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.
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.
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