The Ford Probe Automatic is an American Ford built on Mazda underpinnings, and it arrived as a replacement for the Capri. It carried a US image straight out of the 1990s, the sort of look you link with MTV, Coke and Levi’s. Cool, in short, and that is why people still search for a Ford Probe today.
Buyers did not flood the showrooms on either side of the Atlantic, so dealers often handed out a discount. Both the four-cylinder and the six-cylinder cars were generously equipped and drove well, and both looked stylish. The image still never quite landed, and the engine you pick matters more than the badge.
Ford Europe needed an answer to the Vauxhall Calibra, the VW Corrado and the Toyota Celica, all four-seater sports coupés. By 1995 the car already drew sniggers, and after 30 years the ridiculed coupe still gets them. A mint example now costs a fraction of the price, so a bullied car becomes a smart buy. Some people buy one on impulse from eBay, find a cheap car, and then spend money sorting the gearbox and engine.
History
The first generation never reached the UK because it came only in left-hand drive. The new car landed in March 1994 in right-hand drive for Japan, Australia and the UK. It followed the 1988-’92 Probe as the second-generation car, and Ford pitched it as one of its global cars.
Under the skin, the car sits on a Mazda platform and shares its drivetrain and production line with the MX-6. Even a Haynes repair manual covers both, which shows how close those underpinnings are. The sales brochure skipped this, and the NC Mazda RX-7 even lent its headlight motor.
Two versions went on sale. One was the 2.0-litre 16-valve base model, and the other was the 2.5-litre 24-valve V6, which Ford called the 24V. The sunroof became standard on the four-cylinder in June 1995. The 1997 model year brought new wheels, better stereos and leather upholstery, and UK sales ended in 1998 when the Cougar took over.
Inside, the interior styling feels restrained and not glitzy, apart from the chunky steering wheel. The car drives through the front-wheel drive layout, and its aerodynamic shape matches the concept cars that gave it the name. It followed the same recipe as the Vauxhall Calibra and the Volkswagen Corrado, and Ford meant it as a spiritual predecessor to the Capri.
Ford tried hard to replace the Capri in Europe. It first made unreleased Sierra-based Coupes in the early 1980s, then a small convertible on the Mazda 323, which became the Mercury Capri in the USA. Many American fans wanted a Mustang and disliked the Japanese input, while continental neighbours saw the earlier car that Britain never got. In the end Ford was misjudging buyers, and the Probe sold slowly.
Interior
Step in through the frameless door and you find a restrained cabin where the dash and doorcards follow one swooping arc. A wraparound greenhouse and an electric sunroof let in plenty of light. The steeply-angled glass heats the car up fast, so air conditioning is a very good optional extra.
Both models come with central-locking, electric windows, a powered aerial, a driver airbag and a passenger airbag. The 24v adds leather seats and a leather-covered steering wheel. That is a lot of equipment for the money.
The chunky leather-bound wheel would suit an F-150, but the rest of the controls feel ergonomic, apart from the unintuitive stalk arrangement. Designer Mimi Vandermolen wanted easy controls for everyone. The comfy seats and loads of space keep the car relaxing over long distances, even though handling is no go-kart and the looks are only sporty.
The car has four seats, but the rear seat has little legroom and little head room. Do not expect the family to thank you for a long trip back there.
Driving Experience
The 16-valve lives in the shadow of the 24V. The V6 drinks more fuel, so expect bigger fuel bills, but it makes a great cruiser with strong performance. For an American design, handling is precise, and ride quality gives US consumers the comfort they want.
The four-cylinder car is not slow, yet the 24V feels more like a real sports car. In its 1994 group test, CAR put the Probe in second place, behind only the Corrado VR6. That dynamic performance against such strong rivals says a lot.
Start the V6 and the old coarseness is gone. Its 24 valves work with Japanese precision and make a creamy purr, though the twin-tailpipes keep it quiet. It does not love to rev past the tacho needle’s upper range, but the mid-range pull is where it shines.
The MacPherson strut front suspension is short, which gives a low bonnet line, and Ford and Mazda built it together. It has firmer spring rates, firmer damper rates and thicker anti-roll bars than its Japanese cousin. You feel the odd jolt, but primary ride stays good, and the car attacks corners eagerly.
Hit the power band hard out of a bend and the inside front tyre does not spin. The gearbox is closely-ratioed low down, and the steering feels a bit slow for such a keen chassis that likes to turn in. If you test a Probe automatic, judge it for that same low-gear feel. It holds a straight course and avoids the twitchy, over-assisted feel of many cars from 1990s America.
The Mazda-sourced 2.0-litre engine makes 118bhp. That is not fast, but it feels spritely and keeps up at motorway speeds with most commuters. It also makes the car an easy partner on long journeys.
Reliability
The build quality and fit and finish are excellent, and nobody has reported major problems. Both engines are Mazda designs that also power the Mazda 626 and the MX-6. The Probe shares its chassis and production line with the US-built MX-6, and owners call the engines reliable.
The car has plenty of electrical gadgetry, so check everything works. Test the air-conditioning too, and ask whether the seller has a well-stamped service book. That book helps you when you later sell on.
People mocked these cars, and values drop fast on a car like that. Owners often skip repair work after crashes or catastrophic part failures, and that is why clean cars are hard to find. Check the automatic gearbox carefully as well, because a tired one costs real money.
Verdict
If you are single and want admiring glances, the Probe can help. It looks sporty, though most owners use it for runabouts like the upwardly mobile set. Its dynamic abilities are better than its reputation.
Many people link the car with Steve Coogan and Gareth Cheeseman, which hurt its classic kudos. The don’t meet your heroes rule does not apply here, because a quarter-century of derision leaves you underwhelmed in advance, as the buying public was. The car then exceeds expectations and stays temptingly cheap.
It was a slow seller, but that makes it a low-cost, head-turning modern classic. You can use it on a daily basis without guilt.
Ford Probe Automatic
The Ford Probe Automatic ran from 1994-1998 as the 2.0 16V Coupe and the 2.5 24V Coupe. Parts for a 1996 Probe 2.0 16v are plentiful and inexpensive. A clutch assembly costs about £245, an alternator about £185, and brake pads about £35.
A replacement headlamp costs around £75, a door mirror about £100, a full exhaust about £450, and a starter motor about £240. A front wing and a tail lamp each cost around £105, a windscreen about £240, and a catalyst about £400. Front dampers cost about £60 each.
The popup headlights rise from the long bonnet and look great, though the light housing lets little light out. The swooping lines at the front give a 90s vision of the future. The frumpy back end is less pretty, but even so, many people call it better looking than the Mazda MX-6, and only the Gollum jokers disagree.
Only 763 Probes are left on British roads according to HowManyLeft.com, so the car is rare and a real head turner. Its unique styling helps, and low resale value means few owners fix a damaged one. Hunt for an automatic and you narrow the field even more.
The name still gets laughs, but Ford learned its lesson. After the christening mess, the Blue Oval picked Focus and Puma. The Probe also gave Ford Europe something oven-ready to fight the Vauxhall Calibra, the VW Corrado and the Toyota Celica, all four-seater sports coupés.
FAQs
Is the Ford Probe a reliable car?
Yes, both engines are Mazda designs that also power the Mazda 626 and the MX-6, and owners call them reliable.
Are Ford Probe parts expensive?
No, parts are plentiful and inexpensive, with a clutch assembly at about £245 and brake pads at about £35.
Which Ford Probe engine is better, the 2.0-litre or the V6?
The 2.0-litre is spritely with 118bhp, but the 24V V6 feels more like a real sports car and makes a creamy purr.
How rare is the Ford Probe today?
Only 763 Probes are left on British roads, so it is rare and a real head turner.
What should I check before buying a Ford Probe automatic?
Check the electrical gadgetry, test the air-conditioning, and ask for a well-stamped service book.
