Ford Probe....why are these so unloved?
Discussion
Always thought these were quite an interesting Ford...Mazda underpinnings....and pop up lights! 
Why all of the hate? Too underpowered? The Steve Coogan sketch? I seem to recall them getting a decent review on Top Gear in the 90s. So why the hate? They seem so cheap now for what you get.
Why all of the hate? Too underpowered? The Steve Coogan sketch? I seem to recall them getting a decent review on Top Gear in the 90s. So why the hate? They seem so cheap now for what you get.
The wrong badge.
In the 70/80s normal people, aspired to owning cars like new Fords. A coupe like the Capri was something to aspire too and be proud of. Come the 90s and the car to aspire to was a BMW 3 series and no one wanted a coupe with a blue oval badge.
Fords are functional cars that people drive because they need too. No one, or at least no many people, would buy a new Ford coupe, when you could get a used 3 series coupe for that same money?
In the 70/80s normal people, aspired to owning cars like new Fords. A coupe like the Capri was something to aspire too and be proud of. Come the 90s and the car to aspire to was a BMW 3 series and no one wanted a coupe with a blue oval badge.
Fords are functional cars that people drive because they need too. No one, or at least no many people, would buy a new Ford coupe, when you could get a used 3 series coupe for that same money?
My Aunt had a V6 Probe, which she hated almost every minute of the three years she owned it. Hated the drive, hated the interior, hated the engine, just about everything apart from looks and initial purchase price. I never drove it, so I am not one to judge.
Always been a fan of the Cougar, I remember when I was younger when they came out causing quite a stir, and a friend of my dad's buying a brand new 2.0, in Silver. He loved it, only for it to be written of a few years later in an accident
He then replaced it with a brand new Mk1 Focus RS, which he still has.
Always been a fan of the Cougar, I remember when I was younger when they came out causing quite a stir, and a friend of my dad's buying a brand new 2.0, in Silver. He loved it, only for it to be written of a few years later in an accident
He then replaced it with a brand new Mk1 Focus RS, which he still has. I have to admit I have a soft spot for the Probe having owned one and an Mazda MX-6 that they were based on.
IMO the Probe looks great apart from the back-end. I hated that part. I just didn't like the long light strip so I was a little bit naughty and got myself a US sized reg-plate and put it in the centre where the square reflector was. You could see that this was what was originally intended as there were two holes where the reg-plate bulbs went to illuminate it above the reflector. The pop-up lights were a good feature, but again the US spec car was slightly better in that on the UK version, there is a piece of trim that is in front of the light 'lid' when closed, but the US spec one had a slightly longer lid so that it didn't have that piece of trim looking like an unwanted piece of plastic. Tiny thing but bugged me none the less!
Sadly though I owned the 2.0 model, which was woefully underpowered. It really was a car that looked faster than it actually was. The interior was very comfy, and it was a pleasure to cruise around in. Mine even had a factory-fitted amp installed to make the stereo that little bit better. The V6 is clearly the one to own, my favourite being the purple coloured version with the tan leather interior.
As for its Japanese cousin the MX-6, well that had the V6 in it (only option here in the UK I believe) and was reasonably quick, but not half as luxurious inside and just felt 'cheap' in comparison.
IMO the Probe looks great apart from the back-end. I hated that part. I just didn't like the long light strip so I was a little bit naughty and got myself a US sized reg-plate and put it in the centre where the square reflector was. You could see that this was what was originally intended as there were two holes where the reg-plate bulbs went to illuminate it above the reflector. The pop-up lights were a good feature, but again the US spec car was slightly better in that on the UK version, there is a piece of trim that is in front of the light 'lid' when closed, but the US spec one had a slightly longer lid so that it didn't have that piece of trim looking like an unwanted piece of plastic. Tiny thing but bugged me none the less!
Sadly though I owned the 2.0 model, which was woefully underpowered. It really was a car that looked faster than it actually was. The interior was very comfy, and it was a pleasure to cruise around in. Mine even had a factory-fitted amp installed to make the stereo that little bit better. The V6 is clearly the one to own, my favourite being the purple coloured version with the tan leather interior.
As for its Japanese cousin the MX-6, well that had the V6 in it (only option here in the UK I believe) and was reasonably quick, but not half as luxurious inside and just felt 'cheap' in comparison.
Fatchops said:
Prof Prolapse said:
"Probe".
Worst car name ever?
I think you'll find it's pipped by the Mitsubishi LettuceWorst car name ever?
Being fwd wasn't a problem in itself; if the Probe had been based on the Mondeo chassis, it would have no doubt handled a lot better. I was always pleasantly surprised by the ride/handling balance of my Mondeo, despite it having a truly horrible 1.8TD - it was actually a damn good ride.
Thought the Cougar (aside from the dubious name) always had a reasonable reputation.
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