Oil Burner: 1984 Ford Tempo Diesel Manual
Mention the Ford Tempo around the average car guy and he will either shrug his shoulders in frustration or start to get those uncontrollable itches — you know, the kind you get when you see someone trying to jump start an electric car. But this next Tempo has a compression ignited surprise under the hood that’ll make you feel pins and needles like you’ve never felt before. Find this 1984 Ford Tempo offered for $6,000 in Knoxville, TN via craigslist. Tip from PB.
From the seller:
New head and completely serviced. All new belts (and timing). This is a super rare car. Is complete inside. suede seats, beautiful inside. No torn or badly warn. Everything works inside and out. Tilt, cruise, AC, has upgraded CD player. This is GREAT equipment to own. Solid shutting doors and solid is the best word for it. If you want reliability in snow and daily driving that is comfortable and solid. Both front ball joints and struts and new alignment. New tires. Needs nothing. Miles appear on odometer as 300k. Do know it does not smoke and starts like a gas motor, instantly. So regardless it has a strong motor.
photos https://jpegbay.com/gallery/006597826-.html#1
See another strange diesel for cheap? tips@dailyturismo.com
$6000 for a beige Tempo – I dunno, and I don't want it – but – the fact that it exists in this condition with someone caring about it all these years makes me happy
You said what I was thinking much better than I could have, I totally agree.
I can't imagine anything more painfully slower. Granted, this is not the car's focus, but damn… a little digging on the interwebs:
> 52hp
> Top Speed: 87 mph
> 1/4 mile: 22.8 seconds
> 41 city / 56 mpg
Great first car for the kiddie… but teens today can't drive a stick!
Epic slowness. I'd hate to drive it, but I'm glad someone did. Though I'd had to drive behind them, especially if they actually hooked something to that trailer hitch.
Love the dash pad!
I drove a 1982 Jetta Diesel for a few years. I assume similar levels of slowness. It was slow in an epic way, but got right at 50mpg and could hold 65 mph on a level highway. 10 gallon tank was good for ~500 miles.
I got a buddy to drive it and drag race me in my 1970 VW full camper. The bus won. Battle of the slowest cars we could find. They had more or less the same horsepower, but the thing that you're not prepared for with these old diesels is how slow they rev. In neutral. With no load.
Novek,
I had an 81 Golf/Rabbit diesel 3-door hatch for a while — it was insanely slow. My favorite part was the un-assisted steering mated to pizza cutter tires and crazy ackerman setup in the suspension so that epic full throttle maximum traction limit turns could be achieved at parking lot speeds with bewildered and totally un-terrified passengers.
Seller obviously doesn't know what tenths of a mile are.
I think my favorite part is the "upgraded" Subaru radio.
also, not suede but velour