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.
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.
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.
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.
I'm an 18 year old high scool student, ie. I have no money, however fortunately enough my grandfather handed to me an 1989 ford tempo before he passed away. the car was owned by 2 elderly owners before myself therefor it has very low mileage. since day one I have not felt safe driving this car, however 20k miles later, it has yet to have more than a tire blow out. engine has stalled only a handful of times, but it usually starts right out. I'm at around 40k miles right now and I think the starter is starting to give on it. I've talked to a few people who've owned this car and they have mentioned such problems as timing belts around 60k miles, and alternator mounting bracket loostening, so these are thigns to check, I've owned this car for more than a year which is 6 months longer than I expected it to last for, it will last quite a while longer, will easily make 100k miles. to avoid major tire wear I reccomend you replace shocks and struts cuz the ones this car comes with SUCK. I've gone through 5 tires since I got this car before I learned, (1 of which was my fault, I hit a curb) bumper cracks easily at bump. solid first car, cheap insurance, and if it breaks... who cares. don't pay more than 1k for it tho.
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.
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