Ford Contour

The Ford Contour: One Car The World Over

The Ford Contour was Ford's first attempt to design a car that would sell with only minor changes across the entire world. The car demonstrates functionality in the utmost, with  varying designs and engines for what is necessary for where it's being sold, and can meet many needs as varied and widespread as they may need be. For someone on a budget or who just wants a car that can do what they need done, the Ford Contour is quite the choice.

What models and choices do the Contour offer?

The Ford Contour offers three different choices to the consumer. The first of them is the four door SE Sedan, holding the smallest engine and the best fuel efficiency numbers. The next model is the SE Sport Sedan, four doored as well, with a larger engine and slightly worse MPG numbers on average. The last option is the four door SVT sedan, holding claim to a high output version of the Sport's engine.

Each one has strengths and weaknesses. The latter few options are more versatile for widespread uses, with their stronger engines and more varied abilities. However, in day-to-day use, you would likely rather have the SE Sedan Contour- a bit cheaper to operate and maintain. Just keep in mind what you wish to use it for. 

Options and Packages

Depending on where you chose to buy the car and when your options were as wide ranging as this type of car itself. You could get warmed mirrors and built in rear-child safety seats. That said, the option for converting the car to be a 4x4 was fairly common, as was the optional leather in certain colors of the car. To be found occasionally is an optional CD player, optional air-conditioning- which is normally standard- which is to say you might find a few where air-conditioning wasn't included.

When you're talking to whoever is selling an old Contour, ask them about the features. There were, over the years, many different features offered on this car. Optional aluminum rims, bucket seating, things you would not expect. So check before you purchase.

You could also find options to change the body kit around depending on what you wanted, at the right time, for a period of time. However, today, the options are somewhat more limited. You'll have to look a bit further than your nearest Ford dealership; instead you will have to ask whoever is selling the car what the option is- since these cars at this time are only being sold used.

 What makes the Contour tick?

The Contour runs off different engines depending on which model you chose above. The SE Sedan runs off a small, 2 liter 4 cylinder engine, a small thing that produces around 170 horsepower. The engine sported double overhead camshafts, and had the unique distinction of having the pistons aligned on one axis- a straight line engine, rather than a V engine.

 The SE Sport Sedan has a somewhat larger engine, a 2.5 liter V6, which produces the same- 170 horsepower. The 2500cc Duratec V6 that was used for this car was mass produced and used, essentially, only for the Contour, and saw little use by Ford elsewhere- though other versions of the engine used here saw use elsewhere... Except in the SVT sedan, which used the same model, only tuned for higher output- and as such generally ran at around 200 horsepower.

Fuel Economy- How far can it go on one tank?

The Contour's MPG depends on the engine, of course. For the smaller, SE Sedan, the general numbers average a combined 22 miles per gallon- that's city as well as highway. The SE sport generally ran at around 21 miles per gallon, again, combined. The SVT ran at around the same numbers as the SE sport, around 21 mpg.

How does it survive accidents?

In crash safety tests done by the U.S. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the occupant's upper body, in crashes of the severity they tested, would be kept safe by the frame of the car and the airbags and seatbelts. However, there was indication that damage to the legs or lower body was likely. All of that to say to be careful, like always- There's more that could have been done to keep this car in the green in terms of safety ratings.

Okay, what about my comfort inside?

Besides basic amenities- air conditioning is generally standard, power-locks on the doors, and an anti-theft system, like a panic alarm coming standard, there are some other things to consider. A cassette player, a radio, a backlit dash, automatic-fade courtesy lights all come standard in every vehicle. Basic expectations are all met, with a touch or so more, to make sure you don't feel like you're lacking for too much, even given the technology's age.

This car, though dated, still is a quality vehicle. It is comfortable, and has everything you will need to keep yourself comfortable while driving, so you can focus on the road, on what you need to do. It is, however, still missing in some serious modern tech, and will require some upgrades.

Final thoughts on the World's Car

The Ford Contour was a good car for its time. It was exactly what people wanted- a family, working car that had all you needed for the time and nothing more. It doesn't have all the modern fixings and amenities, but it still has everything necessary to make the trips and get the jobs done that you need to. It will still get you around town, to where you need to go.

No longer is this car modern, sleek, pretty by most standards- but it is a work horse. A car that you can trust, so long as you put your work into it. Make sure it's taken care of, and it will take care of you. Overall, it is a dated car that should be chosen for dependability and its ability to keep up with the demands that are placed before it.