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    323 purchase advice?

    Hey!

    I'm looking at buying a 1989 mercury tracer (same as a 323: unless you can educate me about the more important differences).
    It's claimed to have 70,000 original miles (it IS a 6 digit odometer, right? I'll see if it's still turning over too!), they want $800. They just did brakes and a cv axle (big whoop, but it's something), and it needs tires (maybe $400 for cheapies?).

    That's all I know until I see it tomorrow evening.
    What I want from you guys is, what are some common conditions and weak points in this car?

    I have not been a car guy for long; just 2 years. I own a 1989 mercury colony park (crown vic): entirely different vehicle. I know all about the "panther" chassis now and what to look for, and have since helped buy two more.

    I want to know what to look for/ where to look for common problems, or expensive problems, in this car; and if you'd recommend it?
    I want a fuel efficient highway commuting car, which my 4000# 302 cubic inch wagon is definitely not (18mpg averaged). If I mod it for some speed later... well, I might end up doing so, if it doesn't cost an arm and a leg for heads and injectors and whatever is most effective for some HP on these. Another month/ another thread.
    Just need to know if I should buy this.


    Hey, by the way, I was browsing rockauto for a sense of parts availability, and parts cost. Seemed OK for alot of parts, until I noticed the idle air control valve: what is UP with $440?!? An idle air control valve for my grand marquis is $40-$80, and $80 is for ford OE/ motorcraft. Hopefully they never go bad, ever, at that price?


    thanks for the advice!
    I might have a tracer tomorrow night if it checks out :-)
    And in the market for turbos next month, haha.

    #2
    Oh, and, is getting to stuff a shadetree mechanic's nightmare? I have memories of helping a friend do a mere alternator on his passat, and another friend do a steering pump on his lexus, and another friend do an alternator on his saab... some of those accessories can be like a blacksmith's puzzle to get out and in again and the lines/wires/belts hooked up again....

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      #3
      if it has the 1.6, and the crank pulley has even the slightest wobble to it at idle, run away.
      '90 AWD Protege, full GTR drivetrain swap, ~320 whp daily driver, RIP, and
      '90 AWD Protege, yet another GTR swap, Open class rallycar with a Toyota GT4 gearbox swap, thus crossing the line between hobby and mental illness. And a Brabus E55 K8, removing all doubt.
      http://www.wihandyman.com/forum/vbpi...?do=view&g=110
      http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2599486

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        #4
        if it's solid body buy it,you will definately not feel manly nor super hero.but who gives a ...., it may bother you after a while seeing a sea of vehicles that could crush you or have a wheel that costs more than your car.eff em.Oh, and no turbo please.

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          #5
          Not a bad car...easy to work on. One plus is the drive train from a 91-94 Capri XR2 will bolt right in.

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