Car people, assistance with problematic car and options for either repair or trade??

[bozack]

Hello All,

Well seems like I have an issue with my current vehicle and I am at a loss for what to do and would really appreciate adivce from people who have been in the same or similar situation.

My car is a 2000 Ford Contour SVT with 41,000 miles in relatively good condition with the only flaws being a few paint scratches, a slight mark on the drivers rear quarter panel, the drivers side skirt has a small tear in it from a maintenece job that was performed (they put it on the lift which pushed up on the skirt and then a moron opened the door..they paid me for it but I never bothered fixing it) and the leather seats are in ok condition with only a few marks on them. I believe that I still owe about 10K on the car (out of work for a while so only paying minimum and refinanced to lower my interest rate).

My problem is that my car even though it was purchased in VA is equipped with "california emissions" and since I moved to Mass, the exhaust (More importantly the catalytic converters and the pre cats) are only covered under a 3yr/50K mi warranty. Well yesterday I discovered that one of my upstream catalytic converters died in the car and needs replacement and this is neither covered by the 3/50 since my car is over 3 years old nor is it covered by my extended 6yr/60K since Ford doesn't cover Exhaust components, they said if I lived in any state other than Mass, Maine, NY, or Cali it would be covered for 8yrs or 80K miles.

I complained to Ford saying that I figured since the car was so new or has so few miles I didn't see why this was happening (owned other cars and cats are not an issue until at least 70-80K) and also was surprised that if I lived elsewhere it would be covered and that my ESP didn't cover the repair. After arguing they agreed to pay 60% of the cost which ends up costing me $300 ($118 for Diagnotics and the rest for Labor) normally this is a $700-800 repair job.

My concern is that if one went now then what are the chances of the other three going as well? and am I really going to want to complain to Ford on each occasion just to get assistance?

I figure my options are:

1. Have this first one fixed and see how things go, it is at a discounted rate and can't hurt anything
2. Forget having it fixed, the computer is reset and the CEL is not showing, trade it in now for something else and deal get out of this headache
3. Have it fixed and draw out looking for something new and pay off as much as possible of this in the hopes to trade it in.
4. Have this one fixed and if any of the others break just forget about them, when it comes time to get the car inspected just reset the computer and clear the code however this might or might not work, if it doesn't work I face one heck of a repair bill and a car I cannot trade in because it will not pass state inspection as is.

I am really leaning either to options 1 and 2, with more weight being on 2 but I have never traded in a car that I owed money on before...also as I said I owe about $10K but Kelly's Blue Book valued my trade in at only $8,095 (however it didn't take into account that I had a dealer installed premium alarm and also the transferrable 6yr 60K warranty). I would really like the trade this car in and start leasing a new Audi A4 or something along those lines but don't want to get screwed because the resale of my car is so low and also since I owe so much.....

any opinions/info on trading a car where you still owe money would be appreciated..thanks

 

[Jeffwo]

My condolences....LOL.

 

[malbojah]

Welcome to Taxachusetts

 

[radioouman]

Well, it is a Contour, so it will probably have more problems the older it gets (I know nothing about the SVT though in terms of reliability). If you are willing to work on it yourself, then it would be cheaper to keep. But if you always have someone work on it for you, then I would get something else.

Oh yeah, get several estimates to replace the CAT. It won't be that expensive when you find the right shop to replace it for you.

 

[Spencer278]

5. Just forget about it and know the right place to get the car inspected.

 

[DurocShark]

Originally posted by: Spencer278
5. Just forget about it and know the right place to get the car inspected.

That only works if the cat(s) don't clog. They can build up contaminants that actually block the exhaust.

I'd fix it and start looking for a replacement. I've got a nice 1986 Fiero v6 for sale.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: bozack

My problem is that my car even though it was purchased in VA is equipped with "california emissions" and since I moved to Mass, the exhaust (More importantly the catalytic converters and the pre cats) are only covered under a 3yr/50K mi warranty. Well yesterday I discovered that one of my upstream catalytic converters died in the car and needs replacement and this is neither covered by the 3/50 since my car is over 3 years old nor is it covered by my extended 6yr/60K since Ford doesn't cover Exhaust components, they said if I lived in any state other than Mass, Maine, NY, or Cali it would be covered for 8yrs or 80K miles.

I'd really look into that law....I thought it was federal based for all states on 'emissions' components (cats are considered emission not exhaust components).

If not you can get a nice high flow cat for around $100....you can't remove a 'working' system technically, but since your's has failed you are ok. Welding that in is about $40 at the most.

The Contour SVT should have some car sites based on it. They may have better advice or even a stock cat to donate .

If you don't like your car, putting money into it isn't smart as repairs really usually don't reflect on the final sale amount...however it may be illegal to sell a car with a failed emission component in your state.

Å

 

[Ryan]

Drive to another state and have it fixed

 

[Quixfire]

#2, the Ford Contour is one of the worst vehicles Ford has ever produced. I have been working on them since 1995 and wouldn't own one if it was given to me.

BTW, the Federal Emission law is 5yrs/50K miles.

 

[bozack]

Thanks for the advice all...

in response to alkamyst in Massachusetts they just passed a law that states no one can modify their exhaust from factory specifications on street vehicles, if they do they will face fines and their car will not pass inspection so a high flow cat is out even though I did consider the option. I don't know if it is illegal to trade in a car with a failed emissions component but I believe it is illegal to sell a car with a faulty emissions as a private party sale...I have thought about taking it to another state for the work but I believe it goes off of your registration and not the actual location of the work performed so no matter where I go the massachusetts laws will apply. And I have this question on a Ford Contour forum, however I think the responses will be biased in favor of keeping my car since it is a brand/model oriented site.

radio, the SVT is the same for the most part with the engine and the drivetrain the primary differences along with interior and exterior trim, however the majority of the nit picky stuff that goes wrong is the same with all contours which means that it will get to be expensive to own in the long run which is why I got the extended warranty but I am slowly realizing that they only cover the cheaper stuff and not the expensive major components.

With re. Spencer, if it were five eyars ago maybe but since I moved away and then came back I no longer know anyone in the industry and also with the new inspection regulations places can get seriously boned for fudging on the new inspection process here as they are already under alot of fire....

thanks again.

 

[bozack]

Originally posted by: Quixfire
#2, the Ford Contour is one of the worst vehicles Ford has ever produced. I have been working on them since 1995 and wouldn't own one if it was given to me.

BTW, the Federal Emission law is 5yrs/50K miles.

Hey Quixfire,

I had a friend that was a Ford Mechanic and he said the same thing about a year and a half after I bought the car (didn't meet him until then).....pretty obvious why the resale is so dismal on these things I guess...I have heard the 5/50 but also read about 8/80 and 7/70? the stealerships were telling me this part if I lived in new hampshire would have been under the 8/80....I think I am going to put everything I can into paying this car off and then dumping it in the spring/summer for something new. Thanks

 

[Ornery]

"... if I lived in any state other than Mass, Maine, NY, or Cali..."

Thank Uncle Ted, Ms. Hillary and friends for that!


"...yesterday I discovered that one of my upstream catalytic converters died in the car and needs replacement..."

Based on what? Does it still run, or not?

 

[maziwanka]

this is ford for you. the contour svt is badass tho.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: bozack
in response to alkamyst in Massachusetts they just passed a law that states no one can modify their exhaust from factory specifications on street vehicles, if they do they will face fines and their car will not pass inspection so a high flow cat is out even though I did consider the option.

I don't live in Mass, but most of these laws are hard to hold up if you use parts that are CARB certified. In almost all states you cannot touch the CAT unless it is faulty. Even if a high flow cat is deemed illegal, there are stock cat replacements that are non-factory. high flow cat's still clean the air as well as a factory unit, they are just more free flowing and expensive for the manufacturers to use.

A junk yard can also be a source.

It does sound though a vehicle change is more to your liking

 

[bozack]

Originally posted by: Ornery
"... if I lived in any state other than Mass, Maine, NY, or Cali..."

Thank Uncle Ted, Ms. Hillary and friends for that!


"...yesterday I discovered that one of my upstream catalytic converters died in the car and needs replacement..."

Based on what? Does it still run, or not?

Hey Ornery,

Yeah all of my not so favorite people....I have lived here most of my life and kinda enjoy going against the grain in my socio-political views

with regards to the technical issue, I had a "Contour Enthusiasts Light" or Check engine light come on which indicated a P0420 Catalyst System Efficiency below Limit - Bank No 1 error...since the new inspection system plugs into the ODBC on the car it would show up next year when inspection time rolls around.

 

[Ornery]

"since the new inspection system plugs into the ODBC on the car it would show up next year when inspection time rolls around."

Wow, nice!

I just heard the other day, that our local government vehicles are skipping inspections. They don't have to get a sticker renewed every year like the rest of us, so their cars just skate on this inspection BS. I bet half the computer controlled crap under your hood is emission related. Probably more than half the sensors are too, but I'm sure it's all worth it.