Faults:

Despite my ritualistic upkeep, the heater core went at 124,000 miles. The starter went at 140,000 miles. My head cracked at the number one chamber at 160,000 miles. There is no oil pressure anymore. Don't even ask about the exhaust pipe and muffler.

General Comments:

A family member, who is an expert at destroying cars in record time, borrowed my Chevy Cavalier. Needless to say, said family member put that expertise to use, and I found myself in the market for a another car.

My income limited, I bought my 1992 Ford Tempo. Shortly after I bought it, the heater core went. After it was replaced, the car ran fine. Granted, it was reliable after that. I racked up a lot of miles on the car because of my job. I kept up the maintenance on the car. When I gave it an oil change every three thousand miles, I put the good oil in and used the good filters. Every three months I put in the good spark plugs, not the ninety-nine cent cheap ones. Get the idea of how well I kept up the car?

The real problems started six months ago. The starter went. I immediately replaced it. Rust starting eating away my exhaust pipe and muffler. I fixed that too. Then the head cracked. I had a replacement put on. Now there is no oil pressure.

I began talking to mechanics about my car and found out that a cracked head is a common problem with Ford Tempos. I also found out that the lack of oil pressure is due to the fact that when the head cracked, it took the bottom half of the motor with it. This is one explanation as to why there is no oil pressure. The other possibility is that the screen in which the oil comes up into the head is clogged, another common problem among Tempos.

Major problems with cars are one thing and are to be expected. But with a car that has had good maintenance and loving care, this is ridiculous. As of right now my Ford Tempo will start and idle, but she won't drive more than a mile without dying. With the money I dumped into her so far, I should have just bought a another car.

Faults:

I got it with a blown head gasket heater bypass hose broke.

General Comments:

Got $400 in the car it runs like new, looks like new, and is the best damn car on the American road.

Faults:

Starter went out at 60,000. New oil pan needed twice, once at 45,000, then again at 79,000. Transmission stuck once, but miraculously healed itself...

General Comments:

Hey, this was my car during senior year of high school and all of college. I got good mileage, was quite reliable, and actually pretty comfy. Despite a huge upgrade on my next purchase, I was sad to see my first car go. Cheers to the '92 Ford Tempo!

Faults:

This car has been relatively trouble-free. I replaced the oil pan ($300 including labor) as a preventative measure, because it was rather rusty.

The Check engine light went on a few times, but after taking it to the dealership, they recommended I remove the P.F.E. sensor and leave it on a heater for a night to remove any water. IT WORKED!! Thanks Moynes Ford.

My biggest complaint is reserved for the headlights. That material holds dirt very easily, deterring the headlight range. I am constantly cleaning them!

General Comments:

I have received mixed levels of service from Ford dealers. Moynes is one dealership I am very pleased with, for their parts and service departments.

My parents have one of these too, with 280 000 kilometers, and it has also been relatively trouble-free!