There was a problem with the computer when the car was new, causing it to stall for no apparent reason. That has since been replaced. There was a hole in the headgasket when it was new, however Ford would not honor the warranty for one reason or another. I couldn't be happier about that because it's still there, but the car still runs.. some things are better left alone. The brakes have been replaced, and the air conditioner conked out in 1998. The heater coil has been replaced twice, and the muffler has been replaced 6 times (The car does not move enough to preserve these parts).
The Tempo is stereotyped as a lemon, however it doesn't need any more special treatment than other cars.
Next year I'm getting a Tempo, do you have any tips?
I have found the 1985 Tempo GL is one tough little customer! I flog my Tempo pretty good, and I cannot kill it!
With 230,000 kms and seventeen years, it's been a great car.
Starting to rust out, I suppose the car will still be running when the fenders fall off!! hoggrken@yahoo.ca.
I drove my little Tempo for 8 years and I loved that little car. I got very ill in 2003 and finally had to sell the little car and I really miss it. It is now in Florida and still running good with almost two hundred thousand miles on it. I replaced the exhaust system twice. This is a little car that just keeps on going and I would trust it to go to California if I could get it back. Very sincerely yours, H.B.Davis Jacksonville, N C.
Somehow, I've noticed the Ford Tempos of twenty years ago were built better than the others.