1997 Ford Contour Consumer Reviews

Safe

Written by: AndyL on 11/10/2006

Vehicle

1997 Ford Contour 4 Dr SE Sedan

Review

I bought this car for my son but decided to keep it for myself because its zippy acceleration would only have caused me much grief. I enjoyed the car while I had it, but it ultimately saved my life in a nasty head-on car crash. The car withstood a 110 mile per hour impact. After a couple weeks in the hospital and months of rehab, I can honestly say the car performed as Ford planned. Between the air bags and the engineered crush points, I'm happy to be alive to submit this review.

Favorite Features

Acceleration and gas mileage. This Sport model was a sharp looking car.

Suggested Improvements

Fix the water leaks to the trunk during rainy weather.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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age and comfort

Written by: frank hart on 07/14/2006

Vehicle

1997 Ford Contour 4 Dr GL Sedan

Review

Purchased this car from a private party with 27000+ miles August 2005; the car is clean inside and out, no dents or rust. Problem being our age (70-75), we need a better riding car. This make and size is perfect for a younger person.

Favorite Features

Handling qualities and low maintenance costs.

Suggested Improvements

We miss the power features that we have on our other car; power seats and power windows.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Best car I ever owned

Written by: Handy Andy on 10/26/2005

Vehicle

1997 Ford Contour 4 Dr GL Sedan

Review

I bought this car used and being a person that prefers GM I was skeptical. However, this has turned-out to be the best I've ever owned. It has excellent "giddy-up-n-go", 28+ mpg hwy with a/c, easy to drive, and plain satisfies all of my expectations of what a car of this type should be. It is regrettable that I am forced to get rid of it, but dire financial problems forces me to.

Favorite Features

The power to "git on it" when necessary; power windows/locks; comfortable seats.

Suggested Improvements

None.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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A good "starter" car

Written by: jenbeaner on 07/18/2005

Vehicle

1997 Ford Contour 4 Dr GL Sedan

Review

I agree with other reviewer - I would only recommend a Contour to a high schooler buying their 1st car. I bought this car 5 years ago, and it started out with minor problems - the cup holders breaking (was told they "overload" too easily). But the last 2-3 years, I've noticed every time it gets humid, rainy or even when I have my air on, my car wants to stall. I know someone else who has a Contour, & the same thing happens to hers. Now my temp gauge is not functioning, & not too long ago, my cruise control broke because of an electrical problem (too expensive to even bother). I also was surprised to find I couldn't get my car out of park one day also because of an electrical problem.

Favorite Features

Comfortable seats, awesome gas mileage, large trunk for groceries or whatnot, no real blind spots,

Suggested Improvements

Cup holders - either stronger or different design all together. Make the car more reliable. My trunk also leaked; don't know if that was just my car or if all had that problem.

1 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Reliable, Economical & Good Handler

Written by: Bob on 01/19/2005

Vehicle

1997 Ford Contour 4 Dr GL Sedan

Review

A very decent car. Nothing to get excited over, but great transportation. Handles very well, and with the right tires excellent in the snow. Got it with 33K on it and 100K warranty. Only the cigarette lighter and cup holders went out under warranty. 100k tune up, but needed new plugs at 85k. 4 cyl is simple to tune up. Smooth transmission. At about 110K needed new brakes (3rd set), waterpump and TIMING BELT. Still gets ok mileage at 114K, 23 city, 29 hwy. Used to get better, but its aging. You do have to maintain these! Do yourself a favor--get the tranny fluid changed (ideally flushed). I've done that twice--happy transmission. Solid car!

Favorite Features

Handles well, especially in the snow. Reliable/dependable--just do the maintenance.

Suggested Improvements

OK, of course the cupholders are crap, but that is minor. Wish there was a touch more room in the engine compartment. FORD--don't EVER hide that PCV valve so deep in the engine--shame on you! I'm going to start driving my 2003 Ford Focus soon--that is similar.

9 out 10 people found this review helpful

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Great driving car, but...

Written by: Chuck on 12/17/2004

Vehicle

1997 Ford Contour 4 Dr GL Sedan

Review

I bought this car because I loved the way it drives, and I still do. I'm not completely happy, though, because I have never had such a series of small problems with a car. Interior parts (that darn cupholder!), window motors and relays, sensors, etc. The brake rotors are thin and have a short life expectancy. It never ends. But I have to say that I've never been stranded in this car. The drive train has been 100% reliable. Still, Ford cancelled the model (I guess it drives too well) and the small things... so this will be my last Ford.

Favorite Features

The way it drives (w/manual transmission and Sport package)

Suggested Improvements

Make the little things as reliable as the drivetrain.

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Good reliable car

Written by: yanks27 on 07/11/2004

Vehicle

1997 Ford Contour 4 Dr GL Sedan

Review

The Ford Contour is a good driving car for driving to work and back. It wont turn any heads, but you will get to where you want to go, and when it comes down to it, that is all a car is suppose to do.

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Fix Or Repair Daily

Written by: rjs66 on 03/08/2004

Vehicle

1997 Ford Contour 4 Dr GL Sedan

Review

My wife bought this and it is been trouble from early on. At 7k miles, the tranny started leaking fluid. 6-7 recalls. Poor acceleration. After about 30-35k miles, it started idling horribly, sounding like it would stall, and it even did several times. At 45k it sucked $250 in repairs, a couple months later, $500, and a couple months later, at 50k miles, it would have been $1200 after it was determined that the O2 sensors, computer and 5 other things were faulty, but I declined to fix it and got rid of it. I will never buy Ford. I would only recommend buying a used one if it is for a high schooler's first beater car.

Favorite Features

None.

Suggested Improvements

Make a reliable car, the cup holders were junk and broken, half of the controls on the dash panel (like the headlights) operate in a counter- intuitive fashion. I guess there is no reason to improve it since even Ford decided to abandon it.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Great affordable car

Written by: july on 03/04/2004

Vehicle

1997 Ford Contour 4 Dr GL Sedan

Review

I loved this car. I got it at 35,000 miles and got all the way up to 90,000 without any problems other than normal wear and tear. I delivered pizza in it for two years and it still worked fine. Would have kept going if someone hadn't totaled it while I was sitting at a red light. I'm looking for another one now.

Favorite Features

nice interior, handles well in rain and snow for what it is. Good on gas.

Suggested Improvements

Maybe a different exterior look.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Fix Or Repair Daily

Written by: Felito on 02/21/2004

Vehicle

1997 Ford Contour 4 Dr GL Sedan

Review

I bought this car brand new and I had numerous problem issues with it. The interior cheap plastic broke on numerous occassions, Passenger shoulder harness housing, cuptray, etc. Driver's window motor broke twice in 4 yrs. time. Transmission went out at 52k miles. I am an aircraft mechanic and I maintained this car twice as better as the recommended maintenance intervals. I purchased a 2002 Toyota Corolla brand new it has 62000 miles now and still has not given me any problems. I am convinced that if you want a dependable transportation car you need to buy a Japanese one. I will never buy american junk again.

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

Ford needs to go to Japan and learn how to build cars.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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