How about a Probe?

[A790]

Hey guys,

I sold the Silvia the other day and now I'm looking for a new car. The requirements were:
- has to been "sporty"
- has to be two door.
- has to be less than 170,000 km's
- has to be a 5 spd.
- has to be under $8500.
- MUST be able to be driven year round.

So I found a 1997 Ford Probe GT. It's carfax is clean, 2 owners before me, 164,000 km's. I'm not too familiar with this car though, so can anyone tell me specifics about it? This one is only $6500, but I'm sure I can get it for $6000.

I'm not interested in opinions that are based on what they've heard or said, I'm looking for people who've owned or driven them.

Here are a couple of pics:



How reliable are they? Are they expensive to maintain, etc. etc. etc.

Thanks guys.

[stevieo]

buy my car, a bit over 170k though. haha

i dunno, the ford probe isn't something in my taste, but i think they share the same platform as the mx-6?

should be peppy though they come in v6 versions too don't they?

good luck on the car search man, buying a car is a big thing, can't pick the wrong one.

[Boosted_TL]

Ford Probelem

http://forums.beyond.ca/showthread.p...hreadid=106970

[Weapon_R]

Not a pick i'd drop $8500 on.

[TEAMFaint]

Get a 5th Gen Celica All-trac
AWD, Turbo, cant go wrong


I've drove a ford probe previously and they are actually very nice driving cars. It wasn't a GT so I can't tell how peppy a GT would be, but the 4 cyl. was decent compared to a lot of other cars. Reliability wise they will be pretty much bang onto MX6 reliablity for they share the same platform.

IMO I wouldn't spend $8500 on a Probe though, I'd go for something a little more reliable. I'd probably try to find a 5th or 6th gen celica OR an Integra, they are definately a wicked vehicle.

Whatever you end up with, hope you're happy with it

[big mooe]

they are not bad cars if u maintain them but i wouldnt pay more then 5k for it

[jaysas_63]

you could do a lot better for 8500

[A790]

Hey guys, the price is only $6000 from the dealer. Feels very solid, everything works well and the cabin is quiet.

Or, should I try and talk him down even lower (he wanted $6888)?

[infected]

For $6000 it sounds alright but you'll definately be missing out on the "pimp" factor. Should have kept the Silvia

[CryoCarnage]

i dotmn get why u sold the silvia in the first place. i cant stand to drive anythign other then RWD or AWD in any weather. RWD in winter kicks ass and personally, i htink its better then FWD.

[A790]

Originally posted by infected
For $6000 it sounds alright but you'll definately be missing out on the "pimp" factor. Should have kept the Silvia

The Silvia was costing me too much basically.

[handsomebassman]

Originally posted by A790


The Silvia was costing me too much basically.

Its nice having a vehicle that doesnt cost you hundreds every couple of days. Ive been down that road.

[Goblin]

Just get some rims

some crappy car and just put some rims on it.

black men could do something in the world but they just go and blow it on rims.




(my somewhat close script of chris rocks stand up)

[Sorath]

ford......

at least they circled the problem

[HRD2PLZ]

Probe Talk Forum

I had a few problems with my Probe, but it was mainly due to the inexperience of the mechanic that had replaced the belts before I bought it. A few years ago I had a 1994 Probe GT. Fun car, service it at Mazda (since its Mazda internals, and Ford doesn't know squat about this car). In all honesty, if I found a good deal on another one ('97 GT or GTS) I would consider it for an occasional car. For one thing, the wheels on the silver one are backwards
I never found my Probe overly expensive to maintain, put it in the same ballpark as the imports. It was brutal in the winter though, the stock P225/50/16 tires aren't winter friendly. If you plan to drive in the winter, make sure to invest in a set of winters. It looks like the only thing the silver one pictured above is missing is the power antenna (not sure if they carried that through to ther '97 models and a sunroof). The GTS package would have added racing stripes and chrome plated wheels.

Good Luck

[infected]

Only the front ones are reversed right?

[CIVIC_MAN]

if you are going to go for a probe definitely get the GT which has 168hp as compared to like 140 or somethin. Its the exact same motor that is in the Mazda Mx-6. The mx-6's have base and LS models just like the Probe has a base and GT. They arent bad cars....ofcourse everyone has something different to say about them. Because when a car is approaching ten years old it has been through many owners' hands, so the abuse SOME probes might take are more than others, making some of them seem like junk when reality they are just victims of abuse. The key is to find a car that was either babied, or an old guy or woman owned it who were the second owners. thats what i did!

[A790]

This particular car has only had 2 owners before me, and it's never been in an accident or written off etc.

LOL, the rims are hilarious.

I think I might pick it up

[habsfan]

i've never really looked into them, the thought of owning a car that makes me think of aliens shoving things in my nether regions is none too appealing to me

but from what i've heard, reliability wise they aren't bad, but there isnt very much aftermarket support for them

[Millsie]

I owned an Mx6 for 4 years. V6, was really nice to drive, never had any major issues except an alternator replacement. Some things to watch out for

1. Listen to it idle. Make sure you start it cold and if it taps, be aware it is a costly, though cosmetic repair. Look up HLA tick on probetalk.com for more info.

2. Early models (93-94), can have crappy rear calipers that seize up. Prob solved 95 and up.

3. Distributor has issues, again later model corrected (95 and up)

4. Mazda techs know it better, but the Ford parts are typically cheaper, so be aware.