Skip to main content

1993
Ford Probe

Starts at:
$12,845
Shop options
New 1993 Ford Probe
See ratings
Consumer rating
Owner reviewed vehicle score
Not rated
Safety rating
NHTSA tested vehicle score
Consumer rating
Owner reviewed vehicle score
Not rated
Safety rating
NHTSA tested vehicle score
Shop Cars.com
Browse cars & save your favorites
Dealers near you
Find & contact a dealership near you
no listings

We're not finding any listings in your area.
Change your location or search Cars.com to see more!

Change location

Available trims

See the differences side-by-side to compare trims.
  • 3dr Probe
    Starts at
    $12,845
    See all specs
  • 3dr Probe GT
    Starts at
    $15,174
    See all specs

The good & the bad

This vehicle doesn't have any good or bad insights yet.

Use our comparison tool to look at this model side-by-side with other vehicles or view the full specifications list .

Start your comparison

Expert 1993 Ford Probe review

our expert's take
Our expert's take
By
Full article
our expert's take

With its elongated roof and unrefined road manners, the first-generation Ford Probe built from 1988-’92 was a clunker.

It got off to a fast start but soon fizzled. And since 1990 the Probe has been something of an albatross around the necks of Ford dealers. Only deep discounts kept them moving.

For the 1993 model year, the Probe is back. And this time you probably can forget about any discounts.

The 1993 Probe is an all-new car. Thanks to a massive assist from Mazda, Ford got it right this time.

The new Probe is mechanically identical to Mazda’s MX-6 and 626 cars, which are built by Mazda in Flat Rock, Mich.

The styling and the handling of the new Probe are right on target. The new model is available in two flavors, mild and wild.

The mild: It has a 115-horsepower 16-valve four-cylinder engine.

The wild: It is a GT model with a high-performance V-6. That’s this week’s test car.

Ford officials are hoping the latest Probe will have a long run at the top.

PERFORMANCE

The Probe’s Mazda-built 2.5-liter aluminum V-6 is unusually smooth and very quiet.

This fast-revving 24-valve engine develops 164-horsepower and features dual overhead camshafts and electronic fuel injection.

Ford says the new Probe will go 0-to-60 mph in 7.5 seconds.

The engine pulls strongly all the way to 7,500 rpm. That’s when a computer intervenes and prevents the engine from being revved any higher.

The test car came with an easy-shifting five-speed transmission. The clutch has just the right feel to it. It’s light and smooth, making the car easy to drive and fun to shift fast.

You can order the Probe with a computer-controlled four-speed automatic.

I drove the test car hard, but that didn’t seem to affect fuel economy. In the city, the Probe returned 20miles per gallon. On a trip to Tampa, that figure rose to 26 mpg.

The Probe GT requires unleaded premium.

HANDLING

The suspension layout – four-wheel independent – is the same as in the old Probe. But Ford and Mazda did some fine-tuning. The result: the new Probe is much more nimble and athletic than the old version.

Torque steer was the bane of the old Probe. In that car, you stepped on the accelerator and then fought with the steering wheel to keep the car from pulling to the left or the right.

That trait is gone from the new model thanks to some mechanical improvements in the suspension system that keep both front wheels firmly planted on the pavement.

As one might expect in a $20,000 sports coupe, the Probe GT is loaded with high-performance equipment.

There are four-wheel, anti-lock disc brakes, speed-sensitive rack and pinion steering and speed-rated 16-inch tires.

If you wish to slice through a curve at 50 mph, the Probe will be a willing accomplice. It understeers ever so slightly, but it does so in a manner that actually increases control of the car.

Overall, the new Probe i s tight and lean and pleasing to drive.

FIT AND FINISH

The new Probe may be based on Mazda products and built in a Mazda factory, but it is not really a Mazda.

Many interior items come from other Ford products.

The air-conditioning system is nearly identical to the one Ford uses in the Taurus and Sable. There are round knobs in the center of the dash that adjust air flow and temperature.

The radio-controlled keyless entry system comes from the Lincoln Town Car.

And Ford’s AM/FM cassette and CD player provide maximum punch.

The dash is a nicely contoured one-piece affair. The instruments are cleanly designed analog gauges set at exactly the right level. One quick glance is all it takes to glean whatever information you need.

Like the old model, the new Probe offers plenty of cargo room when the split folding rear seats are lowered.

Rear seat passengers in the old Probe found little leg and head room.

They still will.

It’s best to think of the Probe as a two-seater. One person can sit in the rear if he or she doesn’t mind sitting side ways.

As much I liked the Probe, I still have a few nits to pick.

The air conditioner did not cope well with Florida’s upper 90-degree summer heat. It didn’t really blow cold until the car got moving at a fairly quick speed – about 30 mph – and even then it took about five minutes to cool the car.

The plastic cover behind the steering wheel buzzed.

Road noise over rough pavement was deafening.

Those things aside, the aqua test car was a head-turner.

The second generation of the Probe GT is an excellent vehicle that looks great and is geared for the driving enthusiast.

It should have more staying power than the car it replaces.

Truett’s tip: The Probe GT gives Ford a fast sports coupe that can do battle with such stars as the Eagle Talon, Toyota MR2, Volkswagen Corrado SLC and Nissan 240SX.

1993 Ford Probe review: Our expert's take
By

With its elongated roof and unrefined road manners, the first-generation Ford Probe built from 1988-’92 was a clunker.

It got off to a fast start but soon fizzled. And since 1990 the Probe has been something of an albatross around the necks of Ford dealers. Only deep discounts kept them moving.

For the 1993 model year, the Probe is back. And this time you probably can forget about any discounts.

The 1993 Probe is an all-new car. Thanks to a massive assist from Mazda, Ford got it right this time.

The new Probe is mechanically identical to Mazda’s MX-6 and 626 cars, which are built by Mazda in Flat Rock, Mich.

The styling and the handling of the new Probe are right on target. The new model is available in two flavors, mild and wild.

The mild: It has a 115-horsepower 16-valve four-cylinder engine.

The wild: It is a GT model with a high-performance V-6. That’s this week’s test car.

Ford officials are hoping the latest Probe will have a long run at the top.

PERFORMANCE

The Probe’s Mazda-built 2.5-liter aluminum V-6 is unusually smooth and very quiet.

This fast-revving 24-valve engine develops 164-horsepower and features dual overhead camshafts and electronic fuel injection.

Ford says the new Probe will go 0-to-60 mph in 7.5 seconds.

The engine pulls strongly all the way to 7,500 rpm. That’s when a computer intervenes and prevents the engine from being revved any higher.

The test car came with an easy-shifting five-speed transmission. The clutch has just the right feel to it. It’s light and smooth, making the car easy to drive and fun to shift fast.

You can order the Probe with a computer-controlled four-speed automatic.

I drove the test car hard, but that didn’t seem to affect fuel economy. In the city, the Probe returned 20miles per gallon. On a trip to Tampa, that figure rose to 26 mpg.

The Probe GT requires unleaded premium.

HANDLING

The suspension layout – four-wheel independent – is the same as in the old Probe. But Ford and Mazda did some fine-tuning. The result: the new Probe is much more nimble and athletic than the old version.

Torque steer was the bane of the old Probe. In that car, you stepped on the accelerator and then fought with the steering wheel to keep the car from pulling to the left or the right.

That trait is gone from the new model thanks to some mechanical improvements in the suspension system that keep both front wheels firmly planted on the pavement.

As one might expect in a $20,000 sports coupe, the Probe GT is loaded with high-performance equipment.

There are four-wheel, anti-lock disc brakes, speed-sensitive rack and pinion steering and speed-rated 16-inch tires.

If you wish to slice through a curve at 50 mph, the Probe will be a willing accomplice. It understeers ever so slightly, but it does so in a manner that actually increases control of the car.

Overall, the new Probe i s tight and lean and pleasing to drive.

FIT AND FINISH

The new Probe may be based on Mazda products and built in a Mazda factory, but it is not really a Mazda.

Many interior items come from other Ford products.

The air-conditioning system is nearly identical to the one Ford uses in the Taurus and Sable. There are round knobs in the center of the dash that adjust air flow and temperature.

The radio-controlled keyless entry system comes from the Lincoln Town Car.

And Ford’s AM/FM cassette and CD player provide maximum punch.

The dash is a nicely contoured one-piece affair. The instruments are cleanly designed analog gauges set at exactly the right level. One quick glance is all it takes to glean whatever information you need.

Like the old model, the new Probe offers plenty of cargo room when the split folding rear seats are lowered.

Rear seat passengers in the old Probe found little leg and head room.

They still will.

It’s best to think of the Probe as a two-seater. One person can sit in the rear if he or she doesn’t mind sitting side ways.

As much I liked the Probe, I still have a few nits to pick.

The air conditioner did not cope well with Florida’s upper 90-degree summer heat. It didn’t really blow cold until the car got moving at a fairly quick speed – about 30 mph – and even then it took about five minutes to cool the car.

The plastic cover behind the steering wheel buzzed.

Road noise over rough pavement was deafening.

Those things aside, the aqua test car was a head-turner.

The second generation of the Probe GT is an excellent vehicle that looks great and is geared for the driving enthusiast.

It should have more staying power than the car it replaces.

Truett’s tip: The Probe GT gives Ford a fast sports coupe that can do battle with such stars as the Eagle Talon, Toyota MR2, Volkswagen Corrado SLC and Nissan 240SX.

Certified Pre-Owned program benefits

Age / mileage
Fords and many non-Ford vehicles up to 10 years old with less than 150,000 miles
Basic
90-Day / 4,000-Mile (whichever comes first) Comprehensive Limited Warranty
Dealer certification
139-point inspection

Consumer reviews

4.0 / 5
Based on 8 reviews
Write a review
Comfort 4.1
Interior 4.2
Performance 4.4
Value 4.7
Exterior 4.7
Reliability 3.5

Most recent

  • I got scammed on Facebook market place for a 93PGT with a

    I got scammed on Facebook market place for a 93PGT with a bad Headgasket and cooling system. BUT the car is amazing when it worked right. 8/10 could have more power but god I love that car.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 3.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 4.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • The most fun car off the track

    This car was a gift to me by me in 1993. Fire engine red, Independant suspension, gator back tires that were glued to the road. You could take clover leafs at 85 and it never got loose. The faster the turn the closer to the ground it was. Very stable, 140mph was like driving at 30mph. Gas mileage was great even the way I drive. I taught all the kids how to drive a stick on its 5 Speed. More importantly I taught them how to drive like a driver. In the end they could make it do anything. I loved this car but I had to trade it for an explorer sport, my business changed and I needed a more practical vehicle. I still miss it.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    3 people out of 3 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Best car I've had so far

    The 1993 Probe GT is an incredibly fun car to drive. This thing can handle corners like it was nothing and is over-performant when it comes to slamming it to the floor. The first one I had was a '93 and passed away at the venerable age of 23, after Canadian winters took the best of the floor and frame. I took the main parts of it out and used them on my '95 GT because they were still in good shape. I paid 1,500$ for my '93 and it cost me 1000$ (including a 700$ welding of the rear shocks plate) in repairs. This car is very unexpensive for all it can give to its owner. It's a real head-turner, especially when you add a body kit to it and it's extremely mod-friendly (for KL-ZE swaps, for example). For a good price you can reach a decent 230 HP and beat most of the modified cars you will likely find out there. Despite having to be careful about the rust when you buy one, if it has been well-treated you will certainly find pleasure in driving it on an everyday basis. These GT's are very affordable and so underestimated. I gladly recommend this car to anyone who's willing to go out there and have lots of fun for cheap.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Its a MONEYPIT

    If this car has more than 60k on the odometer, run and run away fast. It was great new, but it cost me big $$$$$ on repairs after 60k miles.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does not recommend this car
    Comfort 2.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 1.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Great Car !

    I've owned my car for 2 years and has LOTS and LOTS of problems, but every time i put money into and had the problems fixed it was worth it once you get it on the streets, very good handling best I've ever felt no body roll, brakes are very good and stop on a dime ! it is very fast and get me into a lot of trouble as i have some after market goodies for it, but I will say this is a well car for its price can't beat it!, I would say for others that don't race it and maintain it very well then this would be a great and reliable car but on my hand i had lots and lots of problems, but i abused mine very badly it saw red line and very high rpm's daily so thats why mine messed up alot, also this car is very easy to maintain and keep up with but im telling you if you do not maintain it it will break down easily unlike toyota and hondas you HAVE to keep up with the regular tune up and do not skip it or you will be sorry. Great car on my hand I'm doing a popular motor swap in mine next week my oil pump went out and the motor went dry on oil and i blew the motor, so their goes 1500 gone,, Very good car other then mine being abused daily, i would recroment this to anybody looking for a fun car to drive.......
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 1.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Great First Car

    My parents bought me this car when I was 16 and I am still driving it eight years and 80,000 (150,000 total) miles later. Mine averages around 27 mpg city/highway combined. It is very quick, agile, and overall quite light on its feet, but it doesn't feel like driving a tin can. It has been very reliable. Only within the last year did it start having problems. The water pump, distributor and trunk struts needed to be replaced. These problems didn't end up to be too expensive as a family member got salvage parts and was able to fix them. However, the dealership quotes to fix these was over the current value of the car. The front seats are quite roomy and comfortable for the size of the car, but the back seats are a tight squeeze. This is a good car for parents who don't want their kids hauling friends around. The trunk is surprisingly big for the size of the car. Much larger than the similarly sized Neon. Overall this has been a very good car for the time that I've driven it. Great value for the cost.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 3.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 3.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 3.0
    Reliability 4.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • "Best car ever"

    This is my second probe except my old probe was a probe 4cyl i just bought my second probe for 1800 and it is a hundread times better then my 4 cyl it has a lot of power very reliable and nice look i recromend this vehicle to enybody.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Fun but expensive and tempermental

    I've owned my 1995 Probe GT for nearly a year now. This is actually the third Probe I've owned, the first two being first generation bodystyle. On thing that sticks out immediately about these cars is the handling. If you're looking for a fun car to drive, that sticks to the road and corners like a dream, this would be a car to consider. If your looking for a car that will allow you to pass someone on the freeway relatively easily, this would be the car to consider. If your looking for a car that will offer you the above but still be inexpensive on repairs, cheap on maintenance, stay away from the Ford Probe GT. The phrase "pay to play" serves this car well. I bought this car for $3500 with 120,000 miles on it, mainly highway miles the previous owner informed me, which I still believe he was being truthful about. In the last year I have spent close to $1,000 replacing trunk struts (trunk door always fell down, and is VERY heavy), Front shocks, Crank Sensor, two oxygen sensors, ft brake calipers, and a few other things. As of late, I'm having intermitant starting problems, fun fun, and I'm starting to get a ticking noise from my engine, possibly the lifters getting noisy. To make a long story short, if you have the money to keep up with repairs, and are willing to accept the fact that you are going to get ticked off at times with the car, you will overall love driving and owning it. I borrowed a Ford Taurus from a Ford dealer recently (which was very awesome of them to loan me) but once I got my car back, I was at home. The Probe GT is just a fun car to drive, point blank, just be prepared to pay the piper when there's a problem.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 2.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 3.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 2.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No

Latest news from cars.com

See all news

Ford dealers near you

FAQ

What trim levels are available for the 1993 Ford Probe?

The 1993 Ford Probe is available in 2 trim levels:

  • GT (1 style)
  • Probe (1 style)

Is the 1993 Ford Probe reliable?

The 1993 Ford Probe has an average reliability rating of 3.5 out of 5 according to cars.com consumers. Find real-world reliability insights within consumer reviews from 1993 Ford Probe owners.

Is the 1993 Ford Probe a good Hatchback?

Below are the cars.com consumers ratings for the 1993 Ford Probe. 87.5% of drivers recommend this vehicle.

4.0 / 5
Based on 8 reviews
  • Comfort: 4.1
  • Interior: 4.2
  • Performance: 4.4
  • Value: 4.7
  • Exterior: 4.7
  • Reliability: 3.5
Your list was successfully saved.
 
 
 
 
Save list Compare
[{"cat":null,"stock_type":"used","bodystyle":"Hatchback","page_type":"research/make-model-year","oem_page":false,"search_fuel_types":[null]}]