1989 Ford Tempo GL 3.8L

Summary:

This car Rocks!!

Faults:

My Steering rack went after about a year and a half of ownership.

LED display burned out in the clock.

Air Conditioning died at 125000 Km.

Idle arm sheared off and tore through the engine block.

Frost plugs blew.

Had to replace thermostat.

Bought it with a big oil leak, now there is a slight leak from the front head gasket.

NOTE: Not all this happened at once, it was over a period of 2 years.

General Comments:

I'm still single because I'm madly in love with my Ford. Every day is a new experience with my Tempo. Its been an incredible first car. It's built like a tank! I was in a fender bender with another guy, and his Chevy fared worse than my car, and his was heavier! It is very roomy and comfortable, and is excellent at sustained highway speeds. It warms up very quickly in the winter, and handles well on ice and slush. Always starts with no problems. It has a few quirky little car things it does, but it gives it personality. The paint job is doing the typical peel that happens to the 89 Fords. However, I bought it like that. I plan on having my Tempo for a very long time.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 24th April, 2002

7th Oct 2004, 12:24

I just bought 1989 Ford Tempo GL, black with chrome out rims that I hooked up. I put a wing on it, and it looks hot with tinted windows. Inside gray interior with black seats and black mats. I tell you, it looks pimped out.

I've never had any trouble. The person who owned it kept up with the maintenance on it.

People stop to look at the car. Even my best friend's friend said "wow, I didn't know a Tempo could be hooked up".

But all in all, this is the best first car I've owned, for only $600.00.

1989 Ford Tempo AWD 2.4

Summary:

Very good car

Faults:

The alternator belt slips. Just had to adjust it.

Stalled when I first got it, but added fuel injector cleaner and fixed it.

The dash has a little crack in it, but who cares.

The clear coat came off the top of the car's hood, trunk and roof.

A/C dead, but got a retrofitting kit and fixed it.

Replaced, brake hoses and pads, and rotors on the front.

General Comments:

This car is very good for where I live in WV.

All Wheel Drive comes in handy when there is snow.

The car is in good running condition.

However it leaks oil.

I got it from an older couple who drove it like 1,500 miles every year, only in the winter.

I drive it back and forth from college every week.

That is a 126 mile drive one way.

It gets great gas mileage. 33 on the interstate and 25 on the highway.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 11th February, 2002

1989 Ford Tempo GL 2.3 liter 4 cylinder. power

Summary:

You wouldn't expect the performance out of it

Faults:

The a/c pump blew.

Blown a few fuses.

The transmission wore out, and was replaced in 1996 at 300,000 km.

General Comments:

A really great car!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 7th February, 2002

1989 Ford Tempo LX 2.8

Summary:

The Ford Tempo is a great first car, which is easily customizable, and has a great engine

Faults:

The oil pan leaked and I had to put a quart of oil into it every week for three months. That cost about $200 to fix.

The tires were extremely worn out when I got it, so I bought new ones.

The windshield cracked, which cost about $125 to fix.

The door locks only work on one side of the car.

The right rear window does not work. The car is equipped with power windows and locks.

A couple of hub caps fell off.

Someone hit my bumper in Walmart and it has a huge crack in it. If you are out there...

My alternator belt broke a couple weeks ago.

The muffler is going, but I don't have enough money right now to pay for it. At the moment, it is being held onto the car with duct tape.

The paint is chipping off all over the car.

The headlights are inadequate at night or in the rain.

The car has a stalling problem, however Ford is expected to recall the starter in a few months.

The bell signaling that you left your headlights on does not sound until you have left the car. This has caused me to have to jump it after work at least three times.

General Comments:

This is a great first car. It stalls a lot, however it has only failed to start again once. That was my friend Jeff's fault because his conga drum hit the emergency fuel shut off switch in my trunk and we did not realize it. However, the fact that a fairly small car such as this could fit a large conga in the trunk with room to spare is amazing.

It has great pick-up for getting on the highway.

The brakes are in great shape.

The steering wheel is made of a weird kind of rubber, but a $10 leather cover from Walmart fixed that.

The stereo system was great for 1989, however I needed more than a cassette player. The way it is designed, it was easy to install an aftermarket CD player and new Sony speakers.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 26th January, 2002

28th Jan 2002, 11:23

A 2.8 L engine was not available in a Tempo.

The reason why you have no money to fix a Tempo is because you own a Tempo. They seriously drain your wallet.

You do get bonus Testosterone points for using Duct Tape so flamboyantly.

13th May 2002, 13:01

I am looking to buy a '89 tempo and everything looks good except the starter is funny. I think it will need to be replaced in the next 6 months. Please post a note if/ when Ford decides to recall the starters.

Thank you.

5th May 2007, 06:14

The Tempo has a timing chain, not a timing belt. Stalling is just an old Tempo's way of getting attention:) These are very durable cars, just keep the maintenance up to date. You may have more things than usual to deal with since the car was not driven that much. That has been the case with my 1994. Also, to keep the power windows working you must roll them up and down on a regular basis.