So finally Tempo is acknowledged on Jalopnik (and I arrive 60 replies too late). Nonetheless, I cannot firmly state strongly enough that I believe this car is a nice-price example.

Lets start with the diesel. When new, it achieved 43MPG. Nonetheless most diesel owners I have talked with claim upwards of 50MPG. Think about that. Those figures put brand-new hybrids from Toyota and Honda to shame! Besides, even with the high price of diesel, come on. Its a diesel sedan! Then lets move on to the manual. While the MTX-III wasn't as efficient as Ford's FuelSaver four speed (which is most common in diesels), it is still a hoot to drive. Yes, its slow as sludge but from my experience a good old manual makes any car moderately fun to drive.

Then lets move on to the Ford Tempo, as an entity. People knock it as slow, ugly, and old. What Ford Tempo is, is the very definition of innovation. When Ford sales were slumping and profits were diminishing, it was obvious the days of the sub-150HP eight cylinder family sedans was over. Ford hired a man, Jack Telnack, as a new head of design. While his first work in style was the Ford Thunderbird of '83, it was Tempo that was the true game-changer. It combined incredibly advanced design that was not only stylish and modern, but it was aerodynamically efficient helping handling, performance, and fuel economy. With standard fully independent suspension with nitrogen gas pressurized shocks and MacPherson struts, it was a huge improvement on the live axles of old. Most people take these things for granted. But remember, Tempo's primary competitor (Chevy Cavalier) Did not get full independent suspension until Tempo was dead and gone in 1995.

Tempo is a representation of thinking outside the box. Against all odds Ford introduced a car that would revolutionize the American auto industry, yet get very little credit for it. Tempo is a fantastic car. Sure its unreliable, but that doesn't bother me. I like working on cars. I'd kill myself from boredom if I was forced to drive a Toyota for that very reason.

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If it's as clean underneath (read: very little rust) then it's worth at least two grand. It might be a piece of shit, but it's a rare piece of shit with some redeeming features. And the unique parts (that aren't common to other Tempos) are pretty much bulletproof.

When he relists it next week, it'll be for a Nice Price.

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Unfortunately, nothing changes the fact that I can't fit in a Tempo; the bell-dome roof prevents me from seeing traffic lights and signs without crouching my head down to the rim of the steering wheel.

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Of course, this was before I realized GM was still making circa-1982 Buick Centurys and Olds Cutlass Cieras and wouldn't finally kill those cars for another 4 years.

Where was I going with this? Oh yeah...crack pipe.

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Remember, no turbocharger, mid-malaise build "quality", and c'mon...it's a Tempo.

The only time your heart rate can be raised in tempo by a Tempo is if you see someone about to steal it.

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I can't wait to hear about the special alloy they had to use in the headgasket bolts to get the diesel to work.

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