Contour SVT Questions
 

Does anyone here know anything about the Contour SVT's?

I think they were made from 1998-2000
Had 200 HP V-6 and a 5-speed, thats all I know, so if anyone has info, or knowdgle on these cars (and engines), please speak up.

Thanks,

I like those cars and they are cheap. They never took off in the SVT fan world like they should have. They handle really well for a 4 door car.

Check out svtperformance.com They have a room on the forums for the contours

http://www.contour.org/

I'd be wary. I've known several people with CSVTs, and they all had problems. Componding frustration from the car's rapid deterioration, is that the motor is wedged into the engine compartment such that doing anything is a major hassle. Apparently, doing any suspension work is also a major headache.

I can ask around an get specifics if you'd like.

Yes, Please do if you do not mind.

I would be looking at one for a daily driver, app. 100 miles per day.
I would try and buy one with 50-75k miles, but would like to get atleast 150k out of it, with out major maintenance.

Does anyone know if these things run a timing chain or belt?

drain plugs on em are right near the front of the block near the headers..

i have always wanted one, never could find one.

i found the perfect one for ya'll..

http://www.saleen.com/preowned.htm

Truely a collector's item. As far as I know, it was the only Saleen Contour ever made.

That car was up at the Saleen shop a few years ago when I went by there. . .

http://myweb.cableone.net/blombardi/saleen-01.jpg




http://myweb.cableone.net/blombardi/saleen-05.jpg

I don’t know how representative one owner’s experience with a CSVT is, but this is what the guy said.

Bought new in ’99 – nice car by Ford standards of the time. Nice seats, okay IP.
After about 15 months, it started getting rattle-y inside, and part of the IP’s pad de-laminated. With 95k he replaced it with a Mazda6.

He’s replaced the water pump three times, at ~50k, 65k, and 90k. The car nearly overheated, so watch out for motors that have been overheated.

Replaced an, “intake module,” around 70k– was unsure of the name, big dollars to have it fixed.

Alternator, last year / 3.5k ago.

He didn’t do any of the work, but he talked to the shop-guy several times while the car was being fixed, and the shop-guy said that water pumps break commonly.

Another thing to watch out for is the suspension. The guy said it’s great when new, but as it wears, it doesn’t just get soft and squishy like a normal car, the ride just goes all to hell. It started eating rear tires until he paid some significant monies for some new rear suspendering bits. He didn’t have the receipt handy, but I can find out exactly what was wrong… or at least what was replaced.

Thanks for all the information!!!

I plan on doing a little more research on these this weekend.
The Contour web-site looks very informative, I spent a little time on it the other night.

After looking at them a little more, I am thinking that the car may be just a little to small for what we need.

I am starting to do some research also on the Lincoln LS as well, and think that might be a better car for us.
Perhaps I will make a sepearte post on those.