* color (ocean blue)
* price was wonderful
* definitely the trunk space!

While the backseat is supposed to be suitable for 3, with a carseat in the back, only 2 (including seat) are really comfortable. Also, I must agree, the cupholders are in a terrible position.

I Love It! The car is extemely sleek (outdoor and indoor). I ADORE the trunk space! As a single mom, I can get a monster stroller, groceries, plus many extras inside with no problem. I also noticed the minimal noise at highway speeds, but I still feel like I'm cruisin' in a BMW. It's sporty, and it gives me necessary room, being a mom of a toddler, without getting having to get a "family car" (I'm only 23!)

Similar Products Used:

Pontiac Sunfire---Contour wins hands down!
Hyundai Excel---Ditto!

- driving pleasure
- strong 4cyl
- good mileage
- best value for the bucks in the class (I think)

- reliability
- discontinued model, some parts hard to get

Generally, it's not a bad car, as for the fun of driving
fortunately I had not any serious problems yet (some nasty electricals though)
but judged from the quality of some parts I had seen and stories of fellow owners this is not the most reliable car of the world.

if gets careful and continuous maintenance, delivers good performance.
otherwise detoriates quickly

the front seats are very comfortable, the rear ones are not.

one more thing: TERRIBLE experiences with the local Ford dealers. was at the dealership once (warranty repair), and after I had to redo the job myself and had seen what they did, I chose not to see a dealer again - whatever happens.

Similar Products Used:

nissan sentra - contour definitely needs more maintenance and care, but way more comfortable and faster

good price, fair acceleration, personally liked the interior and wheels

emissions equipment, transmission,

This was my first "new" car out of college in 1997 - bought used with 20K on it. Loved it at first - pretty quick, leather was good for an american car. At 65K two of the three catalytic converters went out costing me over $2K. They were supposed to be covered under warranty, but Ford told me they were not. Eventually they were recalled and after a long battle I got my money back. Fan switch burned out - I replaced it then it was recalled. At 81K miles the speedometer pinion and gears inside the tranny broke and ruined the transmission. I traded the car in leiu of spending $3K on a new trans. I was really disappointed with the car and learned not to trust it after the emissions incident. It was a shame because I really liked it at first.

Similar Products Used:

VW Cabrio - cool car but some weird electrical problems
99 Ford Ranger - pretty tough little truck
'01 Isuzu Trooper - I love it, great deal

Drivability, a/c brakes, fit and finish, comfy seat...

very tight for 3 in back, mpg.

I have the 97 mystique-GREAT CAR! Hear me - a great American automobile. (be sure to get a 97 and up) Drives like a sports car, tight steering, ABS works perfectly. I expect to have it many years without any major trouble. (so far 1 of the cup hilders cracked) I bought it with 8000 mi on it have 30 + now. Get 1 a year or 2 old as they do devalue quickly.

Similar Products Used:

Taurus is more family oriented and less fun to drive.

Looks nice, lots of power when it's running (!!)

Computer is screwed - check engine light ALWAYS comes on and dealerships charge me for all sorts of different things, then the check engine light comes on again and they say it's something else.

Crap.

I'm sorry but this car is NOT WORTH ANYTHING. It looks good (tan with sunroof, leather interior, cd player, tinting etc.) but that's about all. We have had nothing but problems with the check engine light coming on. It really seems that the whole computer system is screwed up and I've paid about 2000 dollars over the last 2 years fixing things on it. I'm really sick of this and want to get rid of the car, but that costs money to...

AHHHHHHHHHH.

Similar Products Used:

Never have. Never will.