Is the Probe 24v any good?

[Morningside]

Same as title to be honest. I suppose it has the Mondeo 2.5 24v engine? Anything to look out for? Are they quite quick?

Just looking for a change.

[Stu R]

couldnt pull the skin from a rice pudding, and really quite ugly.

for something with that sort of look but decent performance take a look at 200sx's.

[tali1]

0-60 in 7.5 quick (in a mondeo though ) but not against coupe rivals like 200sx , prelude vti , corrado vr6 all in mid 6s.
sloppy handler aswell
remember the yanks had the probe years before us so was already dated when in UK

Edited by tali1 on Sunday 21st October 18:29

[Podie]

Reasonable as a motorway cruisers, but bascially a Mondeo in drag. Not a particularly great car TBH. You'd be better getting an ST200 (see my profile) - few bhp more, and completely revised suspension amongst other things...

[Zad]

The Probe is based on the Mazda MX6 and 626 chassis and uses the Mazda V6 isn't it? The only similarity is that they are 2.5 V6 engines.

[Podie]

Zad said:

The Probe is based on the Mazda MX6 and 626 chassis and uses the Mazda V6 isn't it? The only similarity is that they are 2.5 V6 engines.

Actually, thinking about it, you're right. It was the Cougar that was Mondeo Mk2 based.

[grumbledoak]

Zad said:

The Probe is based on the Mazda MX6 and 626 chassis and uses the Mazda V6 isn't it? The only similarity is that they are 2.5 V6 engines.

Designed and built by Mazda, for Ford. So it is probably a decent enough bit of kit (though I've not driven one).

But that name! Who the hell decided that was a good idea? Accursed and still-born by one drunken meeting...

[Podie]

grumbledoak said:

Zad said:

The Probe is based on the Mazda MX6 and 626 chassis and uses the Mazda V6 isn't it? The only similarity is that they are 2.5 V6 engines.

Designed and built by Mazda, for Ford. So it is probably a decent enough bit of kit (though I've not driven one).

But that name! Who the hell decided that was a good idea? Accursed and still-born by one drunken meeting...

Designed for the American market IIRC...

At the UK launch there were some Capri's.. and the journos were more interested in the Capri's than the new (at the time) Probe...

Not Ford's finest hour...

[Morningside]

So are you all telling me its crap? Gutless, poor styling, poor build.
Also as the engine is Mazda and NOT Ford I suppose its going to cost me more for parts is it?

Bugger, this is not looking good is it? Shame as I quite liked the look of it Semi hatchback for the dogs, manual, V6, leather seats. etc.

[grumbledoak]

I suspect the design and engineering are very good. At the time Mazda were making far better cars than Ford, but couldn't sell them as they were practically unknown. I even liked the styling. It really was the name that killed it here; it cries out for the addition of 'rectal'...

Give it a test drive. If enough people point and laugh, get it de-badged.

ETA - a quick google suggests this might be a place to start: http://www.ukpoc.co.uk/

Edited by grumbledoak on Sunday 21st October 19:12

[Podie]

grumbledoak said:

I suspect the design and engineering are very good. At the time Mazda were making far better cars than Ford, but couldn't sell them as they were practically unknown. I even liked the styling. It really was the name that killed it here; it cries out for the addition of 'rectal'...
[/footnote]

That and the "Aaron Cheeseman" (Steve Coogan) effect...

Morningside said:

So are you all telling me its crap? Gutless, poor styling, poor build.
Also as the engine is Mazda and NOT Ford I suppose its going to cost me more for parts is it?

Bugger, this is not looking good is it? Shame as I quite liked the look of it Semi hatchback for the dogs, manual, V6, leather seats. etc.

Can't comment on running costs I'm afraid - might be worth a search in the Member's Fleet..?

[Morningside]

Thanks. I keep forgetting about the fleet search. More good feedback than bad. Usual ticky engines on startup and dodgy electrics (like most cars then).
I also had a quick look on http://www.ukpoc.co.uk/ as well, ta.

Biggest downer is that its FWD.

Edited by Morningside on Sunday 21st October 19:26

[finlo]

Morningside said:

So are you all telling me its crap? Gutless, poor styling, poor build.
Also as the engine is Mazda and NOT Ford I suppose its going to cost me more for parts is it?

Bugger, this is not looking good is it? Shame as I quite liked the look of it Semi hatchback for the dogs, manual, V6, leather seats. etc.

Do you keep chihuahua's?

[Morningside]

finlo said:

Morningside said:

So are you all telling me its crap? Gutless, poor styling, poor build.
Also as the engine is Mazda and NOT Ford I suppose its going to cost me more for parts is it?

Bugger, this is not looking good is it? Shame as I quite liked the look of it Semi hatchback for the dogs, manual, V6, leather seats. etc.

Do you keep chihuahua's?

Well Cavalier King Charles.

[Jon GT2]

Avoid!!

[Morningside]

Jon - I see you are a Ford service manager. Can you elaborate please

Edited by Morningside on Monday 22 October 11:18

[Jon GT2]

Electrical issues,brake caliper faults and general trim problems caused the Probe to be derided during its production period and though it came via Mazda it doesnt posess Mazda's legendary reliability,the 2.5 is by far the best option but i would never reccomend one to a friend though i know that some customers have had very few problems with their own particular car.I'm not sure on the current spares availablility as i rarely see one in the workshop now but it was always prone to parts delays and higher parts costs in the past.

[exgtt]

Hi i owned a 16v model for a short time...

Piston rings were shot (mazda engine, 80k miles, fsh, loads of blue smoke on startup) Flat after 4k revs (probably due to compression loss from piston rings) This effects the V6 also and fixing costs far more than the cars worth and is apparently common (lack of oil changes are the cause). The inside is typical cheap 90's american rhubard with a massive plastic steering wheel and velour everywhere. It cornered pretty flat but grip from the skinny tyres was limited. I would only recommend one if you got it dirt cheap with a full MOT, at least you can throw it away if it dies. Great if you like that sort of thing (and i have met some FANATICAL owners) but i just didn't get it.

Plus points include pop up headlights (a right laugh for about 5 minutes) and a massive but odly shaped boot.

Appologies to any owners on here!

Ps its all Mazda 626 underneath - only the body is Ford.

Edited by exgtt on Friday 26th October 19:47

[Morningside]

Ok. Sounds like an utter no go then