1995 Mercury Tracer LX 1.8 from North America

Summary:

This car is almost a Toyota

Faults:

Water pump failed at 130,000 miles.

Clutch slave cylinder and master cylinder failed at 140,000 miles.

Cruise control failed at 120,000 miles, probably the speedometer cable that oscillates the speed the faster you go.

Horn never worked.

Passenger window needs a new track since 120,000 miles; have to help the window up.

Rear spoiler is coming loose at 160,000 miles.

General Comments:

Great car. Reviews say 31 miles to a gallon is the max. After a tune-up, fuel system cleaning (thanks Valvoline) and using non-ethanol fuel, I have seen 32 on some tanks. Was as low as 24 MPG when the car was bought.

Minor repairs, body issues. Running around in a zippy stick shift with a sun roof, and the biggest expense wasn't the actual clutch, but the stuff that controls the clutch. May not be a Toyota, but it is giving one a run for its money as I drive it into the ground. The car will even bark from first to 2nd gear if you want to show off.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 13th September, 2012

1995 Mercury Tracer Trio 1.9 from North America

Summary:

Reliable, affordable go-cart

Faults:

Auto belts gave out at 60K. I delivered pizza in this car for a 3 years. Got in and out of the car and started it upwards of 20 times a day, 3 or 4 days a week. Something else easily could have gone wrong.

Timing belt went @ 60K. $440 to fix in the middle of nowhere Nevada.

A couple months ago the motor failed @ 80K. Something big broke. Probably a rod. Shame because it has so few miles. Most of these cars see 150k. I drove it pretty hard.

General Comments:

I got the deal of the century on this car. It was my Grandma's grocery getter. 30 mpg is common.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 30th November, 2008

1995 Mercury Tracer from North America

Summary:

Best choice for a first car

Faults:

Automatic shoulder belts had failed when I got the car.

Passenger window only rolled down about half way.

Engine had trouble turning over occasionally, but waiting 5 seconds and trying again always worked.

General Comments:

The only thing I didn't love about this car was the automatic transmission... check out the same year of the ford escort for the manual transmission. great car, decent acceleration. I used it for traveling a lot during the first 6 months I owned it, never any problems.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 29th January, 2006

5th Feb 2006, 14:02

I so agree! The Mercury Tracer is my very first car also! I bought it at 89k's. Very good for how much mileage. My seat belt tracks were broke when I got it so that didn't bother me a bit! My alternator died on me at 108k's that was about $50 and my timing belt and something else with it just blew at 120k's and that will cost me about $310...other than that great car!

1995 Mercury Tracer Trio 1.9 from North America

Summary:

Cheap to own, fairly reliable and easy to fix

Faults:

Radiator leak, radiator replaced at 120K miles, low coolant light saved head damage.

Timing belt failed at 110K miles.

One wheel bearing failed at 80K miles.

Front rotors replaced multiple times.

Rear Springs fractured at 130K miles, struts and springs replaced.

Tie rods worn, replaced at 140K miles.

General Comments:

Still original clutch.

Have not replaced water pump.

Great car for snow on road with FWD and skinny tires.

Routinely get over 30MPG.

Handles pretty good, zero float.

Can reach all the window handles from drivers seat.

Seems like sometimes people don't see the car and pull out in front of us, does not happen with the Grand Marquis I also own.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 21st January, 2005

1995 Mercury Tracer 1.9 Gasoline 4 cylinder. from North America

Summary:

A cost-efficient bargain

Faults:

The transmission sometimes doesn't go down to first gear.

The coolant fan died at 135,000 miles.

General Comments:

This car has plenty of pep for such a small engine.

Very cost-efficient and cheap to run.

Gets 31-35 MPG.

However, the seats are poorly-shaped and stiff and uncomfortable.

The stereo system has middle-class quality and has a slight rattle in the speakers when the bass and treble are turned on full.

This car is very good for a daily driver, but would kill your back on a long trip.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 22nd July, 2004

2nd Mar 2007, 03:49

Funny about the seats. We bought the car because my wife needed support for her painful back. We have owned it from 2001 to 2007.