Faults:

Very few!

Fords are fairly well known for the problems with their brakes, so there's been a bit of squealing from them, but nothing too dangerous...

The low front end can lead to problems, especially if the tracking isn't right (your tyres will be shredded on the inside, so get your tracking checked) and parking near high pavements can be a problem due to the low skirt at the front which can easily catch on high kerbs.

General Comments:

A truly beautiful looking car. Extraordinary acceleration for a Ford and the whole look of the car is quite sexy... At the end of the day you have to pinch yourself to remember IT'S A FORD!

A smallish petrol tank isn't the best of fun, but for a 2-litre car the fuel consumption is fairly good.

A note of caution for UK buyers though... it's not a particularly fast car (though the looks make up for it), but the insurers don't seem to realise that... But hey, if it were a lady, I'd marry it. Or at least take it away for the weekend.

Faults:

Usual rear calipers siezing. Dizzy failed at 75,000, new plug leads at 85,000 miles, new front wheel bearings at 110,000 miles, exhaust at 90,000, two sets of discs, immobiliser tempramental, manifold gasket at 95,000.

Ford coughed up for the rear caliper replacement.

General Comments:

Responds well to Mobil One and oil changes at 5,000 miles rather than 10,000 - for the same engine in the MX6 Mazda recommends 9,000 mile service intervals. Ford UK technicians haven't got a clue when it comes to Probes!!!

Engine still sounds sweet at 115,000 miles!!

Faults:

Rear calipers seized 30k miles - handbrake then fails to hold - can be freed off and everything readjusted if you know how at virtually zero cost. It does eat front brake pads though!

Paint faded under sunlight.

Two plug leads failed at 34k miles - new set cost half the Ford price from a Mazda agent (MX6 V6).

Distributor amplifier failed 36k miles - did NOT pay 600 gbp for new one - used my head and fixed/modified the old one for under 30 gbp - works better than ever!

Don't bother going to Ford for help - they virtually disown the car in the UK - unfortunately so do Mazda so it falls somewhere between a rock and a hard place!

General Comments:

Nice car - smooth and lots of power. Hard suspension, but corners very well. Reasonably economical mpg for the engine size.

Faults:

Handbrake poor to non-existent. Car only has 40K yet rear box rotted through (replaced by dealer), now middle pipe needs replacing. 'Clunky' noise from rear suspension (v technical !) over uneven road surfaces.

General Comments:

Generally impressed with car apart from a couple of minor niggles. Would like info on performance tuning (UK) if anybody has any.

(bigdave@mcmail.com)

Faults:

Had problems with rear brake calipers siezing even on low mileage cars.

Seems to be a known & common problem with Probes.