1
0
Sporty/performance car; Built in USA
  • 2-door hatchback
  • transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive
Good condition price range: $1,300 – $2,400*


1993 Ford Probe GT


1993 Ford Probe GT


1994 Ford Probe GT


1995 Ford Probe GT


1995 Ford Probe GT

Pros:
  • Acceleration (V6)
  • Antilock brakes (optional)
  • Cargo room
  • Steering/handling (GT)
  • Visibility
Cons:
  • Automatic-transmission performance
  • Rear-seat room
  • Ride (GT)

Significantly improved over the first (1989-92) generation, the latest Probe delivers plenty of punch and prowess for its price.

Overview

Redesigned for 1993, Ford’s front-drive Probe again emanated from the same Michigan factory as the Mazda MX-6 and shared that car’s chassis components. But each coupe is uniquely styled. Probe is a sleek 2-door hatchback, whereas Mazda’s MX-6 is a 2-door notchback coupe.The Probe’s wheelbase grew by four inches, overall length by two, but interior dimensions changed little. A driver-side airbag was standard. Base Probes carry a twin-cam 4-cylinder engine; GTs, a 2.5-liter V6. All-disc brakes bring the GT to a halt, while base Probes employ rear drums. Antilocking was optional on both models.

Yearly Updates

1994 Probe
A passenger-side airbag was added for 1994, joining the one on the driver’s side. A Sport Option Package could give the base-model Probe an appearance similar to the more assertive GT coupe.
1995 Probe
Except for new taillights, little change was evident on the 1995 Probes.
1996 Probe
In response to criticism of the GT’s harsh ride, engineers installed softer struts and springs.
1997 Probe
Toward the end of the model year Ford announced the Probe would be dropped for ’98, along with three other slow-selling models.

Engines

transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive

A dual-overhead-cam 4-cylinder engine powered base Probes in 1993, developing 115 horsepower. The GT coupe held a 164-horsepower V6, also of dual-overhead-cam configuration. Both engines are Mazda designs. No more turbocharged engines were available. A 5-speed manual transmission was standard; 4-speed overdrive automatic optional. Except for a slight horsepower/torque boost in 1995 for the 4-cylinder engine, and a mild V6 torque increase the year before, powertrains saw no change in this period.

dohc I4
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 2.0/122
Engine HP 115-118
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 124-127
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
5-speed manual
4-speed automatic 		26/33
23/31 		22.2
dohc V6
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 2.5/153
Engine HP 164
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 156-160
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
5-speed manual
4-speed automatic 		21/27
20/26

Road Test

Acceleration is excellent with the GT’s V6 and standard 5-speed gearbox. Action from the 4-cylinder engine is adequate, at least with manual shift. Performance lags with optional 4-speed automatic, which is also slow to downshift. The engine’s low-end torque simply isn’t sufficient to move the car off with any degree of real vigor. Even the V6 engine feels somewhat sluggish with automatic.

Base-model handling is secure and sporty. Firm suspension tuning and low-profile tires give the GT sharp, agile handling and a secure grip. In exchange, you can expect to endure a harsher, more jittery ride. A Probe GT jiggles on roads that feel smooth in the MX-6 LS. That level of roughness can lead to fatigue on a long trip. Base Probes are softer suspended for a better ride, without losing much handling competence. Ford softened the GT’s suspension for 1996, but tires are still stiff so the ride isn’t a whole lot better.

Visibility is better than in most sport coupes, due to the low cowl and relatively slim roof pillars. Space is adequate up front. Space is scant in back for grownups. Cargo room ranks as generous, especially with the split rear seatback folded down, though the rear sill is quite tall. The modern dashboard is neatly laid out, though climate and radio controls don’t fall too easily to hand.

Ratings

Model Tested: 1996 Ford Probe GT

Ratings values are on a 1-10 scale, with 10 being the best. With the exception of Value, these numbers reflect how the vehicle compares against the universe of vehicles, not just against rivals in its class.

Performance

Acceleration - 7
70%
Fuel Economy - 5
50%
Ride Quality - 3
30%
Steering/Handling - 6
60%
Quietness - 4
40%

Accommodations

Controls/Materials - 5
50%
Room/Comfort Front - 5
50%
Room/Comfort Rear - 3
30%
Cargo Room - 3
30%

Other

Value - 7
70%

Total: 48

Specifications

2-door hatchback
Wheelbase (in.) Length (in.) Width (in.) Height (in.) Weight (lbs)
102.8 178.7 69.8 51.6
Cargo Volume (cu/ft) Payload Capacity (cu/ft) Fuel Capacity (gal.) Seating Capacity
18.0 15.5 4
Headroom Legroom
Front Rear Front Rear
37.8 34.8 43.1 28.5
Safety Ratings

Model Tested: 1997 Probe 2-door hatchback

NHTSA

(5 is the highest rating)

Front Impact Test

Driver Injury - 5
100%
Front Passenger Injury - 4
80%

Side Impact Test

Driver Injury - N/A
N/A0%
Rear Passenger Injury - N/A
N/A0%

HLDI

(A score of 100 is average. Lower is better)

Collision 151
Injury 128
Theft 119

Trouble Spots

Engine stalling
Description: If the engine stalls when the transmission is shifted into drive, the problem may be a cracked mass airflow snorkel tube. (1993-94)
Fuel gauge
Description: The fuel gauge may only read 3/4 full when the tank is full because the fuel return line is bent and interferes with the sender in the tank. (1995-96)
Heater core
Description: Installing a restrictor in the heater inlet hose may repair heater core leaks. (1993-97)
Transaxle leak
Description: Transmission fluid may leak from the vent hole of automatic transmission. A revised vent tube is available. (1995-96)
Transmission leak
Description: Automatic transmission fluid leaks from the vent and gives the appearance of a leak at the cooler lines or main control cover. (1994-96)

Recall History

1993
Description: Lower pivot pin that joins liftgate gas strut to body can separate from mounting bracket due to undersized rivet head; liftgate could descend suddenly, resulting in potential injury.
1993-97
Description: Certain SPX Filtran fuel filters may leak.
1994
Description: Passenger-side airbag on small number of cars can detach from, and deform, the mounting bracket if it deploys during an accident and no one is occupying that seating position.
1995
Description: On some cars, passenger airbag may not inflate properly; also, igniter end cap can separate, causing hot gases to be released.
1996
Description: Supplementary inflatable restraint caution label on driver’s sunvisor does not contain proper warning that rearward-facing child safety seats should not be installed in front passenger seat position.
1997
Description: External spring in timing belt tensioner can break, get caught in belt, and result in engine stalling.

Equipment Lists

Equipment lists are only viewable on larger screen sizes.

Pricing

Used-car pricing varies widely depending on local market conditions. Therefore, we recommend visiting websites that list used cars for sale to get a better idea of what a specific model is selling for in your area.

More about Tom Appel
Written by: Tom Appel on July 10, 2014.
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