I was wondering which would be a better choice for a new car. I am looking at 98, 99 contours and 95-97 gtis. I am mostly interested in performance but upgrades would be slow comming so I was wondering which would be faster stock. I would like to know 1/4 mi times but, I am mostly interested in stoplight races. I have heard the gti is just about the weapon of choice in a street race but, also like the contours. I also would like to know which would respond best to mods and what can I expect from each car. Remember this is a svt not just a reg contour. If there is any one of you that have raced a contour or the other way, I would love to hear about it. What is the difference between a gti and a gls golf with a vr6? Which one would be the best for insurance also? I need real info not gtis are better caus I said so. I want proof with numbers or race stories. Thanks for your help.

i would say the GTI, based solely on the fact that its not a ford, but other than that, i cant really give you much info

Come on man a ford? You're asking about a ford in a vw forum? Use your head.

Hrmmm.... Ford Contour or VW GTI... thats like asking "hrmmm... Tractor trailer or Miata"

Just to agree with what the other guys have said:

Ford is now advertising their Focus as being a product of German Engineering and European design.............just shows how much faith even they have in their products.

Do yourself a favour and get the GTI

If it's not a VR6 or a 1.8 turbo GTI, by all means buy the SVT.

What are you guys smoking? Volkswagen is not GOD. Those SVT Contours are cool cars, as well as the SVT Focus. Ford has always had a cooler international scene than any other American make. GOLF magazine (UK) compared the Focus RS to the newest hot GTI turbo (not R32). The writers/drivers all agreed that the RS was the machine they would all drive home.

The MkV's should be much cooler than the IV's. The MkIII's are very overrated. Just to be fair, I'd rather have a VR6 Corrado than the SVT Contour.

yeah, id rather have a vr6 corrado than an svt contour too :screwy: come on now think man, and id also rather have a 911 turbo than a monte carlo ss

I am a VW fan and love the gtis but the other day I got a ride in my friends svt and it was fast. Are there the same tuning options with an svt? I see all kinds of turbos etc. for the gti making 300+ with the stage 1 and then it just goes up. Is there anything like that for the svt? Will it run like a pustang caus another one of my friends has one of thoes with a v6 and it is JUNK!!! I think he is gonna get a 96+ gsr can I keep up? He is planing to do some serious mods caus he has been saving for ever. What can I do on a budget to keep up if I get either one?

Why would it run like that girly V6 Mustang? I imagine the SVT is much livelier.

Ford Racing Catalog is great for tuning parts. I don't know what they have for the SVT contour.

If drag racing is what it's all about to you, just get a 1.8 turbo GTI. Chip it, add a limited slip and a sport clutch, some home grown TT turbo parts and viola! Fast car.

Or you could be too kewl for skewl by getting a MkII 16v GTI. Best VW ever? I think so.

GTI because the contour is just to big with not enough motor. Also You have to think about this, the SVT contour is already some what moded thats why its called a SVT. So getting it to make any real power is going to cost you. The GTI however can make big HP gains with just bolt ons. Food for thought...

Ummmm hmmmm. SVT Contour vs GTI VR6. I have a friend that just happens to ahve a 98 SVT Contour and it's handed many a fool their ass. Yes it's more unreliable than a DSM(LOL) but hey 24valves 4 cams and it's not really that expensive to mod it either. Diablo chip,Y pipe, Catback, Lightened fly wheel, and if you can nos works really well for the 2.5 Duratech. When it runs the car eats me alive on top end however I will see after I get the GSB stage 2 big valve head.
Don't down the SVT Contour or if you can get a hold of the ST220 3.0 Mondeo which Fords more powerful and higher displacement Contour cousin in Europe. Why do American car companies hate on the United States so much by putting out their cool cars overseas.

Why do American car companies hate on the United States so much by putting out their cool cars overseas.

That is the biggest mystery of them all...