1993 Ford Tempo GL review from North America

Car worked fine for four months, and I was happy with it.

At approximately 107,000 miles, the engine stalled out and would not start. Mechanic said the car was out of gas, even though the gas gauge showed 1/8 tank. Perhaps a bad gas gauge or poorly designed tank? Put gas in, car worked fine.

A month later, car wouldn't start after being parked for 45 min. I had plenty of gas. Left it there overnight and was able to start it the next day. Bad acceleration when driving to the mechanic. Replaced clutch bearing and pressure plate, fuel filter, got tune-up and oil change (~$900 parts and labor...yes, they ripped me off!).

~1500 miles later, car stalled repeatedly and eventually would not restart. After left overnight at mechanic, it started and ran just fine.

This happened consistently for the next three days, but mechanics couldn't find anything wrong with it because it would run fine by the time they got to it. Finally, Pep Boys got it to stall and said it was a bad fuel pump. They replaced the pump and flushed the fuel injection system (~$400).

About 5,000 miles after this repair, the engine hasn't stalled, but there were two occasions when it wouldn't start immediately.

Currently, it makes a whining sound when the fuel tank is less than 1/3 full. Screeching sound when shifting gears (presumably a problem with the belt). Engine makes a rattling sound, but I usually drown that out with music. AC is starting to go. Driver door locks itself as soon as I shut it, causing me to accidentally lock my keys in the car a few times.

Buying a 12-year-old, cheap car with over 100,000 miles is a gamble. I knew this when I bought the Tempo out of financial necessity. It may have been a great car in its earlier years, but at this point it looks like it's going to keep giving me problems.