going rate for a 91 Tempo
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 813
Likes: 0
From: Hewitt, Minnesota
going rate for a 91 Tempo
166K 2.3 engine auto trans. Body could be better but it's not terribly bad. I'm looking for something cheap on fuel.
I think the asking price is $300. All of this is pending on wether the seller can get their Lumina going. It might be important that this would be buying from a family member.
I think the asking price is $300. All of this is pending on wether the seller can get their Lumina going. It might be important that this would be buying from a family member.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,155
Likes: 1
From: sunny fla sometimes windy
This is a car were Ford cheaped out on the nameplate and saved some money not
only on building the car as a whole but by leaving letters off, It's real name given by
the designers was TEMPOrary tranportation!!!! Hahaha
I had one and they aren't too bad, I don't remember what it got for mileage but it
was alright. Where I lived had a almost 90* curve that was pretty tight to get into
the subdivision and since 20,000 people drove that same road it had braking bumps
and bad pavement there, I used to be going about 30 and would hit those bumps
and the struts would start bouncing and I would slide the rear end all the way around
that turn, Nail the gas and the front tire would lift then chirp and I would take off
like a bat outta #e!! My ps bracket broke so I used a turnbuckle and put it between
the bracket and fender to keep the bracket tight to the motor! It held until I sold it
and many many miles!!
only on building the car as a whole but by leaving letters off, It's real name given by
the designers was TEMPOrary tranportation!!!! Hahaha
I had one and they aren't too bad, I don't remember what it got for mileage but it
was alright. Where I lived had a almost 90* curve that was pretty tight to get into
the subdivision and since 20,000 people drove that same road it had braking bumps
and bad pavement there, I used to be going about 30 and would hit those bumps
and the struts would start bouncing and I would slide the rear end all the way around
that turn, Nail the gas and the front tire would lift then chirp and I would take off
like a bat outta #e!! My ps bracket broke so I used a turnbuckle and put it between
the bracket and fender to keep the bracket tight to the motor! It held until I sold it
and many many miles!!
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 18,488
Likes: 22
From: The Big, Oregon
If the oil light comes on at idle, it needs bearings. They tend to go at about that mileage on a mostly highway-use car. They tend to split the flange that hold the catalytic converter to the under-pan pipe, and if it has a separate belt for the alternator off the power steering pulley, it's prone to pitching that belt.
Tranny isn't that bad if it was maintained.
Tranny isn't that bad if it was maintained.
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,034
Likes: 1
From: NJ
I've worked on a running Tempo recently at work. I always say "People still drive these?" 
They are decent for local transportation. $300 sounds about right. I wouldn't be against buying a decent one for $300
They are decent for local transportation. $300 sounds about right. I wouldn't be against buying a decent one for $300
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 813
Likes: 0
From: Hewitt, Minnesota
The car (as I mentioned) is my sister's It has it's problems. It had a brand new trany put in about 2 years ago then it sat for 6 months because of issues with the title. It just passed a DOT inspection for new title less then 2 months ago so it can't be that bad. I figure it would go to scrap for $50 so I'd realy only cost me $250. The fuel savings would pay for it in 2.5 months anything after that would be making money If I had 6 months before it went for scrap I'd still stand to make $300. So if I could keep it on the road for 2.5 months it'd be paid for. Anything after that it'd be free.
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 11,794
Likes: 0
From: Kansas City, KS
While not the exact same car, I've got a 93 Escort with nearly a quarter million miles on it...it ain't healthy at the moment, but it keeps going and going and going...I'd pony up the $300 if I was you. 
Trending Topics
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,166
Likes: 2
From: wi
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,724
Likes: 0
From: Clarksburg WV
Originally Posted by Hootbro
I have not seen a running Tempo in years.
Hootbro
Hootbro
I see tons of them here, maybe because I live in a college town in WV, but they are cheap transportation.
I've had mine for almost 4 years ('94 Tempo 2.3L 5 speed), it's an ugly little turd but it does pretty well. I bought it for $650 when I was still in college and hung onto it as a winter driver. It's got almost 160K on it now. I'm gonna be getting rid of it after this year. So far I've had to replace the water pump, starter (120 freakin bucks), exhaust TWICE, both front ball joints, both outer tie rods, and one inner tie rod. It's also got a LOT of rust, mostly on the underbody.
I tried selling it for $500 last year (with nearly new snow tires and a brand new starter) and only got one offer to trade for a Ranger that made my Tempo look like a show car.
I figure I'll probably end up just junking it this year, as it'd probably be worth more that way than trying to sell it outright, and easier.
Tuned
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 396
Likes: 2
Originally Posted by ghunt
Where the hell do you live that you haven't seen a running tempo in years?
Hootbro
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
Likes: 3
From: Atlanta GA
They are not bad cars, fairly easy to work on (compared to say a Taurus) and the parts are cheap. I would buy it without question for $300, it is worth about that at current scrap metal prices.
The ideal is a manual, but, those are fairly rare compared to the automatic. I don't remember ever driving a manual Tempo.
The ideal is a manual, but, those are fairly rare compared to the automatic. I don't remember ever driving a manual Tempo.
FTE Legend
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 37,887
Likes: 20
From: North Central Rural Sask.
Ive seen alot of tempos that didnt last long at all. For 300 bucks that is cheap transportation though.
If your not expecting it to last forever for your 300 bucks, i would go for it!
If your not expecting it to last forever for your 300 bucks, i would go for it!
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,437
Likes: 3
My first car 4 years ago was a tempo my mom bought with low miles dirt cheap. got good gas mileage was allrite to drive until I got a a little carried away onna gravel road and it ended up in some pine trees. no doors would shut and the trunk lid sat 2 inches back, it torqued that body all to hell and back. cracked the manifold bent a rim lost the back and front bumper but it cranked and ran for a long time after that.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
Likes: 3
From: Atlanta GA
No sooner then I post, 
one shows up
86 Tempo 5 speed - $1200
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/car/599900975.html
one shows up86 Tempo 5 speed - $1200
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/car/599900975.html