96 Ford Contour Zetec engine - hard to work on?

Check out http://www.contour.org/


"Ryan" > wrote in message
om...
> I'm looking at purchasing a 96 Ford Contour GL at a dealer's lot. It
> has 128K on it. For the most part I like the car. Does seem to have
> some motor noise, though.
>
> Anyway, when I popped the hood to check out the engine, I noticed I
> could hardly see anything like you can on most engines. I can usually
> see the belt, hopefully the alternator is on top and is easy to
> change, can see the water pump, power steering pump, etc. On this
> Zetec motor I could hardly make out the belt because it's so crowded
> in there (but it was at night, too).
>
> So are they hard to work on? I've never owned a Ford before and don't
> know anything about them. Would it be any harder to install a remote
> starter than in a GM vehicle? Think it's wise to take on a Contour
> with 128K on the clock? Asking price is $2200. Has good tires, but I
> think it might need exhaust work soon if not now. Also it had $2000
> worth of transmission work done about 20K miles ago.
>
> Thanks for any input.
>
> -Ryan