1995 FORD CONTOUR - Motoring TV Classics
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 11 июл 2024
- #Throwback #Ford #Contour #Classic
Kenzie called the Contour the Detour and the Mercury Mystique the Mistake. In the beginning the Contour was designed to replace the lowly Tempo, but it cost so much more, which did not get it off to a very good start. Contour was okay in the beginning, but got better with age. The irony was Ford got it right towards the end - just in time to cancel it. Go figure. - Graeme
Be sure to check our website at motoringtv.com
Check out our Facebook - / motoringtv.ca
Check out our Twitter - / motoringtv
Make sure to subscribe and like if you enjoyed this content! - bit.ly/2yoEX4r
16mm Film Reel Sound Effect from freesound - freesound.org/s/198838/
(The segment originally aired on Motoring TV 1994 Episode #26) 
Авто/Мото
I recall the first time I saw the all-new Contour. It was on display at a mall in late 1994. I remember thinking it was a really stylish and handsome replacement for the aging Tempo. It was a very comfortable and refined car. I sold a 1995 Mystique to a friend with 123k miles. The car still ran flawlessly, but the dashboard padding was delaminating badly and the power window switch unit failed, making the windows inoperable. Just before selling it to him, I had to have a common wiring problem in the steering column fixed. He later complained the fuel tank was leaking, but he managed to drive it until 170k miles when the 4-spd auto transmission gave up.
I have nothing but fond memories of our ‘96 Contour. It was a sweet heart on the interstate. The automatic kicked down smoothly for passing. The gearing was long but made highway passing a breeze and it got close to 30mpg if I remember correctly. The timing belt tensioner eventually failed on it though and the valves were ruined. The church had actually donated the car to us. It had previously been a rental car. It served us for six more years before it failed around 200k miles. I loved the smoothness of the 2 liter. I replaced it with a ‘92 Civic Si which was much quicker and handled like a proper sports car with much shorter gearing. That car never failed me. I do still miss the Ford though.
Back when grilles weren’t huge, ugly monstrosities.
Bad example, this thing looks like an ugly little nose stuck on the front, the Euro version was much nicer
I love mine. 95. It sits a lot but still runs great.
These cars get so much hate and although I believe some of it, they are absolutely wonderful cars to drive. Since 2003, I have owned a 1998 Mystique Sport 2.0 Auto, 1995 Contour GL V6 5 Speed, 1995 Contour GL 2.0 5 speed and currently own a 1998 Contour SVT. The V6 5 speed set up is wonderful to drive. Very peppy and smooth with excellent fuel economy. As an average size guy, I love the seats and the interior layout. I fit well, everything just falls into place and it feels right when you’re behind the wheel. My biggest gripe is the poor cup holder designs in both early and late models. The 4 cyl auto is a dog to drive, but with a manual it feels as quick as the V6. The 4 cyl is much easier to work on as the V6 being shoehorned into the engine bay leaves little space to work. The suspension is an unnecessarily complicated design when replacing parts, but it gives a great ride and excellent handling. These are cars built full of compromise, but if you enjoy it for what it is, you’ll have an enjoyable time behind the wheel.
There s a one owner 98 CONTOUR GL - 5-speed manual 2.0 - in my area with 77,000 km so less than 50k miles for 4,500 CAN$ . So about 3,300 USD . Is it a good deal ? I already have 5 cars but good thing is that next year I can drive it with classic insurance - 100$/year - , so basically free . Never tried one , I read that the handling is more than decent - better than a 1995 ACCORD ? - . it looks like the Euro Mondeo, would that explain the Euro handling ? Designed in Germany ?
Wish it was a 2.5 V6 manual SE
@@radu197666 sounds excellent to me
Every drink I had in my 98 contour, that mf spilled everywhere
I just bought a ‘99 SE 5 speed with 185k for $650 and love it. The first week I cruised around shifting at 3500 thinking the car was pretty peppy, until I realized the redline was 6750, it doesn’t even really come alive until 4000. Love the way it feels flat and planted through turns. It’s a little cramped for my 6’2” frame, but the seats are supportive and comfortable.
Most of the original buyers of these had a very short honeymoon period. Electrical problems were the norm not the exception.
Ford publicly stated that the contour was not a replacement for the tempo, it was a "new segment". At least that's how they explained the significant price increase over the prior tempo.
Customers who were previously in tempo were the most disappointed owners. The tempo was relatively simple and inexpensive to own.
The contour was none of that! Many contour came into the shop with coolant issues stemming from oil change shops using a traditional ethylene glycol coolant to top up the reservoir instead of the new ford spec coolant that was GM spec Dexcool! The coolant was turned into a slimy goo that didn't flow and simply destroyed the engines. The technicians at my local Ford dealership had given the contour and mystique the appropriate nicknames of Detour and Mistake!
We had two 96 Mercury Mistakes.
Great aunt bought the first one as a replacement for her 94 Topaz. And the Mistake was worlds better than the car it replaced. But it was so buzzy sounding on the road
So she handed that one down to my sister in law, and bought another one identical to it so people didn’t know she’d bought a new car?!!
Anyway, the original one started having water leak issues into the trunk, and around the rear window. And I’d have to ask my sister in law, it seems that an engine misfire was what final drove them to end it!! They sold it to Car Max at 3 years old with only 37000 miles and got $2000.
The second, newer one started refusing to start. It had something drawing down the battery. Then front bearings went bad, and the a/c quit. That was enough for my father in law. He told his aunt that the car was going and sold it to a lawn man whom he’d met whenever he was there mowing. He sold it for $1300 with 16900 miles.
I drove both of them and cannot say much other than there were better than the two Topaz’s they replaced. The lack of tilt steering didn’t make for an easy entry/exit. The controls felt better than the older tempo/topaz.
But, they had so many small problems. And some Ford would fix, others they would say they couldn’t, like the battery draw.
The American Ford Mondeo!
I still drive a 1995 Contour. Probably the last one still running.
I DD a 98 SVT contour
1 of my 5 cars is a 96 4 cly. Contour Still running down the road has 94,000 miles on it and the body an Interior is still nice. Did replace the stereo an speakers in it. Grandmother bought it new got passed down to me.
@@rodneysorrell7064
Very cool. Mine has 180,000 miles on the original auto trans. Fluid has been changed at least 4 times. Fingers crossed!
I still drive a Ford Contour 2.5L V6 automatic. 140,000 miles. nice car
@@borislavgevezov1472
Yes, they are nice cars. Comfortable and handle well. Is your auto transmission original or has it been replaced? Thanks.
Simple times
The Contour/Mystique was replacement Fusion/Milan years later why both cars have died. The Fusion was last built for July, 🇺🇸 American sedans has died now all the attention is on crossovers and pickups only sedans not dying be the imports they are surviving.
Is this ford mondeo?
Based on Mondeo, and Jackie Stewart was not impressed with the Contour or Mercury Mystique along with our Jim Kenzie who called the Mystique the mistake!
Designed & developed by Ford of Europe,like the Mondeo,but the North American Contours & its sibling,the Mercury Mistique,were built in the USA.
Unfortunately they kind of fell apart. My first car so I know. It was fun when it lasted.
Only bad flaw on Contour I had was alternator placement was horrible. Drive thru a moderate puddle and splash 💦 would kill the engine.
This is somewhat true in the V6. It is located in the bottom corner of the engine behind the wheel. It is succeptable to water, snow and debris getting into it. Same problem the classic Mini had with the alternator right at the front of the engine behind the grille. You can always make a splash shield. However in the 3 V6’s I’ve owned, I’ve never had an issue with my alternators.
Well you got that wrong lol! I had a Mercury Mystique and it barely made it to 125K miles before dying! I hated driving that homely car and you don’t see any left on the roads
Anybody here from Jackass:The Movie?
4:10 engine knock. Almost stalled out. Crappy cars.
Raggedy car.
A mediocre car, and ugly AF. I was ecstatic the day i turned mine in for a Honda Accord.
What year is/was your Accord ? One of the nice 91-97 models with double wishbone suspension ?