1991 Ford Tempo GL from North America - Comments

I recently bought this car, and knew the problems when I bought it.

The AC needs to be converted to R134A and recharged.

The rear windows are stuck closed, the window motor works fine, so this should be a simple fix.

I purchased a new serpentine belt the day I got back, a $20 fix, no big deal.

Clean up the battery and battery post as they were slightly corroded.

I decided that I was getting no where in paying off my debt, so after a long hard decision. I handed the keys to my 2005 Dodge Neon SXT, back to the financing bank.

While out of town for a wedding, deciding to call some classified car adds and found this jewel among all the crap.

The engine and transmission are both running strong and at only 70,000 original miles.

The body was strait, the interior clean. The previous owner had all maintenance records, this car was more than well maintained.

The exhaust is clear, no black soot in the tail pipe, unlike my brand new neon.

All interior and exterior lights work.

Gas mileage is great, average for the trip home from the wedding was 35mpg.

Imagine this the previous owner was asking $700, Nada, Kelly blue book and Edmunds. com all assessed this cars value at nearly $2000. I paid $600, what a steal. No more car payments, Insurance rates are beautiful, and not only that I have a great car.

Not a beautiful car, simply an amazing one.

Did I mention the term Ford Tempo scared me, until I drove this car.

Sounds like you got a nice deal. Unless the A/C was already converted, you are still running R12 on that year. R134 came to the Tempo in 1994. Just keep the oil changed, give it a nice bath every week and you will have a happy car.

The Chrysler and Ford companies, deal in selling cheap, but reliable cars. They can't take responsibility for people who are not mechanically inclined. I bet at least 90% of people who complain about the reliability of their cars have never even lifted the hood. When asked 50% of people don't even know what kind of car they have, but they can sure tell you what kind of stereo system they have. I do the minimum maintenance on my 18 year old Ford Tempo, aside from the bad rep - my car is the most reliable car I have ever had including my brand new Ford Focus (in '04) and Dodge Neon (in '05). Because of its cheap maintenance and reliability I opted to keep this car over any of the others. I paid $600 for it with only 69K original miles. What a steal. If you just look, I bet you could do it also.