1996 Ford Probe SE 2.0L 16v DOHC I4

Summary:

Peppy little car, be prepared to spend a couple dollars if you have one with over 120000 miles on it

Faults:

New motor and trans at 150000 miles, second gear went out of trans, and head cracked on motor.

Computer was reprogrammed at 209000 and updated.

General Comments:

Good car if you take care of it.

Easy on fuel.

Engine could use a little performance boost.

Fun to drive, easy to handle, makes a great introductory economical sport coupe.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 4th February, 2011

1996 Ford Probe 2.5 V6

Summary:

Keep up with the maintenance and you should have a good car!

Faults:

My alternator went at 206xxx kilometers. Replaced that seeing that it was a common problem with the Probes.

My wheel bearings had to be changed.

Lastly I am still trying to find out what is wrong with the car now. Whenever I am driving, the car jerks every now and then, but it only does it when the "CHECK ENGINE" light momentarily comes on. I've found that once I start the car, the check engine light comes on and off more often than it does when warmed up and driving.

Also when the car idles it is idling as if it will shut off so it increases and decreases the rpm's on its own. Would anybody know what the answer for this could be?

General Comments:

I love the car, even though I've had some problems with it. It is sporty, pretty quick and has great handling.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 29th February, 2008

28th Oct 2008, 01:36

Hello,

Did you ever look at the air intake hose? If it is cracked or broke, it is a vacuum leak, so the computer will increase and decrease the rpms to keep it running. Also that means there isn't enough air getting in your motor, so it will jerk from time to time. If it's not that, look into your clutch or torque converter. It might be that too for the jerking at least. I hope this helped you.

18th Jun 2010, 02:00

I agree that 206,000 klms on an alternator is very good; most have had it before that.

As far as I know, alternators are not a known problem on Probes (more wrong information!)

The erratic idling definitely sounds like a cracked throttle body pipe between the air cleaner and the throttle body. It's time to replace it; they get brittle in a high temp environment over a 10 plus year period, and will crack at the bend.

While it's off, give the throttle body a good spray of quality cleaner. Your car should run fine after that; these engines looked after and serviced every 5000 klms will do huge mileages (in excess of 450,000), and I've heard even higher with total service schedules done to the letter.

By the way, the alternator and distributor are Mitsubishi!

1996 Ford Probe SE 2.0L V4

Summary:

Awesome car. outstanding

Faults:

Nothing has gone wrong just I change my clutch recently, but that's it.

General Comments:

This car is awesome never had a problem. just people who sit on the back, but I don't sit there lol.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 15th September, 2006

1996 Ford Probe GT 2.5L

Summary:

Great car for a Ford

Faults:

For some reason, the V6 burns a lot of oil.

Replaced rear hatch strut supports when purchased.

Both rear speakers blew easily.

CV boots cracked easily, I've replaced both front ones.

The polishing began to peel off of the rims and the bumper covers were faded unless wax buffed for an hour.

Timing belt had been replaced twice.

Window/lock control switched cracked on both doors.

Muffler broke off from exhaust pipe... I just cut it off and left it off (sounds better!)

Parts prices are sky-high.

Transmission is beginning to hesitate and engine is miss-firing I think.

General Comments:

Quick car- I've ran it against V6 'stangs and several sports imports and most people are surprised. It competes very well in it's league.

Comfortable interior and ride.

Easy to do modifications to, unless working on the engine. Then it gets way too tight.

Lots of cargo room with the back seats down and the rear shelf removed.

Awesome exterior style; excellent head-turner.

I plan to buy one again some day when I have more money for serious modifications (fabricated turbo/supercharger, nos, etc). Until then, I need a family car. :(

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 8th July, 2005