MotorWeek | Retro Review: '86 On Road 4x4 Comparo

Classic 80's AWD snow patrol comparo : Audi, VW, Honda, Mercury, Subaru

[@jdonns2221]

These classic Motorweek episodes are as addictive as crack.

[@WeDwellinaFiefdom]

And less expensive. It's a win win!

[@AntonSander]

+Joseph Rogers Amen!! LOL

[@letsgonow5641]

+Joseph Donnelly I agree with all the dumb crap on tv..walking dead, bing bang theory and other garbage this is refreshing..im hooked..watched them before i go to sleep lol.

[@richardholmes7199]

I noticed I am addicted too.

[@777jones]

That's why Motorweek has so many babies. For example, I sold my baby for these.

[@nickwilczynski3684]

Pat Goss gets the gold medal for saying both 'four b'four' and 'may-jhur' (measure) in the same video! Yesss!!!

[@Commentleaver-c6x]

Sadly he died 2 years ago.

[@elhigh]

Back when 100hp was the "high output" option.

[@iconictk2878]

elhigh back then when 15 seconds was typical family fast

[@JASONHJEFFERSON]

my riding mower has 26hp lol

[@jamessawchuk5682]

@gilbert martinez , is that the gas or diesel version?

[@ronaldreed7698]

The 2.3 at one time had a turbo and in a mustang was faster then the 302. I've seen the 2.3 dominate in racing, short track mini stocks, nothing could touch them except another 2.3 powered car.

[@bradnimbus4836]

@@ronaldreed7698 LMAO!

[@alfamonk]

High-output 2.3 ...100hp. Comedy gold!

[@1D0N]

Great history lesson right there.

[@syxepop]

+alfamonk, compared to the roughly 88hp that the standard NA 2.3L (engineered from the '70s Pinto, you could get a longitudinal RWD version, as opposed to the Tempo/Topaz FWD version as late as the early [early '90s] Fox platform cars, even the base Mustang). In '78 (I know 'cause my dad bought new a '79 200 (3.3L) 90hp I6 Ford Fairmont Futura coupé) if you wanted even "decent" output (the Fairmont weighted 2700-2800 lbs. or so...) you'd had to opt for the same 130hp 302 (4.95L) NA V8 that powered that year's large LTD on any Fairmont/Zephyr). In '80 the 3.3L and the V8 were replaced with a 130hp NA 3.8L V6, also available in the Fox-platformed Mustang, with the NA 2.3L as base (soon afterwards the V8 Mustang came back in GT guise). That was state of UNDERpower in many of that era's family cars...

[@WhiteSlift]

On top of that a high-tec 3 speed automatic.

[@jackallen6261]

+alfamonk Right? I remember when these cars were new (I was 22 at the time) I drove a 67 SS 396 Camaro, and would tell people the days of high horsepower factory cars were gone forever! How wrong we were back then, lol. These are the good old days of factory hot rods!!

[@landyachtfan79]

Actually, the Tempo/Topaz's engine was actually a cut-down version of the Falcon Six, not the Pinto engine, even though they did have share the same cubic-inch & liter displacement.

[@JakeFromLateFarm]

I think I've seen John in that very same jacket to this day haha. Please never die, John! Who then would host MotorWeek?

[@ford2219]

My before-sleeping drug. Love it.

[@tqswagga]

mipmipmipmipmip me too !!

[@F4Effort]

A high output engine making 100 hp! Oh I love these retro reviews.

[@Shwalker07]

That "Height" button was a nice touch for a Subaru.

[@danielreigada1542]

It's interesting how the definition of "brisk acceleration" has changed over the years. In this video, a 10.3 second 0-60 time is described as brisk. Nowadays, even a car that does 9 seconds will be described as slow.

[@ellenorbjornsdottir1166]

Daniel Reigada 11 sec still feels brisk on a 2wd truck or van

[@CurtisStuart27]

Ah, the days when you could get a manual on most cars. Especially here when a manual was the only option on 3 of them

[@toyoscio]

Auto would have taken too much out of the engine.

[@flight2k5]

Who cares? Manuals are not that fun to drive in stop and go traffic. It gets old after a while

[@TheBandit7613]

@@flight2k5 If anyone besides automotive journalists wanted a manual transmission, they would be on everything. Who wants to shift? We're going to work not driving on a test track.

[@johndriscoll213]

@@TheBandit7613 Here's your $5000 replacement transmission you'll need after 125K

[@roddydykes7053]

And when the “high output” engine option put out 100hp

[@DetroitNerd]

Its amazing how different Pat Goss looks today while John basically looks the same lol

[@roddydykes7053]

Yeah haha he went from slight old-school dad chunk to full chungus

[@MrCarGuy]

Full episode! Thanks guys.

[@smitty18541]

I have a fever and the only cure is more Vintage Motorweek!

[@landyachtfan79]

If you only knew how long I have been waiting to see this again.......thank you so very much!!!!! Especially as the former proud owner of 2 '91 Vanagons (the first one was totaled)!!!!!

[@nwilczyn]

Pat Goss said 'four b'four' and 'may-szure' (measure) hahaha

[@alexandercapuano4002]

Pat “full and long deep breath before every sentence” Goss

[@nwilczyn]

All wheel drive Topaz. And a blistering zero to sixty of 15 seconds! Fantastic!!!!!

[@JDsHouseofHobbies]

Man, the Audi 5000 used to be one of my fav cars! Well, Audis still are!

[@mantriccaravan8228]

Had 1 a 1984 piece of junk but man it was cool looking and quiet on the hwy....when it ran!

[@MarylandCarGuy]

This is one of the coolest 80's video ever!

[@blinski1]

Everytime I hear this tech guy talking and constantly saying 'hwen' or 'hweels' it reminds me of Stewie form Family Guy and his 'cool hwip'. But it doesn't bother me at all.

[@lowbudgetmotorsport4112]

+blinski Hwhelcome to Mhothorhwhheek! Hwhe're ghlad to have you hwhith uhs!

[@natehawkins2910]

Hwhile you’re here, don’t forget Hwhite!

[@vwestlife]

John finally learned how to pronounce Audi by this time! In older episodes he pronounced it "oddie". :-)

[@JaredConnell]

Fancy seeing you here bud!

[@vfspectrum4652]

but it is oddie dude

[@ImpalamansGarage]

Pat Goss could provide instruction on the practice of "how to stand perfectly still and not talk" and make it sound like he was telling you something that no one else on the planet knew.

[@towrxter]

I had no idea the Tempo/Topaz ever had all wheel drive. Hmm

[@wildbill23c]

Probably because it was extremely rare to find one LOL. I've only seen 2 of them, and they were pretty beat up. They also had a diesel engine option, which I have yet to find one, although they do exist as I've found a couple online.

[@aaronchristopher7284]

@ parts weren't available 20 years ago!

[@Eatinbritches]

That Audi was a wonderful car. Shame the maintenance was such a problem. I had one for a while, I know from experience. I also had a Vanagon. I would have a Vanagon again but now they're priced right out of range.

[@leonardgordon1748]

Subaru really carved out a niche for itself in this segment. Really only a necessity in areas where you experience long snowy winters. Thank you for an interesting video. 👍🏻

[@dRockOhio]

I'm sort of upset the AMC Eagle didn 't get tested here! It was probably the most capable off road and the only one you could get leather seats and fake wood, haha. That being said, it was with the Audi in being full time 4x4

[@bryanatsck]

dRockOhio Was AMC Eagle still around by then? I thought dodge swallowed them up by 86

[@aquateen77723]

IAMBDJ 1987 was the last year for the AMC Eagle.

[@matadorman78]

dRockOhio at this time AMC developed selectable all wheel drive. Two years before the mighty Ford. And yea where was the AMC vehicle for true comparison. It would have blown the competition away.

[@matadorman78]

aquateen77723 yes but this was 84 your know Topas/Tempo

[@christopherconard2831]

If you could get past the dated look, it would have been the best in the lot.

[@Ghandisgarage]

I have owned all of these.. i liked the subaru the best, especially after i lifted it and put on some bigger tires

[@garywalters3007]

gone forever is john's wardrobe.

[@ggroff73]

I guess I'm gonna start looking for a Topaz with AWD, this thing is cool !

[@lfsracer79]

20:45 That's a lot of squat...

[@christopherconard2831]

Look! Oil in a can.

[@SnarkyRC]

They should go back to using cans

[@ScottaHemi440]

the Tempo had AWD version?!

[@eatonjask]

+ScottaHemi Absolutely. They were reasonably popular in the snow belt - at least in Canada. Hard to find on dealers' lots though - they usually required a special order. The current Ford Fusion also has an AWD version.

[@wildbill23c]

Yes, however pretty rare. They did really well in snow/ice with the standard 2WD front wheel drive. I had a 93 Tempo which was just front wheel drive and it took me through several snowy winters here in Idaho.

[@joephaneuf393]

I had a '92 Ford Tempo GL 2 door that was not totally rare, but was kind of rare. It wasn't all wheel drive but it did come equiped from the factory with the 3.0 Litre V6 instead of tue 2.3 Litre 4 banger and it was fairly quick.

[@joephaneuf393]

Sorry for the typo.

[@wildbill23c]

Yes, I think for only certain models though and I believe only 1 or 2 years. Very rare to find one though as I've found. I had a 93 Ford Tempo, but then they were only offered in a FWD no AWD. My Tempo did just fine in snow/ice though and the 2.3L 4 cylinder and the 3 speed automatic had plenty of power to spin the tires pretty easily if you weren't careful, and I averaged in the mid 30's for fuel economy on the highway with the AC cranked in the middle of July. I did manage to hit 40mpg a couple times but that was driving like a grandma LOL.

[@DrCharlesMontague]

John waited the entire episode loitering around that Audi, saving the best for last! I like how they actually tried to offer legitimate advice and caution to consumers here instead of just giving the starry-eyed reviews that happen with cars now. No one tells people about life with AWD when they buy cars now, then they’re shocked when issues arise.

[@MarkfromNewYork]

That all AWD topaz is fucking mint! I would love to have that. I remember seeing them when i was a kid, i was only 12 when that car was new but in my teens you could get a topaz for $100 used. Sure care is slow as balls but the look is ridiculous in a cool wan and with the AWD its sick. Im going to to find one for sale.

[@superben2000]

Im so poor 100bhp is still the high output option.

[@tinker1148]

When the Subaru accelerated 0-60 in 10.3 seconds and was HALF the price of the Audi that did it in 9.5 seconds! Wow!!

[@ericfitzgerald9139]

Jeez the quattro bounced on its 2-3 upshift! It’s suspension must be as soft as a 70s era Caddy!

[@gradyj3827]

Noticed he pressed the accelerator almost wide open while starting the fuel injected Audi.

[@Dankcatvacs]

damn i thought you were going to review the part time 4x4 gl like my wagon but the gl-10 is awesome too , i have always wanted to see the motor week episode of my car along with the rest of the mid 80s 4x4 cars /vams

[@RhinoXpress]

wait an actual anti lock disable button that you can turn off when you are braking in a lot of snow and sand? genius by audi sadly something like this wouldn't be on cars today because of safety regulations. because more dummy switches sure helps drivers awareness on the road you know......

[@eightosaurusspelunk1598]

That honda is awesome

[@jasoncarpp7742]

I've always preferred part-time awd over full-time awd.

[@wildbill23c]

Me too, with the exception of the Jeep, which had an option full time and part time option in the same transfer case (Selec-Trac). This would have been my choice although my 96 Jeep GC LTD 4x4 had full time 4WD it did awesome in snow/ice and I was amazed where that thing would go, but it would have been better if I would have waited and found one with the Selec-Trac 4WD system which gave 2WD, 4WD Part TIme, 4WD Full Time, Neutral which is not a gear, however allowed you to shift the transfer case into neutral and put the transmission in park and flat tow them behind an RV, and 4Low.

[@jasoncarpp7742]

I agree. :)

[@joestout2959]

That Topaz did NOT age well. The others aren’t bad. I loved my old turbo Susie. Except when the crossover pipe blew every couple of months.

[@landyachtfan79]

Since you just uploaded the CRX Si, could you also please post the tests of the original '84 CRX & Civic wagon in the future?

[@toyota-sz8hp]

i'll take the vw van

[@jackallen6261]

+chuck hubbard No kidding! I should have bought ten of them and stuck them in a barn somewhere then fast forward to today and retired!! lol.

[@wildbill23c]

Definitely. There's a few things I would have like to have stuck in a barn right now like that LOL.

[@11secghia]

I did 20 years ago and its a SYNCHRO too!! $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

[@abarahona35]

I'm taking the Civic.

[@hutchcraftcp]

The AMC Eagle should have been in the test. It was the most off road worthy of any of these.

[@bobhill3941]

That's cool, the Audi had three locking differentials like a g wagon!

[@Clearanceman2]

0-60 in 14.9 is typical family car. LOL, the 80s cars were so slow.

[@troysanchez776]

Do you have the 1983 Topaz/Tempo review?

[@FitzArias]

Loved the VW Synchro bus the most, and the Audi as usual stood out with its good looks and high performance. It also was a bit overpriced as they usually are.

[@TheCarCrazyGuy]

22:46 My Cruze's 1.4L Turbo makes practically the same power as this 5 cylinder. Progress never sleeps.

[@F6HemiCharger]

"4 before vehicles" - Pat Goss

[@mikeyveloster7615]

Mercury part-time/on demand awd activated by a vacuum actuated dash switch only for dirt roads or payment in bad weather, Subaru full-time with locking center differential that can only be used on slippery surfaces , VW Syncro automatic transfers power with optional driver operated locking differential in the rear, Honda Real Time 4wd automatic transfer power, Audi Quattro automatic with center or aft differential selector. Out of all these 4wd names the Audi is the only one that still exists

[@parhomshoar5616]

Didn't expect the Civic to be quite that slow. Almost as slow as the Vanagon and slower than the Tempo! I wonder if they were shifting sloppily. Honestly, I didn't expect the Audi to be as slow as it was either.

[@onkyomitsu4765]

Woooow. look at that beard on Gauss!!

[@lukerinderknecht2982]

Man I love that Civic

[@bradnimbus4836]

You mean AWD, John?

[@brwi1]

syncros weren't cheap back in the day! $19,900 in '85 was about $44,700 today

[@RoadCone411]

Nothing compared to the Audi

[@McBeamer94]

Why did they call a 100hp engine "High Output"?? Was it the oil crisis that left people with concerns?? Was it the old technology car makers used and couldn't abandon, so they decided to market it for profit?? Or did they really have reliability in mind?? These are the three scenarios I have in mind for car makers using "High Output" engines back then!

[@KeepingItKeith]

Never knew they had an AWD tempo.

[@patientx77]

Ah....$31K for a flagship Audi. Today, you can’t even buy a loaded Fusion for that.

[@alsada307]

The civic wagon is called " shuttle " in Middle East.

[@alsada307]

+mipmipmipmipmip Good To know i thought it was exclusive here only they were Famous.

[@BMan100]

Got any 3rd Gen civic reviews? it's temping to get one actually as a hobby car.

[@taylorious1693]

“Volkswagen claims that the Syncro needs no more maintenance than the 2WD Vanagon” Lol.

[@95blahblahhaha]

RIP Pat G. 😢😢😢❤❤

[@paulelkouss]

That Topaz was so homely.

[@shaesham]

We got Ford connoisseurs up in here

[@HellenicVanagonTheSyncroHeresy]

A very nice presentation from the '80s. A car Heresy is not a very common aspect. The cars in this video are not present any more. They belong to the car history. But there is an exception: the Syncro Vanagon! A car, (the only one?), with his own Heresy. The Syncro Heresy

[@StephaneLeclair]

Whats up with the oil and voltmeter gauge obsession?

[@wildbill23c]

Not sure but they're nothing more than a gauge version of an idiot light, they're far from accurate.

[@surfnburb89]

18:46 what dashes across the road? A GHOST!!?? lol

[@SnarkyRC]

That was their pet cheetah

[@100littlecurses]

Any chance of the Bronco?

[@kingharryannis]

Westy syncro camper van sell today for up to $90,000.00 at Go Westy!

[@goclunker]

Infidel Atheist and they are still unreliable shit. Gowesty is making a fortune off morons

[@kingharryannis]

Still VW could make the Westy Vanagon today with the subaru engine and other updates.The design and lay out is very ergonomic,engine at the rear, all the useable space.It would be a world wide big hit.My 1986 westy is coming up to 400,000k I had the Bostig Ford Zetec conversion.Running well.The old engine designed in 1930s is a antique.

[@aaronchristopher7284]

I've never seen an AWD Topaz/Tempo that still had the rear diff hooked up. Had a few customers with them back in the day. Apparently there was a fuse blank that would lock the diffs if you stuck a fuse in it, but I can't confirm this since I haven't seen one in 15 years. They were a hateful car on the best of days.

[@GT6SuzukaTimeTrials]

10:15 "make sure that you MEEsure them." Was this maintenance section of the show for non-car people or what? Tire pressure, tire rotations/replacements, and oil changes should be something all car owners know about.

[@VertigoGTI]

4-BEH-4?

[@Tuneman1984]

+Alex Becker Heh, I caught that too. Also be sure to "meesure" your tires!

[@joshuac4772]

When one thinks of all wheel drive only one manufacturer comes to mind........subar....I mean Audi

[@mechman2300]

his voice clams me down, cheaper then drugs lol

[@GT6SuzukaTimeTrials]

15 second 0-60 in the Topaz lol the slowest POS new car sold today is faster than that.

[@kirbyswarp]

Shut up you idiot. This was nearly 30 years ago, and it was automatic.

[@kirbyswarp]

Plus the VW and Civic were slower lol.

[@asus-ni8mn]

kirbyswarp true statement

[@HocusFocusProductions]

shafta99 I used to have to turn off my A/C on my Escort wagon to merge on the highway.

[@bliglum]

asus0696 Though it should be noted that the Civic had a much smaller engine, and the VW was a much bigger vehicle.

[@a.person7825]

Funny they didn’t know ABS doesn’t help you stop shorter in snow and sand.

[@ScaryGhost1]

I sent you a color photograph now come review my geo metro haha. Are you guys even still in the same building from the 80s?

[@RaymondHaley-lv2mo]

The original German mini van

[@augusthorch9111]

quattro rules:-)

[@seinsmeld13]

John you might want to move up a size in your jacket.

[@jayvette8936]

How do I may-zhure a tire?

[@wildbill23c]

HAHA, and what would people do today if they had to put down their phones and actually pay attention and shift gears...probably far less wrecks. Add to that having to get out turn in manual locking hubs and pull a lever to engage 4WD, and then have to shift gears. Better yet have the lazy people of today jump in my jeep and figure out which lever does what.

[@MsPepperbelly]

Whenever they do the slalom test they talk about body roll. Maybe I don't know what they mean but that Audi looked like it had a lot of body roll. This is another area where the tester makes a subjective decision about how the car handles especially since they don't provide numbers for how quick the car took the slolam course. I've watched a lot of these shows and I am skeptical of just how they determine how well these cars really handle.

[@monkeywkeys3916]

$31k for the Audi add $31k for repairs

[@weirdshibainu]

vanagons command premium money even with 250000 miles on them...I don't get it

[@Potaterfilms]

weirdshibainu my theory is that people who went to the original Woodstock and sold their original t1 a long time ago got nostalgic over a anniversary documentary or something to that tune and they want to relive being 18 high as a kite in the back of a vw. so they go looking for an original t1, find it impossible to find a good one, they go look for a t2 also find it hard to find so they look for a t3 and they find one and because the vanagon has ac and more amenities than the t1 or t2 it is a little easier on their health and they won't take a eurovan over the vanagon because you sit behind the front wheels and the engine is in the front instead of the back. the syncro gains value because of how little it sold or how little are left and I think that is what is powering the market.

[@skylinefever]

Few vans were built like the Vanagon. By having interior space over the engine, it meant that you could have more interior space without taking up as much space on the road.

[@mrflamewars]

Mental illness. That, and outright stupidity. With a dash of self loathing. That is what makes someone want one of those sad ass things.

[@Potaterfilms]

John Dagastino a yearning for the times when they wore a younger man's clothes

[@wildbill23c]

They get a premium price because of the ridiculous amount of money people are willing to throw at them. I wouldn't mind having one to turn into a camping rig, but I'm sure as hell not paying the price people think they're worth.

[@97warlock]

What good does it do TO SEND POWER TO A WHEEL THAT IS LOSING TRACTION? thats about useless imo. More power doesnt equal traction.

[@bobratu9029]

cool

[@theyrealltaken3]

I'd sucker punch a nun for a Vanagon synchro.

[@bohemialite6371]

It's a fun car. Hate to be no problem see Daddy hold your breath e2f make a prayer h2z hope for miracle

[@Snake-ms7sj]

0-60 mph 16.5 secs. Well I guess none of the owners ever got speeding tickets.

[@Vazin]

Audi

[@AdamG1983]

Who else is glad we live in a time where THIS wasn't the norm?

[@AdamG1983]

The Tempo and Topaz should not have existed, much less a FRICKIN AWD SYSTEM!!!

[@erich84502ify]

95 horsepower VW Vanagon

[@osvalcs_]

LOL. Audi being Audi. US$31000 for a brand new Audi 5000 CS Quattro. Even though the 86' Caddy Brougham is a lotta cheaper

[@claybarnett6350]

The obsession with volts and oil pressure continues...

[@TheCarCrazyGuy]

Vanagon 0-60 in 16.5 seconds 😂😂😂😂

[@nicholase.9195]

Unfortunately right around this time 60 Minutes killed Audi with a BS, phoney “Unintended Acceleration” report. They couldn’t come back until 1996 and I was the first on board with the very first Audi A4.