Faults:

Heater control defaults to defrost when there is a vacuum loss... Problem found and easily fixed.

General Comments:

Super reliable car; Very underestimated.

Easy to fix if broken.

Easy to improve on power. (a K&N cold air intake woke this thing up and it became a sporty compact! I was very surprised, as I never expected any power from this car... It's fun!)

Manual transmission is the way to go as far as power, reliability, and economy.

Interior is great, comfortable, and no rattles; Very quiet at all speeds.

Faults:

I don't think there is one original part on this car excluding the frame.

General Comments:

This car has been driven to hell and I put 522,065 km on it before the engine blew up and it split in 2.

Faults:

A spring or shock has busted on right rear side.

The shocks are weak, it bounces a lot and sways.

It needs a valve cover gasket.

It has rusted along the bottom of the doors.

Transmission does not shift right sometimes.

Has needed water pump replacement.

Tires wear fairly quick.

Has stalled a few times while cold.

Cold- natured car, needs to be ran for several minutes before driving in cold weather.

Automatic seat belts are an annoyance and are loud.

Has needed several muffler replacements.

General Comments:

The car is like a toy to drive and park.

Interior is nice.

Good stereo for a Ford.

Seats are comfortable.

Fun to drive around town.

Has been dependable and a good running car with maintenance.

Perfect size car, convenient 4 door style.

Not a bad looking body style.

Faults:

This car has been excellent!

In my ownership of 8 years and over 300 000 km, I have replaced:

Exhaust x 2 times

Tires x 5 times

Thermostat x 1 time

Radiator x 1 time

Inner Tie Rods x 2 times.

General Comments:

For the size-range of car, this car is the most comfortable I have driven, especially compared to Japanese cars.

The engine and AUTOMATIC transmission have been excellent and continue that way.

Pick-up is not poor, but not great.

Fuel-efficiency is good especially for the car's age.

This car has a bad rap and I can't understand why. It's my second Tempo and all I do is take good care of it such as oil changes every 4000-5000 km, oil spraying before winter, and the usual.

This car has cost me less to upkeep than my 1997 Toyota Camry CE with only 49 000 km.

Faults:

The car develops new rattles at intervals.

The engine is underpowered, but is helped by the five speed transmission.

This car is unattractive and undesired by all, but if your ego can take it go!

General Comments:

The body is excellent on this car, but that was helped by the low miles and a good regime of rust protection and waxing.

The one piece of good technology is the independent rear suspension.

I have driven various cars with ten to twenty years on them as daily drivers and I find the Tempo to be adequate as an "old used car"

I have driven this car 47000 KM (29000 miles) in a year and a half without any major repairs (had to do rear brakes and front brakes are due).