after recently crashing my baby - 2002 alero - i've come into the posession of an old school mercury tracer.
basically, i was wondering if this car would do good by me as a local getaround car. anybody own one before/have experience with one? .........................

THE ONLY TRUE CURRENCY IN THIS BANKRUPT WORLD IS WHAT WE SHARE WITH SOMEONE ELSE WHEN WE'RE UNCOOL.

Eesh, I wasn't even aware of that model. Anyway, any car should really do you well as long as it's in good shape when you get it. If the engine runs sound, the car rolls without any funky noises and things generally work I doubt you'll have too much problem. Just keep up with the regular maintenance, and if it's a used car, perform some maintenance as soon as you can; plugs, wires, points/cap, air filter, oil..... keeping up on these things will help make sure it stays running well for a while. .........................
RIAA Radar

My dad had several generations of Tracer/Escort.  Expect to replace starter, shocks & springs, maybe power steering pump if they haven't already been replaced.  In addition to skeezer's comments on general consumables, I would replace hoses and belts.

oh geez.
i probably should have simply bought a vehicle that's in better condition for an extra couple hundred bucks.

thanks for the info .........................

THE ONLY TRUE CURRENCY IN THIS BANKRUPT WORLD IS WHAT WE SHARE WITH SOMEONE ELSE WHEN WE'RE UNCOOL.