I know this is off subject, but I had two of these, and I have been thinking of trading in my OZ for a 1998 contour SVT. Its not the fastest car but the sound and everything about it just rocks. I am just sick of dumping so much money in the OZ, and still it being in the mid to low 16s, and plus the sound is getting on my nerves. My question, does anyone know the long term reliabilty of the 2.5 duratec svt V-6?

 

Its pretty good. Ford got rid of all there problems in the power train they used to have (you know the late 80's - early 90's Taurs' when the tranny's were breaking like glass pins in a bowling lane)

Anyways you can pretty much always expect quality from the SVT's.

BTW This should be in either OT or Other Cars

 

Thanks, I still don;t know how to start a thread correctly!

 

You have 222 posts and you still don't know how. Read through the Noobie FAQ's there should be explination there

 

Cuz I have only posted twice, this being the second! How about your feedback on that question, that would help! nevermind you already replied to me !!!! my bad

 

The SVT will smoke a Lancer.. Go for it.

 

It has a chip intake exhaust, and short shift with 90,000 miles, clutch replaced 13,000 miles ago! I figure my lancer will have all that to replace soon. Clutch, timing belts, tires, brake rotors and pads, and any other tiny amount of horsepower i want to spend 300$ plus for!

 

My daily driver is a 98 Contour SVT. Runs great and with a Borla exhaust makes all the right growling noises. It has about 83K and I've had no repairs done since I got it about 4 years ago with 58K miles. Just routine maintenance items like brake pads and a water pump (easy to change yourself). Check contour.org for more info. There is a potential oil starvation issue with the motor if you run it really hard, but there is plenty about that at that website.

 

I used to have a 2000 (e1) it was a great car, only problem I had was with the fuel pump that was replaced twice. I kind of wish I still had it.

 

Thanks for your feedback!! I just got back from San Antonio and I have to say I was disgusted as to how this person killed this poor svt. I drove it and the allignment was WAY off, Bumper was f'ed up front and back, Grade a piece of crap!!!

 

The side skirts were missing, the intake cone has never been cleaned. This was a truly sad day! I wish I could find the person who did that to the car and Pimp slap them....

 

I often wondered how the SVT Contour would fair in the STS class of autocross. It has more power than the Lancer and many other comparable cars under 3 liters, and is relatively light. I also used to wonder about the Taurus SHO, but figured it's probably a heavy car.

 

The Contour is still very heavy relative to STS class leaders in cars like 89-91 Civic Si's.

 

I had a 93, and a 95 SHO, Very quick, but handling was nothing like my lancer. The SHO died on me though. As far as the STS class the SHO would not fair well, mainly cuz of the weight. The SVT would do pretty well I think, because it does have some suspension mods to it already.

 

Both are still too heavy!