A couple days ago I posted that I was worried about my poor little '93 Tempo making it much longer. It has been a pretty darn cheap car since I bought it from my parents around ten years ago, but recently a general sense of "something's not right" made me think that perhaps my "free" ride was near an end.
Well, I got a call from Rick at Southside Auto Tech just now, and apparently all I'm looking at is a leaky valve cover gasket, a bad battery, and a soft tire. Oh, and an oil change. In all, the bill is less than one month's payment on a new car.
From a financial perspective I'm relieved. But from a new toy perspective, I have to admit I'm a little bummed. Those of you who have given me car buying tips and recommendations -- thank you for that, by the way -- got me excited about the possibilities.
Oh well. I have said for years that I will drive this car until it dies. Although I may not wait quite that long, Rick made it sound like there's no reason the Tempo shouldn't last me a good while longer. And at a cost of less than a grand a year (maintenance, fuel, insurance, taxes), I certainly can't complain.
Comments
See what your friends and neighbors have to say about this.
I’m in the same boat. I drive my oldest daughter’s ‘94 Escort and it’s a cheap, dependable little vehicle. I parked my other vehicle when she moved away and bought a new car. The Escort is so unbelievably cheap to insure, license, gas, etc. Anytime I take it in for service I pay a month or two of “car payments” and I’m kinda liking it. Maybe the simplicity of that era makes it cheap (not as many computer-related parts?). I definitely can’t complain either.
Still driving my dream car. 95 civic with power nothing, not even steering (the wife would love it though).
Have not had a car payment for about a decade. My truck is scary.
Just listened to this American life about a guy who wins a truck after being the last one to lift his hand off it in a contest. He says he will drive it till it completely dies and then will lay it to rest on his farm cuz it meant so much to him.
I drove an 84 Mercury Topaz for years and years. It had the same valve cover problem you have, but was otherwise incredibly reliable. I had it 10 years until someone stole it and trashed it. In hindsight, I should have bought it back from the insurance company and just continued to drive it.
I live about a mile from this guy- I may have to check him out. Im nursing an 86 cavalier so my wife can have the ‘nice van’ for the kids, so I’m loathe to pay another car payment if I don’t have to.
As a 93 Topaz driver, I am pleased to hear that the 93 Tempo spirit lives on! These suckers are tough and should give you another 10-20 thousand miles hopefully.
Share your thoughts with the community.
Commenting is no longer permitted on this post.