Overall I love the car, Ford had an excellent design here, but their quality control in manufacturing needed significant improvement. The quality control issues killed the car.

Well, in the summer of 1998 my father bought the new Ford Contour 2.5L V6 SE (manual transmission). We have brought it in to the garage to get it serviced for all recommended mileages. The engine has never failed us. We have had to replace the breaks, the rear struts, suspension and that's it (no clutch replacement). I myself have started to drive the car over the past year and a half and have pushed it to its limits. The car rips the road apart in first gear with its 165 lb-ft of torque and rips again when going into second. Although, second gear is almost useless because you have to shift to third in no time ( The third gear ratio should be a bit higher to take place of second gear and all the gears should follow the same pattern ending with a new fifth gear ). This car has 170 bhp.... it's a quick sucker. The SE comes equipped with sport tuned suspenssion, fog lights, "ground effects" and lots of goodies, like a sun roof. I've killed mazda precidia V6's, protege 5's, civic's, civic sir's, tied integra's, killed cavaliers... sunfires are jokes ( same with neon's) ...eagle talon twin turbo..UP HILL... and got slaughter by a Bmw 5 series ( go figure)The contour is an impressive car stock...with a few mod's it can easy be one of the deadliest sleepers. Just to let you know, there is a 3.5L conversion for the countour that puts the horsepower over 300 for $3500. I love driving this car. I highly recommend this car because of its reliability and the sheer thrill of driving this wonderful machine.

I am 18 and my mom bought me this spectacular car: a Ford Contour v6 manual. I love it, the sound of the engine, its power and the way I can beat Accords and many more in street races. My car is a 2000 model and now it has 45 kilometers -I live in Mexico-. At first I wanted the SVT, but my mom couldnt afford it, so I got the one that follows. I hate automatic transmissions, so this manual v6 is the best engine and car I could buy.
I have to say that in highways its moves are incredible, it has a great stability and the v6 helps when going up a mountain. The best thing is that it is big enough to carry with all my university friends. It is comfortable, big, powerfull and sporty enough to carry me to the limit of my crazyness.

I have a 1997 Ford Contour Sport (SE) with the 2.5 V6 and a 5 speed man. I had it up to 170 KM/H at only 4750 RPM and wooped a Chev Cavalier in a street race. This is one of the best cars i have ever had

I bought my Ford Contour car new and had to replace the transmission at 43K miles.

I never raced the car I and always did preventive maintenance as recommended by the manufacturer.

I called Ford and they laugh at me.

Strangely, my friend is driving a Ford Focus 2001 and 3 days after she bought it, she had the car towed because of a major leak from the power stearing.

My suggestion...Stay away from Ford.

The Ford Contour handles so good, and is a rocket with the 2.5l v6. has very good styling except for the radio location. this car is just great.