WHITBYFREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26,1987. PAGE 15 Mercury Tracer appeals to the f irst-time buyer* By DONNA DONALDSON This is a car wifh get-up and ZOOM. The Mercury Tracer is a Ford import from Taiwan, that I had a chance fo take for a spin at Marigold Lincoln Mercury, at 1120 Dundas St. E., Whitby. Rick Drew, a sales represen- fative af the dealership, chose a gold, fop-of-the-line Tracer LS 4- door hafchback for my test drive. The Mercury Tracer was in- froduced this year, and Drew said they're a big bit. "It's popular in price and size. People seem to like if because if comes as a package." Aufomatic is fhe only option on the Tracer LS and GS, which hap- pens to be the option I chose for my road test over the standard stickshiff. The stickshift gefs ap- proximately 44.45 miles fo the gallon, whereas the automafic will drop three or four miles on the highway. Drew said the Mercury Tracer is the least expensive automobile they have, and appeals to first-time buyers, older couples and as a family's second car. The Tracer L stickshift is $8,585 for a 2-door (automatic is flot available in the L). The GS is $9,899 for a 2-door and $10,193 for a 4-door ($748 extra for automatic>. The Tracer LS is $11,188 for a 2-door; $11,475 for a 4-door (another $748 for automatic.) My route was an unplanned trip down Anderson info the Pringle Creek subdivision, where 1 retraced the course three times. This is a car with comfort, with cloth bucket seafs thaf recline and adjust for leg room. Power steering makes it easy to handle around the corners, as I found out in the Pringle Creek area. confronted by a stop sign while en- 1.6-litre engine. Horsepower is 71 at Tracer LS was the get-up-and-go joying the smooth quick ride. 5000 RPM's. power it had, but in my hands, that The Tracer has a four cylinder, The feature 1 enjoyed best in the could get a person into trouble. RICK DREW of Marigold points out features of the Mer- cury Tracer before a test drive by reporter,] Donna Donaldson. Free Press photo Dr~vng fôrce. SERENGETI DRIVERS ron Curning (.'>rLs.'Tlie first pliotochroi uhgIi-cointrast ctopper-Ieiise.d stingl.Isses. Uniqticly esigned for enhanced visio>n in any dytiïie driving conditio>ns. SER ElFNGjE T1 DRI VERS ey CORNING OPTICS * RIAsEIp Sic 1974 .0 WHITBY OPTICAL 105 COLBORNE ST. W., WHITBY N Ufi 666-3831 ___________________________