SVT Contour - updated - I found my next car!

[mithrandir2001]

I owned a 1998 Contour SE Sport, which I bought brand new and kept for about 28 months. By the time I traded that POS in, with only 29K on the odo, the engine was already have some issues. The butterflies controlling the secondary valves occasional failed to open, which led to a major lack of performance in the mid- to upper-rev range. The engine also tended to stall at idle and sometimes would not start. I often smelled burning oil after driving the car for more than just a short hop and the exhaust fumes were noticably smelly.

And let's not talk about the endless myriad electrical issues that car had. NVH? BWAHAHAHA!

A stock SE Sport is nothing like a modded SVT, but it was an exceptionally fun car to drive (for the price) and I just wish Toyota or Honda built (and engineered) the car rather than Ford. It was a stereotypical Ford POS.

 

[tcsenter]

I am going back and forth between stock and modded. Those wheels are REALLY nice.

I think they are over done, it reminds me of those caricature cartoons where the guy has some really exaggerated feature, like Ross Perot with Dumbo ears and a big nose. 19 freaking inch tires on a smallish mid-size sedan? It would only work leaving it slammed. One good thing, though, you could sell those puppies for some spare change.

If you ask me, you're only getting someone else's troubles. I would prefer to find a stock SVT that someone has taken good care of and do the mods myself (have them done).

Not always, most of them are, but not all. 95 was the last year they put manuals in the SHOs. The older the SHO the better chance there is that it is a manual though.

I owned a 94 SHO 5-speed with some bolt-on mods. In fact, my sister has a 94 SHO automatic she's trying to sell.

I loved the SHO, I think it looks better than the SVT Contour, especially with some nice wheels and tires and a black-out kit, but let me tell you they are a royal pain-in-the-ass. The SHO is a very buggy car that could have been a lot better than it was.

The valves are supposed to be lashed on the Yamaha engine every 60,000 miles because the valvetrain is solid vs. hydraulic. Some mechanics will say wait until you hear the valves or lifters tapping. BS! If you wait that long, you may already have valvetrain damage. Its a $1400 service, unless you can do it yourself.

The transmission and clutch were always the worst part about the SHO. The clunkity Mazda 5 speed was never a smooth shifter, even after I tried two different synthetic ATFs (Redline and Amsoil) in it. The clutch and throw-out bearing were underbuilt. I had the clutch replaced and the shop used the improved throw-out bearing and clutch kit released by Ford. That was another $1400.

The engine has a lot of idiosynchracies that make it very tricky to work on. Yes it was pretty fast in its day, but there are cars as fast today that aren't as much of a money-pit or pain in the arse. The 3.4L V-8 SHO would have been great with a 5-speed (but not that damned Mazda unit).

The SVT has a lot of potential, though. Problem is that both the SHO and SVT Contour are specialty vehicles without a lot of aftermarket support.

 

[GasX]

bump for the afternoon car crowd

btw, I found the original auction for the silver SVT. Bidding got to $9000 which was below reserve.

 

[GasX]

link to original auction for silver 1999

I am test driving the 1998 (black, 40K, extended warranty) tomorrow

😀

 

[iamwiz82]

personally, i think it looks tacky. Another thing, chances are the guy beat the hell out of it. Who buys a car like that and then mods it and never runs it hard?

 

[GasX]

but he told me he never ever raced!

The one I am driving tomorrow is black with midnight blue interior. The silver/blue is much nicer looking, but other than that, the 1998 black one wins...

here's hoping tomorrow goes well 😀

 

[BDawg]

I have an SVT Contour and I love it! That price seems high for a car with engine troubles...

I haven't had a single problem with my car. It's a 98' with 50k miles.

 

[GasX]

pics?

😉

 

[psteng19]

Originally posted by: Mwilding
but he told me he never ever raced!

And I believe it because it's full of all show no go mods.
Personally, I'd stay away from it.

Ford doesn't exactly have a good reliability history.
Found On Road Dead

 

[GasX]

Originally posted by: psteng19

Originally posted by: Mwilding
but he told me he never ever raced!

And I believe it because it's full of all show no go mods.
Personally, I'd stay away from it.

Ford doesn't exactly have a good reliability history.
Found On Road Dead

You mean First On Race Day! 😉

 

[BDawg]

Originally posted by: Mwilding

Originally posted by: psteng19

Originally posted by: Mwilding
but he told me he never ever raced!

And I believe it because it's full of all show no go mods.
Personally, I'd stay away from it.

Ford doesn't exactly have a good reliability history.
Found On Road Dead

You mean First On Race Day! 😉

That's what happened last Sunday!

My wife and I both have Fords (she has a Taurus). Neither of us has problems...besides her forgetting which side the gas tank is.

 

[GasX]

Update I found the car I am buying today.

1998 Ford Contour SVT - Black w/ Blue Interior
40000 Miles
Extend Warranty (this is huge for me)
Perfect interior
Good exterior (hood has some minor issues)
Has a Ractive exhaust which is getting replaced by the original stock (it was fun to drive but not as practical as I need it to be)
KKM intake
Upgraded front and rear brakes
Shaved antenna, trunk lock & side guards
Powered invisible antenna
40,000 mile service done last week
<5000 miles on tires

Gave him $1000 today and will take delivery in about two or three weeks.

I am VERY excited 😀

I drove it around and mechanically it feels and sounds perfect. The clutch is smooth, the engine hums, the gears shift smoothly, steering is precise, ride is good and when you jam on the brakes it keeps going in a straight line.

Sorry no pics...

 

[RGN]

Originally posted by: Mwilding

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH
As much as I like those Contours, 64k, even if it's getting a new engine (err getting rebuilt) kind of sounds like trouble.

64K is trouble? What do you think is the lifespan of the Duratec?

well, I'd say about 64K....

Think about that.

 

[dirtboy]

You gave him money with nothing to show for it?!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[UltraQuiet]

when you jam on the brakes it keeps going in a straight line.

Isn't it supposed to stop when you do that?

 

[GasX]

Originally posted by: dirtboy
You gave him money with nothing to show for it?!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am a resourceful person. If he pulls a runner, I will track him down and kill him.

Originally posted by: DaveSohmer
Isn't it supposed to stop when you do that?

HaHa, Let me rephrase - "It decellerates rapidly without pulling to either side. 🙂

 

[dirtboy]

Originally posted by: Mwilding

Originally posted by: dirtboy
You gave him money with nothing to show for it?!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am a resourceful person. If he pulls a runner, I will track him down and kill him.

I always go by: No car, no cash. 2-3 weeks is a long time to wait. What is the holdup?

 

[crawford]

You wont be sorry you went with the svt dude! I love mine more every day 😀

 

[GasX]

I have to say, driving it with the Ractive exhaust was fun. It justed sounded like I was driving a race car. Unfortunately, I am looking for something a little more practical so he is putting back the stock.

Crawford - I am looking forward to it. 😀

 

[crawford]

I thought ractive was a rice brand ? Maybe not...
Anyway, the stock exhaust isnt quiet (but not TOO loud). trust me. I almost dont feel the need to upgrade at least the mufflers or anything. I prolly will get some magnaflows eventually tho.

 

[GasX]

Originally posted by: dirtboy

Originally posted by: Mwilding

Originally posted by: dirtboy
You gave him money with nothing to show for it?!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am a resourceful person. If he pulls a runner, I will track him down and kill him.

I always go by: No car, no cash. 2-3 weeks is a long time to wait. What is the holdup?

The hold up is that I have to return my leased Blazer and he has to swap out the exhaust system, have the antenna installed and remove the stereo equipment from the trunk. I am not going to miss the money (unless he pulls said runner) so I have bought myself piece of mind as far as knowing I will have my car soon. It is less than 10% of the purchase price.

One last thing, I have been very "nice" so far. As a former buyer, I know that if anything comes up between now and deal close I can squeeze this guy. Yes he has $1000 but I have some legal rights to that car and have only paid $1000. He knows I have made it easy on him which is why I can get him to deliver it to me (we are over an hour apart).

Bottom Line: I didn't really need to give him this money but I know where to get it back and know that it garauntees me getting my SVT.

pics when I take delivery! 😀

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: NFS4
$15k for a 4 year old Ford with engine troubles?? I doubt it...even with the mods.

A pristine SVT Contour with every option and 40,000 miles is going for $13,670 according to KBB

Plus I bet he's driven the Christ out of it.

 

[GasX]

Skoorb = Skoorbed 😉

I am not getting the silver one, I am getting a 1998 black one (see above)

 

[GasX]

Originally posted by: crawford
I thought ractive was a rice brand ? Maybe not...
Anyway, the stock exhaust isnt quiet (but not TOO loud). trust me. I almost dont feel the need to upgrade at least the mufflers or anything. I prolly will get some magnaflows eventually tho.

If you define "rice brand" as a loud buzz and two coffee cans sticking out the back then YES. As a one-off driving experience, it was a fun thing to have on the car as the sound was very loud. It wouldn't take more than another 20 minutes to get sick of it.

 

[dirtboy]

Originally posted by: Mwilding

Originally posted by: dirtboy

Originally posted by: Mwilding

Originally posted by: dirtboy
You gave him money with nothing to show for it?!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am a resourceful person. If he pulls a runner, I will track him down and kill him.

I always go by: No car, no cash. 2-3 weeks is a long time to wait. What is the holdup?

The hold up is that I have to return my leased Blazer and he has to swap out the exhaust system, have the antenna installed and remove the stereo equipment from the trunk. I am not going to miss the money (unless he pulls said runner) so I have bought myself piece of mind as far as knowing I will have my car soon. It is less than 10% of the purchase price.

One last thing, I have been very "nice" so far. As a former buyer, I know that if anything comes up between now and deal close I can squeeze this guy. Yes he has $1000 but I have some legal rights to that car and have only paid $1000. He knows I have made it easy on him which is why I can get him to deliver it to me (we are over an hour apart).

Bottom Line: I didn't really need to give him this money but I know where to get it back and know that it garauntees me getting my SVT.

pics when I take delivery! 😀

Ahhh... can't wait to see the pics!!!