When I first bought the car, the used car salesman (Don't EVER trust them) told me great things about the car. I bought the car thinking, as he told me, that it just needed an alignment. Boy, was he ever wrong. Not only have I had **6** alignments done on this car within the past 2 years, I've had to replace a wheel bearing, the fuel sending unit, a trans axle, a catalytic converter, AND needed 3 tune-ups for it to be a decently drivable car.
DO NOT BUY THIS MODEL!!! I have been a long time Ford owner, and I can honestly say that one of the main reasons I bought this car is because I trust the Ford name. This car is making me rethink that loyalty.
The Ford Contour was recently taken off the market because there are cheap. For your money you should have got a Chevy Cavalier, or a Ford Escort (depends on your needs). I know for a fact the Chevy Cavaliers are not bad cars. My sister owns a 98, 2.2L. It can cruise at 110mph, but a little shaky. It handles great, and is VERY reliable (at least with my experiences) Just my two cents. Thanks.
I own a 1996 Ford Contour Se. It has over 78,000 miles on it and still works perfectly. There has only been one issue with it and that was the needing of a replacement switch for the air conditioner. The axles are perfect, the engine performs as beautiful as ever, everything is the same as when I had bought it. I have heard of others with 1998 and 1999 contours who have had axle and brake problems, but it think that ford had changed their parts for those newer models. The 1996 models with the 6 cylinders just rock.
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