Ford Probe

Price Paid:  $18000.00 from Boggus Ford

Year / Model Reviewed:
2004 Probe SE

Summary:
Bought the car in 1995. 294 miles on odometer for delivery from another city. Currently has 33,000 miles on odometer. I have replaced the alternator 4 times. The water pump went out and needed replaced recently, the brakes are a continuing problem. The car used to run so quietly you had to REALLY listen-but now sounds like a lawn mower. The linkage between the carburetor and transmission broke last year--over $800 to repair. The factory paint job did not last. The heat here in Texas had my teal metal fleck looking like a spotted heifer. Paint job at the local body shop---$1200.00. Yesterday, driving to work (3 miles)-an unusual noise???---RPMs went way up-vehicle barely moving--got to the office-called for a tow. The oil pump went out and the screen was occluded and burst.
They don't know yet if pieces of the screen went into the valves. Mechanic is quoting $847 at this time-but they don't know if they'll have to work on the valves until they get the oil stuff finished and can try to start the engine.

Strengths:
It's a pretty car and normally has good pick up and power-when it's running well. It's been fairly dependable,but, it seems when there's a problem--it's a real wallet buster.

Weaknesses:
Those have been identified in the Review Summary. The most frequent problem is the alternator. I don't use the AC often since I have such a short trip to work and the radio/cd player(not stock)-picks up engine noise and hums over the broadcast, so, it's not used either. I've been very,very good to this car-but it's not returning the favor.

Similar Products Used:
none

Price Paid:  $10000.00

Year / Model Reviewed:
1997 Probe GT

Summary:
I have an example from the last year of production. Over 7 years and 80K mi of ownership I have developed feelings for the car. It really is a fun car to drive. I think people often forget that this car was the class leader in the early-mid 90's, until the market responded with the revised Integra GS-R and turbocharged Eclipses. Even after that, the Probe GT compared favorably, at least in the eyes of American car enthusiasts. Most people know the car is an American-assembled Japanese-American mix with a Mazda chassis and powertrain. The engine is smooth and torquey and is mated with a very smooth 5 speed with slightly short gear ratios -- resulting in good acceleration but high 5th gear revs on the highway (4K RPM @ 80mph). Fuel economy is not very impressive compared to more contemporary engines (I get roughly 20mpg local) with the same output. Chassis performance is acceptable although not particularly stiff compared to today's sportier compacts. Ford was generous with the tire size at 225 front and back, which is somewhat of a crude way to solve handling and traction problems from this front heavy vehicle but it does get the job done. The suspension is noticably firmer than most cars, which is a great thing for enthusiasts since suspension is often one of the most compromised components in designing sporty coupes (although the Probe is tehcnically a hatch. The shape of the rear hatch gives the car a coupe-like appearance). From the outside, the car is styled and therefore the looks either still impress people or look very dated. I happen to like the exterior, but then again, I do own one. It is worth noting that at the time of production this car had the lowest coefficient of drag of any Ford.

From a driving standpoint this car delivers what one may not expect from numbers alone. The seats are supportive and at least in my GT, the lower back and adjustable lumbar hold the driver in place even under higher lateral loads. A nice medium between a regular and racing seat. I feel the steering ratio is a bit slow for my taste but works well at the limit in this front-driver. Clutch feel is very Mazda-like and the brake pedal is sensitive and will take adjustment time before you can modulate it well. Pedal placement is good and any configuration of your feet on the 3 pedals is doable. The car approaches its limits very gracefully and traction runs out gradually enough that you can adjust the gas to compensate. Textbook front wheel drive techniques work well with this car. Overall this car is much sportier feeling and fun to drive than faster cars such as today's Impreza WRX. In a straight line the car can do an honest 0-60 in the 7 seconds range and quarter in the 15's, which is fine by me. I do not drag race the car though, so during spirited driving on windy roads I would prefer lower weight and a little more weight distribution to the rear.

Maintainence issues have been so-so. I have had no major problems with my car, but apparently this is not the case with most Probe GT owners as this car is not known for reliability. But, I have driven the car hard for 7 years and I have taken care of it both in and out of use. I should note if you are just some moron looking for a car to dump the clutch at streetlights you should probably stay away from this car. If you are a true car enthusiast that can appreciate many aspects of the car you are driving, this car has lots to offer.

Strengths:
-Genuine sporty feel
-Wide tires
-Safe handling charatceristics when driven hard

Weaknesses:
-Weight distribution
-Clutch durability

Price Paid:  $35000.00 from Titan Ford (Australi

Summary:
It''s my first new car and the best car I''ve owned. Great for cruising the miles of roads we have in Oz. Had the paint treated from new and it still beads after 4 years. I get the feeling the right-hand drive export models were built with better quality control as everyone I know who has a Probe is quite happy with them.

Strengths:
Great looking car, turns heads (not that many in Australia) Performance and handling are exceptional along with the standard stereo.

Weaknesses:
Service costs are expensive mainly due to the exchange rate. (1 US$ buys you 2 Ozzie $) I''ve done 100,000 km and am still using the original brakes (country driving) All I had to replace was the timing belt, drive belts, timing belt tensioner and electric aerial

Similar Products Used:
1972 Mach 1 Mustang has the brute power but the probe has definetly got the smoothness

Year / Model Reviewed:
1997 Ford Probe, Base Model

Summary:
I paid $10K for mine. Came with chipped paint. I'd have to say that was the only downside to the car. Everything is fine. Fun to drive. With a few inexpensive mods, it becomes a chic magnet. Definitely worth the money. Now, only if it had more horses under the hood . . .

Strengths:
*very good looks
*handles very well
*like the pop-up headlights
*good performance for the price

Weaknesses:
*paint
*sometimes vibrates when stopped
*could use more horsepower
*EXPENSIVE to repair. Car insurance skyrocketed because of that.

Similar Products Used:
None

Price Paid:  $5000.00 from K&R Motor Sales

Year / Model Reviewed:
1997 Ford Probe SE 2.0L DOHC 16v I4 MTX

Summary:
After deciding to move on from my last "family" car, I was open to a world of "teenager" cars. I decided that I would go with a 1997 Probe that had been sittin on a lot near our house. I always wanted a probe, and WOW, it was more then I could have asked for! I absolutly LOVE the way she handles, and it''s amazing just how easy it is to pick up chicks now! For only 118 HP, this little 4 banger really has a punch! While lacking in the low-end power, she makes up for it in the high end! However, if you buy a used car, MAKE SURE that you are aware of the past owner''s driving styles! The car that I bought looked and ran GREAT, but after I looked into the history, I prepared myself for some enormous blows! I found out that my car was from Detroit, and that whoever owned it beat the @#$% outta it, and I saw it coming....A New Transmission ($1200) Clutch ($400) Alternator ($300) Spark Plugs and wiring ($100) Front and Rear Brake pads ($200) Front Brake Rotors ($150) The ONLY reason for these repairs is because there was HEAVY abuse on most of the car, and she was still holding together, so I wasn''t holding it against the car. This car is a rather expensive car to take care of, but really, if you have a car that has been well maintained, you will love her to death, because they run GREAT otherwise! Through thick and thin, I truthfully would not trade this car in, even after all I have been though! Highly recommened to anyone who is up for a smooth, sleek ride!

Strengths:
Smooth look and acceleration, GREAT cornering, SWEET gas milage (35-37 mpg), and very comfy

Weaknesses:
Lacks low-end power, back seat may as well not be there, somewhat expensive repairs and upkeep

Similar Products Used:
Never seen anything like her! She''s in a class of her own!