1989 Ford Probe LX 2.2L

Summary:

An awesome Ford sports car that is hard to beat

Faults:

Alternator went since bought.

Needed new battery when alternator went.

Needed new muffler.

General Comments:

The car is very fast for a four cylinder. Most people thought it felt like a six.

Fun car to drive, holds the road very well. Even when going very fast.

Rides as smooth as glass at 118 M.P.H.

Good First gear, easily goes up to 33 MPH in first.

Relatively light car, good on gas.

Has excellent pickup when in needed. (Emergencies, passing, drag-racing)

If it has one fault, the back seat can get pretty small for a larger person.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 18th December, 2002

1989 Ford Probe GL 2.2L

Summary:

Very reliable product from Ford

Faults:

Radiator replaced at 120000 miles.

Power Steering Fluid Cooler leaked at 185000 miles.

McPherson Struts replaced at 45000 miles and again at 195000 miles.

Three sets of tires and four brake overhauls in 196000 miles.

General Comments:

This is without a doubt, the most reliable car that I have ever owned in 30 years of driving.

I have maintained the car carefully. Oil changes every 3000 miles, coolant replacement every other year, timing belt replacement every 60000 miles, brake fluid flush every 2 years, etc.

Most of the car is original. The automatic transmission has never been replaced and has never had a fluid change.

The paint is in poor condition. Some areas of the car have developed peeling in the clear coat paint (only the clear layer is peeling).

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 13th November, 2002

1989 Ford Probe GT Turbo 2.2L turbo

Summary:

The best domestic import on the road

Faults:

The only thing that has ever gone wrong with my car is the Transmission got caught in 3rd gear. This was a common problem caused by hard, fast shifting. It cost and arm and a leg to get a new transmission for it. No dealership or transmission shop would touch the car due to the fact that it was the only year they made the car like they did, and there are hardly any parts for it.

My 3rd break light bulb died, but thats a whole $2...

General Comments:

I love my car!

Its fast, agile and a total sleeper. People think "Ha, it's a probe!" It scares the day lights out of them when they hear the hissing of a 12psi turbo going by them!

It's a very comfortable car. I for one fit in it very well. Its not very friendly to large or tall people. It is, truly, a sports COMPACT. It comes with sport seats to an extent, but if you intend to race one, get better seats for it.

The interior is well set up. Instead of the stearing column moving, the entire gauge cluster moves with it to improve road visibility, but still maintain the view of the gauges.

A great thing about the car is the adjustable struts that come stock in it. It has a soft mode for plain driving, Normal for faster driving or turny roads, and sport for drag strips or heavy road racing. Sport mode pushes the tires to the ground to give massive traction.

With a little modification, I got the stock turbo from its tiny 6psi to a massive, road dominating 12psi. That's a rather large jump for the stock turbo.

All and all, and really great car for daily driving or for the avid racer!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 3rd July, 2002

13th Aug 2002, 06:45

I was just wondering if anyone would like to tell me how I could modify the turbo to raise the boost.

7th Jan 2003, 05:26

You can order the Garret T3 turbo upgrade kit.

It only costs about $650 USD.

5th Feb 2003, 15:36

You can, but that's a bad way to go... Go to http://www.performanceprobe.com and find the upgrade section. Click on one of the 3 boost controllers, and in total, the mod will cost about $10. With that and a K&N air filter, I run 15.1 in the 1/4 mile.