1989 Ford Probe GL 2.2L SOHC 4 cylinder

Summary:

Totally fun and cheap to fix..

Faults:

I bought the car for $200 due to a blown clutch slave cylinder.

Head gasket's in need of replacement, valve cover gasket and exhaust manifold gaskets need replaced also.

Other than that, she runs great and still (with these issues still, minus the clutch issue) gets about 30 mpg...

General Comments:

First car was a 1979 BMW 633CSi automatic, and this one is way more fun to drive. Much more economical too. Great performance for an older SOHC 12v I4. definitely begging for modification...

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 14th December, 2008

1989 Ford Probe LX 4 cylinder

Summary:

Excellent car - miss it

Faults:

Normal maintenance- first owner - Minor things after years of ownership. Live in snow belt in which the state uses lots of salt on the roads. Would still be driving car if frame had not become rusty, even though it was washed after every snow. Body great shape, small chip in clear coat.

Around 160,000 miles (14-15 years) hatchback Support quit holding open;

Occasionally would need a quart of oil after 130,000 miles.

Drivers head light wouldn't go up as high as passenger due to a worn arm, replaced with auto re-salvage part for $5.00.

General Comments:

I loved this car, five speed, quick turning, peppy,

27 mpg; normal maintenance, no real problems.

Back seat cramped for adults - OK for the kids when they were small.

Excellent in the snow even 5-6 inches never got stuck or left me sitting. Towed only once when it was rear ended.

At 178880 miles - heat AC electronic locks mirrors etc all worked great I was getting an alignment and new tires, told my mechanic to check the shocks (never replaced) he said they were OK but the frame wouldn't hold the alignment due to the rust. So sadly had to quit driving it as he said probably not safe due to the rust.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 27th March, 2008

1989 Ford Probe Turbo

Summary:

Money pit

Faults:

My windows will not roll up or down, because the wiring is not set up properly.

The starter keeps messing up no matter how many times I have replaced it.

Power locks do not work; parts are missing.

General Comments:

This car is very easy to drive and can be very fast, but starts to shake when you get to 90 mph.

Its clutch is worn out, and it gets very good miles per gallon.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 26th November, 2007

1989 Ford Probe LX 2.2L Non-Tubo

Summary:

The Underrated Ford

Faults:

-Thermostat Went around 135,000 Very easy fix

-Valve Cover Gasket had to be replaced after I got headers put on, again, very easy fix.

-Rear wiper motor

-Headlamp motor

-window motor driver side

Rear tailight had small crack, no big deal, but an easy fix

-missing a piece of weatherstrip

-had to have relay for headlights and right turn fixed, ($250 at shop) -this was when I first got it.

Everything has been easy and cheap to fix, especially since I go to the local junk yard to get the pieces listed above (excluding thermostat)

General Comments:

I love the probe. It's extremely comfortable. Extremely reliable and so simple to work on with a haynes manual. THey body is straight, no dents, only one rust spot behind the drivers door. Paints decent, faded in some areas. It has the fuel indicator, and I have maintained a steady 31mpg combined in the 9 months I've owned the car. Yeah, I have done preventive maintenance such as new tires, new battery, radiator hoses, water pump, timing belt, trans flush, routine oil changes, k&n filter, headers, etc. All of these have been easy or cheap to pay to have done.

There's really something about this car that just makes me smile. Very light fwd car, so you don't feel the bumps in the road. Has started up everytime for me. I always get shell v-power and add a fuel cleaner every fill up. Mine has the electronic gauges, which are really nice. Everything works on the car. I have it fully detailed (did it myself) since I used to work at a detailing place and developed the skills to do it. I take care of what I have, and it takes care of me. I will be going to college this fall (18yrs. old) and plan to drive this car the 1400 miles it needs to go for me to have a car in alabama. I hope it makes it, but once I do the brakes, pretty much everything on the car will be replaced. Overall, couldn't have got a better first car. Just make sure the person you buy the car from has maintenance records. Most probe owners have more than one probe, and I can see why.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 23rd April, 2007