So maybe the title of this review obviously asks a question that invokes the answer "I wouldn't." There is however some meaning to this title. I bought a 1991 Mercury Tracer LTS from a private owner 2 days ago, 4/20/02, hoping for a reliable 2nd car.

For 1991 The Tracer comes in 3 trim lines, and 2 different body styles, the wagon, 4 door sedan and 4 door sedan LTS. Two engines are also offered; a 1.9 liter engine, and a 1.8 liter Mazda built DOHC engine that pumps out an impressive (for the time period) 127 horse power at 6,500 RPM, and 114 lb-ft of torque at 4,500 RPM, this engine is only available in the LTS 4 door sedan, which happens to be the car I bought.


Driving Impressions:


Off-the-line performance in my LTS sedan matched with a 4-speed automatic was quite strong even with my car's odometer reading 122,000 miles. With an estimated 3,200lb Curb weight(I really don't think this estimate is correct, more like 2,500lbs.), this car moved from the light with no problem whatsoever, the engine would get a little noisy at high RPM but the engine loved to rev, and that is exactly what needed to be done in-order for this car to show you what it was really made of.

Taking to the Streets:

On the freeway the LTS sedan was quiet, and felt very refined, especially for an economy car that was made in 1991. At 70 mph this mini sedan was hardly effected by wind and engine noise. The LTS sedan's 1.8 liter engine made light work of hills, and the automatic transmission did a wonderful job keeping the car in the correct gear.

Handling in the LTS was excellent, the sedan took to the twistys like a pro, and gave me complete confidence while taking sharp turns.

Braking in the Tracer LTS was also good, while not having ABS, the car does boast standard 4 wheel disc brakes which assured excellent stopping power even at high speeds. At 122,000 miles I did not notice any fade while braking whatsoever.

While the EPA rating for the LTS sedan is 26/31 MPG, the owner assured me that she consistently received over 36 MPG, and judging by the fuel gauge during my 200 mile drive with this car, I most definitely believe her.

The Tracer LTS sedan sits on a small 98.4" wheelbase, and has an overall length of 170.9". The LTS has the same 'sporty' suspension found on the FWD Escort GT which consists of Macpherson struts and coil springs.


Interior Accommodation:

The interior of the 1991 Mercury Tracer LTS was quite surprising. The dash was modern, ergonomics are good, and amenities were more than generous for a car in this segment. Cruise control, a relatively excellent sounding Am/Fm cassette player, dual front cup holders, rear defroster, a tachometer, intermittent windshield wipers, AC, and tilt steering wheel were all standard equipment. The LTS boasted plenty of room for a small sedan. The Mercury Tracer LTS was designed for 4 adults and that is exactly what it will cater to without a problem. The seats were all Comfortable and supportive, and the steering wheel wrapped in leather made for a very comfy driving experience. Unfortunately there are no air bags.

Now for the bad and downright ugly!! Reliability Issues. This car was a mess! Here is a list of all the problems I experienced within 200 miles of ownership. During the first 5 miles of ownership the front automatic seat belts went out on both the driver and passenger sides, during the next 195 miles the rear defroster stopped working, the cruise control would go on and then go off suddenly, the cassette player ate one of my tapes, one of the windshield wipers scratched the window, the trunk started leaking, one of the door locks fell off, the other rear door refused to open, and last but certainly not least, on my way home from my trip the transmission, although smooth while it worked, apparently snapped its bands, not only stranding me in the middle of nowhere, but leaving me with a $2,000 dollar repair bill.

Price:

Originally this car ran for around 13,000, today with poor resale value these cars can be picked up for around $2000-$3,000. I paid $2,200 for my Tracer LTS, which is now, after 1 day of ownership, a parts car for my friends Escort GT.

Conclusion:

While the transmission problem might have been an anomaly, since I have bought the car I have heard of other owners having the same problems, sometimes even more severe problems. I suggest looking elsewhere if you are in the market for a used car, cars like the Honda Civic represent a better value in this market.

- Happy car shopping



Amount Paid (US$): 2,200
Condition: Used
Model Year: 1991
Model and Options: Mercury Tracer LTS, 4-speed Automatic