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Hi guys

First of all I would like to state that I am not a n00b to forum's. I have owned a w-body for 2 years now and I have been on www.w-body.com for roughly a year.

FINALLY, I am selling my car and getting something I always wanted. It's a 1999 black Contour SVT with 80k on the clock.

I am interested in the common problems these cars have and what I should look for when I go for the test drive. Thank you all in advance.

Welcome....what I have hear to look for is to see how the car shifts from 2nd to 3rd. Also check the water pump. Ask when was the last time they changed the 02 sencors. Good luck and post pics if you buy the car.

i plan on it thnx

Originally posted by jtour:
Welcome....what I have hear to look for is to see how the car shifts from 2nd to 3rd. Also check the water pump. Ask when was the last time they changed the 02 sencors. Good luck and post pics if you buy the car.

DEFINATELY...i have had all of those problems in my car...get them checked!!!

Okay so I wrote that all down.

Anything else MAJOR that is common with these cars?

For instance I am fimilar with GM's 3.4 DOHC and over at w-body wel all know that timing belts go every 60k and are like $500 to fix. Anythhing like that?

Welcome, i did some searching for you and came up with this
READ Ray's post

lots of good info and I think its what your looking for.

The stock differentials are "glass." There is nothing that you can really do to check the condition of this. But when you get the car, drain the fluid (look for metal shavings, a couple is fine, excess and your in trouble) and fill it with Royal Purple Synchromax. Next oil change, put in all 6 quarts... Hard right turns own these cars, many spun bearings. Thats all I got right now.

Welcome 97loudcut

Originally posted by RawBurt:
The stock differentials are "glass." There is nothing that you can really do to check the condition of this. But when you get the car, drain the fluid (look for metal shavings, a couple is fine, excess and your in trouble) and fill it with Royal Purple Synchromax. Next oil change, put in all 6 quarts... Hard right turns own these cars, many spun bearings. Thats all I got right now.

this is the mtx version if i forgot to mention that and it is 1999.

so drain the transmission fluid and fill it will royal purple syncromax?

Originally posted by 97loudcut:
so drain the transmission fluid and fill it will royal purple syncromax?

No. Use Ford "honey."

Originally posted by 97loudcut:

Originally posted by RawBurt:
The stock differentials are "glass." There is nothing that you can really do to check the condition of this. But when you get the car, drain the fluid (look for metal shavings, a couple is fine, excess and your in trouble) and fill it with Royal Purple Synchromax. Next oil change, put in all 6 quarts... Hard right turns own these cars, many spun bearings. Thats all I got right now.

this is the mtx version if i forgot to mention that and it is 1999.

so drain the transmission fluid and fill it will royal purple syncromax?

Yup, the SVT's only came in MTX. And I have a 99 too

Drain the fluid, there is a plug on the facing the back of the car, that is the drain plug. I think its a torx bit or something of the sort. Once its all drained, put the plug back in and use the fill to spill method. It should be roughly 3 quarts +/-

And I would suggest Royal Purple, its what Im running and I love it. Others will say, ford honey... you know how that game is played. Just don't use Redline MTL

Originally posted by IRingTwyce:

Originally posted by 97loudcut:
so drain the transmission fluid and fill it will royal purple syncromax?

No. Use Ford "honey."

To clear up any confusion there may be
Terrys Lube List

what oil is ran in these. synthetic?

also does it take higher octane gas?

Originally posted by 97loudcut:
what oil is ran in these. synthetic?

People run all different kinds of oil. I wouldn't start with synthetic though if your at 80k already. I don't know, others my say different... I run Max Life

Originally posted by 97loudcut:
also does it take higher octane gas?

Premium only... Dont run anything lower!

Originally posted by 97loudcut:
what oil is ran in these. synthetic?

also does it take higher octane gas?

Mobile one 5W-30 Super SYN is what most people use.

Always use Premium.

Watch out for Wheel bearings, they arnt a big problem, but they are known to have premature wear on our cars.

Originally posted by RawBurt:
Originally posted by 97loudcut:
also does it take higher octane gas?

Premium only... Dont run anything lower!

Originally posted by Tourige:
Always use Premium.

I third this!

A lot of cars say "Premium Fuel Recommended" or "Premium Fuel Required for Best Performance."

However, the SVT Contour says "PREMIUM FUEL ONLY" for a reason!

You can run lower octane fuel, that's partially why there's a knock sensor, but it's definitely only a good idea in an emergency (like if you're low on fuel in the boonies and only 87 octane is available).

how long are these car good for with proper maintence?

There are people at/ over 200,000 miles.

I'm at 120,000... Major repair I've done was the diff, but that was my own fault.

my dads well over 230,000...with regular maintence they can last just like any other vehicle

Originally posted by 97loudcut:
Hi guys

First of all I would like to state that I am not a n00b to forum's. I have owned a w-body for 2 years now and I have been on www.w-body.com for roughly a year.

Howdy fellow ex-W-body, I was Wildknight on w-body.com
welcome and enjoy your contour SVT.

Like I did, You'll find out that the Contour a very diffent car than your W-body.