don't know if the dealership would be happy with it though. $7000 OTD mean you've gotta hit $6700, a pull $15% off sticker. That's a pretty good discount.
If you don't seem so enthused about it, and they've had in on the lot a while, they'd probably do it though.
Take a couple others for a test-drive. Don't make it look like you came out of your way just to drive that particular car.
2003 Mazda6s 3.0L MTX
Webpage
2004 Mazda3s 2.3L ATX
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 171
CEG\'er
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OP
CEG\'er
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 171 |
Good strategy! But what could I possibly find on a Chevy lot to be enthused about?  And they just put it out today.... Any other tips? Ill go and look at it and drive it, I'd probably go $7000 plus tax. There is a Miata that I want to see, but isnt available to show until this weekened. I guess I could just wait it out if I like the car and hope no one else beats me to it?
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