I'm looking for a reliable used car. What are your thoughts on a 1998 Ford Contour?

Question

It has 100,000 miles on it. The dealer is telling me it's a great car. I don't know anything about the Ford Contour.

Answer 1

Great car in dealer language means good outside condition

The contours had their reliability issues on the first generation of them (1995-1997) and one or two of the problems actually stayed around for the 1998 model... Pretty good and decent but some independents won't fix due to their reputation.

So 1998-2001 they are so-so.. I'd say let a mechanic you trust inspect it first.. earlier models are pass... I know the heat destroys the wiring on those older cars and will cause nightmares you can't afford to even think about fixing...

Answer 2

In spite of what the media, and individuals, say about the Contour, it is no better nor any worse than any other car in that category. The early models had a few issues. The later models were better. If they are maintained, they last a long time. It does not hold up well under abuse. My daughter has a 1998 SE V-6 and loves it. Of course, we did take the time to do some research on Car Fax before purchasing it. It helped that the previous owner had maintenance and repair records. Take the time to have the vehicle inspected and do the research. Check out Consumer's Reports. This is true for ANY used car.

Answer 3

I'm a Ford guy, but even I would avoid the Contour, or it's cousin the Mercury Mystique (a.k.a Mistake), and contrary to what somebody else said, avoid the Neon as well, they were junk too. Dealers will tell you anything to sell you a car, either that or he/she doesn't know anything about the history of the Contour.

Answer 4

Run Forrest RRRUUUUUNN!

The Contour is a breakdown waiting to happen. Ford should never have built it. There aren't many cars I would even consider buying with 100,000 miles on them unless I knew and trusted the owner and known its service history.

Answer 5

Don't touch it, it isn't worth anything. Go to Craigslist.com and check out the cars there in your state and city. Get an idea of what cars are worth, then go shopping to the dealer. Good Luck Don't buy the contour.

Answer 6

RUN AWAY!

And definitely don't run toward a Neon. Ugh. Just google "reliability reports" and see what you get. Ford Contours have BAD electrical and transmission issues that are extremely expensive to fix.

Neons aren't much better, but they have more problems with head gaskets then electrical.

Toyota and Honda are the way to go for cheap and reliable. I'd trust a Toyota or Honda with 200,000 miles more than I'd trust a GM with 100,000 miles.

Answer 7

They are referred to By Ford techs (along with its sibling the Mercury Mystique) as the common mistake. An absolute disaster of a car, poor cooling of the engine compartment along with Mexican made wiring harnesses in the 95 to 97 models that used a grade of insulation on the wiring that was not able to withstand the heat. More recalls than I could list here. They were an absolute shame, the powertrains available were very good, however the vehicles as a whole were always less than the sum of their parts. On the rare occasion that you find a good one, its ride and handling as well as interior layout will seem pretty good, but God forbid you need to do any serious work on it.

Answer 8

Check Consumer Reports...they do a car issue every year(I think around April) and part of the report is devoted to used cars to avoid as well as good used cars broken down by price range.
Good luck!

Answer 9

I don't like Ford and I'm not a fan of U.S cars because of the reliability issue. I have a 2003 Toyota Corolla and it's great. I has about 71,000 miles on it and I've had no problems.
I used to drive a Buick and that car needed so much to just maintain it. It was not reliable. It was better than a Chrysler, which was my first car.

Answer 10

All experiences I have had with contours were bad with no exception.
I would say...avoid if you can afford better.

Good luck!