1993 Ford Probe from North America - Comments

Piece of Trash. In the 3 years I've owned it, It has needed:

A rebuilt engine.

A rebuilt transmission.

A new exhaust system (failed smog again this year, as expected)

4 v-belts.

2 fan belts.

A timing belt.

A water pump.

Battery.

A new Rack and pinion.

Both front axles (they were twisted and one was broken because of the engine torque, so says the mechanic)

4 CV Boots.

Axel shafts.

Brake Calipers.

Valve cover seal.

Starter (this one broke on the lot I was trying to sell it to)

Wheel lugs.

Air Conditioning.

Distributor.

Windshield washer fluid tank.

Fuel injection.

Air Filter Container and more!

Costs average $250.00 a month just to keep running! I have the receipts to prove it.

I never know if it is going to start.

VERY costly to fix because it is a big, unreliable engine in a small compartment!

Every sound I hear I think it is something new going wrong with the car.

The car really does handle like it is on rails, it is very VERY low to the ground. In fact, the guys at the shop are now used to having to lift the car just to put it on their lift and I'm used to it scraping the bottom on all speed bumps.

Very fast take off for stock components (0-60 in 8-9 seconds) however the engine was too strong for the stock axles and broke them.

DO NOT buy a ford probe!

I have owned a sports car, luxury car, van, truck, and sedan all owned by Ford, and all have cost approx. $150.00 a month just to keep running!

My 1986 Toyota Camry with 218,000 miles, ALL original except the cluch and normal maintainence parts (filters, brake shoes etc.), is MUCH more reliable than this 1993, fall-apart probe.

You say that your Probe "handles like it's on rails" and has good acceleration, yet you give it a "0" in performance.

Add to that that you gave your Camry a "10" in performance!

Do you know what the word performance means???

I also own a 1993 Ford Probe with the four cylinder engine and besides some transmission problems around 120,000 miles I've not had any real problems. I think an issue is that people try and drive these cars like they are race cars and then everyone wants to complain when something goes wrong, another thing the car is 13 years old-

I have 140K on my 4 cylinder and it's the best car I have ever owned. Since gas went up I quit reving the eng and now I get about 38 mpg with the A/C off, just don't rev it over 3000. As far as work all I've done is replace the axles (CV joints bad) and replace the drivers window motor that was a bit expensive about $200. I bought it new in '93 and simply maintained it. The paint is in bad shape, but otherwise the car is in great shape and still fun to drive.

Get a V6, and as for the comment "VERY costly to fix because it is a big, unreliable engine in a small compartment!" I drive a Audi A4 now that is a big engine stuck in a small compartment not the probe.

So, you bought an 8-year old car with 110,000 miles on it, and are complaining that it needed major work. Did it not occur to you that an old, sportier car might have been thrashed? Perhaps you thought you would get a great deal on a sporty car. Well, you were wrong. You should only have paid a couple thousand for an old car like this, and when the engine blew, it would have been obvious it was time to pull the plug.

I am a Master ASE certified mechanic. I work for one of the big three. I know cars and know them well. I work in a experimental and development facility; just a little on my background.

Anyways, the Ford Probe does not use a fan belt, and about the stock engine twisting axles; I don't believe it for a second, the amount of parts you put in sounds like you should work for a contract company driving our prototypes around trying to break them.

Also, I have been over many speed bumps and my front valance (underneath radiator) is still intact and not cracked; I don't scrap ever.

Also, you sound like you are replacing parts just because there's dirt on them.

I have a 93 Ford Probe GT and it's the best car I've ever owned. 300089 miles and no typos.

Keep the oil changed and don't worry about synthetic; it's all about keeping it clean inside. I use the cheapiest oil I can find; my 98 ford ranger has 276000 miles and its always seen Murrays oil, nothing else. I laugh when I hear people talk about spending 5 dollars plus on a quart of oil.

My Ranger has 4x4 and it's an automatic, all original parts except rear bumper. Most automatic transmission problems are from not changing fluid; fluids break down and get dirty. Move this hot or cold dirty brokedown fluid through in between cams and lifters and you'll get wear, anywhere.

Thanks for listening; now go change your oil...

I agree 100% with the guy above me. I am an ASE master tech, Audi master tech, Jag master tecH, VW master tech, Volvo master tech, GM master tech, and last and most importantly FORD master tech.

No fan belts since they are electric, and you ain't twisting axles. It just ain't possible with any stock car, especially a 4 cyl. Once again, go change you oil!!!

I have had a 93 Probe 5 Speed 2.0L with over 125,000 Miles and was nothing but extremely pleased to be driving such a reliable car! The car did handle like it was on rails, and the ONLY thing that went wrong with the car was passenger side half axel shafts. Which were a problem on both the Probe and the MX6 of both engine sizes (2.0L I4 and 2.5L V6). The timing belt I could see going if the normal maintenance hadn't been done to the car, but that is something that just goes out on older cars, it eventually needs replacing after a while. Get yourself a 5 Speed, they turned out to be a little less problematic than the automatics, but that is pretty much true to all vehicles (less moving parts = more reliability). Good luck with your car.