Faults:

Water Pump - 100,000

Transmission - 140,000

Alternator - 100,000 and 150,000

A/C not cold anymore - 175,000.

General Comments:

Bought my 1998 Contour GL at 37,000 miles. from a rental car company in November 1998. It has the 2.0 L ZTEC DOHC 4 cyl., paired with an automatic transmission. 8 years and 143,000 miles later, it’s still going. Tranny had to be rebuilt at 142,000 but who’s complaining! Car burns no oil whatsoever and does not smoke. Head has never been removed. Aside from regular maintenance (brakes, tires, belts, etc.), I have had a minimum of repairs for the mileage – all occurring at right about 100,000 miles:

• Water pump

• Temp gauge sensor

• New thermostat housing (because I cracked it tightening the above-mentioned sensor too much)

• Alternator.

I’ve always tried my best to take care of the car, changing the oil regularly. Only complaint I’ve had is that it chronically runs hot (up to the “L” in “Normal”) in stop-and-go traffic, but has never overheated. Recently the A/C stopped blowing cold and I’ve come into a little money to possibly purchase another car. Dilemma….Should I??? Or should I go for 200,000 miles – or more???

Faults:

No really big problems with the car. I have a squeak that comes from my back strut (stock struts on lowered springs, it's going to happen) and my front left wheel bearing is going. Nothing major!

The paint on my front bumper and hood is already failing. I've kept up with meticulous washing and waxing and polishing and while the rest of the car looks superb, the paint on the front bumper and hood is chipping like the car is twice its age.

Maybe the paint issue is just a one in a million flaw. I've never seen anyone else with it. The car still looks brilliant.

General Comments:

The car is simply a blast to drive. It handles very well at high speeds and even has some off-throttle oversteer. Very fun to play around with.

The 195hp isn't modest either. I LOVE the sound of the exhaust. Doesn't sound like any other V6 I've heard before. Believe it or not, I've had people ask me if it's a V8. Doesn't sound like a V8 in my opinion, but it is definitely throaty and exhilarating.

I wish the interior was black. The blue is beginning to fade to a slight purple which isn't very attractive. The plastic interior and build of the car is somewhat cheap, but that's what you expect from a contour.

I expected lots of repairs buying a Ford. I've had nothing, but general maintenance at this point. The Contour SVT has held up to be VERY reliable.

Faults:

Front passenger cv joint.

Both front hub/wheel bearings.

Water pump.

Brakes.

Rotors twice within 1 yr of brand new.

Steering rack.

Heater core.

O2 sensor.

Transmission Sensor.

And finally timing belt.

General Comments:

I used as a commuter car into NYC for three years so it is no surprise that car needed some work.

But too much went in a short time. My mechanic kept telling me to stop fixing it, but I did not want to ruin another car while I had to commute.

The timing belt went just a few weeks after I stopped commuting and moved my company.

Honestly it handled much better than I expected and I bought for a good price. but it did scare me away from fords.