Here’s how the Ford Tempo and Mercury Topaz were Ford’s forgotten best-sellers

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  • Опубликовано: 23 июл 2021
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    In this episode I provide the history of the Ford Tempo and Mercury Topaz, which continued Ford's move into more aerodynamic styling that was far different than what GM and Chrysler offered, resulting in some of Ford's best selling cars. However sales declined in their last few years resulting in their cancellation only 10 years later.
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Комментарии • 1 тыс.

  • @papertweet
    @papertweet 3 года назад +86

    I bought a used Tempo for my teenagers to drive. They couldn’t kill it! That 2.3 was a good engine. Also, it was that popular 90s turquoise green.

    • @StreetPreacherr
      @StreetPreacherr 2 года назад +2

      I still remember our family had a 'beautiful' beige 5 Speed Tempo! It was only a 4 cylinder though, there was no way the old man was going a dime over the $9,848.00? sticker price for an automatic!

    • @jeedwards1981
      @jeedwards1981 2 года назад +3

      Tempo was what i learned on, then my sister took possesion of it and crashed it and killed it. The damn thing wouldnt die otherwise.

    • @cleverkitsune4302
      @cleverkitsune4302 2 года назад +2

      Good engine horrible suspension, thing ate front ends every 50k miles

    • @BrilloBush
      @BrilloBush 2 года назад +2

      They weren't trying hard enough. Once I got my license my dad's Tempo didn't stand a chance.. 😢

    • @zythr9999
      @zythr9999 2 года назад +1

      @@cleverkitsune4302 lol

  • @m.stewart7208
    @m.stewart7208 3 года назад +20

    I remember my teacher had one. He called it the Tempo of Doom. :D

  • @lawrencetaylor5407
    @lawrencetaylor5407 3 года назад +75

    I remember using an 86 Tempo in driving school. Then I'd come home and drive my parents' 82 Civic and it was a night and difference; like going from 5 pound hiking boots to running shoes.

    • @UAkovalchuk
      @UAkovalchuk 3 года назад

      So which was better?

    • @Me-eb3wv
      @Me-eb3wv 3 года назад

      @@UAkovalchuk ligma

    • @lawrencetaylor5407
      @lawrencetaylor5407 3 года назад +14

      @Ilya Kovalchuk The Civic

    • @jasoninnc1
      @jasoninnc1 3 года назад +13

      @@UAkovalchuk As an owner of an 86 Tempo back in 1991, anything with wheels was outperforming the Tempo.

    • @kedst2000
      @kedst2000 3 года назад +2

      I had a similar experience. My father had an '84 Honda Accord that had to go to the body shop for repairs. The rental replacement was a Tempo. The ergonomics in this car were not good in comparison. I can recall hitting my head on the A pillar a number of times getting in and out of the car and just feeling uncomfortable in general while driving the car. My family also ended up renting a Tempo when we visited my brother to meet his fiance. He was shocked at how bad the driving position was and yes, he also hit his head on the A pillar getting in and out of the car.

  • @kevinwong4804
    @kevinwong4804 3 года назад +105

    The Dodge/Plymouth Neon as a suggestion for a future video.

    • @Fillo.
      @Fillo. 3 года назад

      @@jamesmylife6578 what video?

    • @jamesmylife6578
      @jamesmylife6578 3 года назад

      @@Fillo. oh shoot wrong Channel sorry.

    • @paxhumana2015
      @paxhumana2015 3 года назад +3

      Actually, it would be the Dodge/Plymouth/Chrysler Neon, at least for its First Generation, anyway. Also, the Dodge Neon SRT-4 is still a street legend in the tuner and drift scenes.

    • @ericcarabetta1161
      @ericcarabetta1161 3 года назад +1

      "Hi", lol.

    • @kingkatradio
      @kingkatradio 3 года назад

      Worst then The Tempo/Topaz but they sure sold a lot of them.

  • @deadfishparty
    @deadfishparty 3 года назад +70

    It’s interesting how many cars in the 80’s/90’s had an awd version that never caught on. Today most people can’t get out thier driveway in mid summer without it.

    • @mj011n1r
      @mj011n1r 3 года назад +8

      I drove a 83 Regal rwd in every kind of weather in the northeast. I have no idea how I did it

    • @suchfunstuff
      @suchfunstuff 3 года назад +1

      Yup!

    • @boristheamerican2938
      @boristheamerican2938 3 года назад +2

      @@mj011n1r You had all season radials.

    • @Bartonovich52
      @Bartonovich52 3 года назад +5

      Yeah… I had a Volvo 740 that I drove through the Canadian Rockies.
      The most expensive studded winter tires available is how I did it.
      Driving by 4x4 trucks and SUVs and AWD Subarus and Audis in the ditch who’s drivers though that the laws of physics didn’t apply to them. Sorry.. everyone had four wheel brakes, the tires are the only thing that grips and 4x4/AWD features like higher weight, higher unsprung weight, higher centre of gravity, and compromised suspension geometry are liabilities, not assets.
      Overconfidence in Motion.

    • @vap0rtranz
      @vap0rtranz 2 года назад +1

      LOL! right.

  • @jimkaras7663
    @jimkaras7663 3 года назад +20

    At the height of these vehicles and the Taurus I worked in the repair business.
    I worked in a ten bay shop and many times during the year we would have 10 of these previously mentioned cars in the shop at one time. These vehicles put food, clothing, shelter, vacations, home improvements, braces, cars, insurance, parties, donations etc. My wife thanks you, my children thank you and I thank you Mr. Ford executives.

  • @markjohnston3502
    @markjohnston3502 3 года назад +33

    The Tempo/Topaz was a stretched version of the Escort. I remember them being everywhere in the 90's. Early models/years were not that great and not many survived. I had a friend who had a '84 Tempo with 4 or 5 speed manual in the late 80's - that car was nothing but trouble. I drove a later model, a '92 or '93 - it was good and I think they lasted longer. I remember seeing a handful of '89's to '94 being on the road until or around mid 2000's.

    • @Jac735
      @Jac735 2 года назад +2

      yea the 90s was a fun Era for different cars I barely see any if these anymore and your right after late 99 you didn't really see these as much

    • @geemanbmw
      @geemanbmw Год назад +1

      I thought the latest version of the topaz was shrunken version of the lincoln continental of the same year 🤣

  • @FurdemonLar
    @FurdemonLar 3 года назад +29

    Had a 94 Topaz GS V6 coupe with 5 speed, fog lamps and spoiler. Loved that car!

  • @bobfitzpatrick8952
    @bobfitzpatrick8952 2 года назад +8

    My wife and I owned two of them, and absolutely loved them. I had an 89 four door, and a 92 two-door. They both had names: the Red Baron, and the Blue Magoo respectively. I'd always wished they'd made a station wagon version.

  • @therealsnoop7497
    @therealsnoop7497 3 года назад +73

    Since you did the tempo, you should do the Aerostar/ Freestar! The Aerostar was pretty unique looking, and I remember my aunt had a freestar

    • @alpaljl
      @alpaljl 3 года назад +4

      YES!!!! Aerostar is a great idea. I still miss our '93 extended cab to this day.

    • @nathanmullins9898
      @nathanmullins9898 3 года назад +2

      When I was a kid my mom had an ‘89 Aerostar with a five speed manual. Only one I’ve ever seen.

    • @therealsnoop7497
      @therealsnoop7497 3 года назад +3

      @@nathanmullins9898, I’ve seen a few before, but all of them were completely rusted out

    • @craigtate5930
      @craigtate5930 3 года назад

      Most definitely

    • @BigjohnZ06
      @BigjohnZ06 3 года назад +4

      And the Windstar was sold between 1995-2003

  • @dzelpwr
    @dzelpwr 3 года назад +8

    My old man had a Tempo diesel he bought new. He was a traveling service technician for oddball electronics and his company helped reimburse the car payments plus paid him mileage for whatever jobs he traveled to. Initially, that definitely made it a money-maker for him, but I faintly remember some reliability issues long term with the Mazda diesel.
    It eventually got replaced with a Jetta diesel in the early 90s... put 250,000 miles on that one in about 5 years.
    Diesel Tempos are definitely very rare ones!

  • @SHUB281
    @SHUB281 3 года назад +11

    My young families first new car was a '93 Tempo 2 door. Can still remember the kids kicking the back of my seat

  • @albertastorms
    @albertastorms 3 года назад +7

    You should do the 1986 to 1991 Oldsmobile Ninety Eights and Delta Eight Eights. They were well made cars that were downsized compared to previous generations. They also were quite high tech comfortable mid luxury large cars that had digital gauges on high end trims, overdrive on some package trims, built in computer voice diagnostic system, and automatic climate controls! Taken care of the lasted and you still see quite a few on the road still in 2021! Fun fact they used these exact cars in the 1987 movie Lethal Weapon. They did have a Touring Sedan version in the late 80’s that was supposed to be a sportier luxury with a few distinct differences from the Ninety Eight Regency’s and Delta Eighty Eight Brougham’s is that the Touring Sedans had Bucket seats with a center console and console shifter whereas the fore mentioned had the split bench with column shifter. The Touring Sedans however had a lighter in weight version of the standard 3.8 3800 series V6 where the touring sedans sport upgradeable 3800 V6’s had nylon timing chain tensioners that broke before 100,000 miles.

  • @RotaryLover
    @RotaryLover 3 года назад +48

    I hope a user named FordTempoFanatic sees this. I miss that guy.

    • @alfresco4976
      @alfresco4976 3 года назад +13

      I have four Tempos and one Topaz. I suppose that makes me a Tempo Fanatic!

    • @RotaryLover
      @RotaryLover 3 года назад +3

      @@alfresco4976 Goddamn. Y'all need to meet.

    • @negativeindustrial
      @negativeindustrial 3 года назад +2

      @@alfresco4976
      Definitely the worst car my wife ever owned. What makes them so attractive to you?

    • @alfresco4976
      @alfresco4976 3 года назад +1

      @@negativeindustrial I wonder why hers was bad? Mine have been solidly-built, reliable, comfortable, and economical. I much prefer the five-speeds for relaxed highway cruising at speed but the a/t is a reliable unit- basically it needs OD and a locking converter to bring it up to snuff.

    • @michaelcoffey7362
      @michaelcoffey7362 3 года назад

      @@alfresco4976 cool😃

  • @OhPhuckYou
    @OhPhuckYou 3 года назад +4

    I was brought home from the hospital in a Plymouth Horizon, the next week my dad went out and bought a 91 Tempo. All I remember about that Tempo was when I was about 5 years old. The AC did not work, the exhaust leaked horribly and scared me anytime they'd start it. In 98 my parents bought a Grand Am, and that Tempo just sat in the garage as a backup for when the Grand Am would break down. I remember the day they sold that Tempo. I was so happy because the exhaust scared me. I can't believe growing up we had to always have a backup car for the almost monthly breakdown's. American cars have improved so much since then.

    • @bb5242
      @bb5242 3 года назад +3

      Nice that you had a backup car. I spent many frantic weekends trying to fix my car so that I could get someplace on Monday morning. Freaking sucked ass. Always some stupid crap wrong--changing a heater core on an '88 Mustang was one of the absolute worst things I have ever done.

    • @piggy310
      @piggy310 2 месяца назад

      American cars had to improve, you can thank the Japanese for that.

    • @piggy310
      @piggy310 2 месяца назад

      3 words.. Get a Toyota

  • @johnnymason3265
    @johnnymason3265 3 года назад +22

    The Tempo and Topaz are great low budget cars for first time drivers! I'm interested in getting the 1992-1994 versions with either AWD(with a four cylinder) or the V6 versions! You should do an episode on the Chevrolet Lumina and its siblings!!!!

    • @zythr9999
      @zythr9999 2 года назад

      You're a masochist Lol

    • @johnnymason2460
      @johnnymason2460 Год назад

      @@zythr9999 If I was a masochist, I would have a Yugo. The worst car ever.

  • @vassa1972
    @vassa1972 3 года назад +10

    Loved and missed the 80's

  • @jdnelms62
    @jdnelms62 3 года назад +6

    My college girlfriend had an 84 Tempo. I had an old 67 Mustang at the time. I loved driving my old stang, but we typically went on our dates in her Tempo since my Mustang had no air conditioning. It was a good looking car for it's time, but it was about as exciting as an unsalted boiled egg, which seemed to be where it's design inspiration came from.

    • @jacobkirby5889
      @jacobkirby5889 Год назад

      If you excitement needs to come from the look of a car... well.... 😅

  • @kippaseo8027
    @kippaseo8027 3 года назад +18

    Dodge shadow Plymouth Sundance! That should be your next video. Keep 'Em come and we love them thank you!

    • @tracyseymour7553
      @tracyseymour7553 3 года назад

      I had a burgundy 1988 Plymouth Sundance. It had the automatic seat belts. I hated that. I also had a 1990 Plymouth Sundance that was red, and had the 2.5 liter engine.

  • @ScrawnyRonnie89
    @ScrawnyRonnie89 3 года назад +8

    This has become my favorite RUclips channel! The hard work that you put in for these forgotten automobiles is amazing. I'm glad someone is telling their story. Bravo 👏

  • @nanoreaper5002
    @nanoreaper5002 3 года назад +24

    I had a 1989 Topaz LTS 4x4 in high school it was a fun little car i hated to auto seat belts

    • @nanoreaper5002
      @nanoreaper5002 3 года назад

      @Marquis Brunson yep it's something that I do not miss from the 1980's also it made you not want to put on your lap belt

    • @abutts02
      @abutts02 3 года назад

      My parents 87 Escort had that feature

  • @drkrashtest
    @drkrashtest 3 года назад +49

    In 1989 my parents were deciding between the Tempo and the Camry. They chose the Camry. It just died recently. They replaced it with another Camry. Haha.

    • @bobby3944
      @bobby3944 3 года назад +9

      It is kind of funny how once you go to a great quality car (Camry) that nothing less will do.

    • @hoopty.
      @hoopty. Год назад +7

      I drive a Camry. I'll never drive another brand.

    • @brando3098
      @brando3098 Год назад +1

      ​@@hoopty. Camry is model

  • @headers12
    @headers12 3 года назад +3

    Those X styled wheels look cool and retro.

    • @corvetcoyote443
      @corvetcoyote443 3 года назад

      I agree, I always loved the cross pattern alloy wheels on the 84-86 Tempo.

  • @redman4076
    @redman4076 3 года назад +1

    Great content here these videos bring back so many memories My family has owned just about every car on this list lol But keep the videos coming and don't change a thing your content and delivery are great .👍🏽👊🏽✌🏽💯

  • @WompaOne1
    @WompaOne1 3 года назад +20

    Ford Bronco II is my suggestion for an upcoming video.

    • @johnnymason3265
      @johnnymason3265 3 года назад +5

      It should be a combined Ford Bronco II/Explorer episode! There also should be a Taurus/Sable episode as well!!!!

    • @mikevigil3677
      @mikevigil3677 3 года назад

      @@johnnymason3265 Both the Tempo and the Bronco II first year was 1984...

    • @seed_drill7135
      @seed_drill7135 2 года назад

      My uncle bought one used. He said he had to change car insurance companies as Geico refused to insure them they were such rollover hazards.

  • @tdrewman
    @tdrewman 3 года назад +3

    In 1988, there was a raffle at the Base commissary at Homestead Air Force Base. My father was looking for an entry form, but he only could find one. He filled it out and left. A month later he gets a phone call saying that a little boy stuck his hand way deep in the barrel and pulled my father's name out.

  • @ants3034
    @ants3034 3 года назад

    Awesome! My parents had these cars when I was a kid. This video gave me flashbacks to wanting the first gen tempo. Great video

  • @jostafew
    @jostafew 2 года назад

    This makes me happy :-) My first car was an '88 Tempo 2dr with manual trans which taught me to pull wrenches before I even had a driver's license. That was followed by a '93 Topaz 2dr manual. The Tempo / Topaz was in my life for about 8 years, which for a teenager is forever, until I bought my first new car a focux ZX3. I won't try to tell you that they were great cars, but they still hold a "1st car" special place in my heart. Thank you for the walk down memory lane!

  • @waynefeller8824
    @waynefeller8824 3 года назад +5

    The Tempo/Topaz were also popular fleet vehicles with, at the time, the best warranty a company could get. A large portion of Tempo sales were for companies like IBM, and Hertz Renta-a-Car (an on/off subsidiary of Ford.)

  • @deftone4u
    @deftone4u 3 года назад +6

    My first car was a 91 green Ford tempo. It went 0-60 sometimes

    • @AlligatorArms
      @AlligatorArms 3 года назад

      Mine was an ‘89, silver. 0-60 statement is accurate. Then it blew a cylinder. Still could get to 60, but getting there took longer than one listen of “Shine On You Crazy Diamond” all the way through, & if I wanted to take the on ramp to the freeway I had to make sure there was nobody behind me.

  • @hadjiioke
    @hadjiioke 3 года назад

    I discovered your channel via suggestion a few weeks ago and watched several episodes. You say at the end of each video to make a suggestion for a new video in the comments. My first car was a used 1991 Tempo and was the biggest POS I ever owned, but it got me through college. I thought to suggest it for a video and thought "Nah, no way in hell he'd make a video about that uninteresting garbage can on wheels." Boy was I mistaken. You just gained yourself a new subscriber, sir! Thanks for bringing back memories and heartburn!

  • @91MustangLX
    @91MustangLX 3 года назад

    This was awesome to watch, thanks!

  • @donaldwilson2620
    @donaldwilson2620 3 года назад +2

    Another suggestion for a video is a popular nameplate that was recently discontinued, the Ford Taurus/Mercury Sable. The Taurus was once America's most popular and most talked about car, especially throughout the 80's and 90's then slowly fell from grace unit it was eventually discontinued in 2019. The Taurus/Sable weren't really bad cars, they just simply fell out of favor overtime first with the import competition(mostly the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord) and then the SUV/CUV craze of the 2010's which was the beginning of the end for many American sedans not just the Taurus.

  • @thebagnechannel3183
    @thebagnechannel3183 3 года назад +3

    Loved this. Our family owned like 8 of them over they years. Do the Lincoln Mark VIII next.

  • @cbw56
    @cbw56 3 года назад

    Your videos are so concise! Great work, friend.. love your channel!

  • @jpelasky01
    @jpelasky01 3 года назад +2

    Thank you. I enjoyed this video. I bought a 1994 Mercury Topaz GS in Feb 2008 with under 72,000 miles for $1500. I still own this car today with just under 190,000 miles.

  • @americanrambler4972
    @americanrambler4972 3 года назад +7

    I generally liked the styling of these tempo/topaz twins. I think my favorites though are the first generation with the original grills, square recessed headlights and interiors.

  • @azaz911c
    @azaz911c 2 года назад +2

    I have very fond memories of the Tempo and Topaz. They were plain and basic, but comfortable transportation.

  • @ForeverYoungAaron
    @ForeverYoungAaron 3 года назад

    I recently acquired an 87 automatic GL model for free from a friend. Needed brake work and to fix a power steering leak. Burgundy paint with a red interior so it’s fully grandparent spec. I genuinely really like this thing so far! Glad to see people still talking about them

  • @benkromminga5739
    @benkromminga5739 3 года назад +1

    Thanks for posting this! I still miss my buzzy, slow as heck, '94 Tempo. I eventually had to get rid of it because the rear struts were completely shot and the car wasn't worth enough to have fixed.

  • @KaijuTurtle
    @KaijuTurtle 3 года назад +15

    My father had three Tempos growing up, love those damn cars

  • @MrSmmou812
    @MrSmmou812 3 года назад +2

    92 Tempo was my first new car. Such a thrill at 24 to buy a car that had never been owned by anyone else.

  • @SwordManiac84
    @SwordManiac84 3 года назад

    These vids are great man. When i have a suggestion ill send it. Keep up the deep work

  • @alvaropicasso6051
    @alvaropicasso6051 3 года назад

    Awesome video brother!! thank you!

  • @James-xo4uv
    @James-xo4uv 3 года назад +3

    Nice video on the Tempo& Topaz, my Aunt In Vancouver B.C
    had one for many years , could a video on the 1982 - 84 Dodge Rampage and 1983 Plywood Scamp ,be possible

  • @MrJoedabaker
    @MrJoedabaker 3 года назад +7

    I loved my tempo. Then my dodge spirit. Then my "tech-4" Buick century. All these "bad" cars, were useful, inexpensive and reliable transportation. IF MAINTAINED PROPERLY!!! I am always disappointed when cars get labeled so negatively. I only regret buying one car,out of the fifty-two I have owned.

    • @holgervoigt4315
      @holgervoigt4315 3 года назад

      Only one regret! I`m curious...which one? Greets from Germany.

    • @MrJoedabaker
      @MrJoedabaker 3 года назад +1

      @@holgervoigt4315 2000 clk430 cabriolet. Wonderful, fragile and expensive to sort. I still have it as a hobby car. Btw; my name is Johannes.. German in Canada

    • @holgervoigt4315
      @holgervoigt4315 3 года назад +1

      Hello, Johannes! I know that my C-180 stationwagon (1996)was expensive in repairs especially at German prices . A clk430 is yet another matter. Great 4seater cabriolet anyway. And as with so many types of cars I have the feeling that we`ll not see the like of them again. So I hope you`ll still have a lot of fun with it!

    • @MrJoedabaker
      @MrJoedabaker 3 года назад +1

      @@holgervoigt4315 My wife enjoys it more,haha! I am searching for an older American V8 project now. Hope the recovery from the floods proceeds quickly.

    • @holgervoigt4315
      @holgervoigt4315 3 года назад

      @@MrJoedabaker I`d really like one of those, too. They´re a bit big for our average German streets, but soo nice to glide along. Hope you find something suitable. I toy with the idea of getting a 70s Volvo or Opel, now I`m retired and don´t need to drive daily. Would be great. Greetings from Hamburg.

  • @emmcee476
    @emmcee476 3 месяца назад

    Love how you end some videos on a humorous and nostalgic note 👍

  • @jdcunnington
    @jdcunnington 3 года назад +1

    I had an '85 Tempo. Loved it. Oil changes were so simple on the 2.3 liter. Right in front. Screw it off, screw it on, done. The 1.9 liter on the Escort sucked. I had to squeeze my hand through a loop in the pipes. And the gap between the seat and B-pillar meant having a blind spot mirror. None of that with the Tempo. Super easy to work on. Even the head gasket when it finally ate it. I replaced the gasket, and a week later I got played as a ping-pong ball between a 70's Thunderbird and a Toyota Previa. It was bent, the rear end was nearly on the ground, but I drove it home even though it was totaled.

  • @DrewsCustomDiecastDrewMSmith
    @DrewsCustomDiecastDrewMSmith 3 года назад +10

    I'd love to do a Contour SVT swap into a Tempo coupe. It would be a true sleeper that no one would expect

    • @johnnymason3265
      @johnnymason3265 3 года назад +4

      That's not a bad idea! A 195hp Tempo would be awesome!!!!

    • @darrenmcintyre2674
      @darrenmcintyre2674 3 года назад +1

      Why would you bother

    • @lokisgodhi
      @lokisgodhi 2 года назад +1

      The V6 Vulcan engine shared a base with the SHO 24valve DOHC V6. Consequently, that allowed it's 220 hp to be mounted in a Tempo or Topaz. Which would make it fly. Too bad that wasn't a factory option.

  • @pdennis93
    @pdennis93 3 года назад +14

    The only car I've been upside down in. My friend's 1991 tempo that he rolled in 1998.

  • @discosuitDan
    @discosuitDan 2 года назад +1

    This is great. Our family hauler as a kid in the 90s was an 88' Tempo my parents bought new. My Dad would say it was "Midnight Blue"... Quit jazzing it up Dad, its a freakin Tempo! 🤣

  • @jsembler1
    @jsembler1 3 года назад

    Another informative and fun trip down memory lane! Please create a video on the Buick Grand National, please!

  • @kingkatradio
    @kingkatradio 3 года назад +39

    I got one: The very short time Daewoo was sold in The United States.

    • @kingkatradio
      @kingkatradio 3 года назад +4

      @ThePatUltra I meant the Daweoo brand name was sold briefly here in The United States between 1999-2002 if I recall, we had a dealer around where I live that sold them. It didn't last long. GM did have partnership with them at one point or still do.

    • @303nitzubishi4
      @303nitzubishi4 3 года назад +3

      GM still owns Daewoo although it isn't called Daewoo anymore. The current Chevrolet Spark is built by that company and is a far better car than any of the Pontiac Lemans, Chevy Aveo, Pontiac G3, or the first gen Spark that we got here in the US

    • @kingkatradio
      @kingkatradio 3 года назад +1

      @@303nitzubishi4 I almost bought a Chevy Aveo back in 2008 but it was near the end of the model year and I couldn't find one at any of the dealers near me, so I bought a Kia Rio Instead. The Spark is a bit quirky but oddly looks kind of fun to drive.

    • @zythr9999
      @zythr9999 3 года назад +3

      @@303nitzubishi4 Correct It's called GM Korea

    • @kingkatradio
      @kingkatradio 3 года назад

      @ThePatUltra um... ok.

  • @indyracingnut
    @indyracingnut 3 года назад +4

    Do one on the Nissan 240SX series!! My black fastback is still one of my favorites!!

  • @Maximus5798
    @Maximus5798 3 года назад +2

    My first car was a Tempo and man that thing left me stranded so many times.

    • @juliogonzo2718
      @juliogonzo2718 3 года назад

      My first car was a tempo too, but it never ended up on the road. Started picking at the rust in the floor to see what needed to be patched and ended up with no floor

    • @DL-ry3qg
      @DL-ry3qg 3 года назад

      Gotta put gas in them✌️

  • @_NoodlesMedia_
    @_NoodlesMedia_ 2 года назад

    At a Dollar Tree near my work I still see a turquoise Tempo coupe always parked near the back of the lot. Cool to see it still in service!!

  • @jeffzekas
    @jeffzekas 3 года назад +40

    When I was a state employee we bought Tempo’s- they fell apart

  • @edwardg9695
    @edwardg9695 3 года назад +2

    My 88 Tempo was the best car I have ever owned. It kept going and cost nothing to run. 400-500 miles on a tank. I scrapped it at 180000 miles and the engine was still going strong.

    • @DKSE123
      @DKSE123 Год назад

      Mine went until 223,000 , but was burning some oil

  • @RichieRouge206
    @RichieRouge206 2 года назад

    Great video as always

  • @jimmywhite3922
    @jimmywhite3922 3 года назад

    Thank you for reminding me of my 1984 Tempo GLX 5 Speed 4 door...my first "digital" AM/FM Cassette with Premium Sound...power windows with switches on the center console and a comfortable interior...it was a great little car ...only to be replaced by a '92 Taurus...😀

  • @andregonsalvez9244
    @andregonsalvez9244 3 года назад +5

    I remember these back in the day growing up in the 80s , these were popular just like the Chrysler K cars .The Ford compacts were more stylish compared to the K cars and a lot of car rentals loved them .

    • @rwdplz1
      @rwdplz1 3 года назад +1

      Parents had both, a Topaz and an Acclaim

    • @andregonsalvez9244
      @andregonsalvez9244 3 года назад

      Cool ! The Plymouth Acclaim was a good car for Chrysler and had decent sales .

  • @traderdan85
    @traderdan85 3 года назад +3

    You missed the clip from Encino man
    Where he drives one on 2 wheels in drivers ed

  • @rdm925
    @rdm925 3 года назад

    Thanks, recently found and love your channel. My wife had a Tempo in the 80's as a company car and I had a Citation. Also bought a X- body 80 Skylark as my first car. Please do a video on them. Thanks 👍.

  • @yomama9760
    @yomama9760 3 года назад +1

    Love my 1987 LX 5speed. Parents bought it new in may 87 and i still drive it to work everyday. Little things now and then but original engine and trans. 344,700 miles on her.

  • @justsumguy2u
    @justsumguy2u 3 года назад +10

    This really rams home the point that a vehicle doesn't have to be good to be a success. Chevy sold tons of Vegas, so even though it was a crappy car, was it really a failure? Not to GM. In fact, they reused the Vega platform for other cars, so they really got their money out of it

    • @lawrencetaylor5407
      @lawrencetaylor5407 3 года назад +1

      @justsomeguytoyou I remember the Ford Escort being the number one seller for more than 24 months in a row in the early 80s.

    • @skaldlouiscyphre2453
      @skaldlouiscyphre2453 3 года назад

      Definitely the Monza, but isn't the third gen F-body derived from the H-body as well? I know the rear suspension design is very similar.

    • @mfree80286
      @mfree80286 3 года назад +1

      There can be pyrrhic victories in the automotive world just as in the rest of the world. A car sells profitably in great numbers, but taints the brand so badly that their reputation takes a tremendous hit.

    • @justsumguy2u
      @justsumguy2u 3 года назад

      @@mfree80286 Yeah, but GM, Ford and Chrysler didn't exactly have stellar reputations to begin with lol

  • @KenanTurkiye
    @KenanTurkiye 3 года назад +8

    If I was a car shopping customer in the US in the 80's I would have considered these models, 2:13, for its time they are kinda handsome. But according to masses 5:18 I might be considered boring :)

    • @MrTLsnow
      @MrTLsnow 3 года назад +1

      trust me, we had one of these.. it was a piece of junk

    • @KenanTurkiye
      @KenanTurkiye 3 года назад +2

      @@MrTLsnow How many cars in the 80's werent? :) (besides most of Japanese). But the nostalgia value makes them seem so handsome. I'd rather drive that and be in the 80's than drive a new Bentley and be in 2020's. :)
      However, your point is still valid. :)

  • @angelicagarcia4820
    @angelicagarcia4820 3 года назад

    I have a 85 model rigth now. Very well restored, it looks like brand new!!

  • @impalaman9707
    @impalaman9707 3 года назад +2

    I knew a kid in high school whose parents bought him a brand new one for his 16th birthday. All the kids in my Sophomore class laughed at him: "You could have had any car you wanted, and you got a Tempo? You mean that ugly car with the airline seats that does loops in that commercial?" But he was one of the first kids in class to even get a car when he got his driver's license, let alone a brand new one, so he was taking us all out to lunch, even my history teacher wanted a ride. I remember he commented that it was "peppy"!

    • @biggytmofo
      @biggytmofo 2 месяца назад

      It was a car and he's 16 so he's in demand lol. Beats walking.

  • @TruckingShooter
    @TruckingShooter 3 года назад +3

    I had a 91 tempo with a manual transmission, was in mint shape to... I wish I still had that thing actually, it was a 2 door, very comfortable and got decent gas mileage and was fun to drive with the stick shift.

  • @jamespfitz
    @jamespfitz 3 года назад +7

    Informative video. The more I learn about these cars the more I'm convinced they're just as boring as I found them when they were for sale.

  • @JynxBlack13
    @JynxBlack13 3 года назад

    My first car was an 87 Acura Legend. It was a metallic Grey/ dark bronze 2 tone with a brown velour interior, it dripped the 1980s! I was so depressed Acura discontinued the Legend. I had daydreams of getting a newer one latter on in life, that hasn't materialized yet. Would live to hear your take on early Acura and the Legend. Subbed!

  • @Hexsyn
    @Hexsyn 2 года назад

    Awesome, my first car! Honestly you already covered my only other car now too (taurus). Love these videos!

  • @grunkohlaktionar7474
    @grunkohlaktionar7474 3 года назад +4

    Mitsubishi Mirage Dodge colt as a suggestion. Or my Galant e50

  • @TimmyTantrum
    @TimmyTantrum 3 года назад +4

    My grandmother had a Tempo... I remember her taking me to see Titanic in theaters, lit cigarette with the driver-side window cracked open. Ah, Clinton's America...

  • @timmywa
    @timmywa 3 года назад

    84 Tempo, 2 dr, 4 spd manual, gray was my first car back in the early 90's. Thing was beast. The steering wheel was like 35 degrees off-center. I drove it on a BMX track. Great first car!

  • @brian5o
    @brian5o 3 года назад

    I've had 4 of these in my family over the years.
    My aunt owned a blue 1984 4-door 5-speed bought new, my grandmother owned a red 1985 4-door auto bought new, ironically, she actually was wanting to buy a new Escort wagon at the time, couldn't get financed on that but was able to buy the larger Tempo GL, an uncle had a first gen Sport 2-door bought used with a 5-speed, I loved the seats in that one and my grandfather had a light blue 2nd gen bought used 4-door with an auto.
    The 4-cylinder engines in these had a very unique sound.
    As I recall, the V6 AWD Tempo could out-accelerate a Porsche at the time, I remember reading an article about it.

  • @gregvarner9562
    @gregvarner9562 3 года назад +3

    Back in those days my dad was an "executive" with Southern Bell, the telephone company in my area of the southeast. His company car for a brief period was a tempo. It had an early mobile phone system in it. I remember riding with him to his office on a special day and him talking on the phone on the way there. I remember thinking the phone stuff was super awesome but the car was a piece of sh.... It was buzzy, underpowered even for then and smelled of different chemicals Ford used to make it. I hated it.

  • @stevejohnson1321
    @stevejohnson1321 3 года назад +7

    Funny how I never see these on the road, a lot like the dodge intrepid (insipid). They're simply gone.

    • @the_kombinator
      @the_kombinator 3 года назад

      I saw one the other day, in decent condition. But yeah before that... years ago.

    • @stevejohnson1321
      @stevejohnson1321 3 года назад +1

      There are still a few hanging around in the sun belt, along with pacer and gremlin. We gots lots of rust here in the northeast..

  • @barbmelle3136
    @barbmelle3136 2 года назад +2

    From Leo: I bought a 1985 Tempo when I needed an economy car and the little escort was just too small. I have broad shoulders and I hate driving with my shoulders pressed against the door. That 2.3 engine with a 5 speed returned 30 mpg on a regular basis and still could haul 4 adults reasonably well. Good little car. Traded at about 150K miles and it was running great.

  • @ebogar42
    @ebogar42 2 года назад +1

    I'm not a huge car guy but think it's interesting seeing the Specs and history about them.

  • @razvandobos9759
    @razvandobos9759 3 года назад +2

    Imagine if Lincoln made their Tempo.

    • @pdennis93
      @pdennis93 3 года назад

      No luxury brand sticks their badge on an economy car and calls it premium....oh wait Cimarron 🤣🤣🤣

  • @digitalkov
    @digitalkov 2 года назад +3

    If Hyundai made a sporty version of the Tempo, it would be called TempoN
    🤣

  • @pugs1377
    @pugs1377 2 года назад

    I had a hand me down 84 topaz In High school complete with a house speaker in the trunk and a radio out of an Isuzu held in with duct tape. I remember my dad buying it new in Baltimore. It was a great metallic blue called the "blue max" I wanted him to get the red one called "the red Barron" I think it was our first car with ac. Thanks for the vid, brings back memories.

  • @bcfairlie1
    @bcfairlie1 3 года назад

    Thanks for this. I never knew these models existed.

  • @Rightsomehandsome
    @Rightsomehandsome 3 года назад +4

    My parents had twin 1990 Tempos. We called them “Pimpos”

  • @sutterpark
    @sutterpark 3 года назад +3

    Their was SHITTY cars from day one! My late father had the Ford Tempo AWD sedan the the power was a joke and we had the twin the Topaz under power! At lease the Ford Escort has the BALLS to move!

  • @arbor_parked
    @arbor_parked 3 года назад

    My first car was a 1985 Tempo GL. Blue, 2 door, stick shift. I look back on it very fondly.

  • @emotionz3
    @emotionz3 3 года назад +1

    I had one of these, other than the goofy transmission slipping out of gear when you took a hard left turn under power, pretty nice and reliable car and very comfortable.

  • @markjwil
    @markjwil 3 года назад +13

    I used to have a 1987 Topaz GS AWD. The most unreliable car I've EVER owned!

  • @genethemachine7169
    @genethemachine7169 3 года назад

    My grandma's last car was an 86 Tempo. We had it for a while after she passed, and I loved it! Mom ended up selling it because she had trouble seeing it without Nana behind the wheel.

  • @mbenz64
    @mbenz64 2 года назад +2

    My second front wheeled drive car (after the 82' Escort) was a blue 1986 Ford Tempo LX 4 door with the newly restyled front and rear ends, it was very roomy and had a nice ride. I remember they compared the back seat room to having more space than a Mercedes 300d (a friend confirmed this, his parents had a 300d).

  • @The_R-n-I_Guy
    @The_R-n-I_Guy 3 года назад

    Chevy Caprice Classic, Impala, Buick Electra, Oldsmobile Delta 88 from the 80's are all almost identical. I had one of each of them ranging from 1977-1988 models. Awesome cars. I really hope you can do a video on them. Thanks for the great content

  • @gregorriusadolphus2729
    @gregorriusadolphus2729 3 года назад +1

    I remember my neighbor across the street had a blue Tempo; this was circa 1985 and I was in 3rd grade. This was west Texas; she had the stereotypical big Texas bouffant (her hair was red, though). Sometimes she would give me and her son a ride to school in that thing. I remember it had blue cloth seats, and always smelled heavily of perfume LOL

  • @komradkolonel
    @komradkolonel 3 года назад +1

    I think a good future video to do would be one about the Lincoln Town Car. That was one of the best cars Ford ever built.
    I remember some of these were sold with manual transmissions. They could be a little notchy but they were much longer lasting than the automatics. GM's four cylinder engines have been mostly junk but that Ford 2.3 was a decent engine. They were simple and easy to work on.

  • @MrJustinUSCM
    @MrJustinUSCM 3 года назад

    I'd love an episode on the Chevy Lumina. Have many fond memories of the 95 one my parents owned when I was very little. I remember very well the Big Soft Plush bench seats it had in both front and back. The Interior felt huge too. Remember really liking the green color in was painted and the blue Chevy badging it had, used to call it the "blue bowtie company."

  • @dalesands1291
    @dalesands1291 2 года назад +1

    I had 1992 Tempo 4 door with all the options. The V-6 made it feel like a pocket rocket. Cruising down the interstate was never a problem and gas mileage was decent.

  • @Seventizz
    @Seventizz 2 года назад

    Omg, just found your channel and I love it! My favourite cars are almost all here!
    You have to do Cadillac Cimarron (I’ve owned 2 - and 84 D’oro and an 88), Buick Riviera (I’ve owned 3 - 86, 89, 95)) and who can forget the Olds Cieras (I’ve owned an 86 and 85). My current car is a 17 Cadillac ATS 2.0T AWD coupe - but it may be too recent to memory lane.
    You should do a J Car retrospective as it had a lot of variations of one body for over a decade. Coupe, wagon, hatchback, sedan, convertible with varying trim levels to base, sport, to luxury. Might be a fun video!
    Keep up the great work!
    *edit - just found your J Body video lol

  • @allanloiselle2052
    @allanloiselle2052 3 года назад

    We had two of these little cars. The first was a nicely equipped 87 Topaz Sport sedan, which was plagued with starter problems, and grippy Michelin tires that wore out in no time. The second was a 93 Topaz V6 LS. The V6 made a so-so car into an entirely different experience. We put about 290,000 km's (180,000 miles) on it.

  • @alanboas810
    @alanboas810 3 года назад +1

    My cousin had a Tempo and he was into cars. One of the best designs for sure.

  • @joekurtz8303
    @joekurtz8303 3 года назад +2

    Almost bought a Tempo in 84'
    Got an 84'Escort L instead, first time new car buyer, and the dealer did their best to get me In a car by sundown.

    • @mikevigil3677
      @mikevigil3677 3 года назад

      They gave you the right deal on the Escort, Tempo's were absolute dogs Auto with the A/C on....
      Remember 80's cars with throttle body injection vapor locking??