1994 Mercury Tracer

I AM INQUIRING ABOUT THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE I WAS TOLD BY A MECHANIC THAT THIS MAKE AND MODEL HAD CERTAIN DEFECTS WITHIN THE ENGINE AND IT'S PARTS. I HAVE NOT FOUND ANY LISTINGS OF MAJOR RECALL, BUT I HAVE FOUND OTHER LISTINGS REPORTING PROBLEMS LIKE MINE. ARE THESE PROBLEMS THE RESULT OF DEFECT, AGE, IMPROPER PARTS, OR POOR CARE? THE PROBLEMS THAT I HAVE ARE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAKS. I HAVE FOUND THAT MANIFOLD ITSELF IS WARPED. HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE? THE HEAD GASKETS ARE CRAKED. THIS AUTOMOBILE RAN AT A HIGH TEMPERATURE, EVEN AFTER FLUSHING THE RADIATOR. THE CAR COOLED AFTER I TURNED OFF THE AIR CONDITIONER. I FOUND THE THAT CAR HAD THE INCORRECT THERMOSTAT INSTALLED. THIS PARTICULAR PART IS DESIGNED FOR HIGH HEAT READINGS. THE CAR WOULD HAVE TO OVERHEAT BEFORE THE FAN WOULD START. I RECENTLY REPLACED FUEL TANK. THE CAR IS STILL RUNNING, BUT NOT PROPERLY. I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE THIS IF YOU LOOK INTO THIS FOR ME.*AK

DURING THE EVENING MY WIFE, SON AND MYSELF WERE APPROACHING A STOPSIGN WHEN THE TRACER STALLED FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER. UPON TRYING TO RESTART IT A FIRE ERUPTED UNDER THE HOOD EVENTUALLY TOTALLING THE CAR BEFORE THE FIRE DEPT. ARRIVED NOT HAVING ANY INSURANCE I AM STILL OBLIGATED TO PAY THE REMAINDER OF THE NOTE WHICH IS APPROX. 2,300 DOLLARS. HAS THIS EVER HAPPENED BEFORE AND IF SO WHY?