I've often wondered what, if any, is the relation between the 2.3L 'Pinto' OHC and the Ford HSC motors used in Tempo, Mercury Topaz, and (in 2.5L form) Taurus. Both were made during the same time, but as far as I can tell they are two completely different engines.

@Maymar has too much utility character: I almost picked up a Seville for $600. Terrible condition, but I wanted it despite its ugliness. I decided to pass it up, I told myself I'll never have anything but 4WD, AWD, or RWD. Or any combination of the three. Besides, I love Ford Panther platform sedans. Just so neat.

Very good condition, I like.

@Rockford Brodie does not look good in HD: I heart hyperboles. Heh.

@Foozy Ploosh Room: I was thinking more along the lines of Taurus SHO, Impala SS, Mercury Marauder, maybe the Silverado SS454.. But a Tempo would be even more bad ass.

The Ford Tempo & Mercury Topaz Car Club of North America has an automated VIN decoder program. Type in the VIN of your Ford Tempo or Mercury Topaz and it will give you what manufacturing plant (there are only two, and all T/T Coupes were made in the U.S.), trim level/body style, model year, and model.

A box of fail is more like it.

I'll take a Continental kitted Lincoln Town Car please. I try to like that Seville rear, but I just can't.

I am not interested. It will be the same as any other "simulator" with just a bunch of exotics and sports cars.

Minivans. The Dodge Caravan in particular. Okay, so they are possibly the least cool vehicles on the planet. They are incredible boring to drive. Ugly, slow, not as fuel efficient as they should/could be. But damn it I'll take a soccer mom in a Chevy Venture over a soccer mom in a Suburban.

@Bret: Nationalist pride? This is America. Patriotism hardly exists; the average person doesn't even like the U.S.

@Jeb_Hoge: Fiero

@FromaBuick6: I think the 1990s were bad for Ford in build quality. It really depends on what we are talking about here. The fourth generation Taurus had a good engine, and the transmission wasn't any worse then the 4T60 four speeds in GM sedans. Where the Taurus fell was in innovation, style, and interior design and…

@jduffy13:

My life (and car) are no where near as exciting as that epic Taurus vs. Caddilac chase. Aside from the regular tailgating lifted trucks and the 23 year old RX-8 driver, not much of interest happens 'round these parts.

@wrx-tyrannosaurusWrx: Man. Thanks. Just reminded me how much I yearn, crave a Ford Crown Victoria (or LTD, or any other Panther platform Ford for that matter). My uncle has a 2005 Lincoln Town Car Signature L, and I have a friend with a stunning black Crown Victoria (c.1995). I've driven both. They are truly…

@GasGuzzler:

Even with the fancy gadgetry, the interior quality at least still looks cheap.

Easily Ford's 1984 slogan introducing what would become, one of the most successful Ford sedans ever to be put into production. "Pick up the Tempo of your life!" encapsulates the Ford Tempo's forward-thinking attitude of innovation.

@Pelm, driving across La Belle Province all year round!: Woah! Well, regarding Tempos... Is it mere coincidence that when Ford was building Tempo, they were still the world's second-most leading automobile manufacturer? That sales were continually high, and reputation solid? Then Ford discontinued Tempo...