1999 Ford Contour SVT Review
1999 Ford Contour SVT Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Energetic performance in the spirit of more expensive German sedans.
Cons
- Small-lettered stereo which is hard to tune without taking your eyes off the road, backseat is inadequate for most full-size adults.
What’s new
After being introduced, and receiving midyear tweaks for 1998, Ford's bargain sport sedan stands pat for its sophomore year.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1999 Ford Contour SVT 4dr Sedan and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$208/mo for Contour SVT Base
Contour SVT Base
vs
$181/mo
Avg. Midsize Car
Vehicle overview
We've got good news for driving enthusiasts that would love a German sport sedan but have two things holding them back: cost and patriotic leanings. Ford's fast and agile SVT Contour should sate their appetite for a lively sport sedan while allowing them to buy something made in the good old U.S.A. They can thank Ford's Special Vehicle Team for crafting the Contour SVT, which can embarrass more than a few sports coupe owners in the stop light drags or in a run through the twisties.
Headlining the SVT's list of goodies is the sweet V6 under the new hood. The engine, a massaged 2.5-liter Duratec V6 that benefits from Extrude Hone Powerflow technology (a process that polishes the upper intake manifold plenum, intake runners and secondary intake ports with a gritty putty-like substance to improve airflow), still makes 195 horsepower at 6,625 rpm and 165 pound-feet of torque at 5,625 rpm. This translates to a somewhat unimpressive Ford-tested 0-60 time of 7.9 seconds, but the fun in running the Contour SVT to redline is in the mellifluous engine note, not sheer acceleration. The braking system is still sourced from the Europe-only Ford Mondeo, and it features 10.94-inch vented front discs that help the Contour SVT slam to a stop from 60 mph in 134 feet, according to Ford testing. Antilock brakes are standard.
In terms of driving dynamics, the Contour SVT is one hell of a car. Grip is extraordinary, and the ride is sensational. Impact harshness is not a term one can associate with a Contour SVT. This car filters out road imperfections without disrupting the finer points of communication between car and driver. The engine revs freely, accompanied by a throaty growl that pastes a big grin on the driver's face. Watch that rev limiter though, because the Contour SVT never feels like it's ready to give up as you rip through the gears on your way to a top speed of 143 mph.
There are few items that we can complain about. The cupholders are no good at holding drinks when driving anywhere near as quickly as the Contour SVT wants to go. Also, we wish there was a center armrest for interstate cruising. The stereo buttons are too small and require too much concentration to operate, and the rear seat lacks legroom, though it's quite hospitable for kids, and adults won't mind a short trip riding back there.
Apart from these minor gripes, the Contour SVT is a fine little sport sedan that we recommend heartily.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 1999 Ford Contour SVT.
5 star(33%)
4 star(50%)
3 star(10%)
2 star(7%)
1 star(0%)
30 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.75 out of 5 stars
A Classic
Xtal, 10/04/2007
1999 Ford Contour SVT 4dr Sedan
Performance, handling, total driving experience. The Contour SVT excells in all categories. Last year I took mine to an autocross competition and even the instructors were amazed at how well this car performed. We ran it through a training course and it did so well on the skidpad that we had to force it to break-loose to demonstrate the throttle- steer technique. I have driven and owned … performance cars since I began driving (1964) and this car is the best "out-of-the-box" performer I have owned.
4.13 out of 5 stars
I love driving a Clark Kent car
kent tager, 02/14/2005
1999 Ford Contour SVT 4dr Sedan
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.
2.63 out of 5 stars
Fun with problems
Erik, 04/27/2006
1999 Ford Contour SVT 4dr Sedan
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.
4.13 out of 5 stars
What a ride!
Mark, 02/17/2009
1999 Ford Contour SVT 4dr Sedan
My experience over the 10 years that I owned my SVT was very positive. In 115,000 miles the only repair costs that I had was the water pump needed to be replaced and the radio wiring needed to be repaired, both of which were under $750.00 combined. Otherwise, this was a very reliable car that was a kick to drive! Almost all the miles I put on it were city driving … (stop/start/potholes,etc..) and the engine was as good the day I sold it as it was the day I test drove it at the Ford dealership. I just bought a 2008 Ford Taurus and I will buy another Ford when it comes time to move onto the next. I have several friends with foreign cars that had a lot more trouble than I ever did with my Contour
1999 Contour SVT Highlights
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 20 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $208/month |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 13.9 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver5 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriver3 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRolloverNot RatedDynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalPoor
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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