1996 Ford Contour Review
Consumer Ratings & Reviews
Shane's Nightmare
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 7 | Build Quality: | 4 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 3 | Reliability: | 1 |
| Fuel Economy: | 3 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
1996 Ford Contour 4 Dr GL Sedan
Review
When this car was purchased, I had just gotten rid of an 1990 Ford Taurus (never had a problem, just died). Since I've bought this car I've suffered through a blown head gasket, 2 alternators, a water pump, wheel bearings, tie rod ends, alignments, tires, brakes, rotors, battery, gas cap opening problems, check engine light that won't go out, brake fluid & oil that leaks from nowhere (mechanics can't find the source of leak), headlights, lights burning out inside vehicle, along with various electrical problems. Yesterday the speedometer finally went for the long goodbye. I've never spent so much money for car repairs & maintenance in my years of driving. This car completely stinks!
Favorite Features
The comfort while driving.
Suggested Improvements
The entire car! Since Ford doesn't make this anymore, they must've realized that the design & parts completely are a waste of time! Don't waste your time & hard earned money with this car!
You may not believe this one!
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 2 |
| Comfort: | 6 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 2 |
| Fuel Economy: | 7 | Exterior Design: | 6 | ||
Vehicle
1996 Ford Contour 4 Dr GL Sedan
Review
First I will list the problems I have had with this vehicle, which I'm sure is no suprise to you the readers. Engine stalls cold. Battery discharges after a couple of days. Window fell of track (drivers side). Engine Idle RPM varies while stopped in traffic. Overheating came because Ford had used a plastic not metal impeller for the water pump. The whole engine wiring had to be replaced because it was falling apart (the plastic insulation). Fan not working light comes on despite you actually seeing the fans working. Now brake pedal is intermittently hard to push during stop. Happens without warning. Now for the interesting part..This vehicle of my original ownership only has 17780. Presently
Favorite Features
Suggested Improvements
There are no suggestions other than I wish I could get my money back..
piece 'o junk
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 3 | Fun-to-Drive: | 5 | Build Quality: | 1 |
| Comfort: | 5 | Interior Design: | 4 | Reliability: | 1 |
| Fuel Economy: | 3 | Exterior Design: | 4 | ||
Vehicle
1996 Ford Contour 4 Dr GL Sedan
Review
No wonder Ford is on the verge of bankruptcy. I have never owned a car so unreliable as this in my life. My daughter got rid of it for a Corolla as she was always having it repaired. Wheel bearings every 50k miles? I only bought it as the body had no rust and have regrets. Transmission torque converter, rear struts, a/c compressor, yellowed headlight lenses, wheel bearings, etc. Back to Honda / Toyota for me.
Favorite Features
durable sheet metal(minimal rust for PA winters)
Suggested Improvements
It was discontinued after four years as no one bought it - enough said!
Gets Better with Age
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 4 | ||
Vehicle
1996 Ford Contour 4 Dr SE Sedan
Review
My Contour hit 200,000 miles last night! I've got the V6 5-speed. Though I had problems with it early on--water pumps, numerous recalls and that darn engine light that won't go off--it's been great for the last 120,000 miles. I love the way it handles and it still has plenty of power. I'm curious to see how long it will last!
Favorite Features
My favorite feature is its stability. I don't have to slow down when taking bends in the road. It's almost as much fun as my motorcycle.
Suggested Improvements
Getting in and out of the back seat is wicked, but I don't have many passengers.
1 out 1 people found this review helpful
Good first car
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 7 | Fun-to-Drive: | 7 | Build Quality: | 7 |
| Comfort: | 7 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 9 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 7 | ||
Vehicle
1996 Ford Contour 4 Dr GL Sedan
Review
Overall, the car drives well. It has the right amount of zip when you need it, and I found it to be pretty reliable. I owned the car for almost six years, and up until a couple months ago, I only had relatively minor problems with it. (i.e. brake rotors, 1 alternator, 1 battery, and a window motor) I put about 90,000 miles on it while I owned it, I drove it all around the country, and it got me everywhere I needed to be. At about 160,000 miles, the car sort of began to fall apart, but I guess that what happens when you drive a Ford. I still feel I got my money's worth.
Favorite Features
It drives smoothly, it's easy to drive, and it has good acoustics if you put a decent stereo in there.
Suggested Improvements
Built with a lot of cheap parts. And lacks power in certain situations when you need it. It seems like buying one is sort of a gamble. It might work very well for many years, or it might not.
View Pricing for Other Years
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