1989 Mercury Tracer Wagon from North America - Comments

Exhaust systems 3 times.

Alternator at at 145,000 miles.

Radiator 3 times.

Struts 3 times. Rear strut mounts rusted out at 130,000 miles.

Fuel filler rusted at 155,000 miles.

Replaced brakes twice, rear cylinders twice, front calipers and brake rotors at 145,000 miles.

Handles well, very good seats.

Would be an excellent highway car if the automatic transmission had o/d or a fourth gear.

The most trouble-free car I've owned. I've put over 100,000 miles on it in 10 years and will really miss it.

Averages 30 mpg in typical suburban driving.

Plenty of cargo space, I've carried tables, clothes washers and driers. and several bicycles at once with the hatch closed.

Poor sounding stereo, due to interior acoustics, replacing speakers and stereo didn't help.

I just purchased a 1989 tracer wagon from a friend for $750.

I got myself a good deal. I stand 6 ft. and weigh 270 lbs, at first I did not think I could fit into the wagon.I`m amazed at the room and comfort. Great gas mileage {30 mpg} and the darn thing is peppy. I`m 57 years old and have owned many cars. This wagon is by far my life time best buy. She has 150,000 miles on her and I hope to get another 100,000 miles out of her. The previous owner took real good care of her and so shall I. Thanks mercury. Mike.

Man you say this is the most trouble free car you ever had? Replaced ex. system 3 times, Radiator 3 times etc.

Man I hate to see the repair list on your worst car that you've owned. Jeeeeesee!!

I should have mentioned radiators and exhaust systems as well as most replacement parts came from junkyard. I didn't think car would last this long. Still runs perfect at 196,000 miles, doesn't leak or burn anything, but it's getting rust around rear wheel arches. It survived a summer with my daughter. I still haven't found a worthy replacement!

Really for a late 80's economy car replacing the exaust is a given and after the stock exaust is replaced it can't really be attributed to mercury, I have replaced the radiator which was cheap. $50 from a junk yard and labor was free. (It's nice to be able to do things yourself) Althogh I had to replace the rear wheel bearings. For refrence the pass side is left hande threads.

I own a 1989 Mercury Tracer Station Wagon myself. I would have to say this car is a great car as far as mileage, great seats, and the stereo sounds spectacular in it and I don't have subs in it...yet. This car is a great car and it does have a lot of pep I have raced several small cars with it and beat them all.

I own a '89 Tracer Wagon, and it has been a great car. But recently we've had problems with the transmission, and smoke shooting out after staling for a while. We've maintained it regularly and have gotten a lot of miles on it, for only getting it for $700. It's comfortable, has moved us several times, and been a good car. We did have to replace an axle and the bearings. The brake lines were also replaced, but what can you expect for an '89, driving on the bumpy, pothole roads of upper Michigan. Despite all the harsh winters and salt, this baby hardly has rust. I would totally buy a Tracer again, if I came across one.

I just got an 98 tracer sw, it has 16000 orig miles for three thousand just hope its worth it.

I just recently bought an '89 Mercury T-Racer for my first car (I am just turning 16) and this thing is AWESOME!!! I bought her for a case of Miller Light ($15.99) and have put less than $200 in it! It is Rust Free, Interior is PERFECT, and only has 75,xxx Miles on her...Plus...she gets bout 35+ MPG!!! Now I'm going to put a sweet sound system in it! Wish me Luck!!!

-Brett.

Just got an '89 Tracer (call it my T-Racer). She's not showroom perfect, but talk about get-up! Only paid $400 with 138,000 miles on it. (Had to find something fuel economic to drive when it's not snowing here in Minnesota.) Needs some exhaust work (too loud for sensitive ears). Has an electrical quirk, but that's not a big problem. Wish it had O/D or was a manual. Feel like the darn little thing is going to explode when highway driving. :) But I'd much rather drive one of these older, no-frills cars than the newer stuff! DEPENDABLE!!! Only ONE recall on this puppy versus ongoing list for the Focus.