1997 Ford Contour GL review from North America

O2, 100k

Idle air valve 120K

clock light 110k

left headlamp 120k.

I got my first Contour used from a friend that purchased it new. It was a 1997 GL.

It has its AC compressor replaced @ 100K and the shop forgot to put water back in the car when they did the work. Well, the car overheated and warped the head on the way home from the shop. Rather than sue the shop and have a long court case of "He said, She said" he asked me if I wanted to buy the car as-is. I said yes and purchased it for 4K. After getting the head replaced and an over all tune up the car ran like a dream. Handling is great and its peep from the Z-tech engine is phenomenal for it's displacement. I drove the car every day for about 3 years and loved every minute of it. The longest trip was to Centralia Illinois in 7 Hr's from Alabama. I pampered the car and knew it inside and out. I had replaced several sensors, but they were replaced as expected by the life expectancy engineered into them. All in all, the car was great! It was a week and some days ago from when I write this that I did the unthinkable, I pulled out in front of an 18-wheeler. Yes, it hit hard and hit fast. It tore the car apart. By the grace of God I lived and without a scratch. I was happy to be alive, but heartbroken over the loss of the car. I made up my mind about 30 min later that I would get another one. As soon as I got to a computer I was looking for a 1997 5-speed Contour. I found one and as soon as I had the insurance check I went and got it. It has some problems, but I am getting this one back in shape. It's odd that it looks like my car, but you set in it and suddenly relies no 2 cars are alike. It feels different and handles different, but looks the same. With some work I am sure it will be a sweet heart also. If you want to see how a Contour holds up to a 93 Kenworth take a look here on my page where I have pictures of the crash.

http://spookeay.com/crash/

The point is some of the reports here are praise the others are decries. No two cars are the same and how you maintain them has much to do with it. Enjoy this fine little car. It's a real sweetey for it's cost and size. It's sport without all the body flair that get's you pulled over because of how your car looks if your going a bit to fast.

Thanks All.

Heather Keay.