The brakes wore out at 25 K and than again at 50K.
The driver side window motor REFUSES to work. Ever since 40K miles. I must have replaced it three times already. I gave up on this one.
The battery died on me at 50K
The factory fan belt needed replacing at 50K
The carpet ripped easily
The transmission is beginning to show signs of wear.
Other than the usual wear and tear, the car has been reliable. Its not the greatest looking car on the road, but that wasn't what I was going for... at least with this vehicle.
I drive this car delicately though, as its more just as a commuter and the "replacement" when I need a car and none of my others are around.
Looks like it is still falling apart with up most care.
The ownership experience sounds pretty much like a success to me, so I don't quite understand the hostile responses of the other comments. Replacing brakes every 25,000 miles is very reasonable; the battery dying at 50,000 miles is also as expected if it was about five years old; replacing a fan belt is hardly unreasonable. None of this sounds to me as though it constitutes "falling apart." As for the transmission beginning to show signs of wear, just keep in mind that equipment needs to be maintained. Get the fluid and filter changed, and make sure the fluid is kept filled to the proper level, and you'll avoid problems. The same goes for other routine maintenance. If these are all the problems you've experienced with a 10-year-old car, then I wouldn't be afraid to recommend it.
After three new thermostats because of signs of overheating, my mechanic said watch the needle as it aways shows high on a Contour, but stop if it goes into red!
Several new sensors, one replacement within two weeks. They charged me an exorbitant amount even after I pointed out that they had replaced it only a couple of weeks before.
I was told I must have driven it hard over a rough road. I had actually driven it at least five hundred yards to the kids bus stop because it was raining.
All this because of the "Check Engine Light", I have learned to live with it, I have visions of taking it to a repair shop in a panic saying "Help! The check engine light has gone out!" One repair shop who had it for two weeks and could find nothing wrong came up with, "She's running a bit thin!"
If it's "running a bit thin" it could have adverse effects on your engine. The typical mixture is 1 part gasoline to 14 parts of air. Running thin means there are maybe 16 parts of air. In other words: there are too many oxygens per hydrocarbons. The engine will develop more heat. Didn't you say it's running a little hot?
I don't have a sure shot solution for you. I would check the fuel system for pressure, injectors for function, idle air control parts, MAF sensor and ECU (Engine Control Unit= computer). If you are lucky all it needs is a fuel injector cleaning.
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