1998 Ford Contour SVT 2.5 High Output from North America

Summary:

Great. Keeping it forever

Faults:

Broken clutch cable. Water pump v-belt.

General Comments:

Absolutely love it. The ultimate sleeper from 1990s Ford's.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 11th September, 2022

12th Sep 2022, 10:17

Very good cars, we have these in the UK as well called the Mondeo. I had a few 1.8 and 2.0 4 cylinder cars back in the late 1990's, excellent reliability. Had some cooling problems as the mileage got higher, but nothing serious.

We had a 2.5 V6 version as well, but I do not think it was as fast as the high output version you guys got in the USA.

1998 Ford Contour SVT 2.5 High Output from North America

Summary:

Favorite four door hot rod I've ever owned

Faults:

Had to replace broken water pump belt.

Needs paint.

General Comments:

I don't know what people are complaining about on this car. If you take care of your car it will last a lot longer! This means follow your scheduled maintenance. Especially on a high performance car as this is. And use PREMIUM FUEL ONLY as it states on the fuel gauge. The engine was designed for premium fuel so if you use regular you're asking for trouble. I had one new in 1998 and absolutely loved it. Had no trouble mopping the floor with BMW's and most V8's of the same year. But I also kept it well maintained. And it makes one of the best engine sounds for a V6. Nothing else compared.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 14th October, 2021

31st Oct 2021, 02:39

These are very enjoyable cars!!!

Please be sure to update us with your experiences as time goes on :)

1998 Ford Contour SE 2.5L Duratec V6 from North America

Summary:

Wonderful experience, wish I still had it

Faults:

Brakes.

EGR valve.

O2 sensor.

General Comments:

The 2.5L V6 Duratec was one of Ward's Top 10 engines in the 90s, and it's obvious why; the engine on this car purred like a kitten without any issues, other than routine maintenance.

Parts for this car were cheap and easy for even a novice DIYer.

What doomed this car was the transmission, which went on us rather suddenly. However we believe it had to do with a mechanic error mixing a transmission line with a power steering line (the transmission went the day after the mechanic had messed with it, with no prior symptoms).

This car handled like a dream; very sporty for a sedan.

This is the car I first learned to drive in, it was my mom's, we were so devastated we kept it around for about a year. We had a hurricane in that time and were without power for a week. The lighter port on our other (active) car was broken, we tried starting this car on the off-chance it would run, and after almost a year of sitting there and going through a hurricane, it started right up and was our lifeline for power for a week.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 29th December, 2013

1998 Ford Contour SE 4 cylinder from North America

Summary:

It has served me well!!

General Comments:

I have been driving my Contour for over 13 years. I am surprised at all the negative comments here, so I figured I'd share a positive experience. I guess I've been one of the 'very lucky' owners of a Contour!

I've replaced the alternator a couple of times, the A/C clutch and compressor once, timing belt once.

Recently had to replace the motor mounts, O2 sensors, fuel filter on the frame, and will be replacing the transmission mount as soon as I can get it in the shop.

The motors in the front windows need to be replaced because neither of them work any longer, but all in all... I feel like this has been a great car!! Considering I've been driving it for 13 years all around FL with several trips from FL to NC thrown in there... I love this car!!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 5th June, 2013

5th Jun 2013, 11:56

I am very happy that you had a great experience with your car, but in all fairness, you only have 107k miles on it in 13 years of ownership. Nowadays, the real test of the car's worth only begins after 100k miles. With that said, I do hope that the car will continue to serve you well.

6th Jun 2013, 13:58

The Contour was a great car. Not as good as the Fusion, but very reliable and comfortable. I know several people who still drive Contours they bought in the 90's, and they love them.

12th Sep 2022, 10:25

I know a few people who had a couple of these cars and ran them to close to 200,000 miles with no serious issues, wear and tear parts aside. Needless to say scheduled maintenance is essential as it is on every car for high mileage.