Creative minds behind the Ford Probe had the future in mind when they began the engineering and design works of the coupe. The Ford Probe did manage to stay adrift in the commercial highway for quite a while, capturing the imagination and the fancy of adventurists and sports car collectors from 1989 – 1997. But its succession of shortcomings and unattractive pricing ultimately sealed the Probe’s untimely demise.
The world has seen the glimpses of the Probe ever since the later part of the 70s. It was the time when Ford started to throw around ideas for a car with a futuristic design. Thus, pre-release concept versions from Probe I to Probe V graced car shows from 1979 to 1985. The Ford Probe would have to stay a “concept car” until some four years later.
Meanwhile, having anticipicate the oil price hike in the 1980s, Ford Motors decided to give one of its notable products, the Mustang, a major makeover. Ford, along with its partnership with Mazda (in the AutoAlliance International), initiated the conceptualization and eventual construction of the new design. But as the release date of the new Ford Mustang design drew near, oil prices dropped and suddenly, there was no need to replace the old Mustang. Moreover, Ford Mustang aficionados disliked the Japanese styling of the Mustang’s proposed replacement. The new design was still introduced to the market, though, but it longer carried the Mustang line’s name. Instead, it was renamed as the Ford Probe.
Released in 1989, the Ford Probe’s sales results proved to be minimal. It did not even come close to the Mustang’s market record. In its eight-year market run, the Probe only managed to rake up a measly 837, 273 sold units. And on its final commercial year, Probe’s sales dive-bombed to a mere 32, 505 sold units. Why and how such thing happened can be explained in the following lines.
The initial release of the probe from 1989 – 1992 was based on the Mazda GD platform. Under its hood lay a 2.2L I-4 Mazda F2 powerhouse, which produced just 120hp, while a turbocharged version managed 145hp.
The United States generation of Ford Probes came in three trim levels: the GL, the LX, and the GT. The GL trim was dubbed as the “bare bones” model and retained the 2.2L 120hp engine. The LX version received automatic features in its windows, locks, and mirrors. Since 1990, the LX bore a 3-liter “Vulcan” V6 engine. The GT, on the other hand, inhereted most of the LX’s features but ran with a turbocharged F2T 2.2-liter intercooled engine. The machinery generated 145hp and 190 lb·ft torque. The GT also worked with a 3-way adjustable suspension and variable-assist power steering (VAP), which provides sturdy balance when taking sharp turns. And with its IHI RHB5-VJ11 turbocharger, the GT trim is the most active ride that the Probe can offer.
For easy touch and go, the Probe GT uses an Automatic Adjusting Suspension, a computerized system in Soft, Normal-Auto, and Sport modes that makes acceleration, braking, and corner turns easier to handle at the wheel. Safety concerns are also considerably addressed by the Probe’s 4-star crash test rating.
Late in 1992, the second generation of the Probe entered the US market for the 1993 model year. It came with two trim specs: the GL and the GT. Each trim had its corresponding equipment packages. The GL base offered the 046A and 047A packages, while the GT came up with the 050A and 051A packages.
The GL trim came with a standard 2.0L four-cylinder engine while the GT came with a relatively larger 2.5-liter V6 engine. Both engines came with the choice between a four-speed automatic transmission or a five-speed manual transmission. The latter, though not the best, was the more favored one of the two as the former was deemed a drag and road failure. Furthermore, both engines did have a slew of problems under their belts. These problems included overhearing, sloppy gear shifts, and unstable line pressure, to name a few.
Ford Motors then released a bevy of trims that would hopefully remedy the Probe’s growing list of shortcomings. They released a 1994 trim they called the “Feature Model” with its floor mats embroided with the model name. Then came the SE or Sports Edition trim which came out the same year which boasted 15” aluminum wheels.
Probe’s final year in the market saw the debut of the GTS trim which more or less carried the same engine specs as the regular GT. What was different about this version, though, was that it received some physical alterations. Present were the iconic pair of racing stripes, which came in silver, black, and white.
On the “looks” department, the Probe GT surely takes up the higher ranks. But where it excels in appearance, it fails in the overall quality of its driving experience. It is a weak ride, in a nutshell, and its competitors arguably take the upper hand. But if you’re a rider who believes that style and first impressions are of the essence, then you’ve got the Probe GT as a reasonable option for you.
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