1990 Ford Tempo GL 2.3 HSC from North America
Summary:
Better than everybody else tells ya
Faults:
I bought it when it needed a new clutch and a new bumper, since the previous owner had crashed. I fixed them both, and nothing else. oh yeah, the LED in the clock, but got a system put in, so didn't really mater.
General Comments:
I Drive this car everyday, winter and summer, and it always starts. It doesn't matter if its 100 or -50 out, it always has started!! It is a lot better car than people think. The 0-60 time is supposed to be like 11, but I got 7.8 and top speed of 120. It's just as good as a lot of probes and other cars. I have beat a lot of "better" cars in drags and that sort of stuff!!! Fun car to have!!
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 28th December, 2002
19th Jun 2003, 21:14
I beg to differ. My Tempo has nearly 200000 miles without any major failures. Alternator belts that snap at unfortunate times and CV-joints that need to be replaced mean you haven't been taking care of your car properly!
I've had both of the above problems. I was dumb enough to let my alternator belt wear out, and it snapped and got caught in the serpentine belt. That was a royal pain to replace (on the side of the road in the heat of summer, no less) but I didn't blame it on the car because I should've replaced that alternator belt sooner.
I've also had to have CV-joints replaced on mine too, but only because I didn't notice that the CV boots (the covers for the joints) had cracked and the grease had all leaked out. That happens sometimes and it's hardly the car's fault. Most people never, ever look underneath their cars, and getting down on your hands and knees every few weeks when you check your tire pressure (you do that too, right?) will save you hundreds of dollars of repair costs. When was the last time you even paid attention to the parking space you're backing out of to see if your car is dripping fluids? Another simple thing that can save much, much money!
Many people have reported problems with their Tempos, but when someone says something like "it makes an odd noise from the back of the engine" my natural response is to ask "well, when was the last time you took it in to be looked at?" If your mechanic can't fix an odd noise or you keep having problems, maybe it isn't the car but the mechanic!
-Mo.