The car has 80,000 miles, and the owner says he is only the second owner... seems well-maintained and cared for. I have HEARD bad things about Fords in general (particularly the transmissions), but I am the second owner of a '96 Contour and I've got 140,000 miles on it without having had to replace/repair/rebuild engine or transmission. (transmission is just now starting to slip, which is why I'm looking to buy a "new" car).