1998 Ford Contour GL

Summary:

This car has been only problems

Faults:

The fuse box had to be replaced by the dealership a few days after I got the car because it left me on the side of the road.

The front brakes had to be replaced and a new rotor put on at 80000 miles.

The car had to be towed and a new timing belt, idler, tensioner, and serpentine belt had to be put on and the timing set which was expensive at 85000 miles.

The timing belt broke, the car needed to be towed, and a new belt put on and the timing adjusted again a month later than above. Again it was expensive.

New tires had to be put on because metal was showing on front tires at 85000 miles.

Back brakes had to be replaced at 87000 miles.

A fuse had to be replaced at 87000 miles.

A wheel cylinder had to replaced on the right wheel at 95000 miles.

The plugs, plug wires, and temperature sensor had to be replaced at 105000 miles.

The temperature gauge in the car still has not been working at all.

The car is missing at a speed of 45 miles per hour and it has been taken to the dealership 3 times in the last 3 weeks and they still have not fixed it. It will be fine for a few days and then start missing again. They are not sure why and cannot find out.

Now the battery light and airbag light are both flashing on and off.

General Comments:

The car runs really well when it is actually repaired and ready to drive.

The car is small and not very roomy.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 6th September, 2004

13th Sep 2004, 11:00

If you are looking at Contours, first look at the number of negative reviews compared to positive. Yes its responsive and I like it when it runs. And you might be lucky. Mine is a 98 SE (2.5 liter with an automatic). I have heard the same stories from other owners. The interior plastic is cheap and the leather peels off the steering wheel. The rear suspension clunks, and the water pump has a plastic impeller that breaks apart and causes overheating. Also, the engines might lose lubrication during long, fast turns. The auto trans makes an annoying BANG between 1st and 2nd. (I replaced mine at 60K, but the "check engine" light is back. The diagnostic test was almost $100, and they cannot say what's wrong without opening the trans) Repairs are costly - they quickly overtake the car's value. Look in the classifieds and see if you find any saying "Used Contour - Clean, just needs motor!" or "...just needs trans!" Again, maybe you will be one of the lucky ones.

1998 Ford Contour SE V6 24 Valve

Summary:

Not your money's worth

Faults:

I've had to replace brakes twice.

Leather on the steering wheel is completely peeling off.

Needs a tune-up every 5,000 miles.

General Comments:

This is car is very quick, but too many mechanical problems.

Very comfortable and roomy.

They could have made the back windows go down all the way, don't see the reasoning in this.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 17th August, 2004

1998 Ford Contour SE 2.0 zetec

Summary:

Ford's sedan performance Contour

Faults:

The only problem I've had with the car is the oxygen sensor.

General Comments:

The car is a 2.0L zetec and many people think that my car is a V6. It handles very nice around corners, and I want to drop the car a few inches lower.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 2nd August, 2004

1998 Ford Contour SE 2.0 Zetec 125 hp

Summary:

Economic car with stylish body, and great hiway driving

Faults:

Day I bought, one of the aftermarket spark plugs they put in were cracked. I bought brand new ones from a Ford Part Dealer, worked great. Bought from Mitsubishi dealer!?

At 75,000 Check-Engine light would flash on and off till I gave it to my mom at 98,000 miles which she later fixed, it was sensors.

At 110,000 miles, after I gave it to my mother at 98,000 miles, the battery blew up, corroding the fuse box, and any wire near it. Cost a fortune to replace.

Overall, very few problems happened with the car, mainly because its newer. Now that it has over 100,000 miles, I am sure more problems will begin, as with any car. Under ownership of my mother now.

General Comments:

Car did have real great acceleration when first take off, but when got up to speed, it was better then most cars.

Can't go on about the great reliability. Took it to Alabama 5 times and back, and took it to New York and back. Not a single problem. I also have lead foot, I drive 85 sometimes 100 MPH on hiways and never had problems.

Unlike the Mustang, it isn't a real noticed car to the authorities for speeding, so I felt safer speeding.

I actually wanted a Taurus, but had to settle with this because of my lack of credit, so this is a fair, truthful review.

The body-paint is wonderful, always kept very shiny, after washing you can see yourself. Was like that from day I bought, till now. No dents, anything. Also love the stylish body.

Very good on gas, but I don't really like the small interior, I am rather tall guy, but my head does not nit the roof in the front, it does in the back though. Like I said, I wanted a Taurus, but had to settle with this.

No lighting in the rear.

Great factory speakers, but bad radio, just replaced radio, and sounds great. Put MP3 player in.

Got rid of because joined Army and got stationed in Germany, and my moms junky 1987 Dodge Caravan caught fire, so I gave her my car as a good son. Even thought I am still paying for it today.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 19th June, 2004

13th Dec 2007, 17:19

I have a 1998 contour sport and its never let me down, it has that hard shift into second, but realy good on fuel. i guess it was a good one cause these reviews are scary, there was only one good review so I added mine.

9th Aug 2008, 00:57

I don't see the necessity of buying a common commodity (say that fast three times) like sparkplugs from a dealership... but hey, Its not my money ;)