1993 Ford Tempo GL 2.3 from North America

Summary:

I'm keeping this car forever!

Faults:

The mass air flow censor went out causing a rough idle. After it was replaced the car ran great.

The tailpipe fell off. However, it should be said I drive the car really fast, take quick turns and drive on tough terrain.

General Comments:

I picked this car up for $2,500 and, even though I'm a sports-car fan, I love this car.

This car is very reliable and takes my abuse like a champ.

The car picks up quite nicely for a 4 door economy car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 1st June, 2003

16th Apr 2007, 11:20

Everyone out there!!!

Do not waste your money on a Ford Tempo or a Mercury Topaz!!!

Ya, sure they are good fuel economy cars, and mainly only the bodies go on them, but my father had just got into a horrible accident with his 93 Ford Tempo, and he barely made it!!! There are no airbags and no crunch zones. He is still in critical condition with numerous severe injuries!

So once again, it is your decision, but take my word for it, do not buy one if you plan on living a long life!!!

Anonymous!

16th Apr 2007, 13:46

While I am very sorry to hear of his injuries, it wasn't the Tempo's fault. Look at the SUV the Governor of NJ was in. It had all of those items and he is still in bad shape. Certain car crashes are just severe and regardless of the vehicle and it's safety equipment, injuries do happen. Airbags were an option on the Tempo of that era, as they were on a lot of cars back then. The Tempo had automatic shoulder belts to meet the government criteria of passive restraints.

7th Apr 2010, 00:26

I am also sorry to hear about these injuries, but there are thousands of cars on the road without airbags. He bought and drove the car knowing that. We now live in a country where we always have to blame someone else for our misfortune. Let me take a guess and say someone will get sued for this.

1993 Ford Tempo 4 cylinder from North America

Summary:

Reliable and unremarkable

Faults:

I don't recall anything major going wrong with the car. Nothing other than replacing standard wear items on it. Tires, brakes, tune up.

One annoying problem it had, it would get fuel smell inside. I never did resolve it and basically ignored it.

General Comments:

It is a very mediocre, but reliable car. Nothing remarkable. Little power. High mileage, between 28-30 mpg.

The build quality was high, I thought. The interior was nicely built. Nothing shaking or rattling. It was quite inside, the seals were good.

Being FWD, it was stable on ice and snow.

I got rid of it because it had little space inside and I wanted a V8 station wagon.

I know that 93 (or 94) was the last year for Ford Tempo. By that time, it was quite reliable. On the other hand, late 80's Fords were terrible. I knew someone who always had problems with a '87 Tempo. Transmission, and much more. My experience was just the opposite. Good reliability.

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

Review Date: 16th May, 2003

17th Oct 2004, 16:33

My 93 ford tempo has over a quarter million kilometers on it. I am now receiving more power and gas mileage from the motor then I ever did in its middle years.

14th Jul 2008, 15:44

Any car that is reliable is certainly not unremarkable.

14th Dec 2008, 22:46

The above poster has it right.

How many cars are as reliable as a Tempo?

These are sporty cars too. Fun to drive. If yours got 30 mpg, it beats many modern cars in economy as well.

12th Feb 2009, 23:56

I had a '92 Tempo for almost 11 years, which I purchased off a Ford dealer in 1997. It had only 45,000 miles on it then. I sold it to a neighbor last March for $400, and it had about 174,000 miles on it. She was overall a good reliable car, but was rusting badly, and lots of stuff was going wrong.

I then bought a '96 Hyundai Elantra wagon... big mistake. It lasted 9 months and the transmission went out. So, I went on Craigslist.org and happened upon a '93 Tempo, very clean with only 69,000 actual miles at a small used car dealer near my hometown. I went down and checked it out. It looks and drives, for all intents and purposes, like a new car. Never been smoked in, garage kept, extremely well maintained. I grabbed it, and am now content to drive a Tempo for another ten years. Carfax confirmed... I'm happy!!!

In reply to 12th Feb 2009, 23:56

18th Nov 2018, 02:40

Hi, my name is Jim from Dorset, Ohio. Just bought a 93 Ford Tempo with 43000 miles on it. Some very good reading on this post. My Tempo is like brand new (old lady car). I am looking at ways to try and make this car last me the rest of my life, I'm 53 years old and drive 5 minutes to work. Going to baby this thing and do extensive upkeep on it. I paid two thousand for the Tempo, nice little car. I hope I can make it last!