1986 Ford Tempo GL 2.3 HSC from North America
Summary:
The car you hate, but love to own
Faults:
Oxygen sensor every spring.
Tie rods.
Struts.
Fuel pump.
Fuel pump cutoff relay.
General Comments:
My mother purchased the car new in 1986, and gave it to me as my college car two years later. This was the most reliable vehicle I've ever owned. It was a base GL 2 door. The styling was reasonable for the times. The seat was not comfortable and the transmission switchgear was very sloppy. I never liked how the car handled or shifted, but it never gave me a reason to get rid of it.
I handed it off at 210000 miles to my sister, she put another 30000 miles on it. We sold it to a neighbor, who used it to go to and from work, and it's still running without any engine work, its original clutch/transmission and CV joints. Whatever was happening in the Ford factory the day this car was built was pure magic. Too bad the two subsequent Fords were major pieces of garbage.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 20th September, 2010
23rd Sep 2010, 00:22
I've owned 2 of these, an '86 Tempo with an automatic trans which went kaput after years of service, and an '87 Tempo 5-speed. Both were extremely reliable to the end. I bought one for $160 and the other for $65.00! They are very humble and basic cars but reliable, good on gas, and you don't have to worry about someone stealing it. LOL.