This car got me through college and during my loneliest years in my early 20s. Everyday that I was able to turn on the engine, was a day I was grateful it worked. I don't know what I would have done if that car had broken down. I was very poor.
I see a mint Tempo driving around my neighborhood every once in a while. I live in a rust belt area too so he must think he has something special. I guess its special enough for me to post about it.
I work with someone who has an 88 Tempo. Its really rusty and beat up. I just assumed he bought an old beater to commute with. I recently asked him how long he's had it and was surprised when he told me he bought it new. He told me he hasn't washed it in 20 years and never once changed the oil, only has ever added it when low. i guess its neat to see cars we would expect to simply not exist anymore.
I bought a 1990 charcoal grey Tempo L brand new upon returning from my honeymoon. That car was fantastic and was a true tank! Had it for 11 years and was still in great shape when I sold it. Great memories!
My very first car was a 1990 Ford Tempo 5 speed and bought it with my own money 5 months before I turned 16. It had 162,000KM, needed work to pass the safety check, which I did myself and basically it was just brakes and a couple light bulbs. I drove that thing from 1997, I was in grade 11 and one of the very few out of all my friends that owned and insured their own car, which meant I could go where ever I wanted when I wanted, which meant every high school party. It wasn't uncommon to have 6-7 people in there at times lol. It was no sports car but it was MINE. I taught so many of my friends how to drive standard on that car and I never had to change the clutch. Never once did it break down and it always started even at -30C without being plugged in. I finally got rid of it in 2003 when I bought a 1991 Ford Thunderbird LX 5.0L High Output that was fully loaded. Still the amount of fun I had with the Tempo and the memories that were made still makes me smile. I've got many picture of it at parties off in the background (I had a decent stereo in it so it was used as a DJ booth on wheels). All in all it wasn't anything special but man oh man did it get us around and was super good on gas.
Nice!! My 1st car was an 89 tempo. It had the 3 speed auto though. I got it for Christmas of my senior year in highschool ('07). It got me through the rest of my senior year!! Something was wrong with the idling though. When the engine got below a certain rpm, it would stall out. Other then that, it was pretty solid. Ended up getting rid of it though right after I graduated cause the tie rods were so bad I couldn't drive it anymore. It was sad!! I bought the replacement parts and everything. Just never got them put on. Then 2 weeks later, a neighbor said that he could've done it for me, lol. So I kinda have a soft spot for these
@@N1120A better mpg and acceleration. plus manual are more fun to drive (when you are no tired). I like automatics but sometimes it feels a bit sterile.
@@rondavid7413 When these cars debuted in the early 80s the roofline/rear glass WAS the same, it changed when this model year appeared (he pretty much says that in the road test). The big difference when they debuted was the rear door, the Mercury had no window behind the rear door (and of course the rear roof was slanted) while I think the Ford had an additional window in the rear door (I couldn't find pictures of the Ford in my reference book.
I borrowed my dad's 1989 Tempo for a semester in college back in the early 90's when I had to sell my Civic EX. His Tempo was pretty rare as it had push button AWD. Everything worked, it was comfortable and I can confirm you could fit a ton of tennis balls in the back floorboards. The A/C worked great in the Georgia heat too! It wasn't fast (my girlfriend at the time had a Corsica with the V-6 that would crush it and also V-6 Camaros of the era), but it was reliable, comfy transportation. I have fond memories of it.
My parents bought an identical red Ford Tempo new in 1988, skinny whitewall tires and all. It's what I was brought home from the hospital in. They kept it until 2003 remarkably, but over those years, it left us stranded many times. I remember the alternator failing at least a couple times. Died on the side of the highway once on a trip from Pittsburgh to Detroit. Wouldn't start on various occasions, including on a hot summer day after coming out of the grocery store, ruining anything we bought that needed refrigerated. My dad was so happy to finally be able to get rid of it and has sworn off Ford ever since. This video still brought back lots of great childhood memories in the Tempo though, so thanks MotorWeek for posting this one!
My parents bought a new 88' Tempo. It was gonna be my first car until the tranny went out in 04' (one year before I got my license). It was a good car eventhough I always thought it was ugly and boring
Fun fact: Unlike the 2.3-liter overhead cam engine in the Mustang & T-bird, this 2.3-liter overhead valve unit was basically a cut-down version of the old inline 6 that was used in the Falcon back in the day.
Yup. My dad decided he wanted a very nice green 72 Ford Galaxy coupe. Us three kids just climed into the back seat. Today you have to have 3 rows even if you only have 2 kids.
They actually would go one to offer a DIESEL powered version, that engine was rated at 52-54 horsepower. No idea what the 0-60 time for that drivetrain was.
Once I was being chased by an axe/chainsaw murderer who was driving a blue Ford tempo with gray cloth interior. It was a beautiful, fuel efficient car. I was in an iroc-z and I couldn’t shake this guy. He powered up steep hills and cornered switchback mountain roads like he was on rails and kept up with me for over 100 miles in a high speed chase nearing speeds of 62mph. With his quiet comfortable interior, the chainsaw murderer’s ears were spared some of the loud decibals of noise coming from his wildly revving chainsaw. He was able to recline comfortably in the bucket seats that provided superior lumbar support as he cornered through mountainous terrain. He finally succomed to asfixiation from carbon monoxide poisoning because of the fantastically airtight interior and plunged to his death into a mountain ravine. The 1st generation airbags saved his poulan chainsaw from even the slightest of damage.
I just purchased a '94 Tempo six cylinder as my daily driver. Very nice car and every thing works except am radio. The car is silver and looks more like a six-year-old car than a 26-year-old car. No emissions inspection required here in NJ for '95 and older. 80,000 miles. Everything is so unrefined and retro-fabulous compared to any modern car.
My parents bought a used, somewhat base model, manual transmission '88 Topaz in Black with maroon interior in February 1995. We used it to tow a fully loaded U-Haul trailer from Michigan to southern Missouri! It somehow made it through the hills and valleys of the Ozarks with a trailer! It was a tough car. Dad ended up totaling it in mid '97, falling asleep at the wheel, hitting a telephone pole head on.
The Tempo/Topaz twins, then replaced by the Contour/Mystique. The old cars sure seem a lot roomier! Wish my Mystique was the LS trim. The GS has a nice interior, but no power locks, windows, or even cruise control! And those rear windows that only roll down half way are still annoying haha
Yeah I'm still trying to figure out how the newer cars were smaller on the inside. Technology is supposed to go forward right? I remember my mom's 96 Contour was a nightmare in the backseat even as a kid.
@@Herecomesthethruth The Corsica was my drivers ed car in High school, the school had 2 or three of them for the class from a local dealer I believe on a lease bundle deal. Circa 88'.
My grandma had a new 89’ Tempo with the 2.3L “high swirl combustion “ four. I remember it to be very torquey and sufficient because the cars were so light.
My family growing up drove a '93 Tempo until 2001. I can't even begin to describe how embarrassing it was when every other kid's dad in our neighborhood had some sort of luxury nameplate. Looking back, I feel shallow for hating it so much. It was an honest car doing what it was built to do, and I understand why my dad was in no hurry to sell a reliable, paid-off car. It only had 53k miles when we sold it, so I hope some other family got some good use out of it.
I had 4 used Tempos, all manual trans.over a period of about 13 years, many years ago, 2 for me and 2 for my daughter to drive to school. They were actually pretty good cars with no major problems and got good gas mileage. My brother has had his '93 Tempo for 17 years now, and it is suffering from old age.
Buddy of mine had one. He would race my 90 Cavalier and I beat him everytime, but honestly we both lost. We didnt even break any speed laws. It got a rod knock, breaks started to fail, and then he started treating it like red headed step child.
Worked on these at a Ford dealer. Easy to work on, few problems aside from regular wear and tear, inner tie rods, brakes. Owned a couple of them over the years, I never changed the oil in one of them for close to 2 years, couldn't kill it even when I tried!!!!!!!!
Lower ball joints, outer tie rods, broken rear springs, blown struts, AIR pipes that would rot off and leak, electrical problems such as headlight and a/c connectors melting, relay control modules that would fail causing overheating or no starts, etc etc... The 2.3 HSC was a very good mill however. Indeed, hard to kill!
Had an almost-new '91 "program car" Tempo GL sedan when I was in high school. Two things I remember were how loud the engine was on the highway and how underpowered the radio was. The red velour interior was comfortable and it was my first car with power locks, power windows, tilt, and cruise. I also installed a Motorola cellular telephone with a glass-mount antenna. I often pretended to be using the phone because, at 60 cents per minute and only 20 free minutes each month, I couldn't afford to actually use it.
'89 Ford Tempo was my first school car, wasn't very old and had very low miles. 30 mile round trip, easy on gas. Never have cared about speed or being "cool". It was totaled when a truck crossing the highway decided stop signs were optional. Replaced it with a '91 Lumina Euro.
Ug! You said lumina euro. We had one of those. Pos from the factory. 4 wheel disc brakes that had the rear calipers seize up and not work anymore. Ignition modules failing, pcm failing, fit and finish horrible, and junk interiors.
I worked at a BMW dealership in the 80s and we had a couple of these as loaner cars. We used to call them "The Ultimate Tire Squealing Machine". To be fair, I'm sure that was mostly due to the bargain basement Hankook tires we had on them. They really had a soft and wallowy suspension though. My wife rented a V-6 Tempo from Enterprise or Avis for a week once while her car was in the body shop, and it really wasn't a bad little highway cruiser at all.
Okay, so it wasn't a screamer on the highways. But for me, the Tempo beings back memories. My mom had a 1987 Tempo, and I drove it every chance I got. I passed my driver's test in that Tempo in 1991, at the age of 26. It was the happiest day of my life!
@@jareknowak8712That's so true! On March 19, 2014, my mother got her wings and is now dancing with my father (deceased 1/13/2018) in the great ballroom in the sky. _(10/14/2023)_
I love the Tempo. Used to rent it all the time when I was studying in Canada. Reasonably priced, roomy, uncomplicated, economical on gas (by North American standards, that is). I even managed to influence a few of my Canadian classmates to buy it. I also love the factory sound system, the cassette deck even includes Dolby B noise reduction! I won't hesitate to buy one, even today. Gauges? Yes, I agree with MotorWeek. Nothing beats a set of good gauges over idiot lights. When the lights come ON, damage has been done.
Those rear glass/window nods are subtle, and barely noticeable. A nice design cue towards their respective brands, setting them apart. Back when they actually cared enough to try to set the brands apart.
I have an 89 Ford tempo GLS 5 speed I still use as a daily driver, 2nd owner, all I've done is basically standard maintenance, runs strong, transmission and engine are great, comfortable and not a bad looking car, the 5 speed with the GLS trim has a decent ride and a little sporty. Good mileage, reliable and not expensive to own, parts are cheap and readily available, easy to work on, overall a pretty solid vehicle, its overheated on me a few times, when I had a heat sender go out, a coolant leak and another time when a fan switch went out, but that cast iron engine has held up. The 2.3L HSC/HSO is one of the better engines Ford has made over the years.
When I was a kid, as a car enthusiast, I hated seeing these everywhere, especially in autumn, when it would get in the way of the beauty of nice cars on the orange backdrop. ... Now I miss seeing them, Astro’s, Aerostar’s, Sundance’s and Dodge Aries’ everywhere... I’d give anything to see a day of my childhood over a new Ferrari, any day of the week.
My high school used a Ford Tempo for their Driver's Ed car. I drove that Tempo in the summer of 1989 and passed easily. But I was glad that the car I would be driving daily was a very stylish and comfy V6 Buick Skylark LE.
Every time I see a Tempo or Topaz of this generation, it brings back memories of me learning how to drive (and CONSTANTLY fix) my buddy's '94 sedan in Oxford White with the four cylinder and automatic. Thing was as slow as snails mating after vasectomies but I give it credit, it was fun in the most unusual way.
My first car was a 93 topaz. I put rims and a big coffee can muffler on that thing and drove it till the wheels fell off. Also put a crap ton of speakers on the trunk.
My mom bought the new 1988 Tempo LX same color as in video. The 2.3L HSC was very torquey but lacked on power, roomy as stayed, the upgraded audio system, bass was hard hitting, I got into sooo much trouble in that car. If she only knew. My first speeding ticket was in a Tempo of all things lol. My lead-footed starts kept breaking the motor mounts(ooops)
My first car was a '91 Topaz GS. Nice college car until the transmission crapped out my senior year in 2002. No one said it was quick or reliable but the 2.3 I4 did what was intended - which was push me toward imports when I started working.
My 89 Topaz LTS had over 200k miles. Just disliked the loud, 3 speed engine on the highway. The tach was 3,000rpm just at 60mph. Overdrive would've made this car almost perfect. But yes, as John said, there was almost zero road noise, that was nice!
I had an '87 Tempo Sport GL coupe in white. I drove it for 6 years and beat the crap out of it. It got me through school and tough times. I achieved 40 mpg with the 5 speed at a steady 50 mph on trips in Maine. I wish I had taken better care of it because I don't see any of them around these days.
I'm from Toronto, Canada and I rarely see these cars now but I did see a Tempo two years ago( it was a 4 door) and it was in mint condition, the owner took really good care of it.
The Tempo was the first car we had when we moved to the US in 88. I really liked it, but I was a kid, so what did I know lol... but I think my family was very happy with it too.
The family car for 10 years was a 91 navy GL... we kept it running for 20 years before someone bought it to sell on their lot... and did a nice job on the referb!
First car I ever owned. Bought a 1988 Red Ford Tempo. Exactly like the one in this video. 1997...so many problems...but it got me to where I needed to be.
It’s funny how neither car they compared it to were actually in the Tempo/Topaz class. Both the Cavalier and Sundance competed with the Escort. For 1988, the Tempo and Topaz competitors were the Aries/Reliant and Corsica/Grand Am/Calais/Skylark.
Cute little car! I had the Ford Taurus! Lots of problems with it. Half Shaft rods from the transmission. Two on both sides. One shaft rod on each side. Had to replace the CV joints, and idler arm. But, it was a pretty car! I never wrecked it. I washed it all over it's sheet metal. I loved that car! But, the engine fell out and I couldn't drive it anymore! I cried when they towed it away!
My mom had a late 80s Tempo. I would usually get annoyed in the rear seat with the windows not going all the way down. I remember seeing a lot of Tempos and Topazes around, just like the Taurus and Sable. I barely seeing any Tempos and Topazes anymore.
Cool, my 1 st car was a white with blue interior Ford Tempo sedan, it had cruise, power locks, auto transmission, roll up widows, I enjoyed it Good memories 😀
My parents bought a lease return 1991 Tempo in 1992. The car was incredibly reliable and comfortable. The only problems I remember were the windshield wiper switch broke off but it was easy to replace, additionally, we went through 2 or 3 starter solenoids. After the first time, the starter solenoid failed I learned how to jump it and start the car. One day when I was probably 11 or 12 years old the Tempo wouldn't start in a parking lot. I remember begging my Mom to let me jump the solenoid and at the same time trying to convince her I really knew what I was doing. Finally, she let me jump the solenoid, and the car fired right up. That was one of the few times I really impressed my Mother. I even had my Mom take me to the Ford dealership and told her what part to buy and I replaced the solenoid myself that evening. I went on to become a mechanic and I have had steady employment since the day I graduated high school due in part to the experiences I had fixing my parent's cars.
Back in 90's, my neighbor had a Tempo, which had small issues here and there. Later I had a 95 escort with the same situation. Although I enjoy fixing cars in garage, no one likes to carry any worry for a trip.
My grandma had a Tempo of this style in beige. The only thing I remember about it was the automatic belts not being too friendly with my 9 year old height. She traded it in for a Windstar when those were launched.
I wonder if you could order both the AWD and drivers airbag together and if so how many were equipped that way. And also how few if any are still on the road.
Oh man I’ll never forget the Mercury Topaz it was our first family car , (I was 4 years old) at that time it when we had it was an 84’ model, it was colored black and it had reddish color pinstripe on both sides , I think it was in the top trim level or it was in the special trim level, well anyway we loved that little car.
5:30 I find it a little odd that MW wouldn't acknowledge or simply not realize the rear windows not going all the way down, is actually a consequence of wheel-well design. Imho, it was nothing more than clever marketing for manufactures to suggest they had the safety of our children in mind so people would see this as less negative aspect. I cant think of a single car that utilized this "half way down" feature when they didn't need to.
Even as a kid back then I knew half down rear windows were a sign of the end times. I liked how the '90s Lexus ES300 had the rear glass that tilted forward at the bottom of travel to *sorta* make up for this.
@@postmodernrecycler That's funny you mentioned that. I have a 2000 Lexus ls400 and I can't tell how many times people think the rear window has fallen of track when down
Note the HSC 2.3 engine is actually an old "Thriftpower" inline 6 with two cylinders lopped off. This is not the Pinto/Lima 2.3 engine used in the Ranger and Thunderbird Turbo Coupe. They made this engine due to needing more four bangers than the 2.3 plants could provide in the early 80s- they also kept the 200 inline 6 around for rear drive vehicles due to V6 demands- they sold Fox Platform vehicles (Mustang, Fairmont, etc) with the 200 inline 6. So it having poor NVH when revved makes sense when you realize it was based on a very old at the time inline 6 engine. But that old engine design made it durable and easy to work on at least. FWIW- the best Tempo was the 90s model with the 5 speed manual and 3.0 Vulcan V6. It was a baby SHO and sold like ice in Alaska. They should have added the 3.0 Vulcan V6 earlier, but I assume didn't want the Tempo to be quicker than a more expensive normal Taurus.
My folks bought an '89 Topaz with the three speed auto. It was fine around town, but pretty miserable on the highway. Had trouble keeping up with 70 mph traffic on interstates and was loud because of the three speed auto's lack of overdrive. Those shoulder belts were an irritation - should have had standard airbags like the Taurus and Sable. It was reliable save for the head gasket leaking and needing to be replaced. It was considered a defect and done until a recall.
These cars were affordable and Bulletproof...i miss the old days..2.3 was made for many years and improved through the decades...Cars is 2022 are too pricey for poor people..
Lol my aunt and uncle owned 4 of these Mercury Topaz's over the year's my aunt got the new one my uncle got the old one ,all 2 door's and their 3 kids got one every time they traded up lol they had a 84,87,90,93 they still drive the 93 . I remember my cousin got the 84 topaz in 1994 for his 16th birthday his brother got the 87 in 1998 for his 16th birthday and their sister got the 1990 in 2002 for her 16th lol My uncle loved his 93 and still drives it my aunt got a 97 Probe GT Which she still has lol
I loved how he praised the Tempo’s handling as it was bouncing and wallowing all over the test track. The tires were screaming for mercy and the door handles were nearly touching the pavement. Hilarious! It was almost as funny as the other Tempo commercial where the car goes through a loop.
I liked the tempo, especially the rear window treatment. Unfortunately after a few years Fords put an awkward body colored panel over the C pillar that ruined the wrap around look.
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This car got me through college and during my loneliest years in my early 20s. Everyday that I was able to turn on the engine, was a day I was grateful it worked. I don't know what I would have done if that car had broken down. I was very poor.
I remember both the Ford Tempo and Mercury Topaz were offered as prizes on "The Price is Right" in the early 1990s.
I bet they couldn't wait for the little yodeler to fall off the cliff.
@@michaelglover2871 LOL! I think they named the Topaz after a precious stone because the car didn't have no precious performance figures.
I'll take the cash Bob!?!
@@alextube1101 If TPIR offers me a car in its base trim or any uninspiring car, I would run out of the studio.
flashback!
How did I know a good old criticism of oil temp and voltmeter omission was coming? Thanks for not disappointing, JD!
He bitches about any Car/Truck that doesn't have Full Instrumentation, and sometimes Bitches about them too!!
Just like sofyan bey from redline reviews complaining that a car doesn’t have sirius or carplay
Looks like OCD
He’s probably the sole reason that manufacturers started using those “gauges” which aren’t actually gauges, just dummy lights disguised as a gauge.
He owns a Tempo.....
I see a mint Tempo driving around my neighborhood every once in a while. I live in a rust belt area too so he must think he has something special. I guess its special enough for me to post about it.
Special to him , lots of memories I bet! the V6 5 speed cars weren't too bad
If it has the rare AWD option it is something special.
I work with someone who has an 88 Tempo. Its really rusty and beat up. I just assumed he bought an old beater to commute with. I recently asked him how long he's had it and was surprised when he told me he bought it new. He told me he hasn't washed it in 20 years and never once changed the oil, only has ever added it when low.
i guess its neat to see cars we would expect to simply not exist anymore.
My pap used to do the same thing with his vehicles, he would just add oil.
What?? Hasn't washed it in 20 years?? Dang!! And it still runs & drives even though he's NEVER done an oil change?? That, to me, is cra-zee!!
I bought a 1990 charcoal grey Tempo L brand new upon returning from my honeymoon. That car was fantastic and was a true tank! Had it for 11 years and was still in great shape when I sold it. Great memories!
lol
My very first car was a 1990 Ford Tempo 5 speed and bought it with my own money 5 months before I turned 16. It had 162,000KM, needed work to pass the safety check, which I did myself and basically it was just brakes and a couple light bulbs. I drove that thing from 1997, I was in grade 11 and one of the very few out of all my friends that owned and insured their own car, which meant I could go where ever I wanted when I wanted, which meant every high school party. It wasn't uncommon to have 6-7 people in there at times lol. It was no sports car but it was MINE. I taught so many of my friends how to drive standard on that car and I never had to change the clutch. Never once did it break down and it always started even at -30C without being plugged in. I finally got rid of it in 2003 when I bought a 1991 Ford Thunderbird LX 5.0L High Output that was fully loaded. Still the amount of fun I had with the Tempo and the memories that were made still makes me smile. I've got many picture of it at parties off in the background (I had a decent stereo in it so it was used as a DJ booth on wheels). All in all it wasn't anything special but man oh man did it get us around and was super good on gas.
Michael John I remember driving an AWD Tempo 3 speed auto. I had to keep my foot to the floor just to keep from getting run over.
My first car was a 1985 Ford Tempo. It was in 1991, and it was GARBAGE!
Nice!! My 1st car was an 89 tempo. It had the 3 speed auto though. I got it for Christmas of my senior year in highschool ('07). It got me through the rest of my senior year!! Something was wrong with the idling though. When the engine got below a certain rpm, it would stall out. Other then that, it was pretty solid. Ended up getting rid of it though right after I graduated cause the tie rods were so bad I couldn't drive it anymore. It was sad!! I bought the replacement parts and everything. Just never got them put on. Then 2 weeks later, a neighbor said that he could've done it for me, lol. So I kinda have a soft spot for these
My father in law owns a Mercury Topaz stick shift. Considering how long he's owned it it's been a good car to him
The manuals were MUCH better than the autos
@@N1120A better mpg and acceleration. plus manual are more fun to drive (when you are no tired). I like automatics but sometimes it feels a bit sterile.
I have been enjoying watching the weekly broadcast of the old episodes, and I love the retro reviews!
Ive been looking for that,what day is that shown on?
In all my life I never realized that the two cars had different rear glass!
Don't know how you missed it the Tempo was the most distinctive while the Topaz looked like a copycat Pontiac Grand Am
@@rondavid7413
When these cars debuted in the early 80s the roofline/rear glass WAS the same, it changed when this model year appeared (he pretty much says that in the road test). The big difference when they debuted was the rear door, the Mercury had no window behind the rear door (and of course the rear roof was slanted) while I think the Ford had an additional window in the rear door (I couldn't find pictures of the Ford in my reference book.
I borrowed my dad's 1989 Tempo for a semester in college back in the early 90's when I had to sell my Civic EX. His Tempo was pretty rare as it had push button AWD. Everything worked, it was comfortable and I can confirm you could fit a ton of tennis balls in the back floorboards. The A/C worked great in the Georgia heat too! It wasn't fast (my girlfriend at the time had a Corsica with the V-6 that would crush it and also V-6 Camaros of the era), but it was reliable, comfy transportation. I have fond memories of it.
My first car was a 1992 Ford Tempo GL 2-Door with the 5-Speed Manual. I loved that car and it got way better gas mileage than the three speed auto.
I had a 1992 Tempo GL 5 speed as well. It was a great car.
Hey, Josh! It's me Nicholas McElroy! I'm not surprised to see you see you here! :)
My parents bought an identical red Ford Tempo new in 1988, skinny whitewall tires and all. It's what I was brought home from the hospital in. They kept it until 2003 remarkably, but over those years, it left us stranded many times. I remember the alternator failing at least a couple times. Died on the side of the highway once on a trip from Pittsburgh to Detroit. Wouldn't start on various occasions, including on a hot summer day after coming out of the grocery store, ruining anything we bought that needed refrigerated. My dad was so happy to finally be able to get rid of it and has sworn off Ford ever since. This video still brought back lots of great childhood memories in the Tempo though, so thanks MotorWeek for posting this one!
Hahaha I was brought home in one too! Kept ours until 2001... that alternator was a bish man...
Deroi Bland-Davis My parents drove a 1988 Sable for the longest time.....we still own it too!
My parents bought a new 88' Tempo. It was gonna be my first car until the tranny went out in 04' (one year before I got my license). It was a good car eventhough I always thought it was ugly and boring
Fun fact: Unlike the 2.3-liter overhead cam engine in the Mustang & T-bird, this 2.3-liter overhead valve unit was basically a cut-down version of the old inline 6 that was used in the Falcon back in the day.
oops I just posted the same thing you beat me to it lol.
The 2.3 in the Mustang was originally designed for the 1974 Pinto and Mustang 2 family and was the first metric engine produced in North America
it's like Ford chopped off two cylinders from the horrible 200ci inline six from the late 70s Fairmont...speaking from experience =(
Do you mean Ford's old 200 inline 6?
@@gxdjoeybaby07What was "horrible " about them ?
That is some INSANE body lean around 0:48
That thing was crying LOUDLY!!
Thank God the wind wasn't blowing.
Look at 2 40. The front tires are so tilted that they probably wore 1/2 the life off the outside edge just testing the car.
lmaoooo
I thought it would flip
We used these cars in drivers ed. back in 91.
Nowadays, it’s getting harder and harder to find a Tempo or Topaz on the road, but what’s probably harder? Finding one with the optional airbag.
Me and my Mom both had 1988 Tempo's with the air bag. They were Geico insurance adjusters car before we bought them in 1990.
Back in the day when people bought two door cars for their family.
Now its a 30 foot long SUV/Barge for one child
@@kirbyswarp Well at least mostly it's crossovers which today get pretty close gas mileage to cars but offer a lot more utility.
Yup. My dad decided he wanted a very nice green 72 Ford Galaxy coupe. Us three kids just climed into the back seat. Today you have to have 3 rows even if you only have 2 kids.
My parents raised me and my brother in a 77 LeSabre coupe. Nobody ever complained about not having enough space.
I remember my parents looking at a ‘92 Cutlass Coupe. There were four of us. Good sense prevailed and they bought a minivan lol
They had to add an extra 10 minutes of this episode to be able to fit in the 0-60 segment.
Baaaaaaahahahaha!!! I am DYING 🤣🤣
They actually would go one to offer a DIESEL powered version, that engine was rated at 52-54 horsepower. No idea what the 0-60 time for that drivetrain was.
Once I was being chased by an axe/chainsaw murderer who was driving a blue Ford tempo with gray cloth interior. It was a beautiful, fuel efficient car. I was in an iroc-z and I couldn’t shake this guy. He powered up steep hills and cornered switchback mountain roads like he was on rails and kept up with me for over 100 miles in a high speed chase nearing speeds of 62mph. With his quiet comfortable interior, the chainsaw murderer’s ears were spared some of the loud decibals of noise coming from his wildly revving chainsaw. He was able to recline comfortably in the bucket seats that provided superior lumbar support as he cornered through mountainous terrain. He finally succomed to asfixiation from carbon monoxide poisoning because of the fantastically airtight interior and plunged to his death into a mountain ravine. The 1st generation airbags saved his poulan chainsaw from even the slightest of damage.
Yep, exactly the same thing happened to me.
Not sure, but probably same murderer.
:)
Same thing happened to me but it was a crazy old cat lady in a Paxton supercharged 1954 Kaiser Dragon.
Lmfao thats funny
Omg! Glad yur ok now :)
Been there. Don't feel like the lone ranger
I just purchased a '94 Tempo six cylinder as my daily driver. Very nice car and every thing works except am radio. The car is silver and looks more like a six-year-old car than a 26-year-old car. No emissions inspection required here in NJ for '95 and older. 80,000 miles. Everything is so unrefined and retro-fabulous compared to any modern car.
4:28 John: WARNING LIGHTS ARE NICE, BUT WE'D RATHER HAVE AN OIL PRESSURE GAUGE AND VOLTMETER! LOL
In every single video
Gauges must be his fetish.
@@bradlemmond Motorweek's ideal car has full gauge cluster and low trunk liftover. Nothing else matters.
@@4jp Does any car fulfill these requirements?
The old 'nice, but...' phrase, very common in Canada.
My parents bought a used, somewhat base model, manual transmission '88 Topaz in Black with maroon interior in February 1995. We used it to tow a fully loaded U-Haul trailer from Michigan to southern Missouri! It somehow made it through the hills and valleys of the Ozarks with a trailer! It was a tough car. Dad ended up totaling it in mid '97, falling asleep at the wheel, hitting a telephone pole head on.
Omg we had a red 1990 Tempo, what a flashback. Loved the push button climate.
The Tempo/Topaz twins, then replaced by the Contour/Mystique. The old cars sure seem a lot roomier! Wish my Mystique was the LS trim. The GS has a nice interior, but no power locks, windows, or even cruise control! And those rear windows that only roll down half way are still annoying haha
Yeah I'm still trying to figure out how the newer cars were smaller on the inside. Technology is supposed to go forward right? I remember my mom's 96 Contour was a nightmare in the backseat even as a kid.
I had a 93 Tempo GL with the 3 liter V6. That really woke these cars up when it came to power! They only offered that engine from 92 to 94.
I never owned one but rented plenty from Hertz on business trips way back when. I became quite fond of them and oddly the Chevy Corsica.
I loved the Corsica.great car back then
@@Herecomesthethruth The Corsica was my drivers ed car in High school, the school had 2 or three of them for the class from a local dealer I believe on a lease bundle deal. Circa 88'.
My grandma had a new 89’ Tempo with the 2.3L “high swirl combustion “ four. I remember it to be very torquey and sufficient because the cars were so light.
My family growing up drove a '93 Tempo until 2001. I can't even begin to describe how embarrassing it was when every other kid's dad in our neighborhood had some sort of luxury nameplate. Looking back, I feel shallow for hating it so much. It was an honest car doing what it was built to do, and I understand why my dad was in no hurry to sell a reliable, paid-off car. It only had 53k miles when we sold it, so I hope some other family got some good use out of it.
lol
My dad had a 92 topaz with the 3.0 V6. That was a great car and very reliable. The V6 greatly improved acceleration.
Nice package with the Vulcan V6.Made for a decent performer with the 5 speed in the 2 dr .
Early 90’s in high school there was a Tempo I used to see driving around on some gold Dayton wire wheels with a loud booming system.
I had thr system in my' 91 Topaz and before the transmission crapped out, I was looking for Dayton wire wheels.
Love your name. LOL
I had 4 used Tempos, all manual trans.over a period of about 13 years, many years ago, 2 for me and 2 for my daughter to drive to school. They were actually pretty good cars with no major problems and got good gas mileage. My brother has had his '93 Tempo for 17 years now, and it is suffering from old age.
Buddy of mine had one. He would race my 90 Cavalier and I beat him everytime, but honestly we both lost. We didnt even break any speed laws. It got a rod knock, breaks started to fail, and then he started treating it like red headed step child.
A pretty modern interior actually! I drove one with the V6 once and it was totally reasonable.
Worked on these at a Ford dealer. Easy to work on, few problems aside from regular wear and tear, inner tie rods, brakes. Owned a couple of them over the years, I never changed the oil in one of them for close to 2 years, couldn't kill it even when I tried!!!!!!!!
Lower ball joints, outer tie rods, broken rear springs, blown struts, AIR pipes that would rot off and leak, electrical problems such as headlight and a/c connectors melting, relay control modules that would fail causing overheating or no starts, etc etc... The 2.3 HSC was a very good mill however. Indeed, hard to kill!
@@adamtrombino106 High Squirrel Combustion
Had an almost-new '91 "program car" Tempo GL sedan when I was in high school. Two things I remember were how loud the engine was on the highway and how underpowered the radio was. The red velour interior was comfortable and it was my first car with power locks, power windows, tilt, and cruise. I also installed a Motorola cellular telephone with a glass-mount antenna. I often pretended to be using the phone because, at 60 cents per minute and only 20 free minutes each month, I couldn't afford to actually use it.
'89 Ford Tempo was my first school car, wasn't very old and had very low miles. 30 mile round trip, easy on gas. Never have cared about speed or being "cool". It was totaled when a truck crossing the highway decided stop signs were optional. Replaced it with a '91 Lumina Euro.
Ug! You said lumina euro. We had one of those. Pos from the factory. 4 wheel disc brakes that had the rear calipers seize up and not work anymore. Ignition modules failing, pcm failing, fit and finish horrible, and junk interiors.
I worked at a BMW dealership in the 80s and we had a couple of these as loaner cars. We used to call them "The Ultimate Tire Squealing Machine". To be fair, I'm sure that was mostly due to the bargain basement Hankook tires we had on them. They really had a soft and wallowy suspension though. My wife rented a V-6 Tempo from Enterprise or Avis for a week once while her car was in the body shop, and it really wasn't a bad little highway cruiser at all.
Okay, so it wasn't a screamer on the highways. But for me, the Tempo beings back memories. My mom had a 1987 Tempo, and I drove it every chance I got. I passed my driver's test in that Tempo in 1991, at the age of 26. It was the happiest day of my life!
Every Mother is the best cook in the whole world.
@@jareknowak8712That's so true!
On March 19, 2014, my mother got her wings and is now dancing with my father (deceased 1/13/2018) in the great ballroom in the sky. _(10/14/2023)_
I love the Tempo. Used to rent it all the time when I was studying in Canada. Reasonably priced, roomy, uncomplicated, economical on gas (by North American standards, that is). I even managed to influence a few of my Canadian classmates to buy it. I also love the factory sound system, the cassette deck even includes Dolby B noise reduction! I won't hesitate to buy one, even today. Gauges? Yes, I agree with MotorWeek. Nothing beats a set of good gauges over idiot lights. When the lights come ON, damage has been done.
I love Ford Tempo and Mercury Topaz. Beautifull and great cat
Those rear glass/window nods are subtle, and barely noticeable. A nice design cue towards their respective brands, setting them apart. Back when they actually cared enough to try to set the brands apart.
I have an 89 Ford tempo GLS 5 speed I still use as a daily driver, 2nd owner, all I've done is basically standard maintenance, runs strong, transmission and engine are great, comfortable and not a bad looking car, the 5 speed with the GLS trim has a decent ride and a little sporty. Good mileage, reliable and not expensive to own, parts are cheap and readily available, easy to work on, overall a pretty solid vehicle, its overheated on me a few times, when I had a heat sender go out, a coolant leak and another time when a fan switch went out, but that cast iron engine has held up. The 2.3L HSC/HSO is one of the better engines Ford has made over the years.
When I was a kid, as a car enthusiast, I hated seeing these everywhere, especially in autumn, when it would get in the way of the beauty of nice cars on the orange backdrop.
... Now I miss seeing them, Astro’s, Aerostar’s, Sundance’s and Dodge Aries’ everywhere... I’d give anything to see a day of my childhood over a new Ferrari, any day of the week.
Describing these cars like "watching ice melt" is generous, it's more like watching bread go stale.
My high school used a Ford Tempo for their Driver's Ed car. I drove that Tempo in the summer of 1989 and passed easily. But I was glad that the car I would be driving daily was a very stylish and comfy V6 Buick Skylark LE.
Every time I see a Tempo or Topaz of this generation, it brings back memories of me learning how to drive (and CONSTANTLY fix) my buddy's '94 sedan in Oxford White with the four cylinder and automatic. Thing was as slow as snails mating after vasectomies but I give it credit, it was fun in the most unusual way.
Also, 4:30. You knew it had to be in there. JD is a freaking legend.
We've been spoiled with all day retro marathons for many weeks on Thursdays. Now all we get is the Tempo/Topaz.
My first car was a 93 topaz. I put rims and a big coffee can muffler on that thing and drove it till the wheels fell off. Also put a crap ton of speakers on the trunk.
Ah the automatic seatbelts always fascinated me as a kid. Hell they still do.
0:51 "Much improved"
Tempo & Topaz: *manic screaming*
Lol!
Can totally see 2000s crown Victoria front end inspiration came from the tempo here
Co-worker has her late grandmothers '89 Tempo with 30k original miles.
My mom bought the new 1988 Tempo LX same color as in video. The 2.3L HSC was very torquey but lacked on power, roomy as stayed, the upgraded audio system, bass was hard hitting, I got into sooo much trouble in that car. If she only knew. My first speeding ticket was in a Tempo of all things lol. My lead-footed starts kept breaking the motor mounts(ooops)
My mom had a 1984 mercury topaz in metallic brown & tan leather. Beautiful car. Very classy back in the day
My first car was a '91 Topaz GS. Nice college car until the transmission crapped out my senior year in 2002. No one said it was quick or reliable but the 2.3 I4 did what was intended - which was push me toward imports when I started working.
Had some good times renting those back in the day for the weekend.
My 89 Topaz LTS had over 200k miles. Just disliked the loud, 3 speed engine on the highway. The tach was 3,000rpm just at 60mph. Overdrive would've made this car almost perfect. But yes, as John said, there was almost zero road noise, that was nice!
The high rpm at highway speed was my only gripe with my tempo which was my first car..it was really reliable but a gas guzzler on the highway
My dad had a red one like this after he sold his talking LeBaron.
My brother had a maroon topaz 4 door just like this one. It was in perfect shape. I'm not a lover of those cars, but I miss those times.
I have never met a man who loves oil pressure and volt meters more than John.
My first car!! 88 Ford Tempo, Burgundy, exactly as shown!!! It was pretty good; got me thru my senior year high school and first year college.
I had an '87 Tempo Sport GL coupe in white. I drove it for 6 years and beat the crap out of it. It got me through school and tough times. I achieved 40 mpg with the 5 speed at a steady 50 mph on trips in Maine. I wish I had taken better care of it because I don't see any of them around these days.
I'm from Toronto, Canada and I rarely see these cars now but I did see a Tempo two years ago( it was a 4 door) and it was in mint condition, the owner took really good care of it.
The Tempo was the first car we had when we moved to the US in 88. I really liked it, but I was a kid, so what did I know lol... but I think my family was very happy with it too.
The family car for 10 years was a 91 navy GL... we kept it running for 20 years before someone bought it to sell on their lot... and did a nice job on the referb!
I had a 92 Topaz 2-door back in the late 90s. As far as cars go....it was one of them.
First car I ever owned. Bought a 1988 Red Ford Tempo. Exactly like the one in this video. 1997...so many problems...but it got me to where I needed to be.
Back in the day i had a 88 tempo gls, and a 90 gl with 5spd, fun times....
It’s funny how neither car they compared it to were actually in the Tempo/Topaz class. Both the Cavalier and Sundance competed with the Escort. For 1988, the Tempo and Topaz competitors were the Aries/Reliant and Corsica/Grand Am/Calais/Skylark.
Cute little car! I had the Ford Taurus! Lots of problems with it. Half Shaft rods from the transmission. Two on both sides. One shaft rod on each side. Had to replace the CV joints, and idler arm. But, it was a pretty car! I never wrecked it. I washed it all over it's sheet metal. I loved that car! But, the engine fell out and I couldn't drive it anymore! I cried when they towed it away!
Years ago a older lady at our church used to have a 1992. She kept that car very clean. She didn't drive much and had that car for years.
Wonderful blast to the past! ❤️
My mom had a late 80s Tempo. I would usually get annoyed in the rear seat with the windows not going all the way down. I remember seeing a lot of Tempos and Topazes around, just like the Taurus and Sable.
I barely seeing any Tempos and Topazes anymore.
Finally! Been waiting for this!
Cool, my 1 st car was a white with blue interior Ford Tempo sedan, it had cruise, power locks, auto transmission, roll up widows, I enjoyed it Good memories 😀
My parents bought a lease return 1991 Tempo in 1992. The car was incredibly reliable and comfortable. The only problems I remember were the windshield wiper switch broke off but it was easy to replace, additionally, we went through 2 or 3 starter solenoids. After the first time, the starter solenoid failed I learned how to jump it and start the car. One day when I was probably 11 or 12 years old the Tempo wouldn't start in a parking lot. I remember begging my Mom to let me jump the solenoid and at the same time trying to convince her I really knew what I was doing. Finally, she let me jump the solenoid, and the car fired right up. That was one of the few times I really impressed my Mother. I even had my Mom take me to the Ford dealership and told her what part to buy and I replaced the solenoid myself that evening.
I went on to become a mechanic and I have had steady employment since the day I graduated high school due in part to the experiences I had fixing my parent's cars.
First vehicle was an '88 5 speed Topaz. I loved that big booty beauty.
I love watching these retro reviews, shows how far technology has improved. 12.4 seconds to 60 haha😂
and 22 mpg in a small to midsize size car isnt that great either
@@jayt620 Very true !
I had an 87 GLX four-door with a 5- speed loved that car ...... I would love to have another one...
I had an 88 and 93 tempo it was very reliable and very smooth riding. I miss those little cars
Back in 90's, my neighbor had a Tempo, which had small issues here and there. Later I had a 95 escort with the same situation. Although I enjoy fixing cars in garage, no one likes to carry any worry for a trip.
My grandma had a Tempo of this style in beige. The only thing I remember about it was the automatic belts not being too friendly with my 9 year old height. She traded it in for a Windstar when those were launched.
I wonder if you could order both the AWD and drivers airbag together and if so how many were equipped that way. And also how few if any are still on the road.
In the 90s they were considered boring. Today driving around in one of these would be a hell of an experience. #oldcarsmatter
Oh man I’ll never forget the Mercury Topaz it was our first family car , (I was 4 years old) at that time it when we had it was an 84’ model, it was colored black and it had reddish color pinstripe on both sides , I think it was in the top trim level or it was in the special trim level, well anyway we loved that little car.
Great work Sir thank you
I remember seeing someone with a green Topaz here in Bahrain. Safe to say that most old fords aside from Crown Vics have disappeared by now.
5:30
I find it a little odd that MW wouldn't acknowledge or simply not realize the rear windows not going all the way down, is actually a consequence of wheel-well design.
Imho, it was nothing more than clever marketing for manufactures to suggest they had the safety of our children in mind so people would see this as less negative aspect.
I cant think of a single car that utilized this "half way down" feature when they didn't need to.
Even as a kid back then I knew half down rear windows were a sign of the end times. I liked how the '90s Lexus ES300 had the rear glass that tilted forward at the bottom of travel to *sorta* make up for this.
@@postmodernrecycler That's funny you mentioned that. I have a 2000 Lexus ls400 and I can't tell how many times people think the rear window has fallen of track when down
I owned a 1989 brown Ford Tempo as commuter car in college. It served its purpose.
Looks about a similar length to a Toyota Corolla and Ford Europe's Sierra Sapphire. Watching in, Ireland.
I used to see these cars alot where i live back in the 2000s, now I'll see a tempo on the road once in a blue blue moon.
They all disappeared. I still see tons of Hondotas from that era.
Note the HSC 2.3 engine is actually an old "Thriftpower" inline 6 with two cylinders lopped off. This is not the Pinto/Lima 2.3 engine used in the Ranger and Thunderbird Turbo Coupe. They made this engine due to needing more four bangers than the 2.3 plants could provide in the early 80s- they also kept the 200 inline 6 around for rear drive vehicles due to V6 demands- they sold Fox Platform vehicles (Mustang, Fairmont, etc) with the 200 inline 6. So it having poor NVH when revved makes sense when you realize it was based on a very old at the time inline 6 engine. But that old engine design made it durable and easy to work on at least. FWIW- the best Tempo was the 90s model with the 5 speed manual and 3.0 Vulcan V6. It was a baby SHO and sold like ice in Alaska. They should have added the 3.0 Vulcan V6 earlier, but I assume didn't want the Tempo to be quicker than a more expensive normal Taurus.
My folks bought an '89 Topaz with the three speed auto. It was fine around town, but pretty miserable on the highway. Had trouble keeping up with 70 mph traffic on interstates and was loud because of the three speed auto's lack of overdrive. Those shoulder belts were an irritation - should have had standard airbags like the Taurus and Sable. It was reliable save for the head gasket leaking and needing to be replaced. It was considered a defect and done until a recall.
These cars were affordable and Bulletproof...i miss the old days..2.3 was made for many years and improved through the decades...Cars is 2022 are too pricey for poor people..
Lol my aunt and uncle owned 4 of these Mercury Topaz's over the year's my aunt got the new one my uncle got the old one ,all 2 door's and their 3 kids got one every time they traded up lol they had a 84,87,90,93 they still drive the 93 . I remember my cousin got the 84 topaz in 1994 for his 16th birthday his brother got the 87 in 1998 for his 16th birthday and their sister got the 1990 in 2002 for her 16th lol My uncle loved his 93 and still drives it my aunt got a 97 Probe GT Which she still has lol
Like Jackie Stewart said, it's a rrreal driver's car!
I loved how he praised the Tempo’s handling as it was bouncing and wallowing all over the test track. The tires were screaming for mercy and the door handles were nearly touching the pavement. Hilarious! It was almost as funny as the other Tempo commercial where the car goes through a loop.
How the bead on that left front tire didnt separate when going around that turn puzzles me. That thing was rising on the sidewall lol
I liked the tempo, especially the rear window treatment. Unfortunately after a few years Fords put an awkward body colored panel over the C pillar that ruined the wrap around look.
Sharp new styling 😆