When Ford needed a replacement for the Fairmont compact, a stretched version of the Escort was created, equipped with two-thirds of an early-1960s Thriftmaster straight-six engine, and dubbed the Tempo. The Mercury version was the Topaz, and millions were sold during their 1984-1994 sales run. These cars are more or less forgotten now, but there was a time when they roamed every boulevard in the land. Here's a magazine advertisement for the 1988 Topaz, a fine investment.
Yes, the Topaz had front-wheel drive and four-wheel independent suspension!
