Any experience of Probes?

[MrDuke]

Fnarr fnarr.

 

 

Srsly though, has anyone owned or driven a Probe for long enough to offer an informed opinion on them? I'm aware that they're basically a bit crap, but.... pop-up lights! If you can compare the 16v and 24v, then that would be even more helpful. Not that I'm even considering getting one. Oh no.

[Uncle Jimmy]

Aye, when a bloke reaches as certain age.

As for the maligned Ford, better than commonly thought. Rather have Mazda flavour though.

[Mike D]

I had an MX6 and it's one of my favourite cars ever, 2.5V6 manual, it was good on fuel, torquey, handled exceptionally (mine wasn't the 4ws one) and it looked quite nice too. If a probe is anything like as good dynamically go for it.

 

Mazda based parts can be pricey, but it should rarely go wrong

[derskine]

Manager at my work had a Probe from new (1995) until December last year, he seemed to like it but it did break a few times and as I recall wasn't easy to get parts.

Finally gave it the boot when one of the head gaskets blew.

[Doctormop]

Gareth Cheesman thought his was OK!

I had a 2.5 version about 12 years ago and really liked it, handled well, was reliable enough and fuel consumption was not as bad as you might have thought

Only problem was it was blue in colour and everyone at work called me Gareth Cheesman so I got rid of it

[NorfolkNWeigh]

I remember that when they were new Performance Car magazine had a 24v long term test car. After testing the then new V6 Mondeo in basic trim they asked Ford to take back the Probe and kept the Mondeo.

[Uncle Jimmy]

Gareth Cheesman thought his was OK!

I had a 2.5 version about 12 years ago and really liked it, handled well, was reliable enough and fuel consumption was not as bad as you might have thought

Only problem was it was blue in colour and everyone at work called me Gareth Cheesman so I got rid of it

Gareth Cheeseman...where have I heard that name?

[Cavcraft]

Easy, tiger.

[HMC]

Check the glovebox; If there's a Robert palmer cd in there it may well be cheesmans old car.

[robinmasters]

I also read that thread on the blue forum, which started out with a few pictures and the odd sensible comment, and descended into the usual passive aggressive argument about not making any negative comments, bro.

 

Quite fancy a probe though, they're starting to look a bit like something Ed Straker would drive.

[CortinaDave]

There's a lot of haters.

 

I've had 3. Liked them. Mine were the 2.0 and compared to the zetec unit the probe is sluggish. Having said that all three of mine were decent cars, the Achilles heel is the immobiliser which takes out the dizzy when the solder joints dry out.

 

It's quick and easy to bypass if it hasn't been already.

 

A mate owned a v6- it sounded absolutely lovely but was low 20s mpg and because the engine is shoehorned into the bay - difficult to work on.

 

They're not unreliable cars but mechanics seemed never keen to work on them when they did break.

[hairnet]

old man had v6 version mid 20s on the mway and apart from oil changes and tyres didnt go wrong

 

gr12 for high speed standing water pirouette moments tho

 

tough as fook - even after clouting lane 3 barrier at 70 mph

 

he was so impressed he bought another and ran it till he got bored and bought e39

 

im 6 ft and i found it cramped old man is 5' 8 and thought it was ok

[MrDuke]

I actually think the MX6 has the better body shape, but I prefer the styling of the Probe; virtually all the running gear is interchangeable so there's probably not much difference drive-wise. I gather from perusing the UKPOC forum that they're fairly bomb-proof unless massively neglected, and only slightly prone to rot, so that's a bonus. It wouldn't be a daily drive, so there's probably no point going for a 16V. My main dislike is the perversely boring interior, but I'm sure I'd grow to love not hate it eventually.

 

I found the Blu thread quite good, right up until a certain Pretend Moderator started spouting sanctimonious drivel, upon which I had to stop reading in case I accidentally put my fist through the monitor.

[cort1977]

Got to say I think the mx6 is much better looking but no pop up lights. Always think the probe looks very American. Is the cougar much different mechanically?

 

Not helpful, just rambling. As you were.

[Madman Of The People]

Got to say I think the mx6 is much better looking but no pop up lights. Always think the probe looks very American. Is the cougar much different mechanically?

 

Not helpful, just rambling. As you were.

 

 

The Probe and the Cougar are completely different.  The Probe is a re-skinned Mazda whilst the Cougar is a sporty Mondeo.

 

There are no interchangeable parts between them.

[PiperCub]

IIRC wasn't one of the issues with the Probe that of parts supply/maintenance? Never had/driven or worked on one but recall the trade at the time complaining about being unable to get many parts from Ford without a long lead time as they had to come from the US and there was a lack of aftermarket industry support to. Plus weren't alot of the fixings imperial & odd spec items (the battery size springs to mind???) - again 'cos of it's USA origins?

 

IMO should have been the spiritual successor to the Capri, think Ford missed a trick there not exploiting it & developing it more.

 

Oddly, never really liked the Probe (or Cougar) but have a sneaking liking for the MX6 - makes no sense I know.

[burraston2006]

Used to have one about 10 years ago. Mechanically bomb proof but can rust especially around sunroof. The leather interior is plastic in the back the the pop up lights only work when they are switched on ( the don't pop up when you flash the lights!) .Mine was the 24v flavour and I loved it. The only reason it went was the OMGMPG - mid to late 20's.

 

 

This was mine. I sold it 7ish years ago and I still see it around. UKPOC are a great bunch of peeps and I would recommend joining them when you get one!They will never win the grand prix at the lights but once wound up they steam roller most things!

[fordperv]

I would like to own a probe, they seemed to dissappear over night

[Mike D]

This was my MX6, slightly lower on RX7 wheels. I can see me owning another, this time with the spoiler deleted though

 

[Station]

Prefer the above MX6, but given the choice, I'd have neither - they look like they should have those automatic seat belt things. There are better looking cars around that weren't built for the American market.