Overview & Reviews

A redesigned face gives this Ford more character, but the new taillight treatment is almost identical to the Contour's sibling, the Mercury Mystique. New alloy wheels and a slightly more commodious rear seat debut. Midyear changes included a model consolidation, the addition of depowered airbags, as well as improved handling and new wheels for the SVT.

• Energetic performance in the spirit of more expensive German sedans.

User Reviews:

Showing 31 through 40 of 99.00

• 

  Solid, fun drive - 1998 Ford Contour
  By pakman6 - October 19 - 12:40 am

  My 6 cyl. Contour replaced an 88 Subaru that quit at 150K (so you know how hard I am on a car). I purchased the Contour with 60K and now have 117. We have been everywhere from North Dakota to New Jersey, up to the top of the Black Hills on a dirt road and down plenty of country gravel roads as well as cities and interstates. Aside from the mediocre mileage (20-30), it has been a joy to drive, easy on the eye, and much less costly to maintain than the Subaru, though I fear those days are numbered. Only one minor oil leak (compared to the Subaru that must have had a sieve for a gasket) and various this and thats. A nice car, not the most durable out there, but still solid.

• 

  Great to own - 1998 Ford Contour
  By kristylint - April 2 - 5:14 pm

  this car is so reliable and so easy and fun to drive. It is a very nice and stylish car.

• 

  1998 Ford Contour Has Been a Good Car - 1998 Ford Contour
  By RDB - February 5 - 4:42 pm

  There are many bad reviews on this car. Even Consumer Reports says to avoid it. But so far, our 1998 2.0L SE, after nearly 80K miles and 8 years of driving, has had few problems. Total repairs for 8 years comes to about $1500.00. Quite reasonable. We bought it in 1999 when it was a one year-old demo. It has performed much better than our 1994 Ford Taurus 3.8L V6 which has had two blown head gaskets, one just recently. After 140K miles on the Taurus, we now have to get rid of it, though we had planned to keep it indefinitely. The Contour has been a much better car overall!

• 

  Too good to keep making - 1998 Ford Contour
  By Paul - January 16 - 10:16 pm

  The only Ford I ever owned was a 63 and a half Falcon V8 Sprint. I have 3, 98GL, 99LX, and 00SE Ford Contours. I bought one and a year later, loved it so much had to buy 2 more just to have in garage next to the Vette. Economy, dependability, and durability is job one on these Contours. I replaced the timing belt in 2 Contours at 75 & 90k just for general principal. Engines and trans have regular filter changes and no problems. A/Cs havent been charged yet. Engine and car electronics, not one problem. Set the cruise on the Rt 80, Mass Pike, MA, at 65 and it will hold its own and still get 35mph. The steering is still tight. The Contours are great fun cars. I may have to get and add an SVT.

• 

  The Contour Experience - 1998 Ford Contour
  By Gnat - January 4 - 8:39 pm

  Faithful starting, efficient, rear trunk trickle leak from above in process of repair, regular maintenance with 3,000 mile oil changes, traveled half of East Coast, mostly a commute car, comfortable, about to do 90,000 mile maintenance, spent too much time diagnosing and dealing with problem locally. Ford dealership found problem and quickly and resolved, zeroing in on specific problem area with computer diagnosis.

• 

  Fun car but not reliable - 1998 Ford Contour
  By Julie - September 2 - 10:45 am

  I bought my Contour in 2002 because it was a great deal. I enjoy the V6 engine and the low end torque, but thats where the fun stops. The car has had so many problems over the years - if it werent for my handy father, I would have sold it years ago. The major problem that the car had was that the wiring harness got fried because it was placed too close to the engine without heat protection so the wires overheated and fried. Then, shortly after that, the power windows stopped working and dad jerry-rigged the wires and now they work sporadically. The car has also recently started to "eat" oil and I need to put almost one quart of oil in every two weeks.

• 

  Been a Good lil Car! - 1998 Ford Contour
  By gluis55 - August 8 - 10:04 am

  I bought this car since we had two kids, and the other car I had was a Beretta, (two door). We needed a 4 door. The car is quick, and comfortable. My wife loves driving the car. The only complaint is the oil leaks! When I first bought it it was leaking from what appeared to me was the front gear cover and oil pan. It wasnt too bad, now it is definitely getting worse. You can smell the oil burning on the exhaust when it leaks. So now it is time to fix it, but not sure I want to spend the $850 the dealer wants to repair. Car has 97k on it got it used with 62k. Have had no real problems with it. Just maintenance 26 mpg.

• 

  Get a good tow truck plan! - 1998 Ford Contour
  By CLAZ - June 28 - 1:49 pm

  I originally leased this car for two years. I decided to buy the car because I had no problems up until that point. About two months afterwards, my transmission blew. 6 months later it was the engine and so on and so on. I ended up having to bring the car in for a minimum of $500 worth of repairs every 6 months like clockwork. Car had to be towed at least 10 times before I was finally able to get rid of it. Nobody ever really figured out the O2 sensor problem, electric problems,belt problems,etc. Its a shame because the car handled great after the repairs and it was very comfortable. Ford has the worst customer service I have ever experienced, they basically disown you after you leave the lot.

• 

  Love my Conto - 1998 Ford Contour
  By Teri13180 - April 18 - 5:56 pm

  I purchased my Conto used and I love it. It is a 6 cylinder sport model. Have had some minor repair work done, but all and all Im very happy with my purchase. I have taken it on several long road trips and have never had an issue. Very reliable, starts great in 30 below weather, and handles great on icy roads, which I encounter more than half of the year in Montana. Defroster could be a little better. I have had my engine light come on a few times, once was plugs needed changing, and the other times there was a miss when idling. My mechanic told me it happens with all sorts of different cars, just undo battery cables for 60 seconds and it resets. If thats my biggest problem, Im good to go!

• 

  Its all right - 1998 Ford Contour
  By rrice8755 - March 10 - 11:43 pm

  I bought my Contour 3 months ago and i runs pretty well but in the winter time its a piece of junk. The VSS went out on me that was only real big thing that went on me.