1987 Ford Tempo GL 2.3L from North America

Summary:

Cheap wheels, but not very durable

Faults:

Transmission rebuild - $1,200.

Electric radiator fan - $120.

Driver's seat bracket - twice! $35 each.

General Comments:

A compact car. Bought it used when I needed cheap wheels.

As a whole, for the 8 years I owned it, it was a decent enough car. Cheap to operate except for the transmission rebuild it required at 60K miles.

The Tempo had poor power, and the 3 speed automatic meant it was revving high to get up to 70 mph.

The interior was small and seating cramped for me, a big guy. At about 7 years old, the interior started going to hell. The dash cracked in many areas, big time. The roof liner started sagging, as did the visors. The bracket that connects the drivers seat to the floor broke not once, but twice.

Towards the end of my ownership the thing would drive rough. Finally ended up selling it to a junkyard for $5 and they towed it away.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 11th February, 2009

1987 Ford Tempo GL 2.3 Litre from North America

Summary:

This is one tough car!

Faults:

The Rear Struts I had to replace due to about 800 pounds of concrete mix I had placed in the trunk for my job.

The Headlights are turning Yellow.

I had to replace the serpentine belt because of the alternator shredding the belt.

General Comments:

The interior is not very spacious.

Good reliable car.

Takes everything I have ever thrown out to it and keeps on chugging along.

Good gas mileage and acceleration for the year and size of the car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 19th November, 2006

1987 Ford Tempo GLS 2.3 High Performance from North America

Summary:

The car is cheap and semi-reliable

Faults:

My Tempo GLS is my first car and it was given to me 5 years ago by my grandparents who no longer wanted it.

Many things have gone wrong with the car I will try to remember most of them.

I replaced the clutch a few months after receiving the car. Likely because I was just learning to drive a manual transmission.

I replaced the alternator.

I replaced the starter.

I replaced parts in the front axle/steering.

The bottom radiator house broke in its fourth year while on a long trip.

The hood release cable has been broken since I purchased it and then the latch broke a few months ago. It is nearly impossible to get at the latch because of the grille. An auto body shop charged me $70 to fix it. It still has a wire sticking out of the grille to open it.

I had a wreck with it in my third year owning it. I replaced the grille and one headlight. I flattened out the hood and the fender and put a new coat of paint on the grill, hood, fender and roof.

The passenger window does not roll up smoothly it sticks and jumps and often times won't close. The driver window will not come open.

Radio is horrible I can barely hear it when I am the highway. I replaced the speakers, but the radio is not powerful enough for them.

Both front brake lines sprung leaks and I replaced them both.

I have replaced all four brake pads. And they need it again.

Fuel pump went out.

I have replaced both head lights a few times.

The exhaust manifold is cracked. The muffler and exhaust pipe were replaced before I received it. But they have given me trouble all the whole time I have owned it. And now I need to replace the whole exhaust system.

It shakes at 80mph.

It gets about 20 odd miles to the gallon.

I don't believe I have any rear shocks left since I have loaded it down too many times going to college with all my stuff.

General Comments:

Although many things go wrong with this car it has treated me well.

The problems are usually inexpensive to fix.

The acceleration is great for how small of a car it is.

It is still cheaper for me to fix the problems on this than to buy a new car. Since I probably spend less than $100 dollars a year on it.

It is also very cheap to insure.

It is a sporty car and it gets me where I need to go.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 15th June, 2006