![]() ![]() It had better suspension but I don't think it had the upgraded cylinder heads on the motor.We've got good news for driving enthusiasts that would love a German sport sedan but have two things holding them back: cost and patriotic leanings. Oh and I think there was a souped up version of the Mondeo in Europe called the ST200 or something like that. ![]() The Duratec V6 uses chains so no 800 bucks for a timing belt/water pump replacement. The best thing about them was no stupid timing belts. Parts were also way cheaper than a Honda. A similar Honda from that year would be guaranteed to have the lovely rust spots on the corners of the rear wheel wells. As far as body rust though, they held up very well. And mine actually had the gas tanks straps rust through. They had some issues with rust on the sub-frame supports in the rear. I had my Contour SVT for 4 years and you are right, they depreciated way faster than the Honda's. Not sure how their handling compares as I've never driven one. The the 250 hp Maximas from that year would probably come closest price/performance wise. In the 98', 99' and 00' model years they made the SVT, I can't think of any other 4 door sedans with the performance of the Contour SVT and the handling thanks to the upgraded suspension. I don't think the Civic Si's came in four door versions the years the Contour SVT was in production. Taken in that context, the statement is probably true. The best handling line could be argued, but it would be up there with the cars at the time and definitely better than a Civic Si which is eclipsed by today's top teir FWD handlers like the Mazdaspeed 3, Mini Cooper S/JCW, etc. From that time period, let's say the 5 years from 1998-2003, there were a few FWD standouts, the Mazdaspeed protege, Focus SVT, Contour SVT, Integra Type R and Prelude SH (996GT2 brought up cars that have never been sold in America and AFIAK, the SVT Contour is not available in Europe) I won't speculate which is better handling, a Prelude SH or SVT Contour, because that would be very, very close but if I had to put my money on either a 2009 Civic Si or 2000 Contour SVT, I would put it on the Contour every time. ![]() It was not a commercial success, not because it drove poorly, rather it was class leading, but because it was too expensive and small, after all the Contour was the Euro Mondeo at the time, the SVT was a very nicely handling sedan.Īlso I doubt you guys criticizing him have actually driven a SVT Contour. It doesn't handle as well as the S2000, I know that from experience (though there is a hardcore Japan and euro version that actually does out-handle the S2000).Ĭlick to expand.People easily forget exactly how good the Contour when it came to this country. The SVT Contour was a cool car, but it wasn't the ultimate FWD even at the time it was built.Īs for the Civic Si, its handling has received a lot of praise, and I've driven one and found it to be very responsive, but I don't know how it would compare to the others. The system is so effective that it has been banned from WRC. It was basically the same system that is now featured in cars like Ferraris, Acuras, BMW's, and Audis, but the Prelude had it more than a decade ago. The Prelude featured an active torque transfer system, not just a limited-slip. However, I've read from folks who have driven both the SH and SVT extensively who say the SVT is nowhere near the SH in terms of handling. Those articles came out the same year the SVT was introduced, although I don't have them in front of me so I can't say if it was included. It also gave the cost-no-object crowd a run for their money, too, finishing mid-pack (M3 took top honors). That means it not only was the best FWD, it was better than the RWD cars, too. Last time I saw a best-handling test by a respectable magazine, the Honda Prelude SH was crowned the best handling car under $30,000, regardless of drivetrain. ![]()
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