3 Years with a Probe (Ford Probe)

Name: J.Foster

Hello doyoo user, You have to be logged in to use these functions... Login or register Close window

Send message to member

Product:	Ford Probe
Date:	10/05/02 (1114 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Economical, Equipment, Reliable

Disadvantages: Poor performance

I bought my Probe 2.0 in June 1999, three years ago. It's a M reg (1995) and black.

I guess my biggest criticism is its performance or lack of it. From traffic light it is incredibly leisurely and cars often beat it that have much smaller engines. In 4th and 5th gears the performance is better and on motorways where with a bit of effort it can keep up with most cars if asked to do so.

It is economical, around town it returns 30mpg. On a longer run on the motorway at 70/80mph it rises to around 38. I have had low 40s out of it on long journeys when using cruise control most of the time.

Driving the car is really easy, the power steering does not get too light at high speeds, visibility is good, rear mirrors are large, clutch and brake paddles are light, I often drive the car without shoes. It's not a car that likes to corner fast and roles on tight bends.

It does not look it but it is a big car. Parking can be a little tricky as the rear tailgate glass area although large is quite high and the sides of the car are rounded so you can not see the curb in the door mirrors. Having said that in three years I have not scratched the car so it can not be to bad.

The doors are very large and this can cause problems when getting in and out of the car in parking spaces. If you have the room to open the door fully getting in and out of the front of the car is easy and even the rear seats are comfortable although there is no leg room in the back. The tailgate opens really high and being 5.2ft unless I am wearing high heels I need to stretch to close it, (especially if I am not wearing shoes). It also needs to be slammed to shut it. The boot is massive and can carry furniture, rubbish to the dump and Christmas trees although it has a large lip, which unless you are carrying flat items is not a great problem

Because there is so much glass the car can get very hot in summer and mists up quickly. In bad weather the headl
ight can get very dirty very quickly reducing their effectiveness.

The car has proved very reliable, it starts first time in all weathers and apart for replacement gas struts on the tailgate has required no parts except for tyres that cost £85 each and front brakes £60. Servicing once a year at Ford's cost about £90 and a major service that included a timing chain cost £385. It uses no water or oil in between services.

Inside the car the equipment levels are good, everything still works and there is no signs of rips in the seats or carpet. On the outside the car has kept its shine and shows no signs of rust.

I got two set of keys and fobs to disable the immobilises one of which got damaged. As I do not have a number supplied to the first owner when the car was new (who has moved to S.Africa) I can not get a replacement key or fob.

I am now thinking about trading it in. Ford Cougar, MGF and MR2 are on my lists of possibilities, all have cheaper insurance ratings then the Probe (although the insurance came down a little this year). However I am in no hurry to say good bye to it and unless I get a really good deal the Probe will probably stay.

Summary: