Thinkin' about a Contour SVT - what should I know?

[tvr2500m]

Hi, Folks:

I'm looking for a daily driver and I'm seriously considering an SVT Contour for this role. I'd appreciate any thoughts or advice on what to look for/pay/think about when looking for one.

Cheers,

- SJ

[PhillyCobra]

TVR,

Nice roster of cars. I almost bought a Tuscan once-- very cool.

I think SVT Contour is an excellent, practical daily driver with an European feel. Prices are good, too.

Car is basically very reliable. Two things I would look for, though, are:

1.) Catalytic convertors. They are rare and cost about $800 each side, and are often gone by 70,000 miles, if not sooner. Make sure to check OBD2 codes.

2.) Power steering rack. They leak from the ends, and replacement requires removing the K member. Remanufactured replacement also is many hundreds of bucks. If there's weeping from boots at end of rack, or fullness, count on a near $1000 repair.

Would go for low miles in your search. Check www.contour.org.

[guitarman19853]

i'd like to add that the engines are kind of easy to kill because of an oil starvation problem when making long right hand turns. If the revs are above 3000 for too long during a hard right, there will be picking up no oil from the pan and then engine is bacically dead at this point. Definatly check out contour.org like he said above. they have everything you could possibly want to know on that forum.

[rheacerdave]

I had a '98. Really enjoyed it. Haul 4 real size people no problem.
Can't say the say about the Focus or Cobra I have now.

[jshend]

I have a 2000 Contour SVT for my daily driver and it is working out really well. (It gets a lot better gas milage than my Lightning)

It is a great little car out of the box and the prices are very good. I did a few simple things to the car and now it does pretty well on small tracks as well. (Great for autocrossing.) All I have done to the car is I changed the air filter and the y-pipe.

Thanks,

Jeff