i need your help guys?

Question

iam tring to buy a car but it is a ford counter or something like that its nice small. but my uncle told me that those cars have the motor wrong place or somethging yall know something about this.
please help me

Answer 1

I would say no way in hell go with a Toyota Corolla/Camry, Honda Accord/Civic, Mitsubishi Lancer/Eclipse, See below:

1995-2000 Ford Contour: Reliability
Trouble Spots
Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer, however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.

Automatic transmission: The transmission may go into limp-in mode due to a faulty manual lever position sensor. (1995)
Brakes: Ice in the parking brake cables will not allow the parking brake to release or release fully. (1995-97)

Dashboard lights: A slipping drive belt causes a lack of power steering and the charge warning light to glow. A new belt, idler pulley, and a splash kit are needed. (1995-97)

Engine misfire: Lack of acceleration in below 32 degrees Fahrenheit on the 2.5-liter engine is often due to ice on the throttle plate. A revised engine computer prevents the problem. (1995)

Engine temperature: Engine overheating on 2.5-liter engines may be due to broken plastic water pump impeller blades. (1995-2000)

Heater core: Installing a restrictor in the heater inlet hose may repair heater cores leaks. (1995-2000)

Steering problems: If the steering wheel vibrates while idling with the transmission engaged and the A/C running, the steering mass damper, airbag module, and radiator mounts must be replaced. (1995-97)

Transmission leak: Transmission fluid may leak from the vent hole of automatic transmission. A revised vent tube is available. (1995-96)

Transmission noise: Gear clash going into third on the manual transmission can be remedied by a rebuilt input gear shaft and a new shift fork. (1995-97)


Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs
This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership to be slightly higher.

Item Name Repair Cost

A/C Compressor $360
Alternator $455
Automatic Transmission or Transaxle $800
Brakes $290
Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing $750
Constant Velocity Joints $465
Radiator $345
Shocks and/or Struts $345
Shocks and/or Struts $700
Timing Chain or Belt $175


NHTSA Recall History
1995: Front-seatbelt anchor tabs may be cracked.

1995: Fuel-tank filler reinforcement can leak.

1995: If right rear-door window breaks, glass fragments will exceed allowable size.

1995: Metal shield on plastic fuel-filler pipe can develop static charge during refueling; could serve as ignition source.

1995: Passenger-airbag+s inflator body is cracked and may not inflate properly.

1995-96 w/V6: Tightening of the engine-cooling fan-motor bearings can result in increased motor torque and higher than normal motor current and accompanying high motor temperatures.

1995-96 w/traction control: Throttle cables were damaged during assembly, leading to fraying or separation; could prevent engine from returning to idle.

1995-98: Automatic-transmission control can be damaged if subjected to certain interior cleaning products; gear indicator can deteriorate and incorrectly indicate actual gear position.

1996: Fuel-filler-pipe vent hose may have less than intended level of ozone resistance, which could result in brittleness and cracking.

1996-97 w/bi-fuel engine: If natural-gas fuel line is damaged in a collision, gas leakage could occur.

1996-98 w/o ABS: Pressure reducing valve in rear brakes may be subject to corrosion, which could result in malfunction when operated in areas that use salt compounds for deicing or dust control.

1996-98: An open circuit in the wiring harness could lead to electrical arcing that could melt the connector housing material, increasing the potential for a fire.

1996-98: Overheating at headlamp and wiring-harness terminals could result in open circuit for instrument lights, parking lamps, and taillamps.

1998: Accelerator cable may have burr that could fray the core wire; cable could stick, bind, or cause high engine rpm.

1998: Airbag-sensor wiring insulation can become brittle and crack over time; could cause airbag warning light to illuminate and disable airbag system.

1998: Front coil springs may fracture as a result of corrosion in high corrosion environments.

1998: Text and/or graphics for headlamp aiming instructions, provided in owner guides, are not sufficiently clear.

1999 w/automatic transmission: Ignition key can be rotated to "Lock" position and removed, without shift lever being in "Park" position.

2000 w/ABS: A pressure-conscious reducing valve in the rear brakes may corrode and malfunction, locking rear wheels and adversely affecting handling.

2000: Brake performance may be reduced due to incorrect power brake booster and master-cylinder assembly.

2000: Fuel leak could result from a damaged fuel-tank-filler pipe grommet.

2000: Improper label was installed on some cars, with incorrect instructions for activation of childproof safety locks.

2000: Seatbelt-buckle assemblies were not properly heat treated and do not pass the load-bearing requirement.



Dear Contour/Mystique Owner:

Thank you for contacting the Center for Auto Safety (CAS) about your Contour or Mystique. CAS has received complaints from consumers on faulty gauges, air conditioning leaks and mold, difficulty shifting out of Park, water leaks, lurching while in first gear, inoperative gas cap levers, stalling, hard starts and other driveability problems..

Introduced in 1995 as Ford's new "world car," the Contour and Mystique were average at best, Ford dropped the Mystique in 2000 and the Contour in 2001. Although the 1998 Contour/Mystique received high marks in the government's frontal and side crash tests, both models did poorly in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's (IIHS) offset crash test which test the ability to withstand front impacts just on the driver side which is typical of a car veering over the center line and striking another car. Both have a poorly designed vertically deploying airbag on the passenger side.

Reliability has been a weak point with both the Contour and Mystique earning a poor rating in the Car Book and Consumer Reports. Ford's claim that the more powerful 2.5-liter V6 engine of 1995-96 models does not need to be tuned for the first 100,000 miles remains to be seen. The 1995 Contour and Mystique was hit by seven safety recalls, an unusually high number for a new model. Three of the seven were for fuel tank or fuel filler neck defects, a particularly serious problem. Both models had over 200 Service Bulletins to dealers on problems and service procedures.

You'll find more information on Contour/Mystique problems below and what you can do about them plus a complaint box. Your information will help us build a strong case against Ford as we fight for action on Taurus/Sable defects.

We need you to support the Center for Auto Safety in our fight for consumer rights and against poorly designed and unsafe cars. Your contribution is tax-deductible which entitles you to our quarterly newsletter, Lemon Times. Please submit the membership form along with your contribution and complaint. If you contribute $35 or more, we will send you the current edition of The Ultimate Car Book, by Jack Gillis.

Sincerely,

Clarence M. Ditlow
Executive Director


CONTOUR & MYSTIQUE FACT SHEET
Ford technical service bulletin (TSB) numbers in parentheses apply to both unless single model listed.

Brakes: Parking brake sticks or binds, 1995-98 Contour/Mystique with rear disc brakes (97-5-2, 98-5A-17); Front brake groan during city driving, 1995-99 Contour/Mystique (99-8-9)

Engine/Driveability: Hard or no start in cold weather, stalls, 1995-97 Contour/Mystique with 2.0L (97-8-4); Stalls or surges during acceleration from stop or while at low speeds, 1996-97 Contour/Mystique with 2.0L (96-23-3); Long crank or stalls after starting, 1995-96 Contour/Mystique with 2.5L(97-9-5); Sulfur odor &/or stalls or forward surge on engagement after start-up, 1995-97 Contour/Mystique with 2.5L & CD4E transaxle (97-12-3); PCV tube wear-through, 1995-96 Contour/Mystique (96-10-5); "Squeal" from water pump at 650-700 rps, 1995-96 Contour/Mystique with 2.5L (96-14-7); "Hooting"/"moosing" from engine compartment &/or stalls, 1995-97 Contour/Mystique with 2.5L (96-19-5); Rough idle, stall 1995-97, 1995-96, 1998-99 Contour/Mystique with 2.0L (98-20-7, 98-18-1, 99-13-8);

Steering/Suspension: Increased steering effort & FEAD belt slips, 1995-98 Contour/Mystique with 2.5L (97-11-2); Rubbing from rear when driving, 1995-96 Contour/Mystique (96-20-3); Steering wheel vibrates in idling, 1995-97 Contour/Mystique with 2.0L engine (97-11-7); Special TSB for noise, vibration, harshness, 1995-99 Contour/Mystique (99-11-1).

Transmission: "Grinding" or "clashing" on shifting into third gear &/or high effort on shifting into 2nd gear, 1995-96 Contour/Mystique with MTX-75 transaxle (96-24-8); "Whistle" while idling in "Park," 1995-96 Contour/Mystique (96-8-8); A/T fluid seeps from vent & collects on main control assembly, 1995-00 Contour/Mystique with CD4E transaxle (97-5-9, 99-24-9); Right hand differential seal leak, 1995-96 Contour/Mystique with CD4E or MTX-75 transaxles (97-9-11); Harsh shift &/or engagement, 1995-97 Contour/Mystique (96-26-14); Low A/T fluid, 1995-96 Contour/Mystique (96-9-5); Vehicle does not move, 1998-99 Contour/Mystique wMTX-75 & 2.5L (99-14-8); Harsh shift on heavy aceleration 1995-98 Contour/Mystique with 2.0L (99-20-1).

Other: Fuel filler lever &/or latch inoperative, 1995-96 Contour/Mystique (96-9-2); Window molding comes loose or falls off, 1995-97 Contour/Mystique (97-2-1); Interior glass fog/film, 1995-97 Contour/Mystique (96-22-1); A/C blows out of defroster ducts only, 1995-98 Contour/Mystique (97-15-4); A/C condensation drips onto floor, 1995-96 Contour/Mystique (97-8-9); Fuel filler door will not close, 1998-99 Contour/Mystique (99-20-4) Rough texture paint &/or orange/rust dots, 1995-99 Contour/Mystique (95-6-1, 99-12-10);


MAJOR RECALLS
Copies may be obtained from NHTSA's Technical Reference Division at 202-366-2768.

Airbags: 2,000+ 1995 Contour/Mystique - Passenger airbag doesn't inflate properly (95E-006.002); 280,000 1998 Contour/Mystique - Airbag sensor wiring insulation become brittle, illuminating airbag warning light & disabling arbag (99V-243).

Electrical/Lights: 602,000 1996-98 Contour/Mystique - Headlight switch terminal damage cause dash, tail & parking light to go out (99V-103); 10,000+ 1998 Contour/Mystique - Headlight aiming instructions unclear (98V-028)

Fuel Fed Fires: 8,000 1995 Contour/Mystique - Fuel filler pipe develops static electric charge (94V-184); 28,500 1995 Contour/Mystique - Fuel filler pipe leaks (94V-203); 167,784 1995 Contour/Mystique - Fuel tank leaks (95V-232); 1,800 1996-97 Contour with CNG system - CNG line shut off valve fails (97V-067, 97V-203); 22,000 1996 Contour/Mystique - .Fuel filler vent hose cracks (99V-247)

Seatbelts: 229,500 1995 Contour/Mystique - Front seatbelt anchor fractures (95V-228).

Transmission: 175,000 1995-98 Contour/Mystique - Transmission gear position indicator becomes unclear (98V-233); 4,600 1999 Contour/Mystique - Key can be removed with transmission not in Park (99V-060).

Other: 2,513 1995 Contour/Mystique - Right rear door glass defective (95V-009); 38,000 1995-96 & 153,000 1998 Contour/Mystique - Throttle fails to return to idle (97V-225 & 99V-164); 1,400 2000 Contour/Mystique - Incorrect child proof door lock label (99V-361); 250,000 1996-98 Contour/Mystique - Pressure conscious reducing valve (PCRV) in rear brakes corrodes (00V-075).

Answer 2

What your uncle might have been referring to is that the Ford Contour's engine is mounted transversely (pointing from side-to-side), rather than longitudinally (pointing front-to-back).

This is not the "wrong way," though. It's mounted that way because the Contour is a front-wheel-drive car, meaning that the engine turns the front wheels, rather than the rears. For everyday driving, this is actually preferable. Front-wheel-drive makes it harder for you to fishtail, and gives better traction in rain and snow. Some car enthusiasts talk down on front-wheel-drive, but the smarter ones know that it's a matter of personal needs and preference.

The problems indystoprealtor listed above are recall notices, which means that, if the previous owner cared at all about the car, they've already been fixed.

But it's true that the Contour doesn't have a great reliability record. If you're not at all into cars, and just want something reliable, safe, roomy, and cheap to run, you'd be better off looking at Toyota Camrys, Honda Accords, Mazda 626s, or Mitsubishi Galants of the same vintage. Go to a bookstore and look for Consumer Reports' Used Car Buying Guide. I think you'll find it helpful.

Answer 3

GET A PRE-1970 AMERICAN MUSCLE CAR!!!!they knew where to put the engines back then ....like for sure!!!!!you don't want something small from which there is nothing to protect you if you should get into a serious accident !!!!crumple zones are not a "good thing"you can get reasonable economy from an older car by virtue of the fact that it doesn't have to be "smogged" every year!!!it can carry all of your needs "on-board"distances don't bother a true american car....they were built to cover great distances with comfort and ease....and ease of maintainance!!!modern cars of "foreign manufacture"can not sustain half the damage that an american vintage vehicle can!!!!they also have speed in an emergency,lots of roomy seating and cargo space for trips and outings;nt to mention...vacations..almost a lost occurrance today!!!they have "towing capacity" also unrivalled by most;if not ,all imports!!!!!and gas is 10 cents a gallon in Baghdad and 18 cents a gallon in Venezuela!!!!

Answer 4

I had a Ford Contour. It was not a very reliable car. The motor is not in the wrong place, but I don't think it is built very well. Take a look at a used Mazda Protege. They are small, inexpensive, and very well made & reliable.

Good Luck.

Answer 5

a ford contour. ive never heard of this. but just liek hondas the engine could be in revers or upside down. which really isnt a prob. except if you work on your own car. maybe look at focus, or the 500 both made by ford and cheap also. good luck

Answer 6

get a chevy malibu, I have on and I like it a lot, its a good car and the only problem that I've had with it is that the battery went dead, anyway you can get one with like 50,000 miles for like 8 grand, not bad at all

Answer 7

If its the older car that I think you are talking about I think the motor is in the trunk, and I personally would not recommend that type of car.

Answer 8

American made cars are the worse (I am american born), try a foreign car like toyota, honda or even nissan!

Answer 9

Click on the link below and you will find out everything
http://www.fordcontour.org/

Answer 10

you should get it doesn't matter were the motor is it works the same.

Answer 11

you do not buy car