Need buying assistance 2000 FORD CONTOUR SE

[kieranmullen]

A car has come up for sale about 30 minutes from here. A 2000 FORD CONTOUR SE has come up for sale for $4500. It is a reconstructed title from a fender bender but the body and paint look great now. It runs well (although I would probably bring it in before buying to have it checked out)


I thought it was for sale for $3500 but now is $4500 (doh) it has about 75k miles on it. AT PW CC AC Dual Fuel Interior is clean for the most part. I am in Oregon.

I am wondering with the price change is it still a good deal? Is this an average price? The seller is a dealer and I feel somewhat pressured (I hate that) Let me know if you are interested since we have a party in Idaho blah blah blah...

Can one expand the propane tank?

I have a cng .8 miles from house. 2.53 a gallon is it worth getting a home unit? I need the therm to gallons conversion formula to figure out my home refueling prices though.

Who else makes the units besides phill?

I dont think I can get a KBB value for it but this is what I came up with without the CNG option of course
Excellent
$3,275

Good
$2,935

Fair
$2,495

Thank you for any insight

I will go ahead and order the cardfax report. shortly

[CNG MOTORS]

Re: Need buying assistance 2000 FORD CONTOUR SE

Wow, the only thing worse than a CNG Contour is a Contour with a salvaged title. Keep in mind why insurance companies salvage a title. The cost of repairs exceed 50% of the value of the vehicle. I'm sure there are a few out there that will disagree with and love their Contours. But only consider what others have to say if they have 100k+ on their Contours. I have sold over 30 of these in the past.

[kieranmullen]

Re: Need buying assistance 2000 FORD CONTOUR SE

Citation needed? :-)

Wow, the only thing worse than a CNG Contour is a Contour with a salvaged title.

[bivey]

Re: Need buying assistance 2000 FORD CONTOUR SE

I got a 99' cng Contour 3 months ago and have driven it over 4,000 miles without a problem. There are good Contours out there, but the compuvalve does go out on them more than other cng cars. Don't be in a hurry. Look around. If you can afford to spend more get a Cavalier. The tank is a little larger and they get better gas milage and don't have as many problems with compuvalves. I got a Contour because I wanted a larger back seat for my kids and my budget didn't allow for the extra cost. It has been a great car so far.

[kieranmullen]

Re: Need buying assistance 2000 FORD CONTOUR SE

Is the price they offered good? It seems high?

Thank you

km

[CNG MOTORS]

Re: Need buying assistance 2000 FORD CONTOUR SE

If you gave me a Contour (free) I honestly would not re-sell it I would part it out.

[bakaroma]

Re: Need buying assistance 2000 FORD CONTOUR SE

I was a slow learner. I have had three contours. STAY AWAY. The cavalier is by far a better option for those on a budget. I will have a 2000 cavalier in a week with 60,000 AND a clean title that I will have sold in a matter of days I am sure at $7,000. There is no comparison as far as value and long term performance.

Having said that I prefer the contour's handling, and power as well as larger trunk.

[cnguser]

Re: Need buying assistance 2000 FORD CONTOUR SE

I am also in the Portland-Hillsboro area, and have a similar Contour. (Mine is the only one Ford made that does not have the problems mentioned elsewhere in this forum - the compuvalve has been replaced). It would help to read more postings in this forum to learn more, but I will respond.
Before you talk price, you need to ensure that it is what it is said to be - will in run on CNG? If not it is a plain straight gasmobile, and should price accordingly. Have the dealer take it to the fuel station and get a bit of the 3000# CNG into it (located on the back side of the 3600# pump island). Yes, you can buy CNG there on credit card, just not the gasoline or diesel. Does the green LED light come on when the switch is in "ALT" & it starts and runs? If not, you do not have a running functional Bi-Fuel car. Note this is NOT propane - we are talking compressed natural gas.
If it does start AND runs OK on the CNG, and OK when you switch to gasoline, you may have a deal.
No way would it be worth getting a home fueler with the station close by, at any price! But like Murph says, the compuvalve could go at any time and you will be back to a gasmobile.
Interesting scenario with the salvage title: while that depreciates the value of the base car, by the fact that it has the expensive CNG option, you could have a cost advantage (if as I say it does run on CNG).
Another concern is the CNG tank and system components should be inspected and recertified OK since it was in a collision of some sort. You should NOT use the CNG system without this verifcation as it could endanger anyone around you, not just yourself wherever you go.
The local FuelMaker rep is authorized to do this - see the web site for contact information.
Send me a PM if you wish.