2 replies to this topic

[FrankRizzo]

Hello all, I've been part of this community (off and on) since 1998 when I bought my then new CSVT. I've had a lot of fun with it and enjoyed many trouble-free miles. Here is a long rant about how I feel now about letting go of the only new car I've ever bought.

When I first test drove a contour SVT in the spring of 1998 I was blown away by how well it handled and the spirited driving that could be had. I was in a '94 tbird at the time which was a lazy pig in comparison. I fell in love and bought it the same day.

It's been an incredibly reliable car and I've loved (nearly) every minute with it! Looking back there were some problems, like the plastic wheel wells that didn't actually fit the tires and would rub, or the fair number of times that the fuel pump failed. Oh let's not forget the weird wiring harness issue where the car would DIE as it warmed up - but once it got warm enough it would run fine (took the dealer a long time to figure that one out). On the whole, however, I'd say it's been an excellent and fun car.

I remember passing by all the guys in their civics on the highway, they simply couldn't keep up :)

About 7 years ago I had the windshield replaced (covered by insurance) and the installer did a particularly poor job. I thought nothing of it at the time, just sloppy, but it eventually caused the area above the windshield to rust, which really sucks. I took it to a shop to get fixed (didn't dawn on me to go after the insurance company) and they said it simply isn't worth repairing. It got cracked again to make it more fun.

I figured I'd drive it into the dirt, and I may have reached that point: I've got bald tires, frozen parking brake, bad O2 sensors (put in a test wire to bypass them), oil pan leak, tie rods are in need of replacement, and now the clutch failed. And boy did it fail! I was in the loop (Chicago) at 5pm on a work day trying to get out - that was a lot of fun!

The shop I trust wants $1,200 to change the clutch, and then of course it will probably need some transmission work too (3rd gear, probably some synchros, who knows!). Combine that with tie rods, tires, bent rim, etc. etc. etc. and it just isn't worth fixing for a car that could go belly up for any number of other expensive reasons at any time.

In the last few years I've replaced the struts and springs, had heated seats installed ($750!!), replaced everything related to the A/C in order to get it working ($1200!!!), and just kept up with oil and coolant changes as well as the trunk struts that seem to fail all the time.

It's really sad as I have an emotional attachment to the car, but I do have other cars and don't NEED this one. I find myself looking at other (running!) contour SVTs and even focus SVTs on craigslist. AT one time I had a line on one that was the same color as mine and figured I'd swap parts back and forth until I got the best of both :) Even found a few 3.0 CSVTs. Almost bought an '05 SVTF with the euro package until I found out it had a salvage title.

I figure at this point in time I've had a good run, it didn't cost me much, and I feel that everything I'd need to do to the car now would cost significantly more than it's worth.

If you've made it this far, thanks for reading. I do have a question: what do you think I should do with it? If I were to sell it what do you think it's worth? Cosmetically it's nice other than the rust above the windshield, and the interior is in very nice shape. I figure it's worth $500 - $1,000 if I'm lucky? Just wondering what others who have these vehicles have done.

thanks,
Frank

[BuckeyeSVT]

I guess it's all in what it's worth to you. I'm sure you can sell the car to a fellow enthusiast and they may either part it out or rebuild it into a decent roller. I wouldn't be opposed to another rolling chassis... However I have a full plate as it is..lol.

I rebuild mostly 1999-2002 Cougars these days (keeping them out of the junk yards and in the hands of new owners). My own Kona Blue SVT was once a blown up slightly wrecked car sitting on the side of someone's house. If you look at it now, you would never believe it was a POS and now is probably one of the nicest out there. Talk about turning chicken sh*t into chicken salad. ;)

In the shape it's in now, you'd be lucky to get $500 for it. Most people may only offer just above scrap value (i.e. $275-$350). Good luck with the decision.

-Dom

[spridget]

I'm in a similar quandary with my '98 SVT. It was already well used when I bought it, but it has provided many good miles for my family. However, it's currently sitting in the grass due to failed front strut mounts (again) along with a long list of other little issues (wiring harness, failing ABS pump, worn synchros, dead sunroof). Cosmetically it's in good shape. Interior is super clean while the exterior could use a refresher. I've considered gutting it to build a Lemons racer, but no time for modding or racing anymore. So it sits.... Good luck with your decision.