New "family" ride

[HoustonLX]

With my family doubling in size in the near future, it was time to consider something more family friendly. The stang was sold a few months ago which only left the regular cab Toyota 4x4 which was anything but roomy. That got sold last Thursday. Now, I still wanted something fun to drive, but had room for child seats. With that in mind I give you this..

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a21/HoustonLX/ContourSVT003.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a21/HoustonLX/ContourSVT002.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a21/HoustonLX/ContourSVT001.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a21/HoustonLX/ContourSVT004.jpg

It's a 1999 SVT Contour with 69k miles. Build # 1,289 of 2,760 built that year. The SVT versions were only built from 1998-2000. Has the Duratec 200 hp 2.5L V6 which isn't anything great, but it does run nicely on the highway. Handles pretty good with upgraded SVT springs and sport shocks/struts. Still knocks out 28-29 mpg on the highway which is far better then the wifes Supercrew Lariet. The interior color is called Midnight Blue which looks more black in the daylight.

[trbstang]

Looks nice Shane! I saw it in the for sale ads and thought it would make a nice car for someone (with a small family!) It is bigger than my dad's idea of a family car, that was his '65 2+2 fastback Mustang! LOL!

[HoustonLX]

The funny part about the purchase..

Brian "BigRed" was the original owner whom bought it from Ford. Along with the SVT certificate, I also got a nice picture taken of the dash and gauges back when he owned it. The picture was taken while the car was driving down the highway and two interesting things are shown..

6,400 rpm's and 147 mph. ROFL!

Shame on you, Brian.

[trbstang]

Of course that was a " professional driver on a closed course" right?!?! LOL! I remember reading the reviews on them back when they were new. Not too bad of a car! I just don't know if I could get used to the FWD. I didn't like the SHO I test drove back in 94, and didn't really like our Villager minvan, but hey, it wasn't a performance car. How does it run through the gears. I know you've run it to redline through at least the first few gears several times, right? LOL!

[HoustonLX]

It doesn't have much low end torque. Then again, I'm used to V8 Mustangs which the Contour is far from. What it does have is good high RPM power (and I used that term lightly considering the car is a still a sedan). I have gotten on it a few times, but havn't pushed it hard. With my luck, I would break the trans or the clutch or something if I tried. What sucks is the motor has 10:1 comp and Ford recomends premium unleaded gas. I filled it up today with mid grade, but heard some pinging at WOT. I guess if I want to really play with it, I will have to run the good stuff.

[maveRick]

Nice.

Let the modding commence!

[Thoroughbred]

pill it to kill it :thumb:

[HoustonLX]

LOL! There won't be any modding of this car. If I wanted a race car, I would have stuck to Mustangs.

For shits and grins, I did look up a couple of web sites/message boards for ideas "just incase". It seems the popular mod is a full engine swap for a 3.0L engine out of I believe a Taurus. There isn't a big aftermarket for these cars as expected. I went to one guys web site and he had a extensive mods list all broken out from full engine work with custom pistons and cams, upgraded trans/clutch, differential and suspension work, etc. It was a long list and I hate to think of what the guy spent. That big old list and the car still ran mid 13's N/A. Lots of the N/A guys shoot for 300 "w"hp. There are a few turbo kits out there and a couple of cars claiming 400 whp.

It's a shame these cars didn't last longer in production. Ford did give the motors a good foundation with a aluminum block and forged crank. It's a fun little car to drive around, but I will be leaving it alone.

I will just cruise around in my domestic rice. LOL!

[Chad82GT]

Good buy, Shane! I almost forgot about those cars. Now you can go to all the SVT get togethers :)

BTW, didn't know you had more than 1 wife ;)


Still knocks out 28-29 mpg on the highway which is far better then the wives Supercrew Lariet.

[Blue91]

Shane. Are you sure you wouldn't rather buy this?...

http://www.motohouston.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39516

lol, I don't understand people these days.

[FE_rex]

I like this line in the add
"Both of them are middle aged guys"

[HoustonLX]

Shane. Are you sure you wouldn't rather buy this?...

http://www.motohouston.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39516

lol, I don't understand people these days.

LOL! I had a feeling the guy was buying from me just to flip. See him always posting in the classifieds on other web sites always buying and selling vehicles. "Maybe" he did spend $800 in new parts for it. However, I don't see that increasing the price of the vehicle $2k over what he paid for it. I like how he mentions the $800 in receipts, then says that doesn't even include the $700 in new tires. That's because I bought those tires and I have the receipt. He didn't spend the money on those aside from the purchase of the truck. Most of everything else he says is accurate with exception to mpg. I don't see him getting near that kind of money for it. Oh well.

And yeah, middle aged? Damn! Guess I sould expect to not live past 60 then. LOL!