decisions, decisions...Ford Contour

[Jenny Curtis]

Bill:

Do not assume a new Contour will be trouble free driving.  My friend has a 98 Contour and it is still under warranty.  It has been in the shop way more than my 86 Audi 4000.  Five times in the last year, for other than routine maintenance.  The things she is
having done are stuff you would expect at 100K not at 30K, like fixing a trunk leak, suspension clunks and an idle problem.  She is a careful driver (much kinder to her car than I am to the Princess) but you wouldn't know it from the feel of her car.  And
since it's warranty work, she has to practically throw a coniption to get them to really fix anything.

Her Contour is the sport model, so it has an upgraded suspension and more oomph to the engine.   Not bad for a family sedan, but still the driving experience is nothing to compare to a Quattro.

My advice is to find at least one independent mechanic (I am spoiled by having two!) who has a good rep for working on Audis.  Take the 90 to them and have them check it out.  If you think the price is too high, try to bargain, although the car blue books
for $10,000, so this might be a decent deal.  I would recommend looking at more than one 90.    I test drove seven 4000's before I found the Princess.  If you do your homework, you can have a reliable, affordable car that you actually love to drive.  And a
well-cared-for Audi will hold its value a lot longer than a Ford Contour.

If you have trouble convincing your wife, take her along and have her drive the 90. As she's sitting in the leather seats, casually point out that they heat up in the winter.  (If that's an issue in your part of the country).  Remind her that the Audi is a
safer car to drive in rain and snow than the Contour.  If you have kids bring them along and show them the sunroof.  I don't think the Contour comes with one of those.

OK lecture over.  Drive what you love.  Not what you think will be practical or cheap.

Jenny
864KCS: The Eurotrash Princess