I was wondering if anyone had any experience with one of these? I might be looking at trading my Nissan Sentra plus a little cash for one. I've read some reviews but its either from a few people who have had problems or your crazed enthusiast.

The SVT is a 98 with 158k

I am wanting something thats a little more sporty than my auto 97 Sentra for delivering pizza. I'm tired of having to turn of the AC to make it up hills. I like the SVT's because they are different and not something you see everyday.

6/1/2008 4:36:25 PM

you don't need more power delivering pizzas - you'll just get more speeding tix

a ford with 160k miles that you will only continue to put more on isn't typically a solid idea either

6/1/2008 4:58:38 PM

garbage

6/1/2008 5:56:29 PM

i thought they were fun but i have no idea about how they last ... but then i like taurus shos too.

6/1/2008 5:59:35 PM

moped

6/1/2008 6:52:43 PM

They have a pretty good engine, and they handle really well, but for delivering pizza? Just stick with the sentra. It'll give you better gas mileage.

6/1/2008 6:56:53 PM

pizza hut 30-minute promise got you looking for a faster ride ?

6/1/2008 7:02:27 PM

does the contour use the same BP18 that miatas and 323gtx's and escorts use(d)? if so I would have no bones about 158k if it's been well maintained. the mazda version even had oil squirters for each piston

6/1/2008 8:10:54 PM

lol.

ive always laughed at the contour SVT. like the focus SVT its garbauge

if you want an SVT. buy a cobra

6/1/2008 9:09:34 PM

or a lightening

6/1/2008 9:18:21 PM

I'd buy an SVT Contour with that kind of mileage if it was like $850 and ran well. If not then I recommend against it.

6/1/2008 10:02:42 PM

completely pointless vehicle, and i wouldn't want one with 158k miles unless it ran good, was in pretty good shape, and I got it for noticeably less than $1000.

6/1/2008 10:21:07 PM

dude i know has one thats pretty stout. name is bevans and we used to work at the dealership together a while back. its got a toorass bottom end or somethign

6/1/2008 10:30:47 PM

you can make anything fast

that doesn't make an SVT Contour not completely pointless, though

6/1/2008 10:36:22 PM

i think they look nice if done right. i wouldnt buy it to make it a race car, but i mean it has respectable room for 4 people( i know you are only gonna deliver pizzas in it so who cares) but interior is nice imo and the motor in it seems to be sound. still has crappy electrical junk and its sorta heavy and not great on gas. if i were slingin pizzas i would get a del sol or a crx though

6/1/2008 10:46:29 PM

well damn... i mean gas milage is almost the same as the sentra (shes not in the best condition)

anyone have a car thats decent on gas yet "fun" to drive thats under 5k?... i'm tired of have a car that handles like shit and gets passed by guys on bicycles

6/1/2008 11:16:10 PM

and with a fast car i dont think i would increase my risk of ticket getting... just because it takes longer to get to 80 doesnt mean i dont go 80

6/1/2008 11:17:19 PM

you can get a fun car for about 2500

6/2/2008 1:41:07 AM

Quote :

"fun" to drive thats under 5k"

Miata
Impreza RS
240SX

Might be able to get this Supra down to $5k with cash in hand, maybe even lower.
http://raleigh.craigslist.org/car/701208697.html

Of course, find a nice/solid/clean car. Otherwise a couple grand will surpass your $5k budget.

if ur desperate, look for a del slow

[Edited on June 2, 2008 at 10:00 AM. Reason : .]

6/2/2008 10:00:29 AM

You just need to find an e30. You can get a decent one with suspension updates for like $2k if you keep your eyes open.

6/2/2008 10:32:58 AM

You're considering trading a Sentra for a 158K mile Ford?

Boy, you ain't right in the head. Put down the crack pipe, enjoy the gas mileage you're getting, and open your windows. It'll get the pizza smell out faster anyway.

(Oh, and I'm not your garden-variety domestic hater--I own a Mercury and a Chevy--but what you're considering makes no sense at all.)

6/2/2008 12:10:35 PM

^ yeah i understand that, pretty much i just liked the appeal of more power and not something everyone had but didn't really think about the high mileage. I really just want something different this is the first car i've owned for over 2 years and its getting old fast.

6/2/2008 4:12:21 PM

even as much as i love fords- their FWD shitboxes are just that, shit.... SVT or not a contour is a truly horrid car.... i've seen a couple of them with 250k+ though- but still, do like everyone else is saying in this thread and look elsewhere

6/2/2008 6:48:10 PM

How many miles do you have on your sentra anyway?

Did you consider trading it in to get one of those supercharged nissan sentras (what is it, the SE-R or whatever) that has a little more power?

6/2/2008 6:50:44 PM

I don't know about the SVT engines, but my friend who is a tech at Ford told me that the regular 2.5 v6 was a bitch to work on. I don't remember the details, but I think he said you have to pull off the intake manifold just to change the thermostat.

6/2/2008 7:45:24 PM

Quote :

"Might be able to get this Supra down to $5k with cash in hand, maybe even lower. http://raleigh.craigslist.org/car/701208697.html "

Mark III Supras have serious problems with headgaskets and rod knock (not that these can't be avoided) and I typically got 18mpg in my old nonturbo Mark III, of course it wasn't perfectly tuned up but I would say 19-20 is the best you are going to do if you're lucky.

6/2/2008 7:47:57 PM

well i really dont know how many miles my sentra has. I bought it cheap with a broken odometer stuck at 115k. The PO thought it had around 135k plus and I bet i've put over 30k on it, so it could be anywhere from 160k to closer to 200k. I was thinking about trading but more in likely trying to something for mine and buying another car.

SE-R are another one i've looked at, but they are either like a 92 and older or 2003(?). Dont like the older ones and cant afford the new ones

6/2/2008 8:40:28 PM

anyone have a celica? around a 95

6/3/2008 2:53:11 PM

THERE'S AN 00 FOCUS IN WINSTON FOR $2650, I LOOKED AT IT YESTERDAY.. THE GF IS GETTING A DIFFERENT CAR SO WE DIDNT GET THE FOCUS. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON, BUT THE THING LOOKS AND RUNS DECENT

137K MILES, IIRC
AUTO
SOME CLEARCOAT PEELING ON HOOD
INTERIOR IS GOOD
NEW TIRES

http://winstonsalem.craigslist.org/car/688086741.html

6/3/2008 3:11:15 PM

My auto-x buddy has an SVT Contour. Pretty reliable car from what I've seen. Only problems he's had has been suspension and an O2 sensor. I helped him install some Konis about 3 months ago. They have a turbo kit for it, but it's like $5K or something.

It's a '98 as well. And it only has 90K. He may be selling if you're willing to pay. Atleast, he talked about it a few months ago.

He has a little website about modding his car: http://www.overmantech.com/car/

[Edited on June 4, 2008 at 9:39 PM. Reason : maybe for sell]

6/4/2008 9:30:18 PM

you can't talk too much junk about Ford FWD stuff. my grandmother just parked a 93 Topaz with 300,000+ due to a bearing knock, but the auto trans. held up past 250k and the motor has never had any work done other than a harmonic balancer and timing belts. it still has the original CV joints. she just bought an 07 GMC Canyon, so we'll see how well it does.

6/4/2008 9:57:57 PM

Quote :

"Did you consider trading it in to get one of those supercharged nissan sentras (what is it, the SE-R or whatever) that has a little more power?"

The Sentra SE-R, V Spec or otherwise, is not forced induction. N/A I-4 people.

I say get a Acura Integra Might be out of your price range though.

6/4/2008 10:12:35 PM

Since you guys were talking about it last week... my buddy's SVT Contour is for sale now. You can e-mail him at hal@overmantech.com

6/20/2008 4:57:05 PM

I've got a 98 Contour SVT with 117,000 on it; bought it in early 2006. It's an interesting car. I've had a few problems with it. The IAC valve died, I blew a brake line, and the AC died. On the other hand, it's a unique car, and drives and handles very well. Personally, I would be afraid of one with 158k, but if the price is right, it might be ok. It's also important to know that they've stopped production on a lot of the parts for it, so if something breaks, you'll probably have to go aftermarket.

6/21/2008 10:13:54 PM