Although it's more expensive than the old Tempo, the Con-tour is attractively priced compared with its competition. And it's also an infinitely better car.Including destination charges, the GL starts at under $14,000, but that gets you a pretty spartan car. A few options will make it more livable and still keep the price at the low end of the midsize spectrum.
LX prices start at $14,490, and the base price for the SE, which includes the V6 engine, is $16,190. If you check every box on the option list, you can boost the price of a new Con-tour past $18,000. But even then you'd be bucks ahead versus comparably equipped competing models.
It's hard to understand why Ford limited the Contour's rear-seat space as it did. That drawback aside, though, this is a nifty little sedan that's as fun to drive as anything in its class. It may be the best Ford car yet.