1996 Ford Contour Consumer Reviews

Eleven Year Ownership.

Written by: D.Adams Contour LX on 04/03/2007

Vehicle

1996 Ford Contour 4 Dr LX Sedan

Review

This car has been one of the most reliable and economical I have owned, especially after 11 years of mostly city driving in San Antonio,Texas.

Favorite Features

The extra features of the LX model and its pleasant interior.

Suggested Improvements

Seat adjustments for drivers of small stature could be improved. I have had to use extra cushions in the driver's seat.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Don't Buy This Car!

Written by: hiker78 on 01/24/2007

Vehicle

1996 Ford Contour 4 Dr GL Sedan

Review

I'm at 128,000k and it's sitting at a repair shop right now waiting for the auto salvage guys to pick it up...tranny finally blew and I'm done dealing with this hunk of junk, multiple and frequent problems beginning 3 months from purchase date; alternator, blower motor, brakes, sway bar links, outside window trims, temp gauge that burns out every 6k miles, serpentine belt, wheel bearings, broken cup holders, gas cap cover had to be pried open every time, various inside lights constantly burned out, paint peeling off front end, heat slow to warm up, weak A/C and the fuel pump wiring was at the point where I had to lean back and hold the plug down while turning the key to get the thing to start.

Favorite Features

I liked the handling, smooth and responsive when it was working, good gas mileage (mostly in town). Took it on a cross country road trip and the seats were comfortable and the interior and trunk were roomy enough to accommodate baggage along with camping gear (tent, bags, food etc.).

Suggested Improvements

I don't think this thing can be salvaged. These cars are lemons as a general rule and count your lucky stars if you got a good one...you're the exception to the rule. This experience has taught me the importance of doing your homework before buying a car!

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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My all-time favorite car

Written by: rbsjrx on 04/03/2006

Vehicle

1996 Ford Contour 4 Dr GL Sedan

Review

I bought my Contour used and have put a lot of happy miles on it. It has the largest standard wheel/tire combo available and I suspect the engine management chip may have been tweaked by a previous owner. It handles like a dream, virtually the same as my '03 Focus SVT (it helps that it's lower and wider than the SVT). Power from the Zetec 4 is quite adequate for occasional gusto driving, and works well with the OD automatic transmission. The state troopers once gave me a certificate that it can indeed go 92 MPH without breathing too hard. The only costly maintenance has been to replace the timing belt at 60k miles as recommended.

Favorite Features

Excellent balance of comfort and performance. Overall, I have to say it's my favorite of all the cars I've ever owned, including the SVT I replaced it with when it reached 80k miles. My wife now drives it, but I still take it out to blow the plugs off from time to time.

Suggested Improvements

The cup holders stink, but I understand they can be replaced with larger ones from later models. Now that it's 10 years old, it's apparent that Ford could've used better grades of plastic.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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A nice looker & driver / keeps you broke

Written by: Larry James on 03/09/2006

Vehicle

1996 Ford Contour 4 Dr SE Sedan

Review

Car purchased by my wife with 35k miles, she puts 34 miles a day to work and home. Within the first year tires were shot, alignment bad, replaced ball joints, the large belt. Then at 50k to 60k miles front wheel bearings, Brake rotors, calipers. since then alternator, large belt. Now at 120k the front wheel bearings and brake rotors (warped) and now head gasket!

Favorite Features

The handling on the road, straight as an arrow.

Suggested Improvements

Wheel bearings do Not! go out at 55k and then at 120k as well as rotors warping. Design, design, design reliability. To late now for Ford

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Ford's cost-cutting shows

Written by: Verbal on 02/24/2006

Vehicle

1996 Ford Contour 4 Dr SE Sedan

Review

I bought this car slightly used, based on favorable reviews in the car magazines. It is a sporty sedan that packs a lot of value for the money. The engine, suspension and brakes are well-suited for the enthusiast driver. However, this is the most fragile car I have ever owned. With less than 75k on the odometer, I have had to replace the water pump (a flawed design with a plastic impeller wheel), the catalyst, and the starter motor. The check engine light turning on is a quarterly event. The stock CD player would skip if you looked at it cross-eyed. Owning this car makes me believe that when Ford lines up suppliers, it always takes the low bidder. Ford: you have lost this customer.

Favorite Features

Performance, gas mileage.

Suggested Improvements

(These comments pertain to current Ford sedans, since the Contour is out of production). The car needs to hold up better after the warranty expires. Long-term durability must improve on Ford products, because if the Contour is any indicator, it is horrid. Will the Fusion be any better? We'll see.

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My wheels.

Written by: Marqui16 on 09/16/2005

Vehicle

1996 Ford Contour 4 Dr GL Sedan

Review

My Contour now has 198,000 miles on it. I bought it used with about 34,000 miles(mostly highway) and have owned it for 7 years now. I changed the transmission once, the alternator once, several belt changes, headlight problems, and several other minor changes, but never any engine problems. It is still a fun car to drive but since it was my first car I am ready to move on to foreign cars (less maintenance).

Favorite Features

Car handling.

Suggested Improvements

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Mary's review

Written by: Mary dore on 08/27/2005

Vehicle

1996 Ford Contour 4 Dr SE Sedan

Review

This car fails to meet normal wear and tear, it starts at about 5 years old. First the engine check light come on and no can fix, except for 250 dollars, then they can turn it off. Next, continual problems with the wheel, axles, bearing, alternator assembly; replaced alternator, water heater, timing chain, and last but not least the transmission is shot -- every time I turned something was wrong with this vehicle. What a piece of junk, I will never buy anything again that says Ford or Mazda since my car has a Mazda transmission in it. Need to have over head light in the middle of the car you can't see in the back seat when it's dark.

Favorite Features

Ease of driving, cruise control, 4 doors.

Suggested Improvements

First the engine check light , wheel, axles, bearing, alternator assembly, replace alternator, water heater, timing chain, bearings, u-joints and transmission. JUNK IT- This car STINKS, make back doors easier to get thing in and out, square them off not round.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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1996 Contour

Written by: Andy Briggs on 05/06/2005

Vehicle

1996 Ford Contour 4 Dr GL Sedan

Review

Bought from my father who owned it since new. This car has had multiple maintenance related problems. By 85,000 miles, replaced alternator (which is difficult to access for remove and replace and very expensive), heater blower motor, heater resistor pack, and both wheel hub bearings. I have a continuing problem, yet unsolved, of the radiator fan not turning on when the temperature gauge reads high unless the a/c is on. Check engine light comes on intermittently with an "EGR flow excessive" code read-out. This seems to be too many problems for a car that has had regular maintenance and mostly highway miles. For those reasons, I do not recommend buying, even though it drives well.

Favorite Features

Handling is great, especially in snow with the traction control.

Suggested Improvements

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Great Car

Written by: robertn78 on 02/03/2005

Vehicle

1996 Ford Contour 4 Dr SE Sedan

Review

This car is very fun to drive. It handles great and has a lot of power with a small 2.5L V6. I have a SE model which in my opinion looks better and it handles better due to different sway bars and shock valving. No problems with this car, just regular maintenance.

Favorite Features

V6 power and body kit.

Suggested Improvements

Interior leather and plasics.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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My Contour

Written by: dvargas on 09/27/2004

Vehicle

1996 Ford Contour 4 Dr GL Sedan

Review

I've had no major problems with the engine or performance in the last 8 years. The only recurring problems were with the body parts such as plastic interior items breaking including gear shifter, mechanical window repairs on 4 occasions, etc. Overall I have been very happy with my purchase. A very economical vehicle.

Favorite Features

Cruise control

Suggested Improvements

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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