you have to do what ya think is right for you. fortunately for me, i've got an advantage--my brother's a mechanic and works for a used dealer about an hour from here in my hometown. currently i'm driving a contour too, but it's a 95 (with the V6), manual transmission and about 165,000 miles on it. it runs great, uses/leaks no oil, etc. i was thinking about getting something different last year. at this stage in the game though, i'm probably just better off driving it until it dies. really, i wouldn't get much for it if i sold it outright anyway.
too bad ya don't live up this way..........last week my brother hooked my sister (scootergirl) up with a sweet ride from their dealership. it's great, he checks everything over before it goes on the lot--will replace anything that needs to be fixed/replaced--brakes, tires, suspension, anything.