Overview & Reviews

All-speed traction control is a new option on V6 models equipped with ABS. Tropic Green and Medium Steel Blue replace Dark Green Satin, Light Denim Blue and Pacific Green on the color chart. The integrated child seat is dropped from the optional equipment list, as are the 15-inch wheel covers. The instrument panel receives a mild revision and the 10-way power seats become 6-way power seats thanks to the deletion of the power lumbar and recline adjustments. Ford increases rear seat room in the Contour for the third year in a row, desperately trying to shed this sedan's cramped car image.

• German engineering at an American price.

• Blends in too much with all the Hertz rental cars parked at the beach.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 74.00

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  fun and mostly reliable - 1999 Ford Contour
  By Skye - November 19 - 7:02 pm

  We got this car as a gift (yay!) with 62,000 miles on it and after 2.5 years its now almost at the 100,000 mile mark. We had absolutely nothing wrong with it the first year other than burnt out blinker bulbs. In the last year, we had a broken timing belt (thank God the engines non-interference!) and just repaired a leak in the brake line, which corroded the brake shoes with brake fluid. Whoops. We also had to replace the heater, but it was apparently still under warranty after 16 years. I agree with others that the cupholders suck--theyre small and tucked under the console, but its not a luxury edition, so I dont expect it to be fancy. The engine runs great, although unlike other posters I find it doesnt accelerate well on the highway. The transmission is great, its fun to drive and easy to park, and it has character. I definitely want to keep it for years to come.

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  I will have a hard time parting with this Contour! - 1999 Ford Contour
  By incaleif - November 2 - 7:30 pm

  I took on this contour when it had 196,000 miles. The seller fixed an exhaust problem. I replaced the upper outer ball joints, had the brakes redone with new fluid, did rear struts, changed the front wheel bearings, changed the transmission fluid, P/S fluid, drained and flushed the radiator, changed the valve cover gasket and I do oil changes every 3000 miles. I get 30 mpg. Just now I may be looking at changing the water pump and timing belt. But this car is worth it! It has 230,000 miles and still running strong.

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  fun car to have - 1999 Ford Contour
  By gooddriver250 - January 14 - 11:04 pm

  This is a fun car too have it gets you to where you need to go. Few problems but nothing big. I have about 11,000 miles on it and it still drives like I just got it. I don`t cool in it but its a ride and it beats riding the bus every morning for school. Need to replace the muffler system but I been needing an excuse to get a louder muffler. Good car handles great and its the only car I will ever trust in the snow and rain. Thats big, but you got to remember its a FORD!

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  Nice car for the price - 1999 Ford Contour
  By Leo - May 29 - 10:44 pm

  Bought it new in 2000. Sport SE V6, auto. 95,000 miles motor, transmission still strong, dash pad, rear brake proportioning valve replaced under recall-new pad better quality-still perfect, solenoid idle valve, air conditioning compressor bearing seal had very slow leak-compressor was replaced under extended warranty, sun roof motor intermittent-replaced, oil pan gasket replaced, front brake pads, new battery. Despite these problems this car is FUN. I flush the cooling system every two years and change the oil regular, its had 10 Minnesota winters and almost no rust still! Still has the original exhaust!

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  Lovin the ride - 1999 Ford Contour
  By smoothride - January 16 - 5:50 pm

  Bought 4 years ago, wasnt looking to buy Ford, but found it, tried it and fell for the smooth, quiet ride. Love the way it picked up speed. Front seating very comfortable, back seating fairly good, little tight for long legs. Love the V6 except for gas mileage 20-22 city, 25 hwy. Been an excellent family vehicle. Lots of room in truck, love the sun/moon roof. Air cond. great, heater takes forever to warm but great once heated. Doors ice over very easily, dash is peeling up and back, cup holders are bad. Even stood up well to hitting a 200 + pound deer, damaged only hood, grill, and headlights. Oxygen sensor needed a good cleaning around 105k miles, very common among Fords.

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  1999 Ford Contour 4 Dr SE Sedan - 1999 Ford Contour
  By Marshall - October 4 - 8:23 pm

  I have had this car since 2001 and despite it not being the best looking car on the road, it has been a great car and I cant justify replacing it. Since purchase I have only put about $1200 into it which are thing I consider normal replacements (timing belt and front control arms) after nearly 10 years. One thing I would like to note is that after 118000 miles, my last fill up I averaged 30.73 miles per gallon. I consider this excellent considering the mileage on the car and the fact that I usually drive between 70 and 75 on the highway. Overall, this has been a great car. Not a chick magnet but a darn good car worth keeping.

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  150000+ miles and still running! - 1999 Ford Contour
  By Res - June 10 - 7:59 am

  Car has been great so far. Replaced timing belt twice. Replace more parts other than the timing belt such as idler pulley, and you will not have the same problem. Other than that, front end suspension parts have been replaced as rust and worn out busings have taken their toll. If I am lucky, the car will rust out before the car mechanically dies (Heres hoping!)

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  Great Value Even Greater Fun!!!! - 1999 Ford Contour
  By FatBoyAYA - May 11 - 11:13 pm

  I bought a 1999 LX with 22,000 miles on the clock in 2002. Been drving it as daily commute since then, and the odometer now reads 240,000 miles. Sporty handling, solid platform and a preppy engine makes this car a breeze to drive. Never once breaks down for the past 7 years, and maintenance limited to regular oil change, couple burnt headlamps, a few sets of new tires and replacing the timing belt once. Will definitely buy another Contour in the future. The Contour was named Mondeo everywhere else in the world, and the Ford Fusion in the States is actually the new Mondeo outside N America. Thats definitely going to be my next car of choice.

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  Nice car but needed lots of work - 1999 Ford Contour
  By Tobei - April 27 - 8:45 am

  Bought it used with 14,000 miles on it. I liked the car for the most part, but I had to stick a lot of money into new springs and struts for both the front (70,000 miles) and rear (105,000). This was a factory problem (springs were made too short and a common problem), but Ford refused to cover the cost on my car because not enough people reported this problem from the factory where mine was built. Also paid a lot to replace a seal on the gas tank (70,000 miles..another recall on cars from a different factory, but not mine). Recent transmission leak and oil leak. Needless to say, Im not thrilled with Fords service. Dont know if Ill buy another Ford.

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  Good Car? - 1999 Ford Contour
  By Gary - February 10 - 1:55 pm

  We have been driving this car for almost 8 years. It has 220,000 miles on it, of which 185,000 we put on. The front rotors have been replaced twice, and a wiper clutch was replaced. Besides that just the standard belt, tires, light bulbs, etc. have been replaced. I commute 100 miles a day and have had no problems with its dependability.