Head gasket blew at 172,000 due to stuck thermostat.
I'll be expecting to surpass 200,000 miles with this car. At 173,000 still has original clutch and still drives well. I have has this over 100 mph numerous times for short periods. I think we both need to blow out the carbon on occassion. Thishas been a GREAT car- a real blessing.
Yes, I agree, the Mercury Tracer is a great car.
I own a 1993 Tracer with 245,700 miles and is still going strong. I bought it in March '05 and I have put 12,000 miles on it since and NO problems at all. No oil burning or leaks...
Just great dependable service, never has left me stranded.
The only money I've spent is on 4 oil changes and 1 transmission fluid/ filter change.
I highly recommend this car to anyone!
I agree with both commenters. I routinely operate my tracer at speeds in excess of 150kph with no complaints.
I remember test driving this car when new. Unfortunately, I ended up getting another car at the time. But that limited test drive really really impressed me! If all American cars (regardless of where built) could offer reliability, practicality, and a great fun-to-drive quotient like the Tracer does, the American auto business wouldn't be in trouble.
Congrats to all on owning this underappreciated and very cool car.
I'm the person who wrote the first comment on this review.
It is the 6th of January and I still encountered NO problems with this car and it is my daily driver.
But I plan to have the timing belt replaced on the car in the next few weeks. (As part of normal maintainance.)
I have the oil changed every 3,000 miles and I never have to add any in between these changes.
By contrast my brother's 1999 Toyota Corolla uses 1 quart of oil every 3,000 miles and my Tracer has twice the mileage it has.
See, we don't always have to buy an import for reliability!
Apparently we do not.
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