2000FordContourFord Contour2000 Ford Contour SESedanSedanFWDKansas City, MO/MexicoThe Contour LX is dropped, leaving either the Contour SE Sport or SVT Contour to pick from. New colors are offered and an emergency trunk-release handle is standard.Solid handling, standard V6 power, affordable price.Limited room for rear passengers, pedestrian interior.There is nothing like a little sibling rivalry to shake things up. The arrival of the 2000 Ford Focus has affected both the Escort and the Contour. Effectively, the Focus will be slotted between the Escort and the Contour in terms of price. To avoid having the Focus steal sales away from the Contour, Ford has taken the Contour upscale, discontinuing the entry-level LX series from 1999. The 2000 Contour is very similar to the '99 Contour SE Sport. The 2.5-liter Duratec V6, 15-inch, eight-spoke aluminum wheels, rear spoiler, remote keyless entry, body cladding and fog lamps are now standard. A 60/40 split-folding rear seat is also standard, though leather seats are no longer available. Whether these upgrades will help alleviate the Contour's rental-fleet image, we're not quite sure. But we do know that when we've been behind the wheel of a V6-equipped Contour, we've generally had a good time. The V6 is just one part of an equation that makes this car such an excellent purchase for the shallow-pocketed enthusiast. The real excitement of the Contour's driving experience is the result of the car's excellent chassis, suspension and steering. Toss the Contour into a corner, and it's as easy to catch as a softball thrown by a preschooler. Since its introduction, the Contour has won plenty of awards and has received great press from automotive critics. In 1998, Ford gave the Contour an exterior freshening to make the car more distinctive in the crowded family-sedan marketplace. The interior still receives some gripes, however. It lacks some of the refinement found in competing cars and Ford has never been able to solve the lack of room for rear-seat passengers. People less concerned about driving and more concerned about spaciousness may want to investigate the Dodge Stratus and Chevrolet Malibu. They aren't as exciting as the Contour, but they can hold people more comfortably. And if you're disappointed that the Contour LX is no longer available, you need not worry-a quick hop to your local Mercury dealership will net you a 2000 Mercury Mystique GS, which is effectively the same thing. Chevrolet MalibuHonda AccordMazda 626Nissan Altima336,000336,000336,0005Unlimited8.5 sec.138 ft.0.8162.5 litersV6170 hp @ 6250 rpm165 ft-lbs. @ 4250 rpm184.6 in.69.1 in.54.4 in.2769 lbs.106.5 in.39 in.36.7 in.53.9 in.53.3 in.50.7 in.45.3 in.42.4 in.34.4 in.13.9 cu.ft.OptionalStandardNot AvailableNot AvailableNot AvailableOptionalNot AvailableRating = Not TestedRating = Not TestedAverageGoodPoorPoor15 gal.20 mpg / 28 mpg20 mpg / 29 mpg300 mi. / 420 mi.300 mi. / 435 mi.Insurance costs can vary greatly for this vehicle, depending on such factors as driver age, driver gender, teenage drivers in the household, driving records, theft loss data for your particular geographic region, miles driven per year, and other widely variable factors. Additionally, some companies charge a premium for certain makes and models, while others do not.$15,501$17,0357.35%$585N/A3% of the Total MSRPSE SPORT (5M): 2.5L V6 DOHC SMPI 24-valve engine; 5-speed OD manual transmission; 60-amp battery; 130-amp alternator; front-wheel drive, 4.06 axle ratio; partial stainless steel exhaust; front independent strut suspension with anti-roll bar, front strut springs, rear independent multi-link suspension with anti-roll bar, rear coil springs; power rack-and-pinion steering; front disc/rear drum brakes; 15 gal. capacity fuel tank; rear wing spoiler, side impact bars; front and rear body-colored bumpers; body-colored bodyside molding, rocker panel extensions; monotone clearcoat paint; aero-composite halogen headlamps; additional exterior lights include front fog/driving lights; driver's and passenger's power remote body-colored folding outside mirrors; front and rear 15" x 5.5" silver alloy wheels; P205/60SR15 A/S BSW front and rear tires; inside under cargo mounted compact steel spare wheel; air conditioning, air filter, rear heat ducts; AM/FM stereo, seek-scan, cassette, 4 speakers, andfixed antenna; cruise control with steering wheel controls; power door locks with 2 stage unlock and remote activation, child safety rear door locks, power remote hatch/trunk release; 1 power accessory outlet, driver's foot rest; instrumentation display includes tachometer, water temperature gauge, in-dash clock, trip odometer; warning indicators include oil pressure, battery, low oil level, lights on; driver's and passenger's front airbags; ignition disable; tinted windows, power front and rear windows with driver's 1-touch down; variable intermittent front windshield wipers, rear window defroster; seating capacity of 5, front bucket seats, adjustable headrests, driver's armrest, driver's seat includes 4-way direction control, passenger's seat includes 4-way direction control; 60-40 folding rear bench seat with center armrest; front height adjustable seatbelts; cloth seats, vinyl door trim insert, full cloth headliner, full carpet floor covering with carpeted floor mats,leather-wrapped gear shift knob; interior lights include dome light with fade, front reading lights, illuminated entry; leather-wrapped steering wheel with tilt adjustment; vanity mirrors; day/night rearview mirror; full floor console, glove box, front cupholder, driver's and passenger's door bins; carpeted cargo floor, cargo light; chrome grille, black side window moldings, black front windshield molding, black rear window molding and body-colored door handles.