1996 Ford Contour GL review from North America
"A bargain with some quirks"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
The Engine makes a loud grinding or knocking in cold weather and when first started until it warms up.
The highest fan speed does not work.
The engine runs hot.
Rear wheel bearing was loud and needed to be replaced at 53,500 miles.
The check engine light comes on when an oil change is needed.
The light behind the in-dash clock needs to be replaced.
General comments?
The Contour handles very well on dry, wet, or icy roads.
The brakes work well, until you hit a patch of sand.
It rides very smoothly at higher speeds which makes you feel like you're driving a bigger car.
The engine is quite peppy for only a 4-cylinder.
The interior has held up quite well, as well as the paint and trim on the exterior.
The battery is still the original, at 6 years old.
Recommended reviews
| 1996 - Contour GL 2.0L Zetec DOHC 16v Good handling car that's cheap to run, and a great gas sipping commuter car |
|
| Great road manners, great performance, expensive to maintain, and in the end, not worth repairing |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Don't Know |
| Year of manufacture | 1996 |
| First year of ownership | 2002 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2003 |
| Engine and transmission | 2.0 Automatic |
| Performance marks | 8 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 6 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 7 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 8 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 49000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 56000 miles |
| Previous car | Eagle Summit |
| Date of Entry | 14th January, 2003 |