1998 Mercury Tracer vs. 1981 Nissan Leopard
To start off, 1998 Mercury Tracer is newer by 17 year(s). Which means there will be less support and parts availability for 1981 Nissan Leopard. In addition, the cost of maintenance, including insurance, on 1981 Nissan Leopard would be higher. At 1,998 cc (6 cylinders), 1981 Nissan Leopard is equipped with a bigger engine. In terms of performance, 1981 Nissan Leopard (115 HP @ 6000 RPM) has 6 more horse power than 1998 Mercury Tracer. (109 HP @ 5000 RPM) In normal driving conditions, 1981 Nissan Leopard should accelerate faster than 1998 Mercury Tracer. With that said, vehicle weight also plays an important factor in acceleration. 1981 Nissan Leopard weights approximately 54 kg more than 1998 Mercury Tracer. So despite on having greater horse power, its additional weight may have an impact towards its acceleration in comparison.
Because 1981 Nissan Leopard is rear wheel drive (RWD), it offers better handling in dry conditions; in addition, if you are looking to drift, it will be much easier to do with 1981 Nissan Leopard. However, in wet, icy, snow, or gravel driving conditions, 1998 Mercury Tracer, being front wheel drive (FWD), will offer much better control with better grip. With that said, do keep in mind that many other factors such as speed and the wear on your tires can also have significant impact on traction and control. Let's talk about torque, 1998 Mercury Tracer (173 Nm @ 3750 RPM) has 3 more torque (in Nm) than 1981 Nissan Leopard. (170 Nm @ 4400 RPM). This means 1998 Mercury Tracer will have an easier job in driving up hills or pulling heavy equipment than 1981 Nissan Leopard. 1981 Nissan Leopard has automatic transmission and 1998 Mercury Tracer has manual transmission. 1998 Mercury Tracer will offer better control over acceleration and deceleration in addition to better fuel efficiency overall. 1981 Nissan Leopard will be easier to drive especially in heavy traffic.
Compare all specifications:
1998 Mercury Tracer | 1981 Nissan Leopard | |
Make | Mercury | Nissan |
Model | Tracer | Leopard |
Year Released | 1998 | 1981 |
Engine Position | Front | Front |
Engine Size | 1986 cc | 1998 cc |
Engine Cylinders | 4 cylinders | 6 cylinders |
Engine Type | in-line | in-line |
Horse Power | 109 HP | 115 HP |
Engine RPM | 5000 RPM | 6000 RPM |
Torque | 173 Nm | 170 Nm |
Torque RPM | 3750 RPM | 4400 RPM |
Fuel Type | Gasoline | Gasoline |
Drive Type | Front | Rear |
Transmission Type | Manual | Automatic |
Vehicle Weight | 1140 kg | 1194 kg |
Vehicle Length | 4350 mm | 4640 mm |
Vehicle Width | 1700 mm | 1700 mm |
Vehicle Height | 1350 mm | 1360 mm |
Wheelbase Size | 2510 mm | 2630 mm |