1998 Ford Contour Consumer Reviews

Solid, fun drive

Written by: pakman6 on 10/18/2007

Vehicle

1998 Ford Contour 4 Dr SE Sedan

Review

My 6 cyl. Contour replaced an 88 Subaru that quit at 150K (so you know how hard I am on a car). I purchased the Contour with 60K and now have 117. We have been everywhere from North Dakota to New Jersey, up to the top of the Black Hills on a dirt road and down plenty of country gravel roads as well as cities and interstates. Aside from the mediocre mileage (20-30), it has been a joy to drive, easy on the eye, and much less costly to maintain than the Subaru, though I fear those days are numbered. Only one minor oil leak (compared to the Subaru that must have had a sieve for a gasket) and various this and thats. A nice car, not the most durable out there, but still solid.

Favorite Features

Nice looks - like a crouching cat. Sporty but practical. Smooth and powerful ride. Roomy trunk. Nice storage areas between the front seats.

Suggested Improvements

A lower brake pedal would have been nice. It was almost dangerous at first, because my foot was not used to bending so high to get on top of the pedal. Under dash entry lights not real useful - ceiling light is more important, and the only one was up front.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Great to own

Written by: kristylint on 04/02/2007

Vehicle

1998 Ford Contour 4 Dr LX Sedan

Review

this car is so reliable and so easy and fun to drive. It is a very nice and stylish car.

Favorite Features

The space in the car

Suggested Improvements

None

0 out 1 people found this review helpful

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1998 Ford Contour Has Been a Good Car

Written by: RDB on 02/05/2007

Vehicle

1998 Ford Contour 4 Dr SE Sedan

Review

There are many bad reviews on this car. Even Consumer Reports says to avoid it. But so far, our 1998 2.0L SE, after nearly 80K miles and 8 years of driving, has had few problems. Total repairs for 8 years comes to about $1500.00. Quite reasonable. We bought it in 1999 when it was a one year-old demo. It has performed much better than our 1994 Ford Taurus 3.8L V6 which has had two blown head gaskets, one just recently. After 140K miles on the Taurus, we now have to get rid of it, though we had planned to keep it indefinitely. The Contour has been a much better car overall!

Favorite Features

Fun to drive. Very economical on gas. Excellent heater and A/C. Handles very well with good performance tires (currently Bridgestone).

Suggested Improvements

Ford stopped producing this car and replaced it with the Focus, which also had problems when it first came out. So far, Ford has not learned how: 1) To really take care of its customers when there are problems. 2) To produce a really good car that appeals to the masses. Ford is about to go belly-up.

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Too good to keep making

Written by: Paul on 01/16/2007

Vehicle

1998 Ford Contour 4 Dr GL Sedan

Review

The only Ford I ever owned was a 63 and a half Falcon V8 Sprint. I have 3, 98GL, 99LX, and 00SE Ford Contours. I bought one and a year later, loved it so much had to buy 2 more just to have in garage next to the Vette. Economy, dependability, and durability is job one on these Contours. I replaced the timing belt in 2 Contours at 75 & 90k just for general principal. Engines and trans have regular filter changes and no problems. A/C's haven't been charged yet. Engine and car electronics, not one problem. Set the cruise on the Rt 80, Mass Pike, MA, at 65 and it will hold its own and still get 35mph. The steering is still tight. The Contours are great fun cars. I may have to get and add an SVT.

Favorite Features

Agility, economy, and great response. Plenty of head and foot room and they are just fun vehicles to drive (I thought that I would never be so impressed with a 2.0 engine, yet alone a Ford.) At -15 degrees, turn the key and it starts!

Suggested Improvements

Bring the car and style back!

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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The Contour Experience

Written by: Gnat on 01/04/2007

Vehicle

1998 Ford Contour 4 Dr STD Sedan

Review

Faithful starting, efficient, rear trunk trickle leak from above in process of repair, regular maintenance with 3,000 mile oil changes, traveled half of East Coast, mostly a commute car, comfortable, about to do 90,000 mile maintenance, spent too much time diagnosing and dealing with problem locally. Ford dealership found problem and quickly and resolved, zeroing in on specific problem area with computer diagnosis.

Favorite Features

Fuel efficiency, reclining seats.

Suggested Improvements

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Fun car but not reliable

Written by: Julie on 09/02/2006

Vehicle

1998 Ford Contour 4 Dr SE Sedan

Review

I bought my Contour in 2002 because it was a great deal. I enjoy the V6 engine and the low end torque, but that's where the fun stops. The car has had so many problems over the years - if it weren't for my handy father, I would have sold it years ago. The major problem that the car had was that the wiring harness got fried because it was placed too close to the engine without heat protection so the wires overheated and fried. Then, shortly after that, the power windows stopped working and dad jerry-rigged the wires and now they work sporadically. The car has also recently started to "eat" oil and I need to put almost one quart of oil in every two weeks.

Favorite Features

V6 performance, torque, color (red), front leg room, rear leg room, overall a good car that I'm sad to part with.

Suggested Improvements

Reliability -- as a joint venture between VW and Ford, this was disastrous as they come -- the car basically broke down after 6 years and not even an experienced mechanic would even want to fix this car.

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Been a Good lil Car!

Written by: gluis55 on 08/08/2006

Vehicle

1998 Ford Contour 4 Dr SE Sedan

Review

I bought this car since we had two kids, and the other car I had was a Beretta, (two door). We needed a 4 door. The car is quick, and comfortable. My wife loves driving the car. The only complaint is the oil leaks! When I first bought it it was leaking from what appeared to me was the front gear cover and oil pan. It wasn't too bad, now it is definitely getting worse. You can smell the oil burning on the exhaust when it leaks. So now it is time to fix it, but not sure I want to spend the $850 the dealer wants to repair. Car has 97k on it got it used with 62k. Have had no real problems with it. Just maintenance 26 mpg.

Favorite Features

Quick and fun to drive. Comfortable for the kind of car it is.

Suggested Improvements

Better design of engine placement. There is no room to do any maintenance! All Fords leak.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Get a good tow truck plan!

Written by: CLAZ on 06/28/2006

Vehicle

1998 Ford Contour 4 Dr GL Sedan

Review

I originally leased this car for two years. I decided to buy the car because I had no problems up until that point. About two months afterwards, my transmission blew. 6 months later it was the engine and so on and so on. I ended up having to bring the car in for a minimum of $500 worth of repairs every 6 months like clockwork. Car had to be towed at least 10 times before I was finally able to get rid of it. Nobody ever really figured out the O2 sensor problem, electric problems,belt problems,etc. It's a shame because the car handled great after the repairs and it was very comfortable. Ford has the worst customer service I have ever experienced, they basically disown you after you leave the lot.

Favorite Features

Driver and passenger seats were comfortable, car was very quiet and the sound system was great. The car handled very well when it wasn't broken.

Suggested Improvements

When a car has 20 recalls or whatever it ended up being (i lost count) they should try to treat customers a little better and maybe offer a good deal for a different Ford product.

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Love my Conto

Written by: Teri13180 on 04/18/2006

Vehicle

1998 Ford Contour 4 Dr GL Sedan

Review

I purchased my Conto used and I love it. It is a 6 cylinder sport model. Have had some minor repair work done, but all and all I'm very happy with my purchase. I have taken it on several long road trips and have never had an issue. Very reliable, starts great in 30 below weather, and handles great on icy roads, which I encounter more than half of the year in Montana. Defroster could be a little better. I have had my engine light come on a few times, once was plugs needed changing, and the other times there was a miss when idling. My mechanic told me it happens with all sorts of different cars, just undo battery cables for 60 seconds and it resets. If thats my biggest problem, I'm good to go!

Favorite Features

I love my spoiler, huge trunk, and tilt seats are great.

Suggested Improvements

A better front defrost, more rear leg room.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Its all right

Written by: rrice8755 on 03/10/2006

Vehicle

1998 Ford Contour 4 Dr SE Sedan

Review

I bought my Contour 3 months ago and i runs pretty well but in the winter time it's a piece of junk. The VSS went out on me; that was only real big thing that went on me.

Favorite Features

The look, leather seats, sun roof, great handling and pretty fast.

Suggested Improvements

Wish it would run better in the winter and the check engine light comes on all the time.

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