Faults:

The rear brake calipers (both sides) on the car seized up at 60,000 and 90,000 miles. The original parts had a defect and Ford (America) should have recalled or at least partially paid for replacement like they did in Great Britain.

Rear hatch struts stopped lifting at 90,000 miles, but that's to be expected.

No other major problems with the car through 150,000 miles.

General Comments:

Some people love the car's styling but I am not one of them. I bought the car because of its bang for buck quotient - awesome handling and performance in a cheap and reliable package.

The Probe is a perfect car for the "enthusiast commuter" - a car that will reliably get you to work each day and give you a whole lot of fun getting back. This car really handles when pushed hard and can run circles around your average "daily driver" vehicle out on the highway.

The engine, transmission and chassis are pure Mazda, very precise and well built. The chassis tuning came out of Ford (probably Mustang division) and it can't be beat. Unfortunately, Ford also added all the extra bits and pieces (like cheesy interior arm pod, defective rear brakes, Reebok-style "pump up" power seat controls) that detract from the car.

At 150,000 miles the car still feels very solid. The engine still feels tight and doesn't burn oil despite being driven hard. The manual transmission has started feeling a bit loose (still on the original clutch!) but I can't complain.

Faults:

Driver side window regulator (have had 2 Probes, same problem).

Engine mounts went out (from bad automatic transmission).

Cheap plastic interior (too many rattles and squeaks).

Cheap paper speakers.

General Comments:

Like I said, this is the second Probe I've had (first one was crushed by a pickup), and I've been adequately satisfied with all aspects of the car.

It's quick for a hatchback, but couldn't touch anything else I've had previously as far as performance.

The car is sleek and surprisingly quick, and chicks dig it. :) It has an appealing exterior as well as interior.

All of the people that I know and have met that don't approve of Probes bought them used without getting them checked out by a mechanic, or the drove them like a 60's musclecar instead of what it is: a small sport coupe.

In the long run, this car will perform reliably as long as it is taken care of like an automobile should be.

After all, it's a sports car, not a family sedan. It's engineered for speed and excitement, not reliability. And like all sports cars, it demands and deserves to be cared for, not neglected, like so many people I know.

If you like sports cars and are prepared to care for it, try the Probe.

If you're not prepared to care for it, buy something under warranty, not something used.

Faults:

This car had bad rear calipers the day I first test drove it. I walked away that day. It also had a missing fuse box cover, and the power windows/locks control panel in the door were loose, due to a missing clip.

The dealer had fixed those problems when I went back 3 weeks later. I drove it home that day for under 6 grand.

Other immediate problems were the paint on the hood and pop-up headlights were cracked (also a pretty common problem from what I understand).

The hatchback shocks needed replacement - $40.

I am getting some brake squeal so I am looking into a performance brake package to replace the whole mess.

I also have a squeak in the steering, so the rack might have to come out.

There is also a tapping in one or some of the valves which ruins the sweet purr from the rest of the motor.

I see a top engine job (valves, timing belt, etc.) in the near future, but I am not looking forward to that.

General Comments:

I am a little discouraged reading some of these other entries, but most anyone will agree that this is one of the best looking cars, period.

I knew I had to have one the day they came out in '93 - way ahead of their time! Most car makers today still haven't made a car that looks this good.

Even stock it has an impressive list of performance stats.

The motor is smooth, with an amazing torque curve, it has a nice short throw shift, I haven't made any modifications yet to this car & I have just roasted many a souped up ec-onda off the line already!

It has one of the stiffest stock suspensions ever available, which most modified sport-compacts can't even wish for.

I can't wait to get my planned additions of cold air intake, headers, high-flow cat & exhaust system, performance brakes, and racing springs installed.

I can just imagine what it will be like then! Come & get it!

All that is a lot of bills and hours of effort away but, it will be worth it without a doubt!

F.Y.I. if you are considering a Probe GT for purchase, look for a 1994 model, because it has the dual airbags unlike the '93, and less emmision control junk than the '95 & newer models.