1988 Mercury Tracer Station Wagon Dimensions, Size & Specs

The curb weight of the 1988 Mercury Tracer Station Wagon falls between 1120 kg and 1145 kg (2,469 to 2,524 pounds). This relatively light weight for a station wagon contributes to nimble handling and improved fuel efficiency, while still offering stability and comfort. The lighter curb weight also means that the vehicle can accelerate and brake effectively, making it a practical choice for both city commutes and longer drives.

The Mercury Tracer Station Wagon offers a generous luggage capacity of approximately 865 liters (30.5 cubic feet). This volume provides substantial storage space for luggage, groceries, sports equipment, or other cargo, making it a practical vehicle for families or individuals needing versatile space. The station wagon layout enhances utility by allowing a more expansive and easily accessible cargo area compared to sedans.

Yes, the Mercury Tracer Station Wagon's dimensions allow it to fit comfortably into a standard residential garage. The typical garage door width ranges from 2.4 meters to 2.7 meters (94.5 to 106.3 inches), and the Tracer’s maximum width is about 1700 mm (66.9 inches). Its length, up to approximately 4.39 meters (172.8 inches), is also compatible with most standard garage depths. Its relatively low height further ensures clearance inside most typical garages.

The 1988 Mercury Tracer Station Wagon was developed as part of a transition to a more compact and efficient vehicle platform. Compared to its predecessor, it generally features slightly reduced or similar exterior dimensions, emphasizing more streamlined and modern station wagon design. The focus was on maintaining interior space and utility while improving maneuverability. Its length and width allowed better city handling compared to larger, earlier station wagons, all while slightly improving fuel economy and load capacity.

The Mercury Tracer Station Wagon is comparable in size to other compact station wagons of its era, such as the Ford Escort Wagon and the Chevrolet Corsica Wagon. Its length of approximately 4.35 to 4.39 meters (171.3 to 172.8 inches) and width near 1.7 meters (66.9 inches) make it slightly smaller than some mid-size wagons but competitive within the compact segment. This balance offered practicality in cargo space and passenger comfort while maintaining ease of maneuverability in urban environments.

The Mercury Tracer Station Wagon comes equipped with 14-inch rims paired with tires sized either 175/65 R14 or 185/65 R14. These tire sizes provide a good balance between ride comfort, handling, and fuel efficiency. The relatively narrow and taller profile tires help absorb road imperfections and improve traction, which is ideal for the car's intended role as a family-friendly station wagon with reliable day-to-day performance.

The Mercury Tracer Station Wagon offers seating for five passengers, with two front bucket seats and a rear bench seat. The interior space is optimized for comfort within its compact dimensions. The station wagon design provides enhanced headroom and legroom compared to similar compact sedans of the era. The rear seats can typically be folded down to expand the cargo area, increasing versatility for transporting larger items or more luggage.

Starting with the 1988 model year, the Mercury Tracer Station Wagon was introduced as a practical, compact family vehicle with a focus on fuel efficiency, utility, and modern styling. Key updates included improved aerodynamics, a shift to front-wheel drive, and a design shared with Ford Escort variants, encouraging parts commonality and cost efficiency. The station wagon body style emphasized cargo capacity and passenger comfort, making it a versatile option for diverse driver needs.

Owners of the 1988 Mercury Tracer Station Wagon should focus on routine maintenance such as regular oil changes, brake inspections, and timely replacement of wear items like tires and belts to ensure longevity. Given its production span until 2001, the car generally features reliable engineering typical of late 1980s American compacts but may encounter age-related issues like suspension wear or corrosion in certain climates. Paying attention to cooling system maintenance and transmission fluid changes will also help preserve driving performance.