1998 Ford Contour GL review from North America
"Not what I wanted originally, but has become an old friend"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Water Pump - 100,000
Transmission - 140,000
Alternator - 100,000 and 150,000
A/C not cold anymore - 175,000.
General comments?
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???
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| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| Model year | 1998 |
| Year of manufacture | 1997 |
| First year of ownership | 1998 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2006 |
| Engine and transmission | 2.0L 4 cylinder Automatic |
| Performance marks | 6 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 9 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 8 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 8 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 37000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 180000 miles |
| Previous car | Ford Tempo |
| Date of Entry | 20th August, 2006 |