1999 Ford Contour SE review from North America

Warped dashboard at the front, this is a free repair by Ford for all Contour, Mystique and Mondeos's and there has been no hassle.

Headlight performance is lower than expected, but not surprising due to the US Coding. Mondeo light packs are available at a price, and I suggest using them if you are a enthusiast.

Seems to also be missing its side indicators like on the UK model, this should never have been left out, they are available as well at a quite small price and come with diagram to install.

However, the handling, oh god, the handling is exactly as the UK models and is quite impressive, one can take twists on the motorway at 30mph more than the prescribed limit without any sliding or screeching (no I do not reccommend or endorse this, I'm a very experienced driver).

My Contour has the VCT Zetec which differs from the standard Zetec in a few ways.. One would be the Variable engine control and thermal coating on the engine head to reduce heat and make the engine look nicer. Second it produces about 5-15 more horsepower than the standard Zetec and the automatic gearbox will set it up for performance if you ask for it, by shifting at premium torque to horsepower usage intervals, it's quite brilliant actually. And of course it does just as well at saving fuel by shifting at economic yet still peppy intervals when driving normal.

I'm originally from the United Kingdom and it's nice to see a car that really matches my tastes that comes at that very special Ford price. It's a shame the Scorpio didn't take off here, that is what I drove in the UK and its just as good of a car as the Contour :)

Who knows, they might bring back the Mondeo to the USA.. It looks like Ford needs a mid-ranger to up their sales again, everyone loved the Contour to my knowledge and people who have had problems with them that I know, admit that most of it was due to their lack of proper maintenance and not the cars fault. Just PLEASE call it the Mondeo.

Not sure I care for the name of Contour.