Originally posted by "Someone"
Originally posted by phatstang1
The first SVT Contour (199
had around 200hp...not the same as the 1995 SE. Sure they share the same bare 2.5l block but the SVT has forged internals and an improved head/intake (among many other things). 
I still think it is a shame that SVT decided to ditch the Contour from their lineup. That car had so much potential as a M3 contender with just the addition of a blower. But they are probably moving on to bigger and better things with the Focus.
AS I said basically the same.
Suspension was very close as well as the motor. Forged internals was to handle more power should you want to add more but did not make much HP difference. Very minor difference between the motors.
I hated the manual trans. in the car. It could not keep up with how fast I could shift (up or down). I broke it three times. I have not broken any other trans in any of my other cars so it was not me. The car was pretty well balanced any I could get the rear to kick out on steep off ramps.
Unfortunatley my experience with the car on a whole from new (95) to 1999 was not good. My worst Ford to date. It had one problem after another. Electrical fuel you name it. And it had constant recalls the entire time.
I am not surprised that it was discontinued. After all it rerplaced the absolutley horrible Tempo and Topaz. So I guess it was doomed from the start.