Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General General year difference

How do I tell if I have the 1998 or the 1998.5 contour..what are the differences betwenn the two?

There is some info here: http://www.contour.org/FAQ/FAQ.php?s=models

Perhaps the easiest way to tell (if you have your stock wheels) is to look at the wheels.

The 1998.5 + had good looking Cobra style 5 spoke wheels and the 1998 had poopy looking wheels ( ).


Edit to add: I assumed you meant SVT. The distinction is usually made with regard to SVTs.

thanks..I must have the 1998 because the clock is in the dash

I have the se...bought it from an old lady in phoenix, its a 98 SE v6 auto with 18000 on it...the wheels thing doesnt work because she had them put 14's with hubcaps or someone along the way changed them out..it has really good handling which I love

was just curious as to the distinctions...this is my first contour and I am really lookin forward to having it..it is bone stock right now which just asks for modifications

The 'wheels thing' mentioned above works only for the SVT's. Regular Contours were available with 14" steelies with hubcaps or alloys.

If I recall correctly, the 98's have a panel that goes across the top of the dashboard between both A-pillars, while the 98.5-2000's don't, which creates the infuriating dashboard warping problem that many of us are all too familiar with.

- Ian in Tampa
99 SE Sport mtx T-red 56k

The recall for the dash was for '99 and '00 Contours. By its content, my SE is a 98.5 and the top of my dash is different than the '99 and '00.

"she had them put 14's with hubcaps"

Then it's a 1998.5 SE, since 14" were standard. The early 1998 SE was the "original formula" with 15" alloys, full sport suspension parts, side skirts, and spoiler.

Look on the inside door frame, the date of manufacture sticker should say Aug '97 or later.

Also, there were pre 1998.5 LX's, they were luxurious compared to GL and SE.