Used 1998 Ford Contour Sedan Consumer Reviews
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Nickel and Dime
Disssatisfied, 03/04/2002
1998 Ford Contour SE 4dr Sedan
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
I had bought my 1998 Contour SE in August of 2001 with 31000 miles and currently has 40000 miles. In six months I've had to replace the fuel sensor and PCV valve, Catalytic converter, Alternator, (totalling ~$550)and about another $200+ counting other mechanics fees for just identifing other problems. In addition, I was not notified by Ford about recalls on my car. These repairs should not occur at this mileage and why am I left in the dark about recalls? I am very unimpressed by Ford.
Great car
Michel ouellette, 01/20/2003
1998 Ford Contour LX 4dr Sedan
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
I can't beleive that this car was replaced by the champions of recalls (the Focus). This car looks great, has loads of power, a very reliable engine/transmission (My first priority) AND outstanding handling. I will conceade that it is not the ideal familly vehicle as was intended by Ford due to restricted (even after improvement in 98)rear seat. A child seat is very difficult to use. But this was not a conscen for me. The Duratec is the only All aluminium, dual overhead cam north american engine. And no this is not a Mazda Engine , this is Ford's. And in a 3.o Liter( I wish) the standard engine in base Jaguar S type, Lincon LS, and Jaguar X-type.
Doesnt get more reliable than this car!
Ken , 07/14/2009
1998 Ford Contour SE 4dr Sedan
1 of 3 people found this review helpful
Bought my SE in 1998 with 15K. Has not let me down once since I bought it. With only regular maintaince it has been the most reliable car I have ever owned. 27MPG in town, and a best of 34MPG on the highway cant be beat. Currently has 112,000 miles and still starts and drives like it did when I bought it. Ride is probably a little stiff to most people, but very well controlled and makes me want to take the curves and turns faster than I really need to. Excellent cornering manners. Very comfortable in town and downright perfect for road trips. Mine has the 2.0 Zetec engine and it delivers more than enough power for commuting, but could use a little more for driving in the mountains.
What a waste
JayCee, 11/25/2008
1998 Ford Contour SE 4dr Sedan
1 of 5 people found this review helpful
Bought the car in 2003 when I was 16 with about 60,000 miles on it. It was maintenance-free until 2007 at 100,000 miles when O2 sensors went out, followed by the transmission two weeks later. It was all downhill from there with broken belts, more O2 sensors, brakes completely failed, and now it's been in the shop once a month for the past three months. I could have purchased a very nice car after more or less buying the car again via repairs in the past year. Loud cabin noise, dome light fell out of the ceiling, trunk doesn't open with the lever anymore, headlights are incredibly dim, defroster is more or less useless, three cupholders, and one is too shallow to even use.
Wish we'd never bought it
Atlanta, 10/19/2008
1998 Ford Contour SE 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I never cared for the car from the first day my husband bought it (I was out of town). It was o.k. for the first few years except the speakers never worked right. Then the rear brakes started chattering and we have spent a lot of time and money trying to fix the problem. Took it to a Ford dealer and they couldn't fix it. We've have tried to have it fixed several times at different places but the noise always returns within a few weeks. The front end is always going out of alignment and pulls to one side. Last year, all the seals blew and we spent $1,000 to fix it. We've kept it for our teenagers to drive, but plan to get rid of it next year. It has about 90K miles. CR is right about it.
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