Faults:

First off, I would never buy another Probe if my life depended on it. First of all this was my first car, of course your going to like it because its your own. But, after I put on about 5,000 miles on it, the transmission defaulted. The only gear that would work was first and I was on the highway on my way home when it happened. After that I spent $450 on a new transmission, only to have the crank shaft break. The car was very unreliable, especially in the winter, but also in the summer. After that I sold it and now am happy with my 3000GT.

General Comments:

I think the car had it in for me. The clutch plate broke, transmission broke, steering was bad, and the crankshaft was the last straw. The car was extremely slow too, with very little pick up. About the only good thing to me about this car was the front and passenger seat, they were roomy and comfy.

Faults:

Replaced transmission and steering at 130,00 miles; have gone through 2 starters and radiators. Finally replaced original suspension at 140,000. Other than that the car has had no real problems!

Minor ones: power antenna stopped working and the AC died several years ago, but in Seattle that is not an issue.

General Comments:

I bought this car while single, and suddenly acquired a wife and two kids. I never intended it as either a long-term or family car, but 13 years later it remains the absolute best buy on wheels. Our teenagers are now driving it to school as it still has some "cool" factor left.

Faults:

Blown Gasket 53000

A/C compressor leak and is dead

Automatic seatbelt failed twice.

Fuel pump failed

Power steering fluid leak

Radio lighting failed.

General Comments:

It would seem odd one would keep a car 13 years that has had multiple major component failures. However, the probe is a pleasure to drive combining a sporty look, economical performance and practicality.

Also, once a car is paid for and if the body is sound I see no reason to go into debt to own yet another negative ROI asset.

The biggest two gripes were the blown gasket, the A/C failure and the seatbelt failure. Fortunately the engine was swapped for a low mileage engine for $1800. That was cheaper than buying a used clunker.

The seatbelt failure was inexcusable. The design is poor. Fortunately Ford had to swallow both $800 costs of replacement because of a safety related callback.

The same can probably be said for the A/C. One reason the dealers got low marks is they failed to reliably fix the A/C when it was under warranty. It then failed late in the summer after warranty failure.

This Probe gets pretty decent mileage 27city, 34highway, something I put a premium on notwithstanding today's SUV craze. Handling has always been excellent so long as struts are maintained.

The internal plastic tends to crack. Seems Ford really focuses on the penny wise and pound foolish. It would have made sense to spend more on interior quality and comfort and less on those kludgey unreliable automatic seat-belts. The could have learned from Hyundai.

Overall I still enjoy my aging Probe and intend to hold on to it as long as it's not breaking the bank. I make frequent 40 mile trips to dark sites with astronomical observing and the hatch back design combined with folding seats makes loading the scope and accessories convenient. After 12 years some rust spots have appeared, but it still looks good.