1989 Ford Probe GT Turbo Test Drive. Buy American for Japanese quality.
The Probe was officially launched in North America on May 12 1988. Originally, Ford intended to replace the venerable Mustang with the Probe. However, the Mustangs continued sales success and its numerous fans dissuaded Ford form pulling the Mustang off the market. The Probe took its name from various styling exercises conducted by Ghia, the famous Turin styling firm (then owned by Ford), and which guided its aerodynamic revolution. The Probe, which is made at Flatrock Michigan was the first Ford cooperative effort with Mazda. The Japanese furnished the base structure and drive train while the Americans carried out the design and provided the dealer network. Based on the 626/MX6 sports coupe, it is distinctly Japanese in spirit inside and out and displays very little traditional American influence. With Mazda involved in both the design and construction, the Probe was a car with an abundance of charm and good features. Ford could then sell a “Made in the USA” product Japanese style.
1989 Ford Probe GT vs Nissan 240SX vs Plymouth Laser Comparison Test
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God help me, I’d love to find a first-gen Probe in good shape today.
I have a first gen awesome shape so suck it
i had the opportunity to buy a 89 GT back in ~2004 for $300….. thinking back, i really should have went for it.
Why? My buddy had one back in 1994 or so and it was nothing to write home about. The hood bumps killed me…
AWESOME RARE HIGH PERFORMANCE FORD PROBE GT TURBO 1989-1992 I-4 ENGINE 0-60 MPH:7.6 SEC
Ooh I do like this first gen in GT guise.
Also dig the two Citroens at 2:51!
Me too! Growing up, a neighbor of mine snagged one new. Ah memories.
I would love to have a new one again if only to compare todays car performance (maybe a Mazdaspeed3?) to that of the Probe GT I bought in the introductory month. At that time, I thought it was the most special car for the dollar I had ever encountered. Anyone who owned one would agree that the 145 HP rating had to be vastly conservative. The real power difference was felt when you were already going around 70 mph, then when you mashed the pedal, virtually with no lag, you would be propelled to over 100 in what seemed like mere moments. Big V-8’s never had that kind of pull once they were already at speed. Kind of like many motorcycles – you can beat almost any car to 80 mph, but after that they lose their acceleration advantage. Not so the turbo charged Probe GT of 1988.
I had a 1989. Turbocharged. It was scary fast for a little car. I had it up to 140 one night.
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