~ Handling
~ Appearance

~ Cost of repairs ~ small engine
~ Paint job ~ gas mileage
~ HP

I absolutly love my ford probe. I think it may just be the look though. The pick up isn't that great, although I can't complain because it only has 118 horse since it's a base model. The paint tends to chip alot and now I need a new paint job very shortly. The car tends to have problems with the belts making alot of noise when the car starts. It is a cute car if you tend to not depend on it. To say again though, I do love my car. Do think twice though when buying a base or SE model, I would go with a GT model if I were to do it over again.

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1995 Nissan Sentra. Nissans are an awsome values and it's hard to compare to a ford Probe.

very nice interior, even though it is a '94 the interior looks very new and up to date. has more features than many new cars. great power driver seat. excellent handling. awesome pick up. many compliments!!! people still continue to ask me when i plan on selling cause they want to buy. the greatest feature of all is racing and beating all of my friends.

PAINT JOB.......clearcoat damage, air condition belt sometimes sqeaks (has been fixed a couple of times, but right when i get it back it does the same thing. the body shop will not admit that they didn't fix it and still continue to charge me and complain 'bout how hard it is to get to the belt.) power windows squeak on hot days when putting them up and down (ONLY SOMETIMES). at high speeds the windows make a very annoying whistling sound. someone has pulled my power antenna up when my car was off and they messed up the motor and antenna, and it will cost $250 to replace it...... VERY EXPENSIVE PARTS!!!

My parents bought this car for my 16th birthday, and I just fell in luv with it. Mostly because I was afraid that I was goin' to get a '89 Ford Escort (I have had nightmares 'bout this car). It had 90K miles when I got it, it now has 126K. I have had it for almost 2 years in October and just 3 days ago I thought it was DONE, my parents were very upset cause they only have 2 more payments left to pay. I was parked with the air running and one of my fans broke and the car overheated and I thought I had blown up the motor, but thank god that wasn't the case. My dad came and checked it out and it was ok to drive home as long as I didn't use the air condition. But other than that incident there hasn't been any serious problems where I couldn't drive it. The only time it has ever died was that case I just explained, and it started right up then I parked it. This car has got many good compliments and I don't think I could have asked for a better first car, especially since I don't have to pay for anything but I would if I had a job. I am planning on keeping this car for the rest of my life not to drive but to just keep cause it is my first car and I'm kinda attached to her.

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This is my first car.

Its looks great and Its american with japanese reliablity

Lack of horsepower (but can be modified)

I have found this car to be one of the funnest cars I have ever owned. Its overall performance is good but could be better. Thats why I have added many new things too it. If anyone is looking for aftermarket parts email me and I can point you in the right direction on what to get and where to get it.

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None

Super reliability. great gas millege

NONE

GREAT CAR, drove it for 4 years. put 80,000 miles on it. sold it with 220,000 miles. car runs forever, and i beat the hell out of it. i raced everyone. 4cylinder with automatic. i never told anyone that i put a supercharger on it. woops. the 1995 cammaro never new what hit him.

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1995 camaro V6 killed it
1989 berreta killed it
1993 probe GT killed it
corrsica bye bye

Excellent handling.
Quick acceleration.
Low maintenance.

Sqeaks and rattles.
Back seat passengers need short legs.
If only it had more horses...

An inexpensive sports coupe with wonderful handling. While I have no experience with the 4 Cylinder SE and base models, the Probe GT, with a 24 Valve V6 and upgraded suspension is an outstanding value for a used sports car.
The Madza 2.5L V6 in the GT model has a broad torque band providing 164 ft/lbs at 4000 RPM (Redline at 7000). Coupled with the stiff but reasonably light body and a fairly good 5 speed manual transmission, the engine provides excellent acceleration for the class. Some newer model cars from the same class provide better acceleration. In a drag race, the Probe has several close competitors from the mid 90's - VTEC Honda Preludes are a very close match. Braking is also very good, although the stock rotors (vented disks front, solid disks rear) and pads are susceptible to fade during track or aggressive mountain driving.

The best aspect of the Probe GT is unquestionably the handling. The Probe GT's handling is among the best available in a front wheel drive car, and is quite good even by the standards of more expensive rear wheel drive sports cars. Dry weather grip is outstanding with decent tires, and wet weather grip (with all season radials) is more than adequate for safety. The stiff, well balanced suspension allows for very hard cornering at high or low speeds. Road surface and traction status is accurately transmitted to the driver. The car remains stable through rapid transitions and when approaching the edge of adhesion. The Probe GT is even predictable after being pushed too far - this car will do everything possible to keep you on the road with the shiny side up.

Note: 94+ models have a softer suspension providing "better ride quality" and more ground clearance. This problem is easily solved with aftermarket suspension parts.

My 93 Probe GT with 80,000 miles has had an excellent maintenance and repair history. Besides scheduled maintenance and normal wear (tires, brakes, and clutch surface), I've had to replace the radiator, a vaccum hose, the O2 sensors, the catalytic converter, and the radio mast. Not bad for 9 years of brutal abuse. The previous owner (1993-1998) had
no repair problems except for one or two service recalls, which were performed at no charge during regular maintenance intervals.
Other Probe GT owners have reported potential problems with paint chipping, paint fading, CV boots, O2 sensors, and valve lifters (avoidable with regular maintenance and high quality oil). Of these common problems, I've only experienced the O2 sensor failure, after 7 years and 65,000 miles of use. I have a white Probe, which does not seem to share the paint problems common with other colors. I can see rebuilt CV boots in my near future, but attribute this common failure to the (almost) universal tendency for Probe owners to forget they are supposed to brake before turns or corners.
As with every other Ford vehicle I've driven, the car's interior comes standard with numerous untracable squeeks and rattles. On the Probe, these are especially prominent on bumpy roads. I've found this problem easily avoided with a loud stereo and/or open windows. Open windows enrich the experience of driving this car on windy mountain roads, and my car is equipped with the premium sound system, so this problem rarely bothers me.
The car is fairly roomy for a two door coupe. Adult passengers in the rear seats often feel their legs cramped, but have adequate head room and seat width. Front passengers have more than enough space. As the Probe is a fairly long car, the trunk is quite spacious, especially with the rear seats folded down. I've moved tall bookshelves with the hatchback closed.

The Probe has serious shortcomings as a general purpose people mover. If only moving one or two people, who are willing to sacrifice creature comforts for a more fulfilling experience, the Probe does quite well.

If considering a Probe, also look at the Mazda MX-6, which is almost identical mechanically.

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Mustang LX 5.0: Faster in a straight line, slower in a sqiggly one.
Honda Prelude SH: close competition with a better build quality.
Honda S2000: Very similiar ride quality, all around better car.

Great acceleration for 120hp, huge trunk, headlights light up the road well, moonroof, power everything, nice looking, handling is excellent, especially around corners.

Hatch hydraulics dead, backseat useless for passengers, wind-noise in the doors, picky about shifting into reverse, lousy MPG for a 4cyl, large blind-spot.

My parents were about to buy a 2000 Camry, and I was tired of my Saturn, so I took the Probe and they traded the Saturn. I learned how to drive a standard on this car, and it was very easy. I have the 4 cyl. DOHC engine, and it has more acceleration than one would think. Being a 5 spd. probably is the key here, but I can come out of a stop light faster than a lot of cars with more HP. Nice looking car, although I don't care for the color (red). Everyone else obviously does though, since people stare at it all the time (I am unsure of the reason for this, it's a common car, and I know I wouldn't be staring at one if I saw it). The moonroof is great, I can pass anyone easily, the handling is great, and I haven't had any big repairs yet (knock on wood). It's a fun car to drive, but only if you have one passenger. It has a lot more room than some sports cars, but the driver's seat is too cramped for my fiance (huge trunk though, and the back seats fold down). The bucket seats are comfortable, but they could have more lower back support. Overall, this car has been fun; but as I get past 65k miles, I wonder about it's upcoming reliability. It has a Mazda engine, but that's not exactly a comfort since it was their worst engine. I really love this car, but since I drive over 100 miles a day, my next car will be a Honda/Acura or a Subaru WRX. I like the reliability of those cars.

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1985 Olsmobile Cutlass Ciera GT: was an automatic, but also a V6, had a lot of power. More room too, since it was a sedan. Very comfortable. I liked this car, but I do prefer a standard.
1996 Saturn SL1: Probe has sooo much more power. Saturn wasn't very nice looking, had to repair it early on, but it had a great safety rating. Would take the Probe over the SL1 any day due to Saturn's accel. probelms (Saturn was also a 5spd.)

Fuel economy, acceleration for a 4 cyl, looks, handling, and interior.

Cost of parts, rear seat room.

So far I have had minimal problems with my probe. I do all my own maintence and have performed some mods including my intake, electrical, and exaust. I usually have no problem going by Hondas, Acuras, Talons and several 6 cyl cars.

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I have had several cars including a bronco 2 6cyl, honda accord 2.0. There is no comparison. My probe walks all over anything i ever owned.

Handeling was at the top of its class.
Good exceleration when running right!

Problems, Problems, and more Problems!
Part prices are ridiculouse!

I am sorry but this car was nothing but trouble for me from day one! I had to replace all 4 02 sensors, valve cover gaskets, Vaf air flow sensor 3 times!, throttle position sensor, spark plug wires 5 times!, both cv joints, catalytic converter, and finally the main ECU went! all this under 50,000 miles.

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I cannot quit think of any other car that this one compares to!