Mercury Tracer

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Price Paid:  $1250.00 from bought from a co-wor

Year / Model Reviewed:
1998 mercury tracer

Summary:
this is an awesome car! i am in love with my wonderful car. it has been most dependable and enjoyable. it just now is turning 170,000 miles and running strong. She is worth showing off since she is in great condition, this is an attractive car. like any car, if you drive it nice and check your fluids it will run for a long time.

Strengths:
stylish body, no "out-of-date" look to it, this car looks as good as a car that someone is making monthly payments on. 4 doors make it so much easier to access the backseats. great economic family car. did i mention i love my car?

Weaknesses:
if i had to think of something i would be nit-picking.

Similar Products Used:

1986 nissan sentra
1993 geo storm

Price Paid:  $3800.00 from Roberts Nissan

Year / Model Reviewed:
1999 Mercury Tracer

Summary:
My car was used to begin with and had over 100,000 miles on it due to it being a rental car in Florida in the past and it had at least one other owner before me (according to a CarFax report). The past owners didn't keep it up very well. It needed considerable work when I bought it. (Yes, I realize I overpaid for it. I was a little too desperate for a car at the time.) After driving it for about a year I noticed it was overheating and when pressure tested it showed no leaks and the mechanic said the head gasket didn't seem to be the problem so we replaced the thermostat and cleaned out the radiator, which was clogged from the overheating, and that still didn't fix it. Now they are in the process of replacing the water pump which I wouldn't have had them do after reading the reviews on this Website just now. Now I would bet it's heater core causing the drop in coolant like those other two reviewers' cars. I don't think I will put any more money in this car after this based on other things I've read on here. Such as the engine head possibly cracking from all of the overheating and people experiencing it falling apart after 10 years of age. Also it sounds like it will inevitably start shaking eventually. Luckily my mechanic said that if replacing the water pump doesn't do the trick that he will not charge me the labor. I don't think I could try to sell it to anyone and keep a clear conscience. I guess I'll just use it as a trade in.

Strengths:
good gas mileage

Weaknesses:
heater core apparently causing overheating.

Similar Products Used:
'98 Plymouth Neon

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Price Paid:  $5000.00 from San Angelo, TX

Year / Model Reviewed:
1996 Mercury Tracer

Summary:
I got this car in high school and it was a great car for driving around town. Small, easy on gas, and easy to drive. It was 5 years old when I got the car and I had to do very few repairs on it until the car was about 9 years old. A fan broke and my car overheated and cracked the head on the engine. $1200 later my car was fine. The car was okay for about 9 months. The car was 10 years old and suddenly it was problem after problem. I had two brake jobs and my brakes STILL squeal. Then I had a fuel leak. My coolant light came on so I checked my coolant levels - full. Light went off so I figured it was a fluke. Light came on a few weeks later and my coolant was pretty low. I refilled it only to have the level drop again within days. Took it to my mechanic to have a pressure test - no leak found. They said it may be the thermostat so I had that replaced. The problem STILL wasn't fixed and only got worse. Sizzling sound from hood and eventually steam from defrost vents!!!! Turns out it was my heater core - pretty cheap part, but ridiculous labor cost since the entire dahsboard must be removed. Also, car now jerks at certain speeds. Clear coat started flaking off almost as soon as I got it.

Strengths:
Good first car, few repairs until car was 9 or 10 years old. Decent gas mileage - around 24-25 MPG. Small, easy to fit in tight spaces.

Weaknesses:
Fell apart at the 10 year mark! Heater core broke, fuel leak, brakes, cracked engine head due to overheat
Very small

Similar Products Used:
2000 Toyota Camry
1993 Ford Explorer

Price Paid:  $4142.00 from Millville Auto Sales

Year / Model Reviewed:
1999 Tracer LS/Sport

Summary:
First car,Very, very good little car, is a salvage car. Stared in the cold Iowa winters, good for a little car in snow.
Great for teens.N

Strengths:
Affordable, Great gas mileage, nice looking

Weaknesses:
small back seats, uncomfortable for large people, some what loud.

Similar Products Used:
Family had 1997 Tracer 1997-2001

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Price Paid:  $6999.00 from St. Joe Mercury Deal

Year / Model Reviewed:
1989 Tracer 2 door Hatchback

Summary:
This car was my first new car. It now has 345,00 miles on it and I am putting some more money into it to make it my daily driver again due to high gas prices. The motor has never had any work done on it, and only burns a quart/1500 miles. The oem aluminum core radiator was junk, replaced with steel core, when overheating became a problem. Clutch spring broke at 170k, replaced whole clutch. This car has survived two deer strikes (one took out AC), being backed into by big 4x4 truck, and a 16 year old driver. Rather than sell it for scrap, I am going to drive it until it falls apart.

Strengths:
41 mpg highway, virtually indestructable. This car is run to drive, corners very well with it's rack and pinon steering, and is very quick from 1-3 gear.

Weaknesses:
lack of passing power at highway speeds. Base model has no frills. Brake rotors are part of wheel hub and make for expensive repairs.

Similar Products Used:
99 Ford Escort ZX2