1998 Ford Contour SE 2.6 V6 from North America

Summary:

It's fun to drive and cruises well on the highway, and a great car for the money

Faults:

The only problems other than some recalls were a crack in the vacuum line, which caused the check engine light to go on.

A bolt on the exhaust broke making it a little loud until it was repaired.

The light on the clock went dead. It cost almost $50.00 to repair. They have to use a soldering iron to remove and replace the light. It doesn't just screw in. Silly thing.

General Comments:

It's really fun to drive. Steering and suspension are tight. The V6 DOHC has some real pep to it and it handles very well.

The rear seats are a bit cramped, but that's common on a lot of cars.

Yes, the cup holders are lousy, but after a few spilled drinks you learn to hold on to the cup when you take sharp corners or use bigger cups that wedge in better.

All in all it's been a great car with little problems, even with 90,000 miles on it.

It had a slew of recalls on different things when I first got it, but the dealer took care of all of them at no charge.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 29th August, 2003

1998 Ford Contour from North America

Summary:

My opinion of this car is very poor; I would not recommend anyone consider this vehicle

Faults:

From the very first month that I bought the car I began receiving recalls on it; to date I think nine.

The front end shakes horribly even to the point I am spending a fortune keeping my tires rotated.

My transmission blew up at 99,000 miles; before the pay-off is even due on the car!

The fan system on the air conditioner as well as the heat does not work on any setting other than high.

General Comments:

The size and affordability was my deciding factor when making the purchase however; this car has been nothing, but a constant headache even to the point that I seriously doubt I ever buy another Ford again which is sad as my father was a lifelong Ford salesman as is my sister. I've never considered owning anything but a Ford until now.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 7th July, 2003

1998 Ford Contour GL 2.0 4 cylinder from North America

Summary:

Great design lousy execution

Faults:

The driver-side sun visor broke off its mount and the air-conditioner vents fell out of their mounts at 22,000 miles. The gear indicator in the floor shifter came apart 500 miles later. Four months after we purchased the car, we started receiving recall notices. Thirteen in all were received on this vehicle.

General Comments:

We enjoyed driving this car. It was comfortable, fuel efficient, and drove well in the snow.

My spouse stopped driving the car after the tenth recall notice, because she was afraid of the car. The day we traded it in we received recall notices eleven through thirteen.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 16th June, 2003

26th Jul 2003, 09:22

Hello I have a ford contour and since all of my recalls have been fixed I haven't had any problems make sure all of your recalls are fixed... mine is a 98 . I love it now they even lowered the front suspension for free.

30th Mar 2004, 23:43

Hi I have a 98 contour GL with a 2.0 liter. The car runs great, ya some lights burned out and the check engine is still on, but except for that the little 2.0 runs like a tank considering its size. My other 3.5 L V6 intrepid r/t could never beat the little car, in speed or fuel efficiency. I think ford should however make cars more reliable in terms of chain reaction repairs. It may be my mechanics, but whenever something needs to be done to a ford vehicle, you;re basically putting out at least 500 - 800 $ in belts alternators, sensors, ball bearings, spark plugs. I hope the new focus' will be more reliable or no more fords in my house.

7th Jun 2007, 14:04

I will like to know where are the timing marks. i been having a problem cause I can't find them. please help my email address is chicasexy277@aol.com thanks.