At what point does a once-unloved model become so obscure that you begin to notice any example that still turns up in running, driving condition? For me, the Ford Tempo is one of those cars that used to be everywhere and has now seemingly disappeared from local roadways. While it’s rare to find one in decent shape, this 1986 model here on craigslist is not only in very respectable condition but it’s also equipped with the elusive manual transmission.
The asking price is $6,500, and thanks to Barn Finds reader Pat L. for the find. I would bet money most of us have some personal connection to the Tempo; my grandfather drove one for a while, and my best friend in high school actually wrecked one with me in the front seat. Not surprisingly, the battered four-door in that instance still drove home, leaking coolant the whole way. And that’s why you see so few of these today: they were typically bought as cheap second-hand cars and driven accordingly.
I always found the design to be a nice blend of European and American styling influences, and the two-doors were actually decently attractive (compared to a stick of butter, or some other inanimate object.) The Tempo was also available in coupe form with a V6 and a stick; those things are rare as hen’s teeth today. I’d bet the number of surviving examples is in the single digits. This sedan is an ordinary commuter car spec, but the 5-speed makes it a touch more interesting.
The car is a California resident and still wears its period-correct “sunset” license plates, which is always a clue as to how long it’s been a West Coast resident. I suspect this Tempo sedan belonged to the proverbial little old lady from Pasadena and hopefully, it goes to a Ford collector/enthusiast who recognizes how few of these are left in anything approaching survivor-grade condition. With under 30,000 miles, it may be one of the last of the low mileage cars left in existence.
Mom bought a brand new 85 Escort wagon when I was 5. It was ok, nicer than the rotting out Smurf blue duster she had before that. Anyway the Escort wagon went to the dealer for the day I think to have the Chapman lock installed and they sent us home in a black Ford Tempo with red interior. I have to say it felt like a nice car compared to the Escort.
Later on in the 90’s while I was in high school auto tech shop someone donated a V6 two door Tempo with 5-speed and an airbag. The car really stuck out because of the drivetrain and because it was the oldest car I had seen with an airbag. I think it was an 89 or 90 and I never knew that a V6 was an option. I’d love to take one of these down the road just for nostalgia.
V6 was very common. V6 with 5 spd pretty rare. I don’t think a 5 spd behind a 4 cyl was especially “rare”. Maybe “uncommon”. I had two 86 5 speeds over the years. One was a GL, the other a GLS.
The V/6 was not pretty common. I worked at a Ford dealer during all the model years of the Tempo and most people didn’t want the V/6 since it only had a 3 speed automatic. It was only a option for a couple of years before the Contour replaced it.
Back in 1987, I owned an 86 2-door with a 5-speed. It drove spritely for its day, and I got 95k miles out of the clutch, 40k from the brakes, but only 15k life from each set of tires. (I drove it pretty hard). It was decent in the corners, but the 2.3L pushrod motor had a bit of lag and would run out of breath when pushed a bit. I had a lot of fun with it. In 1992, I sold it to a ship captain who loaded it on to his ship and took it home with him to eastern Europe.
I traveled a lot back in the late 80’s. That sinking feeling you got in your gut when you saw one of these parked in your designated spot at the Budget, Hertz, Alamo etc……..
I own the silver 86 Tempo previously listed on CL. It’s a beautiful car. I decided to take it off market right away and use as my daily commuter instead. I drive about 60 miles daily to work and now has 31k odometer One of the best I’ve had. Very fun, economic, and super classy. I actually like it more in many ways that my 2023 G wagon. Not many left out there. Specially in mint condition.
I worked on a lot of these back in the late 80’s and into the 90’s.The quality was mediocre at best and had lots of stupid driveability problems too.Cv boots all the time.Didn’t like em then don’t like em now. I usually saw them with the 2.3.My old boss at Firestone when I was 18 had a gold 84 Topaz.It was a turd too.Always had problems of all sorts.
These used to be everywhere, now, like most disposable cars ( especially 1980s cars it seems) , they are quite rare to see. The only one I ever owned was a Mercury Topaz that had those awful automatic seat belts. I only got it for a compact demo derby and it did quite well before the throttle stuck wide open and the CV shaft blew apart from all the hard back and forth shifting .
I was a Service Writer at a large Ford Dealership in 1983 when these first came out. Ford wanted them out for sale so bad they shipped them before even training the mechanics. I can’t recall how many times we couldn’t even start the car while still on the delivery trailer. The cars ran decently enough but full of plastic. We sold hundreds in 83 and 84 but I left that job so I can’t relate to an 86 model. I can say that I never saw a 5 speed. I know that you could get a version but our new car GM figured no one would buy it. I seem to recall you could get a diesel model with a 5 speed but I can’t say I know that for sure. But I can say the early 84s weren’t the most reliable Electronic Control Model was a bummer in that car.
An old trucker taught me to shift gears without the clutch in a 5 speed Tempo.
i had a 85&86 with the diesel engine they were great cars
These cars where cheap junk in 86. Did I miss something? Now it’s not? 6500 ? Why?
These were better than the GM and Chrysler garbage that was out there at this time.
My dad bought one when I joined the Navy. It was 4 door with a 5 speed, and the “sports” trim which made it look better with greyed out window trim, two tone silver and grey with a red accent stripe. Fun car to drive back in the day.
I owned a 1986 Mercury Topaz. 2 door 5 speed. Aluminum wheels that only took Michelin tires. A 365 mm tire. Low profile. Only got about 10,000 miles from them.
Bryan,
Are you sure you’re not thinking about an EXP or Mercury’s version, the LN7? Never knew TRX wheels were used on Tempo/Topaz. Ford rushed these to market to test the public’s reaction to the jelly bean shape, before they started selling Taurus/Sable. They were a Falcon for the Eighties, don’t expect a lot, and that’s what you’ll get. They actually carried Falcon genes, since the engine was a Falcon six minus two cylinders with a new head. I had two new ones, and was well pleased with them.
I just picked up a survivor 84 Temp 2 door, with 55k on it. Mine has std wheels and hubcaps, but a trx package was in fact available.
Not fancy cars just bread and butter daily drivers. Most are long gone now, that’s why I bought mine. Little carb work and it’s now running good.
Now if I guy could still find economical 13 inch tires, that would be nice
I had a friend that bought one of these very used for 500 bucks. There was hardly any paint left on it, but it ran great and not a single rattle, just super solid. He lent to me one time when my car was down, and I had to pick up another friend’s mother one night. When she saw him later that night she told him how nice his car rode, but since it was dark out she couldn’t see it. She asked “What is it a BMW or an Audi?”
These were our go to company cars for the entire model run. Fuel injection in 85 made a huge difference and considering how they were treated they held up for the first 65000 or so miles.
It was definitely a Topaz. They were silver aluminum with some red pinstripes on them.
86 was the first year of the flush headlights as well. Loved my black 92 GL 2 door 5 speed for what it was, reliable transportation with good gas mileage. It also saved me money on the first date I had with my wife of twenty years. She saw me get out of the Tempo at the Olive Garden where we met (public place, internet dating) and assumed I didn’t make much money so she only ordered an appetizer. That was the last time I ever got off easy.
I remember when my own family downsized in the mid 80’s. See Dad lived big American cars, from his beloved 64 Imperial Crown Coupe, that he traded for a 68 Chrysler Town&Country Beach Wagon for Mom to haul all of us in. to his 69 Thunderbird 4dr. After the Chrysler wagon that Dad kept for us to learn and drive when we truly needed, he did by Mom a 75 Mercury Montego MX Beach Wagon. Then while Dads trucking company treated him to a new Lincoln Coupe every 2-3 years in the 70’s, Dad finally bought Mom a cute little Lynx Beach Wagon all loaded up after my brother was carjacked in the Mercury Montego MX, after he picked up a hitchhiker, that ended up pulling a knife out on my youngest brother! That little Mercury Lynx was actually a great little car, that was fun to drive with a 5 speed, that got excellent mileage, especially compared with the boats she drove before!
I bought an ’84 2 door Tempo as cheap transportation in the mod-90’s. Paid 1K for it. Black with red interior, 4 speed manual, and 4th was just an overdrive ratio. Still had a carb then, so could be tuned to keep it running. Not a single option.
Other than a stuck gas gauge that left me stranded a couple of times, it was reliable.
In what world were these cars ever “loved”? I guess they were better than walking.