Faults:

Recently - wheel bearings went 3 times in 2 years, might have been installers fault, all replaced under part warranty.

Positive battery cable insulation wore, needed replaced, 2 days and <$40.

Leaking radiator hose, <$80 (paid a friend $40 to fix)

General Comments:

Bought from an auction for $1,000 when retail was $5,000.

Car has never failed to start.

Here's my synopsis on this car:

- I was very hard at times on the transmission (auto sticking, holding 2nd up to 5500 rpm), blew 2nd and 4th gear early 2006, but still runs 1st and 3rd.

- Other than that, easy on engine (never 'punched' the gas), changed oil myself, no engine troubles.

- Never hard on steering, never had steering component issues.

- Never drove hard through rough terrain, never had suspension issues.

I think you know what I'm getting at...

Faults:

I had some engine problems early on in my ownership of the Contour SVT with the throttle body, but had them fixed with relative ease and no problems after installing a new short ram air intake.

General Comments:

I have grown very attached to my SVT Contour and I'm very impressed with the ride, tight handling for a sedan and I like the curves that the body has.

The interior is comfortable and I have had multiple compliments on the overall comfort of the ride from passengers.

The only complaint that I would have is that they could've thrown a supercharger in.

I read a comment earlier about looking for a supercharger, I'm looking for one myself and just went to Google and typed in "Ford Contour SVT Supercharger" and a couple of links came up, hope that helps.

However, I'm not sure it's worth it with the climate that we have up here in the Great White North!

Overall I can agree with all of you that praise the car and I just think it's too bad that they stopped making them.

From,

A Canadian friend.

Faults:

Nothing. Zip. At 88k I had to replace the battery... I think primarily because my oil change servicer didn't check the coolant levels and I didn't know I had to, because my prior car had a sealed battery. When it wouldn't start without a jump, a mechanic looked and it was really low. REALLY low...i.e, my maintenance problem, not the car.

General Comments:

Peppy, shiny, good mileage. Too small for transporting furniture!

Faults:

My mother owns a Ford Contour a.k.a. the worst investment of her life.

I drive it occasionally, when forced with no other option, and whenever I go to turn, it makes this weird, loud noise that everyone can hear - quite embarrassing.

The hub cabs have completely come off while driving, accelerating feels really weak, and my mother had to buy new breaks. The air bag light comes on and off going over bumps which freaks me out a bit, and also the emergency break doesn't work anymore - I've driven a few times with it up with no problem.

Although it's never broke down or died, I still don't like the car at all.

The AC and HEAT works quite well though!

My mother paid close to $10,000 because it was 'brand new' and now it's worth like $1,000.

I wouldn't recommend a Ford Contour... or a Ford in general.

Faults:

All sensors.

Transmission syncro.

A/C.

Speakers.

EGR valve.

Alternator.

Check engine light.

Air bag light/sensor.

Water pump.

Windshield sprayer.

Wiring harness short circuit.

Wheel bearings.

Many more...

General Comments:

This is the most costly mistake I've ever made in my entire life. Period. I purchased the car for $3,200, and within a month later I dumped over $2,000 into "repairing it", and it still runs very questionable.

A car is not a single entity, it is a series of components working together. The components of the Contour are ALL sub-standard.

For example: The impeller fins on the water pump get brittle after time, and commonly brake off, causing the engine to overheat (lovely). Due to the cramped engine bay, the parts are all difficult to get to, that's why the mechanics charge extra. My mechanic had to remove a CV boot and tie rod to replace an alternator!?!

If I recall correctly, this car has had 24 recalls! Because of the faulty wiring harness, it's a rolling fire hazard; when I go outside, I check to make sure it hasn't burned down.

The wheel bearings (usually a DIY, $10, 15 minute job) are pressed bearings, which require a machine shop and the accompanying $150!

This car has left me stranded twice in a 2 week period. FOOL ME ONCE, SHAME ON YOU. FOOL ME TWICE, SHAME ON ME. This company SHOULD know better. Never again Ford. Never again.