1999 Ford Contour SVT Consumer Reviews

Euro car feel

Written by: Kenny on 03/11/2007

Vehicle

1999 Ford Contour SVT 4 Dr STD Sedan

Review

Very European feel for an American car. Especially the handling.

Favorite Features

Handling, exhaust note.

Suggested Improvements

Interior looks cheap. Reliability.

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SVT CONTOUR, AHEAD OF ITS TIME

Written by: Albert on 06/08/2006

Vehicle

1999 Ford Contour SVT 4 Dr STD Sedan

Review

A true sports sedan! Although this car does not have the horsepower of some of the post "Fast and Furious" cars you see on the road today it sure moves. Honestly, after almost seven years of ownership it is even more fun to drive now than the day I bought it, can you ask for anything more out of a car?

Favorite Features

Engine sounds and performs outstanding, car handle curves like the car was moving on a rail

Suggested Improvements

Should have come supercharged or SVT should have made one as an add on.

4 out 5 people found this review helpful

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Fun with problems

Written by: Erik on 04/26/2006

Vehicle

1999 Ford Contour SVT 4 Dr STD Sedan

Review

You would do well to avoid any of these vehicles with a "clicking" noise coming from under the hood. This is what mine had and due to the same sound occurring on my previous car without any problems, this did not trouble me. About 3 months after purchasing the vehicle, there was a sound similar to that made when grounding a vehicle after a particularly high speed turn, then there was a severe loss of power. This turned out to be a dead motor ... which ended up costing more than the original price of the vehicle. Do not buy this vehicle unless it has a complete maintenance history with every possible thing that could go wrong being fixed prior to buying.

Favorite Features

Exhaust note with no pre-cats. Gearbox with the B&M Short Throw Shift kit installed. New motor clutch suspension setup (Bilstein Coilovers). Midnight Blue interior. Can kick just about any BMW from the last decade excluding the M3 Hatchback through M5 and the E46 M3 in every category.

Suggested Improvements

Reliability.

4 out 5 people found this review helpful

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Still Running Strong

Written by: Perry on 11/30/2005

Vehicle

1999 Ford Contour SVT 4 Dr STD Sedan

Review

I had a blast test driving this car. I started out driving Neons etc. But this car was a kick in the pants. Most people can't believe it's a Contour. They think its a Mitsubithingamagiggy. Now I have 108,000. With zero problems. Mileage is 27-28 a gallon. I do have clunking noise coming from the front end, when I take off. Strut? Nice car for the price.

Favorite Features

I love the 4 barrel sound it makes when you rack up the RPMs. Leather seats are very nice touch.

Suggested Improvements

Tire noise is loud. Stereo helps. :)

5 out 5 people found this review helpful

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Very fun sedan

Written by: jgcops on 05/04/2005

Vehicle

1999 Ford Contour SVT 4 Dr STD Sedan

Review

The CSVT is a sedan that rivals the BMW 3 series. Maybe not in build quality or status, but in performance, handling, and fun to drive. I never feel squirrely or unstable at highway speeds and because of the stopping ability I haven't needed a body shop yet. The torque is incredible and doesn't even compare to a Honda Accord or Civic. Overall this is a fun car to drive and a great deal when compared to imports.

Favorite Features

The exhaust sounds great above 2500 rpm and the styling is great. It looks very smooth without a spoiler. The white face gauges against the midnight blue interior looks great and the seats are comfortable on long drives and the bolstering keeps you in your seat on hard cornering.

Suggested Improvements

On long car rides the backseat passangers don't have much room or a cup holder. The front cupholders are almost worthless. The backseats need to be easier to fold down.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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I love driving a Clark Kent car

Written by: kent tager on 02/14/2005

Vehicle

1999 Ford Contour SVT 4 Dr STD Sedan

Review

I bought this car used with 16,000 miles on it. It now just turned 50k. Though I have not owned that many cars, this is the best I have had yet; better than my '89 Legend. Handles great, good performance, reasonably comfortable and the seats are great. Had one major electrical problem that was luckily covered under the warranty. No other major problems to speak of. If you can find one that has been well cared for it would be strongly worth considering. They are very practical and yet lots of fun. Thank goodness for the fold down rear seats.

Favorite Features

Acceleration, handling, exhaust sound, seats.

Suggested Improvements

Would have preferred a better looking dash board but that is about it.

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Too Much Fixing

Written by: Pat Heinl on 11/04/2004

Vehicle

1999 Ford Contour SVT 4 Dr STD Sedan

Review

I have had the car for about 3 month now; in those 3 months, I had to fix: window motor ($100), wheel bearing ($60), shifter cable (tree, changed by the dealership), and get a new transmission ($1800), I'ts a VERY fun car to drive, but a lot get broken all the time.

Favorite Features

The fun and comfort. This is a "family car" but fast, awesome handling, and just overall the funnest car to drive.

Suggested Improvements

More reliability!

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Better than my accords!

Written by: SVT4STEVE on 07/22/2004

Vehicle

1999 Ford Contour SVT 4 Dr STD Sedan

Review

too bad theyre all gone, except in Europe of course. I love this car and plan to keep it a loong time. theyre a steal for the money!

Favorite Features

Handling! exceptional for stock. sweet dark purplybluish interior. white gauges. body kit! the growlll! the dual exhuast! definitely a driver's car. Don't be dismayed by people saying it's too small because this just gives better driving dynamics. exclusive rare appreciated car

Suggested Improvements

yes, some minor ones. ok, cupholder is a big one! buy hey, do lambos have them? your'e not here to sip lattes you're here to drive! wheels to small but ok for '99,put 18z on for better look and handling. back seat too small for my 3yr old. a/c system is wierd. no LSD. needs armrests.

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Great Sedan

Written by: J Frazier on 05/19/2004

Vehicle

1999 Ford Contour SVT 4 Dr STD Sedan

Review

One of the greatest sedans Ford has ever made.Handles very well and can keep up and beat many sport coupes.Good gas mileage on the highway and around town.Have 72,000 and runs great even past 100mph.

Favorite Features

SVT-modified V6,engine actually designed by Ford with Porsche and Cosworth's help,engine and exhaust sound,balanced handling

Suggested Improvements

Cupholders, headlights

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Another Ford leaves its' stain

Written by: MotherBelgium on 01/18/2004

Vehicle

1999 Ford Contour SVT 4 Dr STD Sedan

Review

Well after the dash warped and the dealership tried to charge us $700 to repair it knowing there was a recall, the car basically self destructed over time. Here's what happened: tranny replaced 3 times by Ford and Amco w/in 10K miles- Ford tech admits there are weaknesses about the tranny (cost: $5,800 +/-). Leaky trunk, feable brakes, cheapish interior, very poor paint, moisture in headlight assem., body panels poorly fixed to vehicle, and strange "courting call" from intake when warming up. Leather fades in sun, bushings replaced at 55K miles and bumped sags.

Favorite Features

Rumor is that CSVT is powered by a Mitsubishi Duratec motor. Too bad the car wasn't manufactured and produced by Mitsubishi. Powerful engine!

Suggested Improvements

Stay away from Ford dealerships. CSVT was one tranny from being a state declared lemon. Impossible to sell- took me a year to rid of/ depreciates like a mofo. Expensive insurance rates. Get an EVO or STI. Terrible on gas- does 4Krpm at 80mph. This car is a true contemporary BEATER.

0 out 2 people found this review helpful

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