Why I Love My Car

[AMCRambler]

I bought that 2000 Contour SVT I was talking about a month ago. Picked it up this past weekend in West Virginia and drove it back. The thing hauls a$$ and I love it like you do mwilding. Smooth as butter up to 100, 110 small vibration, 115 more noticeable vibration. 115 was as fast as I took it, but it had more in it. Just started driving the car and I didn't know the handling that well yet, so I figured better to be safe. Man is it quick though, love that 200hp. And it sticks the curves like I can't believe. Quite an upgrade from the ol' 91 Accord Se. Can't wait to shut down some rice boys with it. As for Skoorbie's Maxima? Haha I think a 'Tour SVT would shut him down. It'd be close, but the SVT is way lighter than a Maxima.

 

[SWScorch]

My old car would go 75MPH @ 1600rpm, hands off wheel, no shimmies, shakes or rattles, and got 30 mpg.

It's all about the 87 Bonnevilles, man.

 

[Flyermax2k3]

You're @ 4k @ 80mph? I don't hit 4k till 90 in my DSM....

 

[BornStar]

The Duratec V6 is also the heart of the SVT version, but with an additional 25 hp--13% more peak power from an engine that already did a good job of generating impressive output from not much displacement. In fact, 76.6 hp per liter from a non-supercharged engine is one of the better performance figures in the business. We can only think of a couple engines at the small end of the spectrum that top the SVT version of the Duratec in the power-per-liter derby, both from Honda, both four-cylinders

What the heck are they talking about? I can think of several engines that do better than that. None of them are as cheap as the SVT Contour but they aren't huge engines. BMWs M3 engine makes over 100hp/L and is N/A as well as the Ferrari 360. And neither of those engines is huge.

Anyway, my Camry is at 3k RPM at 80mph. It's a 2.2L with a 4 speed auto. 4k Seems really high to me, especially for a V6.

 

[GasX]

Originally posted by: BornStar18

The Duratec V6 is also the heart of the SVT version, but with an additional 25 hp--13% more peak power from an engine that already did a good job of generating impressive output from not much displacement. In fact, 76.6 hp per liter from a non-supercharged engine is one of the better performance figures in the business. We can only think of a couple engines at the small end of the spectrum that top the SVT version of the Duratec in the power-per-liter derby, both from Honda, both four-cylinders

What the heck are they talking about? I can think of several engines that do better than that. None of them are as cheap as the SVT Contour but they aren't huge engines. BMWs M3 engine makes over 100hp/L and is N/A as well as the Ferrari 360. And neither of those engines is huge.

Anyway, my Camry is at 3k RPM at 80mph. It's a 2.2L with a 4 speed auto. 4k Seems really high to me, especially for a V6.

yeah, but those cars cost what? Normally one doesn't include Ferraris and M3's in a comparison of readily available street cars...

 

[PowerMacG5]

Pfft, I hit 4k RPM's in my car at 120 MPH. Too bad that's where the governor is because there is still another 2.3k RPM's. My car was smooth as butter up to that, and definitely still had a lot of power left, but the driveshaft is only rated for 122, hence the 120 MPH governor. My powerband only starts at 4k RPM and runs to the red line.

 

[Ryan]

My Scion xb can do the same

 

[BornStar]

Originally posted by: Mwilding

Originally posted by: BornStar18

The Duratec V6 is also the heart of the SVT version, but with an additional 25 hp--13% more peak power from an engine that already did a good job of generating impressive output from not much displacement. In fact, 76.6 hp per liter from a non-supercharged engine is one of the better performance figures in the business. We can only think of a couple engines at the small end of the spectrum that top the SVT version of the Duratec in the power-per-liter derby, both from Honda, both four-cylinders

What the heck are they talking about? I can think of several engines that do better than that. None of them are as cheap as the SVT Contour but they aren't huge engines. BMWs M3 engine makes over 100hp/L and is N/A as well as the Ferrari 360. And neither of those engines is huge.

Anyway, my Camry is at 3k RPM at 80mph. It's a 2.2L with a 4 speed auto. 4k Seems really high to me, especially for a V6.

yeah, but those cars cost what? Normally one doesn't include Ferraris and M3's in a comparison of readily available street cars...

I agree that if we're talking price there really isn't a comparison however they never mentioned price. As far as I could tell the only limit they put on their comparison was engine displacement and a 3.6L V8 isn't exactly a huge engine.

 

[AMCRambler]

So your trashing the Contour by comparing it to an M3 and a Ferrari? That means your putting in the same league as cars that cost 4 times as much! You're proving our point for us!

 

[BornStar]

Originally posted by: AMCRambler
So your trashing the Contour by comparing it to an M3 and a Ferrari? That means your putting in the same league as cars that cost 4 times as much! You're proving our point for us!

I didn't trash it. The Contour is a great car. I had the pleasure of driving with one quite a long ways along I75 and that car can move. I was merely stating that I'm not impressed with the people that wrote the article because they seem to be a little misinformed.

 

[gregshin]

hmm @ 85mph in 5th my car is @ 4200RPMS.....right in the sweet spot of full boost. My redline is 7200RPMS

people cant belive how fast my car pulls in 5th gear on the fwy...no need to downshift

best was when a fixed up integra GS-R tried to race me....i was in 5th with A/C on and i just floored it....my friend following us saw the GS-R jerk into 3rd, shift in 4th, then shifted in 5th....needless to say i was ahead of him the whole way LOL

 

[GasX]

note to people who can't read into things:

The fact that my car is going 80mph at 4000rpm is not significant in and of itself. The fact that it is riding smooth as butter and that it isn't even close to the powerband is...

Also, I think I am wrong and that the RPM is a bit lower @ 80.

 

[AMCRambler]

Originally posted by: BornStar18

Originally posted by: AMCRambler
So your trashing the Contour by comparing it to an M3 and a Ferrari? That means your putting in the same league as cars that cost 4 times as much! You're proving our point for us!

I didn't trash it. The Contour is a great car. I had the pleasure of driving with one quite a long ways along I75 and that car can move. I was merely stating that I'm not impressed with the people that wrote the article because they seem to be a little misinformed.

I see, my bad. One thing you have to consider is that the smaller the engine gets the harder it is to pull horsepower out of it. That M3 engine is still .7 liters larger than the duratec. However I'm sure BMW would be able to squeeze a little more horsepower out of the same size motor, but there's a point where the cost outweighs the gain in horsepower. Ford was trying to make a really sporty, affordable sedan. BMW's M3 is a sports car more than it's a grocery getter.

 

[Flyermax2k3]

Originally posted by: Mwilding
note to people who can't read into things:

The fact that my car is going 80mph at 4000rpm is not significant in and of itself. The fact that it is riding smooth as butter and that it isn't even close to the powerband is...

Also, I think I am wrong and that the RPM is a bit lower @ 80.

LOL, right....... Now you're "wrong" and it's actually "lower" after reading all the responses Sure, whatever you say
There's nothing remarkable about the smoothness of your ride either, dude. My car is over 13 years old and it's smooth as silk @ 80mph, as well as being well within the powerband.

 

[GasX]

Originally posted by: Flyermax2k3

Originally posted by: Mwilding
note to people who can't read into things:

The fact that my car is going 80mph at 4000rpm is not significant in and of itself. The fact that it is riding smooth as butter and that it isn't even close to the powerband is...

Also, I think I am wrong and that the RPM is a bit lower @ 80.

LOL, right....... Now you're "wrong" and it's actually "lower" after reading all the responses Sure, whatever you say
There's nothing remarkable about the smoothness of your ride either, dude. My car is over 13 years old and it's smooth as silk @ 80mph, as well as being well within the powerband.

yeah, but I can make an emergency lane change at 80mph and not buckle the tires...

 

[AMCRambler]

Originally posted by: Mwilding
note to people who can't read into things:

The fact that my car is going 80mph at 4000rpm is not significant in and of itself. The fact that it is riding smooth as butter and that it isn't even close to the powerband is...

Also, I think I am wrong and that the RPM is a bit lower @ 80.

Yeah I think 4,000 is a little high for 80, but I can't remember what mine is turning at so I can't really say. I do know that around 4000 rpms the thing really takes off. I'll be accelerating in second and third and while the car pulls strong up to 3750-4000, around 4000 it gets this kick in the pants that pushes you back in the seat, lol. When I first felt that I jonesed, haha. Does the Duratec have a variable cam or something set up on it like a Honda V-Tec? I've been trying to figure out why it just lights off at that rpm.

 

[Flyermax2k3]

Originally posted by: Mwilding

Originally posted by: Flyermax2k3

Originally posted by: Mwilding
note to people who can't read into things:

The fact that my car is going 80mph at 4000rpm is not significant in and of itself. The fact that it is riding smooth as butter and that it isn't even close to the powerband is...

Also, I think I am wrong and that the RPM is a bit lower @ 80.

LOL, right....... Now you're "wrong" and it's actually "lower" after reading all the responses Sure, whatever you say
There's nothing remarkable about the smoothness of your ride either, dude. My car is over 13 years old and it's smooth as silk @ 80mph, as well as being well within the powerband.

yeah, but I can make an emergency lane change at 80mph and not buckle the tires...

? My car can out-handle your car any day of the week, guaranteed. AWD PWNS FWD, period.

 

[K1052]

yeah, but I can make an emergency lane change at 80mph and not buckle the tires...

I can do that as well in my 16 year old car.

Did I just have to spend an assload of cash replacing tires, steering linkage, and suspension components?
Maybe.

 

[merlocka]

Originally posted by: Mwilding
1998 Ford SVT Contour

I have a 98 CSVT. Great car. Mine has about 105k miles, and I'm having a tough time finding a replacement.

There are cars below $30 which have better specs, are faster, look better, more reliable, etc... but it's hard to find on that has as good "feel" or the "intangibles" as the CSVT...

I know, it's hard to believe that a Ford has a "feel" or anything "intangible" that might be considered good, but the CSVT really is a diamond in the rough. Very rough

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: AMCRambler
I bought that 2000 Contour SVT I was talking about a month ago. Picked it up this past weekend in West Virginia and drove it back. The thing hauls a$$ and I love it like you do mwilding. Smooth as butter up to 100, 110 small vibration, 115 more noticeable vibration. 115 was as fast as I took it, but it had more in it. Just started driving the car and I didn't know the handling that well yet, so I figured better to be safe. Man is it quick though, love that 200hp. And it sticks the curves like I can't believe. Quite an upgrade from the ol' 91 Accord Se. Can't wait to shut down some rice boys with it. As for Skoorbie's Maxima? Haha I think a 'Tour SVT would shut him down. It'd be close, but the SVT is way lighter than a Maxima.

I have a 2k3 Maxima SE that'll probably shut you down. What does the SVT Contour do in the 1/4?

I'd rather have an SVT Mustang personally.

 

[Flyermax2k3]

Originally posted by: K1052

yeah, but I can make an emergency lane change at 80mph and not buckle the tires...

I can do that as well in my 16 year old car.

Did I just have to spend an assload of cash replacing tires, steering linkage, and suspension components?
Maybe.

LOL, he never said anything about that I just had my front axle replaced as well as the wheel bearings and tie rod ends so it's no wonder my car drives great now Oh yeah, the Michelin Pilot Sport 205/55/16's all around don't hurt either

 

[GasX]

Originally posted by: AMCRambler

Originally posted by: Mwilding
note to people who can't read into things:

The fact that my car is going 80mph at 4000rpm is not significant in and of itself. The fact that it is riding smooth as butter and that it isn't even close to the powerband is...

Also, I think I am wrong and that the RPM is a bit lower @ 80.

Yeah I think 4,000 is a little high for 80, but I can't remember what mine is turning at so I can't really say. I do know that around 4000 rpms the thing really takes off. I'll be accelerating in second and third and while the car pulls strong up to 3750-4000, around 4000 it gets this kick in the pants that pushes you back in the seat, lol. When I first felt that I jonesed, haha. Does the Duratec have a variable cam or something set up on it like a Honda V-Tec? I've been trying to figure out why it just lights off at that rpm.

The secondary intakes open at 3900 RPM (3400 @ WOT)

 

[Flyermax2k3]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: AMCRambler
I bought that 2000 Contour SVT I was talking about a month ago. Picked it up this past weekend in West Virginia and drove it back. The thing hauls a$$ and I love it like you do mwilding. Smooth as butter up to 100, 110 small vibration, 115 more noticeable vibration. 115 was as fast as I took it, but it had more in it. Just started driving the car and I didn't know the handling that well yet, so I figured better to be safe. Man is it quick though, love that 200hp. And it sticks the curves like I can't believe. Quite an upgrade from the ol' 91 Accord Se. Can't wait to shut down some rice boys with it. As for Skoorbie's Maxima? Haha I think a 'Tour SVT would shut him down. It'd be close, but the SVT is way lighter than a Maxima.

I have a 2k3 Maxima SE that'll probably shut you down. What does the SVT Contour do in the 1/4?

I'd rather have an SVT Mustang personally.

Contours generally run low 15's and trap high 80's/low 90's in the 1/4, whereas Maximas will run anywhere from low 14's to high 14's, depending on the driver and model year of the car.

 

[Flyermax2k3]

Originally posted by: Mwilding

The secondary intakes open at 3900 RPM (3400 @ WOT)[/quote]


Oooh! Variable intake manifold geometry Gotta love that.

 

[GasX]

Originally posted by: Flyermax2k3

Originally posted by: Mwilding
note to people who can't read into things:

The fact that my car is going 80mph at 4000rpm is not significant in and of itself. The fact that it is riding smooth as butter and that it isn't even close to the powerband is...

Also, I think I am wrong and that the RPM is a bit lower @ 80.

LOL, right....... Now you're "wrong" and it's actually "lower" after reading all the responses Sure, whatever you say
There's nothing remarkable about the smoothness of your ride either, dude. My car is over 13 years old and it's smooth as silk @ 80mph, as well as being well within the powerband.

Final ratio in 5th gear is 3.13:1
Top speed is 143mph @ 6310 rpm
Thus 80mph = 3530rpm