Is the Ford Probe any good?

"Thunderface" (thunderface) 05/06/2015 at 17:37 • Filed to: ford probe

0

27

I know it fared well in the initial tests (back in the nineties), but how have they withstood the test of time?

I think that, visually anyway, it’s held up well. But are there any major faults to worry about? How reliable are they? Which model is best, the 4-cylinder or the V6?

If any Oppo knows about these cars, could you chime in?

armandthegreat > Thunderface 05/06/2015 at 17:40

1

they are pretty good. they actually look really sharp today, the styling has held up pretty well. My dad’s friend just bought one, had it painted at maaco, and I was stunned at how nice it actually looked. Mechanically, they are bone simple, which makes them a favorite of mechanics. BUT they are slow as shit. Like, heinously slow.

GuysGab > Thunderface 05/06/2015 at 17:44

2

I can't remember the last time I saw a Probe on the road.. And considering how many of them were floating around in the 90's, that might be reason for concern.

Here's a Probe forum ( www.probetalk.com ) where you can get the low down on these.

RazoE > Thunderface 05/06/2015 at 17:45

1

They’re pretty good because they’re Mazdas. 1st gens had a turbo 4 cyl (2.2, I believe) or a 3.0L Vulcan V6 (friend had one).

Thunderface > armandthegreat 05/06/2015 at 17:46

0

Apparently the V6 ones could (when new) get to 60 in only 7s...

Will with a W8 races an E30 > Thunderface 05/06/2015 at 17:47

1

There was a Probe GT winning Chumpcar races a few years ago. Haven’t seen them recently though....

Also, fun fact - those wheels on the black probe fit very nicely on an FC RX7.

Thunderface > RazoE 05/06/2015 at 17:49

0

Which get is better?

I kind of prefer the 2nd gen for the style, but the engines are completely different

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Thunderface 05/06/2015 at 17:52

2

Yes, second gens didn’t get the turbo, and they got a 2.5 Mazda V6. They were pretty fun.

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > Thunderface 05/06/2015 at 18:01

3

If you get one, be prepared to get “anal” jokes all the time.

RazoE > Thunderface 05/06/2015 at 18:17

1

What Jordan said. 2nd gens weren’t turbo, and had a smaller V6. 1st gen probe shared a few parts with the FC RX-7, by the way, so there’s that.

jkm7680 > Thunderface 05/06/2015 at 18:24

1

Nope, very few good ones left. Get a P71!

Also, Anal Probe is not a very good nickname for a car.

jkm7680 > Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. 05/06/2015 at 18:26

2

You’ve got to be really anal when inspecting a Probe.

lone_liberal > Thunderface 05/06/2015 at 18:42

2

I owned a ‘96 GT and I thought is was a very good handling and sporty car. The 2.5l Mazda V6 wasn’t the most powerful thing in the world but it would rev up to its 7k RPM redline without a second thought. It was also fairly reliable for me as I only had to replace a water pump and an ignition module. The cam cover gaskets are another problem spot as they tend to leak oil in to the spark plug wells. The driver seat was very comfy and had power adjustable bolsters and lower back support. I don’t really know how it has aged over the years, though, as I sold mine in 2005.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > RazoE 05/06/2015 at 18:57

1

The entire pop-up assembly, and some suspension parts, I believe.

JR1 > Thunderface 05/06/2015 at 19:32

0

I mean it kinda looks like a C5 Corvette and if you use that logic than yes it is very very good.

It's a "Porch-uh" > Thunderface 05/06/2015 at 19:35

2

The first car I bought was a ‘94 GT. I started auto-crossing it, then road racing it in the short-lived Pacific Coast Touring Car Championship. I got classed with Integra Type Rs, so you can guess how that worked out for me. The Probe GT is significantly heavier.

Because it’s basically a slightly different MX-6 it had a decent (but not great) aftermarket support. Throw a big rear anti-sway bar on the back, some coil-overs (or even Eibach springs), and some bigger wheels/tires (FD RX-7 wheels fit perfectly) and it will handle great.

The main issue I had with it (several times) was the rod bearings. I’ve seen some guys running one at LeMons (The Anal Probe) and they keep DnF’ing for that reason.

Roundbadge > Thunderface 05/06/2015 at 19:50

1

I have no experience with them, but I do know that pretty much every Probe that I ever saw in Ohio has pretty much suffered the same fate as the S14 an S15 Nissan 240SXs. Good luck finding a clean, non-beaten-within-an-inch-of-its-life version.

I always wanted a 2nd gen Probe GT myself, though...

Thunderface > lone_liberal 05/06/2015 at 22:11

0

How easy/hard are the back 3 spark plugs to reach on the 2.5?

Thunderface > jkm7680 05/06/2015 at 22:12

0

The only thing keeping me out of a p71 is gas milage

jkm7680 > Thunderface 05/06/2015 at 22:17

0

Fuck that! It's not too bad. Gettt ooooneeee!

Thunderface > jkm7680 05/06/2015 at 22:19

0

Fine. Gimme gas money and I’ll get one.

lone_liberal > Thunderface 05/06/2015 at 22:40

1

Not bad at all. Since it’s an OHC engine they aren’t down low like a pushrod engine would be for a transverse V6.

lone_liberal > Thunderface 05/06/2015 at 22:43

1

Oh, I should also mention that they have timing belts instead of chains so you have to make sure that has been done.

Autofixation > Thunderface 05/06/2015 at 23:12

1

My brother had a few second gen GT’s and they were greatly underrated cars. They handled quite well and he beat the crap out of them. They never gave him any serious trouble, even when he would set the cruise control at 100mph on twisty interstates in WV.

RazoE > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 05/07/2015 at 09:24

0

I think the climate control as well, or the gauges. Something like that.

MM54 > Thunderface 05/07/2015 at 11:10

1

I get 20mpg on the highway easily in mine. It’s a hell of an improvement from the 11 I got when I DD’ed my Chevelle...

Thunderface > MM54 05/07/2015 at 11:41

0

20hwy is still kinda low

SlickMcRick > Thunderface 06/02/2015 at 16:58

1

My dad’s 96 Probe GT was actually the first car I drove. It was properly quick and could do the entire 140mph on the dash with 5 people in it. The main issue with this car was the Autotragic transmission. Go manual or don’t get one at all.