Originally posted by bill c.:
No, I've just about had it with ALL makes of cars. I've been a professional mechanic (automotive, motorcycle, marine and small engine) for over 35 years and believe me I've seen some real sorry excuses for engineering but this Contour is almost in a class by itself.
Simple maintenence operations are a nightmare and common component replacement is ludicrus.
Drain the radiator, well first you have to jack up the car and remove the lower valance panel (the one with the crappy rusted hardware) then unscrew the crappy little squirt gun drain screw that was engineered to hide behind a frame rail where you can just barely get a tool on it.

How about replace the water pump? Simple once you remove a motor mount, the serpentine belt, a bunch of guards, the power steering pump and the timing belt. Oh yeah, if you touch any of the belts you also have to replace the tensioners cause they're one time use.

Or the rear brakes ? What a friggin' chore that is. It would be easier if you could remove the rear hubs but they're one time use also. If you pull them you have to replace them.

Or the wiring in the engine compartment. Never mind that it's wired like a TV, if you disturb any of them the insulation crumbles in your fingers.

Oh, and the springs on the struts broke. First car out of hundreds that I've owned where the springs just broke.

I stand by my earlier statement, somebody at Ford deserves an ass whippin'.



Well, yes the engine bay is tight...

The rear drums on my old 99 mystique were a little time consuming sure, but if you're careful and observent its really no trouble...

The insulation for the engine harness has a recall, I believe its 10 years, 100k miles, TALK TO A DEALER

The springs were a recall item as well, on my 98 they installed crappy metal protectors, i will soon replace them with stock 99 or 00 springs...

These cars have issues, but there is definitely worse out there...

1998 Mystique LS: -2.5 Duratec ATX -Vibrant White -------------------- =Pics= =Info=