1997 Ford Contour GL review from North America

Water Pump - 100,000

Transmission - 140,000

Alternator - 100,000 and 150,000

A/C not cold anymore - 175,000.

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???