Need some info on a Ford probe

[coolred]

As most of you may know, I am in a long ongoing search for a car to buy. To complicate things my girlfriend just got a full time job. I call this a complication because it now means we have the money to move out of her parents basement and into an apartment, which we really would like to do. But that doesn't leave as much money for a car. I was looking into the Ford probe, cause it seems to be a cheap, sporty, fun to drive little car. I have heard they can have high repair costs and have a crappy automatic transmission, but I was thinking if I find one cheap enough, I may also tack on an extended warranty. So anyway, while searching autotrader.com I came across this.

It has pretty decent mileage and is fully loaded and hella cheap. I used KBB and edmunds, and they both say this car should retail at about 9,000.00. So I am trying to figure otu if there is something wrong with it that I don't know about. Could someone run a carfax on it for me? The VIN is 1ZVLT22B2T5113838. I would like to go take a look at it, but the dealership is a few hours away, so I would rather not go until I am all set and ready to buy if I like it. I know it is equipped with an auto tranny, but is there anything else you would thing is wrong with it, or is it just a darn good deal? Thanks eveyone.

 

[Vette73]

The Probe is very hard to work on as the engine is a very tight fit for that body. Also it is a Jap. car, mazda. So that parts also cost more. Don't get me wrong, its not a bad car, but if I was you this would not be the kind of car I would be looking at.

Now if you are concerned with repair cost and relability, then get a FWD GM car with a 3.8L V-6. Very easy to work on, cheap to boot, and very reliable. I drive a 87 Buick LeSabre coupe with the 3.8L and have a 75 V-8 Monza I drive for fun. But I am a mechanic so I don't have to worry about the labor just the parts. But at the same time I am the one that has to fix anything that breaks, and the Probe would not be on my top 10 list of cars.

 

[coolred]

Yeah I figured that, as long as it is a relatively easy fix, then I can get it done for free, plus parts. If it's a large problem, then I can still get cheap labor, since I also know a few mechanics. I am just trying to find something cheap, without a huge amount of miles, that looks nice and is fun to drive. The probe fit that well, but I guess repair costs should figure into my decision as well. Thanks, I will keep your info in mind.

 

[coolred]

bump

 

[jcuadrado]

Ok....now a topic I have first hand knowledge about..

I drove the same car your looking at for 4 years....mine was a 93GT though. About the tranny...all the rumors are right...they are weak....my repair bill for that was $1100.

Other than that...the car was AWESOME....nothing else happened but the regular stuff ie. brakes, waterpump, etc.

The car was a lot of fun....until guess what...the tranny started giving way again only 1.5 years after the first repair....I had to let her go with 140,000 miles.

I loved the car though.

GL.

JC

 

[coolred]

Yeah, thanks for that info. What kind of costs did it run you for the other repairs you listed. Like the brakes, waterpump and whatnot?

I had someone run a carfax on it for me, I have never used carfax before, but in the email there was a lot of crap and then I managed to find this

DATE
REPORTED ODOMETER
READING INFORMATION
SOURCE GENERAL
COMMENTS
01/01/1996 Pennsylvania
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Latrobe, PA
Registered as
private vehicle


_____

02/09/1996 76 Pennsylvania
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Latrobe, PA
Title #49306616 01 HA
Title or registration issued
First owner reported


_____

01/24/2002 48,902 Auto Auction
Sold at auction
in Eastern Region
Listed as
a dealer vehicle


_____

02/26/2002 lastodo48,955 Pennsylvania
Motor Vehicle Dept.
South Heights, PA
Title #49306616WI02
Title issued
Ownership transfer reported

I don't know much, but it seems to me that it is straight forward. Someone owned it, sold it at an aution, now the dealer selling it owns it. I don't see any problems with it.

 

[InfectedVoice]

Its Automatic

 

[coolred]

Yes it is an auto, I thought I mentioned that, but maybe not. That was the one thing that makes me not want this car.

 

[Scipionix]

Most important question: Can you live with driving a car called the Probe? If not, there are lots of other cars out there.

 

[coolred]

I have no problem driving a car called a probe. It's not The probe, is a Ford Probe. It's not an Anal Probe, it's a Ford probe, so whats wrong with it?

 

[Scipionix]

Originally posted by: coolred
I have no problem driving a car called a probe. It's not The probe, is a Ford Probe. It's not an Anal Probe, it's a Ford probe, so whats wrong with it?

If you don't have a problem, nothing. However irrational it is, I would not like driving it.

 

[coolred]

You really would not drive a car becuase of it's name? Thats fine I guess, but i don't have a problem with it.

 

[Phunktion]

I can't say it enough.. stay away from the automatic Probes and MX-6's.. they are one of the most unreliable pieces of crap that I have ever been witness to.. ask a mechanic who's ever repaired one.. they'll agree hands down (unless they want you as a regular sucker.. um err.. I mean customer..)

The manual transmission Probes are acceptable.. but still expensive to maintain though..

Edit: Did I say stay away from the automatic? Cuz I'm not kidding.. do not buy it!

 

[RossMAN]

How about a used Mazda MX3 V6?



Damn the last model year appears to be 1995, that's pretty old 7 years.

I'd still go with a used Nissan Sentra/Altima.

 

[poopaskoopa]

That car is supposed to be worth 9,000 in the books? Crazy... My friend has one of these. It's "aight". I like the style though, for sure.

 

[coolred]

I checked KBB and it said 9,000.00 and if I remember correctly so did edmunds. I didn't check NADA.

Yeah if I do get a probe, I have decided it will be a manual, since everyone who knows anything about them has told me to stay away from the auto. I take that back if I can find a 97 GT auto with 20,000 miles or less for around 5-6 grand, then maybe I would get an auto, but thats not likely.

 

[coolred]

Can anyone help me out with how much the parts for this car cost? I mean everyone keeps saying they are exoensive, but I don't really know what expensive is. I don't know how much parts are for other cars, so i have no idea to guage it by. If some kind soul could just make a list of the most common parts that need replaced in this car and let me know abiout what they would each cost, I would be greatly appreciative.

 

[Kitros]

Let's just say I have a 94gt MANUAL for 2.5 years -120,000, and I have sunk ~2,400 into it.

Right now I have it in pieces on my garage floor, trying to put stuff back together. I am sure mine is just a lemon, but still...

It's a fun car, a cool car to drive. If I had done it all over again, I wish I got a more reliable car... like a Nissan or Toyota.

Good luck!

 

[randomlinh]

Phunktion, no need to ask a mechanic.. just ask an owner my tranny will probably give out sometime.. dunno.. it's slipping at 2nd-3rd gears a bit... it hasn't really gotten worse.. just a tad.. i usually don't drive it everyday (at school).. but now during the summer, i work.. but a very short drive. I dunno if i want to plop ~$3k for a rebuilt one, or get this one rebuilt (aamco want's ~1900).. i wanted to swap it to a manual.. but after learning of the costs of the auto... hehe, i said screw it. another thing i've found is NO ONE around her has the right tire size.

btw, i believe the last year was 97. And last time i looked, i saw one for sale for $15k Shame as it's fun to drive.

Linh

 

[coolred]

Can anyone tell me what the GTS offerson the 97 model that isn't on the normal GT?

Also I found a 1993 Ford probe GT at a dealership back from where I am from. It has like 117,000 miles on it, but they are only asking <1000.00 dollars, plus I have a couple of family memebers that know the owner of the dealership, my aunt used to work for him, so I can make sure it's not a total junker, plus maybe get an even better deal on it. So if it runs and is in at least decent condition I may buy it as a back anf forth to work car, If it's a manual I can also use it to teach my girlfriend how to drive a stick, as well as a car I can use to learn how to fix cars myself. But if the parts are so expensive, then it's probablly not a good idea, thats why I am trying to gage the price of parts.

If I do get that one, I will also get something else, like a used sentra or something like that.

 

[coolred]

How much does the 4 cylinder in the probes take away from it's fun factor? And is the 4 cylinder a mazda engine as well?

 

[Electric Amish]

I have a '94 Ford Probe GT, manual. 106,000 miles. I bought it NEW.

It has been a GREAT car!

I've done most of the work on it myself. Nothing major. Waterpump was kindof a pain, but cheap, like $30 for parts. Brakes can be bought for $20 per axle.

I had the CV joints replaced at about 80k miles along with the Timing belt. That ran me about $800 total, parts and labor. The CV half-shafts are only $125 or so.

Did the distributor last spring. That ran me about $250 for parts.

Tires cost me $850 for (4) V-rated BFGoodrich Comp TAs, but I'm sure you can get cheaper tires.

Here is a great forum dealing with Probes.

Let me know if there's anything you want to know.

amish

 

[coolred]

Yeah, how are they on reliability? I have heard about the auto tranny being crap, so if I get one it will be a manual. They have a timing belt, I think you said, so that needs to be changed about every 60,000 miles? I know there is other routine maintainence, but are there other problem areas?

By the way, I just called about that 93 GT I was talking about, and it has been sold, so that is out.

 

[MWink]

I think you should get it (though I may not be the best person to ask ). The Ford Probe happens to be my favorite (dream) car (especially the first generation, 89-92). I have a '90 Probe LX. I got it for $35 in pretty bad condition. My fathers best friend is a mechanic and was able to get it fixed up for less than $1500. It had a LOT of problems and needed a lot of parts (including a new engine!).

I like every aspect of them. I think they look great and they are fun to drive. If it wasn't for that car I would never have bothered to learn to drive a stick. That was really a case of love at first sight. I fell in love with them when I first saw my Uncle's 1989 Probe GT back in 89 (I guess).

I can't comment on the price of parts since I don't know what they cost. My father's friend who did all the work on mine knows how to get great deals so it would not be as cheap for someone else to repair it. BTW, mine has not had anything fail since it was fixed up.

Pic 1
Pic 2

 

[coolred]

Yeah I really like the looks of the '93 to '97 probe, myself, plus I have heard they are a blast to drive. That reminds me I have to set up a test drive on one of these, maybe that will help me make up my mind.