Budget Speed
1993-97 Ford Probe GT

Okay sport-compact fans, looking for a nice coupe that's a little off the heavily-trodden Acura, Nissan, Mitsubishi path? If so, Ford's punchy Probe GT is a great choice in a solid used performance car.

Designed initially as a front-wheel-drive replacement for the Fox-platform Mustang, the Probe instead made its debut for 1989 as a companion to Ford's venerable ponycar. That first Probe design was replaced for 1993 by a second-generation version that was similar in style and layout, but considerably improved in most respects.

It's these later Probes that are the most promising for performance enthusiasts -- particularly the GT version, which had a 164-hp 2.5-liter dohc V6 with 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission.

Okay, granted, 164 horses may not sound like a whole lot now. But don't consider Probe GT in the context of the many 200hp-plus performance cars available in showrooms these days. Instead think of Probe GT as an alternative to similarly-priced used 4-cylinder sport compacts.

Run the numbers -- to get a typical Honda four to beat the output of a stock Probe GT's V6, you'd have to do an engine swap or bolt on some pricey performance parts. (Yes, the Probe is a few hundred pounds heavier than a typical Civic, but the power-to-weight ratio still works out in the Probe GT's favor by a healthy margin). It's worth thinking about.

Today, most second-gen Probes sell for under $5000, which is very cool for all you cash-strapped performance fans. Prices for GTs aren't a lot more than comparable base models, so don't even consider those lower-powered versions -- the lackluster acceleration from their 115-118hp 4-cylinder doesn't provide much fun. Also, GTs are blessed with four-wheel disc brakes.

There were no major changes to the 1993-97 Probe throughout its run, so you should focus on condition more than model year.

You won't have to wait very long to find a decent Probe GT -- Ford made a lot of 'em and there's still plenty out there. And many of them are still below 100,000 miles, so they have some life left in them. That allows you to devote fewer greenbacks to dull basic mechanical repairs instead of performance parts.

On the subject of performance parts, there's a decent amount of stuff available for Probes. Admittedly, you won't have the kind of limitless parts choices that owners of Integras or 240SXs enjoy. Nonetheless, there's enough readily-available upgrade material for Probes, including equipment for engine, exhaust, suspension, and brakes.

Although not nearly as popular as certain other Japanese and German machines, Probe GTs have a dedicated cadre of owners. Support for these cars is readily available through clubs, websites, and discussion forums.

Add it all up and you might start seeing a blue-oval sporty coupe in your future. And why not? Probe GT is definitely worth considering.