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

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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.

[@papertweet]

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]

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]

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]

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

[@BrilloBush]

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

[@zythr9999]

@@cleverkitsune4302 lol

[@jimkaras7663]

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.

[@deadfishparty]

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]

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

[@suchfunstuff]

Yup!

[@boristheamerican2938]

@@mj011n1r You had all season radials.

[@Bartonovich52]

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]

LOL! right.

[@drkrashtest]

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]

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

[@hoopty.]

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

[@brando3098]

​@@hoopty. Camry is model

[@lawrencetaylor5407]

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]

So which was better?

[@Me-eb3wv]

@@UAkovalchuk ligma

[@lawrencetaylor5407]

@Ilya Kovalchuk The Civic

[@jasoninnc1]

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

[@kedst2000]

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.

[@markjohnston3502]

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]

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]

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

[@FurdemonLar]

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

[@m.stewart7208]

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

[@arnesahlen2704]

Hahaha😊

[@kevinwong4804]

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

[@Fillo.]

@@jamesmylife6578 what video?

[@jamesmylife6578]

@@Fillo. oh shoot wrong Channel sorry.

[@paxhumana2015]

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]

"Hi", lol.

[@kingkatradio]

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

[@discosuitDan]

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! 🤣

[@therealsnoop7497]

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]

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

[@nathanmullins9898]

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

[@therealsnoop7497]

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

[@craigtate5930]

Most definitely

[@BigjohnZ06]

And the Windstar was sold between 1995-2003

[@dzelpwr]

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!

[@bobfitzpatrick8952]

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.

[@SHUB281]

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

[@albertastorms]

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.

[@Freedonone]

It is a known fact that in 1988 , actress Estelle Getty, from the Golden girls purchased a new car. She really didn't make big until the Golden girls. She was in her 60s. She purchased the top of the line Ford Tempo two door. She had made a comment that the automobile fit her needs. She was conservative and frugal. Even living in Beverly hills it wasn't over the top. There are photographs of her car and her at the NBC studios where they filmed in California the Golden girls. She's sitting in a chair next to her car. Presumably waiting to go back on camera. Until she stopped driving and sold her home and went into a condominium when she became ill in Los Angeles she drove that Tempo. "Ford puts it on wheels"

[@johnnymason3265]

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]

You're a masochist Lol

[@johnnymason2460]

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

[@ScrawnyRonnie89]

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

[@jdnelms62]

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]

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

[@donaldwilson2620]

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.

[@vassa1972]

Loved and missed the 80's

[@jpelasky01]

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.

[@impalaman9707]

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]

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

[@nanoreaper5002]

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

[@nanoreaper5002]

@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]

My parents 87 Escort had that feature

[@Maximus5798]

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

[@juliogonzo2718]

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]

Gotta put gas in them✌️

[@steed633]

Yup my first car was 1993 mercury topaz and then 1993 Ford Tempo I was in the shop soooo many times 😂 now I have a 2007 toyota solara coupe been my best car 5 years now

[@rwdplz1]

Mother had a brand new 90 Topaz, our first car with air conditioning! Stolen out of our driveway one Saturday night in '92 in El Paso. It had an overheating problem at the time, and probably broke down at or shortly after crossing the border. Replaced with a minivan, which the thieves came back and tried to steal the first night we had it, only to find it had a car alarm. They broke out the back glass before running off.

[@kippaseo8027]

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

[@tracyseymour7553]

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.

[@yomama9760]

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.

[@waynefeller8824]

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.)

[@johndornoff]

I had a 1987 Tempo Sport GL 2-door and for a while dated a girl who had a Tempo All Wheel Drive. My Tempo was the first new car I bought as I was about to move out of state and wanted something new that I hoped would be dependable ( before that had a 1980 Chevy El Camino before that we joked spent more time going vertically than it did horizontally). The Tempo was a great car and handle the twisty roads really well for a car of the time

[@MrJoedabaker]

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]

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

[@MrJoedabaker]

@@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]

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]

@@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]

@@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.

[@jdcunnington]

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.

[@americanrambler4972]

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.

[@kadenperritt2327]

I own a 1985 Mercury Topaz GS 4-door. It has 30,000 original miles and is supposedly the best original first generation Topaz in the country

[@RotaryLover]

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

[@alfresco4976]

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

[@RotaryLover]

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

[@negativeindustrial]

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

[@alfresco4976]

@@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]

@@alfresco4976 cool😃

[@arnepianocanada]

More-upright rear Topaz pillar: feature begun on 1983 Ford T-bird (sloping) v/s Mercury Cougar (near vertical). Closed-in rear seating area for privacy is a common 'upscale' look: see certain '65-6 Chryslers and many limos.

[@WompaOne1]

Ford Bronco II is my suggestion for an upcoming video.

[@johnnymason3265]

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

[@mikevigil3677]

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

[@seed_drill7135]

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.

[@ForeverYoungAaron]

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

[@tdrewman]

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.

[@robertsr.249]

I had a 94 Tempo bought in 95 , finally sold it in 2002 , only major repair was replace a radiator , Best small car I ever owned , That thing would run even when it was broke down .

[@MrSmmou812]

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

[@genethemachine7169]

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.

[@azaz911c]

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

[@jimmywhite3922]

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...😀

[@deftone4u]

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

[@AlligatorArms]

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.

[@barbmelle3136]

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.

[@headers12]

Those X styled wheels look cool and retro.

[@corvetcoyote443]

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

[@dalesands1291]

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.

[@rahsaanthomas7030]

Cool..

[@KaijuTurtle]

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

[@rahsaanthomas7030]

So he always picked up the Tempo..Ha.

[@jostafew]

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!

[@TruckingShooter]

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.

[@adaml1519]

The Fairmont and Zephyr never had a V6 engine option. They used the 200 cid (3.3 liter) inline 6 cylinder that dated back to the mid 1960s.

[@DrewsCustomDiecastDrewMSmith]

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]

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

[@darrenmcintyre2674]

Why would you bother

[@lokisgodhi]

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.

[@CarlosGuzman-bq8fr]

I rented a 1990 Ford Tempo to go to my prom. It was a great little car and I enjoyed it for that night.. Great little car.. I loved the styling.. for the 1990 year. its was a light blue color.

[@thebagnechannel3183]

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

[@joekurtz8303]

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]

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??

[@edwardg9695]

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]

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

[@komradkolonel]

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.

[@pdennis93]

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

[@brian5o]

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.

[@James-xo4uv]

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

[@gregorriusadolphus2729]

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

[@andregonsalvez9244]

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]

Parents had both, a Topaz and an Acclaim

[@andregonsalvez9244]

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

[@mbenz64]

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).

[@traderdan85]

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

[@_NoodlesMedia_]

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!!

[@KenanTurkiye]

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]

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

[@KenanTurkiye]

@@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. :)

[@emmcee476]

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

[@indyracingnut]

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

[@hadjiioke]

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!

[@jeffzekas]

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

[@MrCliffda3rd]

My 1st car was a 1989 GL Tempo. Left me stranded a few times BUT I was a teen with no sense of maintaining it. lol

[@kingkatradio]

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

[@kingkatradio]

@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]

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]

@@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]

@@303nitzubishi4 Correct It's called GM Korea

[@kingkatradio]

@ThePatUltra um... ok.

[@LNSLateNightSaturday]

One of my first vehicles was a hand-me-down Topaz which belonged to my Grandma. I put a ridiculous set of speakers in it and drove it until I "moved up" to the family Taurus... ;)

[@justsumguy2u]

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]

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

[@skaldlouiscyphre2453]

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]

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]

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

[@knowbodiesfull5768]

My mom had a 1987 Tempo from 1988 to 1997. In 1991, I passed my driver's test in that car. Afterward, I drove it every chance I got. I enjoyed it whenever I could, 'cause I knew I had to get back home fast before my mom got upset!

[@jamespfitz]

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.

[@emotionz3]

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.

[@digitalkov]

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

[@waleyefish9026]

I had one the ride comfort was good. The rest was bad, head gasket, radiator, water pump, alternator, a/c went out. Throttle position sensors every year. Wife threatened to break out all the Glass if I didn't get rid of it. But I liked the ride.🐙

[@TimmyTantrum]

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...

[@allanloiselle2052]

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.

[@gregvarner9562]

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.

[@wmalden]

My Mom bought a 1987 Topaz LS 4 door in 1987 to replace her 1977 Granada Ghia 4 door. The “light bar” was just shiny plastic - no lights. In 1997, she replaced the Topaz with a 1995 Mystique LS. That was her last car.

[@stevejohnson1321]

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

[@the_kombinator]

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

[@stevejohnson1321]

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..

[@ebogar42]

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

[@grunkohlaktionar7474]

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

[@624radicalham]

As a geeky Tempo fan I must tell you that the movies Say Anything with John Cusack and Seven Minutes In Heaven with Jennifer Connelly have plenty of 5-speed stick shift Tempo driving around and learning how to parallel park!

[@razvandobos9759]

Imagine if Lincoln made their Tempo.

[@pdennis93]

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

[@arbor_parked]

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

[@markjwil]

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

[@grovermayersjr8025]

I had a 1985 Ford Tempo GL. I bought it used at Ford dealership in Anchorage, Alaska in early spring 1988. That's where I was stationed at then Elmendorf AFB. I say then before it became joint Elmendorf and the Army post it linked up with. Anyway I bought the Tempo, which was my first Ford, for a cross country road trip to New Jersey that summer. It had 15,000 miles on it, color was dark green with red pinstripes, gray cloth interior. It had no AC, crank manual windows. But interestingly power door locks. I needed a low mileage car to drive cross country. I had two of my sisters flown up to Seattle to help me drive. I being stationed at Pope AFB, North Carolina. It was hot but a nice trip. That Tempo ran like a champ. Didn't keep it long though. No air took its toll. So I bought a leftover new 1985 Mercury Grand Marquis LS.

[@sutterpark]

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!

[@pugs1377]

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.

[@Rightsomehandsome]

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

[@benkromminga5739]

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.

[@angelicagarcia4820]

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

[@mrflashport]

Grew up as a pre-teen into teen years in a 1988 Mercury Topaz GS. Was my families first Ford product, my Dad was a die hard GM guy until every GM product he bought in the 80s fell apart (1980 Chevy Citation, 1983 Celebrity CL). The Topaz fared slightly better, but IIRC had no power, and at 68K, transmission lost 2nd gear and while my Mom and Dad were on a weekend "adults only" getaway in 1992, they got stuck on the I-16 bridge near Savannah, GA. I remember my Dad calling from a payphone and said "when we get home, we're buying a Honda" and since then, that 92 Accord lasted until 2005, when at 286,441 the engine needed an overhaul and since then he's bought Hyundai's. None the less, I liked the Topaz- it always "felt" like it was more than it was interior wise. It just showed it's true personality on the road, which was an econobox "10 pounds of shit in a 5 pound bag" that had poor reliability.

[@incredibleshrinkingfungus1731]

Used to drive one of these for three years as a company car -- gold/beige. Seriously underpowered but comfortable and decent driving on long hauls. Never once had a mechanical problem with it, drove about 13K miles a year.

[@logicaldojo1901]

I owned a 94 Tempo in high school, coupe 5 speed. Bought for $500. Looked like warmed garbage but man was that thing a tank and a reliable friend through one of the coldest winters I've lived through.