Nothing, this car is crap. My mother bought the first year model of the Ford Contour, and got it totally loaded, it's an SE. Leather, the works. I bought it from her two years ago, it has 92,000 miles on it, and I still owe $2,200 on it, this car isn't worth anything! In fact, it's in the shop right now. It has been making this really loud whinning noise for about 6 months. Most people said it was the power steering pump, no problem. I went to Auto Zone and ordered a power steering pump from them. They had the wrong part in their computer. The part they gave me had a triangular pully mount, with three mounting holes on it. The Contour need a circular one with 4 mounting holes on it. So I go to Ford and order one. This one doesn't have a pully mount on it at all! So, I decide to pick one up at the junk yard, for about $30, and I install it. Guess what? The noise is still there. So, finally, I take it to my mechanic. He can't tell if it's the power steering pump or the alternator, and he tells me that he cannot do the alternator at his shop. He doesn't have the space or the equipment(This is a really good mechanic, too). He suggests I bring it to Ford, which is the last thing I want to do.
On 1/19(Fri) I bring the car in, for a recall, and for the noise. They charge me $32.50 for diagnostics, and tell me they can't do anything about the recall because they don't have the paper work yet. And they can't do anything abou the noise until Monday...mind you I brought the car in at 9AM.
So on 1/22 I bring the car in at 9AM, again. At 2:30PM I call to see how things are going. They explain that they are charging me for diagnostics, and total it would be $200 to replace the tentioner pully and the belt. However, they don't have the parts, so they can't do the work until tommorow. I told them I would pick up the car, and have it back to them in the morning. They guy said as long as it was back by 11AM, that would be fine. I get to the dealership, and my car is in a million pieces. So they have to give me a rental, but I need to bring the rental back in the AM. No problem.
1/23 9AM I return the rental. I get a call at 3PM from the manager saying that the noise is not fixed and that on top of the $200 they are going to charge me $330 to replace the power steering pump. Then he tells me that I can still use the rental I got last night. But when I told him that I already returned it, he tells me that there are no more rentals left. so basically, here I sit, with no transportation, and my car in a million pieces at Ford, where they are going to fix something that may not even need to be fixed. Complete Rip Off!

Everything. The car eats rotors, I have had them replaced 3 times in the past three years. The winning noise, god only knows what it is. The rubber around the windows is constantly falling off, the engine light is constantly on. I have an oil leak and second gear is going, and my syncro is off. I only have 92,000 miles on this car! The paint also has crows feet all over it. The company makes this car almost impossible for the customer to fix. I did a tune up to this car, and let me tell you, you can't get to the rear spark plugs in the V6, the Oil Filter is in a very akward space, it's almost laughable!

This car sucks. Especially the 95's because they are the first year model. I wouldn't recomend this car to anyone! No way, no how! It is the worst car I have ever owned!

Similar Products Used:

Well, I have always had Hondas before this car. My first, I bought in NC. It was from NH, it was an 84, and it had 174,000 miles on it. That car took me from NC to MA about 4 times, without any work, except oil changes and some tires. I have had about 4 Honda's(civics and accords) and the only reason I had to get rid of them because I totaled them in accidents. I have never had mechanical problems like this with a Honda! Honda's rule, Ford has lost my business!

V6 ENGINE-VERY QUICK AND ACCELERATES NICELY
VERY ROOMY INSIDE

RECALLS, RECALLS, AND MORE RECALLS!!!
HANDLING IS VERY POOR IN THE SNOW OR ICE
DID I MENTION RECALLS!

WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT THIS CAR, I WAS VERY EXCITED BECAUSE I LOVED THE WAY IT LOOKED, AND I LOVED THE FACT THAT IT WAS A V6. NOW THAT I HAVE HAD IT FOR THREE YEARS,I WOULD NEVER RECOMMEND THIS CAR TO ANYONE!

I HAVE NEVER HAD SUCH PROBLEMS WITH A CAR IN MY LIFE! NOT TO MENTION THE 6 ,7 OR 8 RECALLS WE HAVE HAD ON THIS CAR SINCE WE GOT IT IN 1998, WE HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE SUN ROOF, DRIVERS SEAT, THE TRIM ON THE TRUNK IS FALLING OFF, THE HEATER CONSTANTLY RATTLES, AND THE CAR CAN'T HANDLE ANY AMOUNT OF SNOW OR ICE!! MY CONTOUR DOES NOT DRIVE IN SNOW, IT SLIDES ALL OVER THE ROAD AND IS VERY DANGEROUS.

I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH THIS CAR, AND WOULD LOVE TO TRADE IT IN FOR ANOTHER CAR, BUT WE WOULDN'T EVEN GET WHAT WE OWE ON IT! SO WE ARE KIND OF STUCK WITH IT UNTIL IT IS PAID OFF. I HAD A 1994 FORD PROBE WHICH I LOVED, AND I TRADED IT IN FOR THE CONTOUR. I WISH I WOULD HAVE KEPT THE PROBE!!

Similar Products Used:

I CAN'T COMPARE THIS TO ANYTHING BECAUSE IT PERFORMS SO POORLY.

I feel in my opinion that this is a very nice car does have its disadvantiges but overall i feel its a great car

The only problem i have is that when my cars RPM,s go below 2,000 i hear a very loud and anoyoing howling sound i jsut paid 300$ to get it fixed but it is still happening its a pain in the A$%

I think what everyone says about the contour is BULL its a very nice car with the exception of the interior,howling noise, If anyone reads this and knows what that dam noise is E-mail me.

Similar Products Used:

Sorry my last car was a 100$ chevy spectrom POS

NICE LOOKING CAR, HANDLES EASILY. GETS GOOD GAS MILEAGE. I LIKE THE INTERIOR, THE SEAT IS COMFORTABLE AND I HAVE PLENTY OF ROOM. VISIBILTY IS GOOD AND ENTERING AND EXITING THE CAR IS EASY (I HAVE A BAD RIGHT KNEE)
I ENJOY DRIVING THE CAR EXCEPT FOR THE PROBLEMS I HAVE ENCOUNERED

PAINT IS CRAZING IN SEVERAL PLACES, I HAVE A TERRIBLE SMELL WHEN YOU TURN ON THE HEATER AND FAN (THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME, BUT IT IS EXTREMELY AGGRAVATING WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS FREEZING AND I HAVE TO TURN OFF THE HEATER AND OPEN THE WINDOW. THERE IS A SMALL HOLE IN THE WINDSHIELD. WHEN I TOOK IT TO AN AUTOMOTIVE GLASS CO. TO HAVE IT FIXED I WAS TOLD THAT IT COULD NOT BE FIXED AGAIN. APPARENTLY IT HAD BEEN FIXED BEFORE AND I WAS NOT TOLD. THE WORST THING ABOUT THIS CAR IS THE TERRIBLE VIBRATION IN THE MOTOR. IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME YOU STOP WITH YOUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND THE CAR IN GEAR. THE STEERING WHEEL, SEATS, BRAKE PEDAL AND WHO KNOWS WHAT ELSE VIBRATES SO BAD THAT YOU ACTUALLY GET SICK TO YOUR STOMACH. I'M AT THE POINT THAT I TRY TO TIME MYSELF SO I DON' HAVE TO STOP, OR ELSE I HAVE TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK UNTIL TRAFFIC STARTS AGAIN. YOU CAN BET I DID NOT BUY CAR WITH THE EXPECTIONS OF DRIVING LIKE THAT. THIS HAS GONE ON SINCE SHORTLY AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR ON SEPTEMBER 6, 1999.
ONCE WHEN I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER, THE SERVICE MANAGER ACTUALLY TOLD ME THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY BUILDS THE ENGINES TO RUN THIS WAY. (HE REALLY BELIEVED I WOULD ACCEPT THAT EXPLAINATION). IF YOU BELIEVE THAT I HAVE A FORD CONTOUR TO SELL YOU. THE DEALERSHIP OFFERED ME $1500 AND MY CHOICE OF ANOTHER CONTOUR, BUT WITH DEPRECIATION OF MY CAR I WOULD HAVE TO ANTE UP MORE MONEY AND I COULD NOT AFFORD THAT AT THAT POINT.
OVER THE LAST YEAR AND HALF RIVER OAKS FORD SERVICE MANAGER HAS TOLD ME THEY HAVE PUT MY CAR ON THE COMPUTER AND IT SHOWS NOTHING IS WRONG....THEY HAVE REPLACED THE SHOCK ABSORBING MATERIAL ON THE MOTOR MOUNTS (THAT DID NOT SOLVE ANYTHING) THEY HAVE DRIVEN THE CAR AND DO NOT FEEL THE VIBRATION. I WAS TOLD BY A TOP RATED MECHANIC (NOT A FORD EMPLOYEE) THAT IT SOUNDED LIKE THE CAR HAD A DEAD CYLINDER, THE FORD MECHANIC PHOO-PHOOED THAT. THE CAR SOUNDS LIKE THEY LEFT SCREWDRIVERS IN THE FRAME, IT HAS ALREADY EATEN SEVERAL OF MY TAPES. THE CUP HOLDER HAS BROKEN. OTHER THAN ALL OF THE ABOVE I LIKE THE CAR, IT IS ASPEN GREEN AND IS A BEAUTIFUL COLOR.

SEE THE ABOVE COMMENTS.

Similar Products Used:

I HAVE ALWAYS HAD A FORD CAR. MY LAST CAR (THE ONE I TRADED IN ON THE CONTOUR) WAS A 1984 FORD LTD. I GOT GREAT USE OUT OF IT. MY DAD BOUGHT IT NEW AND I BOUGHT IT FROM HIM IN 1988. REPAIRS WERE FEW AND FAR BETWEEN UNTIL THE LAST YEAR. IT HAD OVER 200,000 MILES ON IT AND THE MAJOR PROBLEM WAS THE PAINT HAD FADED OFF ON ONE HALF OF THE ROOF. I AND MY FAMILY HAVE ALWAYS BOUGHT FORD PRODUCTS, BUT THIS WILL PROBABLY BE MY LAST. AN I WOULD BE HARD PUT TO RECOMMEND EITHER FORD PRODUCTS OR RIVER OAKS FORD.

I ALSO HATE CAR SALESMEN WHO ARE CONDESENDING TO ME JUST BECAUSE I AM FEMALE. THEY LITERALLY PAT YOU ON THE HEAD WHILE TRYING TO FEED YOU A BUNCH OF GIBBERISH AND LESS THAN THE TRUTH JUST BECAUSE YOU ARE A FEMALE.

NICE LOOKING CAR, HANDLES EASILY. GETS GOOD GAS MILEAGE. I LIKE THE INTERIOR, THE SEAT IS COMFORTABLE AND I HAVE PLENTY OF ROOM. VISIBILTY IS GOOD AND ENTERING AND EXITING THE CAR IS EASY (I HAVE A BAD RIGHT KNEE)
I ENJOY DRIVING THE CAR EXCEPT FOR THE PROBLEMS I HAVE ENCOUNERED

PAINT IS CRAZING IN SEVERAL PLACES, I HAVE A TERRIBLE SMELL WHEN YOU TURN ON THE HEATER AND FAN (THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME, BUT IT IS EXTREMELY AGGRAVATING WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS FREEZING AND I HAVE TO TURN OFF THE HEATER AND OPEN THE WINDOW. THERE IS A SMALL HOLE IN THE WINDSHIELD. WHEN I TOOK IT TO AN AUTOMOTIVE GLASS CO. TO HAVE IT FIXED I WAS TOLD THAT IT COULD NOT BE FIXED AGAIN. APPARENTLY IT HAD BEEN FIXED BEFORE AND I WAS NOT TOLD. THE WORST THING ABOUT THIS CAR IS THE TERRIBLE VIBRATION IN THE MOTOR. IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME YOU STOP WITH YOUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND THE CAR IN GEAR. THE STEERING WHEEL, SEATS, BRAKE PEDAL AND WHO KNOWS WHAT ELSE VIBRATES SO BAD THAT YOU ACTUALLY GET SICK TO YOUR STOMACH. I'M AT THE POINT THAT I TRY TO TIME MYSELF SO I DON' HAVE TO STOP, OR ELSE I HAVE TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK UNTIL TRAFFIC STARTS AGAIN. YOU CAN BET I DID NOT BUY CAR WITH THE EXPECTIONS OF DRIVING LIKE THAT. THIS HAS GONE ON SINCE SHORTLY AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR ON SEPTEMBER 6, 1999.
ONCE WHEN I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER, THE SERVICE MANAGER ACTUALLY TOLD ME THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY BUILDS THE ENGINES TO RUN THIS WAY. (HE REALLY BELIEVED I WOULD ACCEPT THAT EXPLAINATION). IF YOU BELIEVE THAT I HAVE A FORD CONTOUR TO SELL YOU. THE DEALERSHIP OFFERED ME $1500 AND MY CHOICE OF ANOTHER CONTOUR, BUT WITH DEPRECIATION OF MY CAR I WOULD HAVE TO ANTE UP MORE MONEY AND I COULD NOT AFFORD THAT AT THAT POINT.
OVER THE LAST YEAR AND HALF RIVER OAKS FORD SERVICE MANAGER HAS TOLD ME THEY HAVE PUT MY CAR ON THE COMPUTER AND IT SHOWS NOTHING IS WRONG....THEY HAVE REPLACED THE SHOCK ABSORBING MATERIAL ON THE MOTOR MOUNTS (THAT DID NOT SOLVE ANYTHING) THEY HAVE DRIVEN THE CAR AND DO NOT FEEL THE VIBRATION. I WAS TOLD BY A TOP RATED MECHANIC (NOT A FORD EMPLOYEE) THAT IT SOUNDED LIKE THE CAR HAD A DEAD CYLINDER, THE FORD MECHANIC PHOO-PHOOED THAT. THE CAR SOUNDS LIKE THEY LEFT SCREWDRIVERS IN THE FRAME, IT HAS ALREADY EATEN SEVERAL OF MY TAPES. THE CUP HOLDER HAS BROKEN. OTHER THAN ALL OF THE ABOVE I LIKE THE CAR, IT IS ASPEN GREEN AND IS A BEAUTIFUL COLOR.

SEE THE ABOVE COMMENTS.

Similar Products Used:

I HAVE ALWAYS HAD A FORD CAR. MY LAST CAR (THE ONE I TRADED IN ON THE CONTOUR) WAS A 1984 FORD LTD. I GOT GREAT USE OUT OF IT. MY DAD BOUGHT IT NEW AND I BOUGHT IT FROM HIM IN 1988. REPAIRS WERE FEW AND FAR BETWEEN UNTIL THE LAST YEAR. IT HAD OVER 200,000 MILES ON IT AND THE MAJOR PROBLEM WAS THE PAINT HAD FADED OFF ON ONE HALF OF THE ROOF. I AND MY FAMILY HAVE ALWAYS BOUGHT FORD PRODUCTS, BUT THIS WILL PROBABLY BE MY LAST. AN I WOULD BE HARD PUT TO RECOMMEND EITHER FORD PRODUCTS OR RIVER OAKS FORD.

I ALSO HATE CAR SALESMEN WHO ARE CONDESENDING TO ME JUST BECAUSE I AM FEMALE. THEY LITERALLY PAT YOU ON THE HEAD WHILE TRYING TO FEED YOU A BUNCH OF GIBBERISH AND LESS THAN THE TRUTH JUST BECAUSE YOU ARE A FEMALE.

incredible power-170 horses, incredible handling-especially at high speeds, excellent look, very comfortable

doesnt come standard with the SVT 200 horsepower motor, hard to find aftermarket performance parts, the design of the antenna( i hate big shiny antennas ), small armrest, backseat leg room(but who really cares), no room under the hood to do quick repairs

I would much rather have the Contour than any other of the other previously mentioned cars, will burn 90% of those weak, Overrated imports( and you know which ones im talking about),handles like a magic carpet ride,I cant wait to build this car up and begin smoking BM's and car of that nature, this car is definately a hidden secret for import racing, why else would Ford use this car for racing. If you go with this car as well as any other of the Duratech V6, you will be one happy and fast camper.

Similar Products Used:

1996 Honda Accord...loved it but totalled it, 1992 Isuzu Pickup...weak, real weak, 1989 Nissan Sentra...my first car....ehh

ummm...let me see here...uh...OH! I know! The seats are VERY comfortable!
They actually seem to conform to your back. The car has nice tight steering. Ice-cold AC (that I have to run constantly to keep the car from running hot--explain THAT one!). Easily removable rear-view mirror ;o) . Convenient sunglass-case-holders (someone told me they were CUP HOLDERS! Small cups...maybe. You can't even put small bottles of water in them!) Wall-to-wall carpeting (well...almost). Anti-theft gas tank. (thieves would have to pry open the gas tank door like I do). Ahhh...and Ford service...if you really want someone to yell at...get your car "fixed" at a Ford Dealership. Etc...

This car is a nightmare...Ford used to build great cars! We had a'78 T-Bird that we drove until we traded it in for the Contour! Let'see where to begin. Here's the things I remember...
-Breaks (oops...I meant Brakes). You know that scene in Titanic where the ship is about to split in half and you start to hear the metal flexing and groaning? Well...my brakes still sound like that after being rebuilt countless times.
-Emission system. I've had just about every emission sensor and thingamabob replacedand tweaked and $1000 later my car still has problems. In fact it is in the shop right now because the "check engine" light is on again...hmmph...imagine that. $175 to diagnose the problem...ridiculous.
-Did I mention the rear-view mirror falling off? Well...it does.
-some computer chip thingie went out that controlled the transmission (that was fun suddenly going into neutral while driving 50 mph).
-RECALLS...billions of them!!!
-Did I mention the service! It's been so bad...I've started marking my tires when I have them rotated just to make sure they actually do the work.
-Gas tank door wouldn't open. Had that one fixed half a dozen times...it finally works. I used to have to pry it open.
-Window rubber always falls off...I've just gotten in the habit of tucking it back in every time I go out to my car.
-The "carpet" in the floor boards has pulled away from the walls.
-The car runs hot all the time...I HAVE to run either the AC or the heater all the time.
-Car vibrates so bad at stop lights the rear-view mirror should read something like "objects in mirror are stiller than they appear"
-Horrible idling! Not gonna let them touch that again!
-No room in the back seat.
-The rear window is so big you get sunburn in the back seat.
-Etc.

If you really want to keep throwing away your money for a long time...buy this car! I am never buying a Ford again...I might have considered a different Ford model if it hadn't been for the lousy service at the two dealerships I've been to.

Similar Products Used:

My wife's '95 Mazda Protege drives like a dream!

Great handling, plenty of power, good looks

build quality a little iffy

This is a fine, fine performance sedan. I think of it as a student's 3-series. The handling is amazing. I have never driven a car in this price range that sticks like my SVT. It's nothing like the rather cumbersome handling of my old 94 GT mustang. The engine is great too, with plenty of power (especially when it gets to about 3000 rpm) and a great growl. The ground effects change the car's looks from pedestrian to understated performance.

The interior is a little barren, I would like to see a couple more features, but of course it is based on an economy car. I can't believe I have the same radio/CD player unit as Ford was putting in cars in the early nineties. But for me, not being too picky (and preferring to listen to the engine), the sound system is fine. Seats provide enough support, though the rear seat is a little tight.

Overall, a great car only mildly hindered by its econo-box roots.

BTW: www.contour.org is a great resource for SVT and non-SVT contour owners alike.

Similar Products Used:

VW GTI, Mustang GT

looks kinda okay (at least 98 and on)

every single part is defective. noticed my front suspension springs got broken at 80,000. noisy (engine, steering, suspension), slow, bad transmition, fuel consumtion too high (i can barely make 400km on a full tank-55L), brakes (noisy even after spending $300 maintenance)

really bad unreliable car. crazy fuel sucker. noisy engine, bad suspension system, cracking/knocking noise coming from everywhere, very bad steering, poor quality door opening handles/breaking all the time, slow and poorly accelerating car with miserable transmition causing- when accelerating strongly the gear jumps back and forth like confused cows, big from outside but very little room inside, smells. air conditioning is working all the time even if it's off (until i switch heating on). stupid car, sometimes it stops the engine shuts down and doesn't want to go anymore. piece of s**t. worst thing is poor safety. my front passenger side spring broke down, found out at 80,000. i could easily get a flat tire at high speed as a result and imagine how would my contour fly if that happened. breaks is another story. were squeeling, i spent $300 to clean them and they just keep being noisy as before. ford has really bad service at the same time. i went to service 20 times during year and half of this vehicle ownership. sometimes the car sits there and they don't even touch it.

Similar Products Used:

None

Looks great in red. The exterior styling is appealing. It sounds great and the steering has a silky feel. Handling is second to none in the small sedan class. Good power. Quiet interior, no squeaks or rattles.

There must be 500 lbs of glue holding the body together. Assembly was not the best in some areas. The cool looking wheels have large openings. This means they stay dirty. Maybe too much plastic in the interior. Where's the jack?

This is an update to an earlier review. Since finally beating down the lousy dealer, I have enjoyed a very nice car. The SVT has a goodness about it that makes you want to get in and DRIVE. It handles well, rides smoothly and looks great from all sides. This car has a manual transmission and it shifts great. The engine makes a lovely growl above 3500 RPM. Good power. As I said earlier, the dealer that sold me the car wrecked it and wouldn't make good, but after complaining to Ford, they sent a product engineer to look at it. He authorized repairs and now it is much better. Thank you Ford. Note: if you want to find a good dealer, try checking to see if they won the presidents award. That "blue oval" award is just marketing.

Similar Products Used:

Acura integra, Honda Accord, Mazda 626, Mazda RX7, Honda Civic Si, Ford Taurus, Toyota camry. The SVT is comparable, but is more exclusive.