Used Ford Probe review: 1994-1998

The Probe sports coupe was conceived as a replacement for the ageing Mustang when the iconic Ford lost most of its gloss with American buyers. Ford Probe was going to carry the stampeding horse badge until a few passionate Ford insiders decided to mount a rescue mission and save the endangered horse.

They succeeded and the Mustang carried on in much the same form it had, V8-powered of course, and it eventually came here briefly in 2001. Whether the V6-powered Probe would have kept the Mustang badge alive is now a matter of conjecture, the fact is that it never got the chance. Suffice to say the Mustang is still with us, and the Probe isn’t.

There was good reason to believe the Probe would be a great car. It was the product of a joint venture between Ford and Mazda, and the idea of a car styled in the US with solid reliable Japanese mechanicals underneath was attractive.

What wasn’t quite so evident was that both companies had lost their way at the time and were searching for a future direction.

For Ford, its typically American cars were on the nose with its customers who appreciated the build quality and reliability that came with most Japanese cars and it wanted to get some of those qualities into its own showrooms by cosying up to Mazda.

Mazda meanwhile was in a product slump, and they admit so now that the brand is up and running again with its current crop of neat new cars, so they were down on confidence and trying to rebuild.

It wasn’t the greatest recipe for a new model, and the Probe was caught in the middle. On top of that Ford Australia was thrashing around in a feeding frenzy grabbing every new model that came out overseas and bringing it in without apparent rhyme or reason. It was the Taurus era when the logic of some of the decisions made along mahogany row at Broady was beyond comprehension.

Just four years after its debut in 1994 the Probe quietly slipped into history, replaced by the European-built Cougar, itself now also relegated to history.

MODEL WATCH

Ford’s stylists produced a sexy two-door coupe shape, with pop-up headlights, sculptured sides, large wraparound rear glass and smart body-coloured bumpers. It looked good from all angles and remains an attractive car even now, more than 10 years after it was launched here.

Inside there wasn’t heaps of room, headroom was rather tight which made it cramped for tall people. There was seating in the rear for two, but it’s really cramped and not a comfortable proposition for long periods of time.

The front cloth-trimmed seats were comfortable enough, the driver enjoying power adjustment while the passenger had to make do with fewer adjustments.

Under the saucy skin the Probe was mostly Mazda, based as it was on Mazda’s 626/MX6 platform and with the 626/MX6 mechanical package.

Power was provided by Mazda’s smooth sequential multipoint fuel-injected 2.5-litre quad-cam V6. At its peak the output was 121 kW at 5600 revs and 213 Nm at 5000 revs.

With a variable length intake the V6 pulled enthusiastically from low revs right through to its 7000 rpm red line, demonstrating admirable flexibility throughout.

A five-speed manual gearbox was the standard fare, its ratios were well matched to the engine, its shift light and precise like Mazda’s typically are. There was also a four-speed auto available as an option, but quite why you would want one when there’s such a sweet manual available and such a willing engine under the bonnet is beyond comprehension.

The drive is through the front wheels as you would expect with the Mazda underpinnings, but the handling is quite well balanced and responsive.

MacPherson Strut front and Mazda’s ‘Quadralink’ rear steer rear end combine to give the car a nice balance on the road, but its ride was bone jarring. That was despite the decision to use the softer European suspension settings, which felt better suited to our roads than the American ones Ford’s local engineers felt were much too hard. Even so the Probe relies heavily on its wide 225/50 tyres for its impressive grip.

Steering is power assisted rack and pinion and well weighted at all speeds, and the brakes are ABS-assisted discs all round.

The Probe came with just about everything as standard fitment, from ABS, air-con, dual airbags, cruise, power windows, mirrors and driver’s seat, alarm, remote central locking, immobiliser, radio-cassette sound. The only option available was the auto trans.

Colours were also limited, to red, white, blue and black, and you could only have black trim.

A rear spoiler became standard when the SU replaced the ST in March 1996, while new swirl patterned alloy wheels distinguish the SV released in Feb 1997. By Jan 1998 the Probe was gone.

IN THE SHOP

Most Probes hold their looks, most appear to be well looked after by caring owners and don’t seem to fall into the hands of owners who couldn’t care less about their cars.

Look closely for minor parking lot scrapes down the sides and on the bumpers as they have little to protect them from the everyday traumas of life on the road and parking lot.

Mechanically the Mazda engine, gearbox and driveline tend to stand up well, listen for any grinding noises that might indicate CV joint damage.

Solid body means few squeaks and rattles, and good interior hardware stands up quite well to harsh Aussie sun. Look carefully around the hatch for any distortion that might suggest a rear-ender.

LOOK FOR

• cramped interior can be uncomfortable, and there’s not much room in the rear.

• hard bone-jarring ride will test your back.

• sexy styling still looks good on road today.

• sweet Mazda V6 really sings.

• well equipped with just about everything you could want apart from a CD player.

• nice manual gearbox with smooth precise shift that’s a delight to use.