From: luiland@meaddata.com (Yum Ting Lui)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: 1993 Probe -- two week initial impressions (long-ish)
Date: 18 Nov 1992 15:08:56 GMT
Organization: Mead Data Central, Dayton OH
NNTP-Posting-Host: hercules.meaddata.com

In article <1992Nov15.081412.10539@ucsu.Colorado.EDU> ellisk@ucsu.Colorado.EDU (Michael K. Ellis) writes:
>dylan@cs.washington.edu (Dylan McNamee) writes:
>
>>I bought a 93 Ford Probe, and have had it for three weeks now.  Even though
>>all of my driving so far has been in "break-in" mode (varying speeds, haven't
>>rev'd the engine to redline yet, etc) I think my experience so far is worth
>>writing up, in case any of you are thinking about buying a similar car soon.
>
>I've had my GT for about 2 weeks now, and I'll be perfectly happy to add
>my comments, where applicable.  I bought mine with, as mentioned, the
>GT, including the 2.5l V-6, PEP 263A (ABS, Cruise Control, Power
>everything except antenna, 'premium stereo', and lots of goodies), as
>well as a seat height adjuster and an engine block heater.  I considered
>the ABS a 'must' and wanted cruise control, and those two items alone
>are barely $500 less than the package, so I'd advise getting the package
>if you're looking for ABS and Cruise Control anyways.
>

I've had my Rio Red GT for about 13 hours now!!! I was torn between the MX6 
LS and the Probe GT.  I was a very satify owner(13 hours ago) of an '88 MX6
GT so it was difficult to part ways with MAZDA eventhough the two share
the same platform.  I bought mine with 263A, plus CD, moonroof, Anti-theft,
mats, power seats and graphics equalizer.

I test drove the MX6 and gave it a slight notch over the Probe in the
interior and exterior styling(girlfriend like the Probe better though.)
Gave big notch to Probe for handling, solid sound when closing doors,
Keyless remote entry(I love this!) and the biggest of all is price.
With my original options, the invoice for Probe was $17273, MX6 $18382. 
I believe the big difference came in August when MAZDA raised their
prices 6%.  I then decided to add CD to the Probe, but had to swallow
equalizer($118) and power seat($259) because it was the closest one they 
could locate and even it was from Indianapolis, a 120 miles away.  I didn't 
want to wait to order for 8-10 weeks and the anguish someone mentioned.  
I paid $300 over invoice, the lowest MAZDA offered was $750(a good 
deal also).  I am glad I swallowed the equalizer now, it definitely makes 
a big difference.

I have to say the Mazda sales manager is a slime.  When I mentioned I
was also looking at the Probe and mentioned Car & Driver rated it #1 in
handling as oppose to the #5 MX6, he quickly responded that Ford owns C&D.
For some strange reason, he also added that Japanese own Consumer Reports 
because he said they rate the MX6 more reliable than the Probe, for
which he couldn't understand why since they share the same mechanical
components.

I am still wondering why the GT requires premium fuel.  The salesman
said it is probably due to platinum plugs.  I have used premium for my
Turbo MX6 all along anyway so it's no big deal.

Where the heck is the coin box??  I now put them in the ashtray.  I know
why they don't have floor mats for the rear...  There aren't any room
for legs unless they are about 1 inch thick!!

The 1st gear and reverse is a bit tough to engage, my old Mazda had
problems with reverse only.  But it sure shift a lot smoother.

The motor is very smooth and sounds very sweet and smooth. Of course, 
compared to my old Turbo, anything sound sweet and smooth now.  Why did
they change the glass moonroof to the metal kind, I loved the sunshine
during cold days.  The moonroof is a lot narrower too, about half!

I am able to fit three CD in the console but thinks the cupholder in the
console is a bad idea.  I really like the front floor mats, besides the
plastic pins under the mats to hold it in place, there is a hook from
underneath the seat to hold it in place.  My old Mazda factory mats 
flops around under my feet.  I hate all those knops on the ventilation
system, everything else is push buttons.  I like those big fat color-keyed
body side molding, hope it will prevent most dinks.

>Fine, tack on another $116 to the price.  The dealer also 'graciously'
>offered to eat the $250 'advertising' charge, which is good for them, or
>I'd have gotten my deposit back and ordered a Saturn instead.

My girlfriend has a Saturn SC.  I drives and likes it a lot.  But there 
is no way I would consider a Saturn over the Probe.

>work.  Check out fog lights. Left one's out.  Check out all lights.
>Right turn signal/parking light doesn't work.  (Rather it worked, but
>had come loose and fallen back inside, and was shining mostly on the
>tire).  I drove it to work, and took it in the next Saturday.  I got

I hope these gremlins won't show up on mine.  The completion date on the
door states 10/30/92, hope they cleaned up their act.

>engine, and the placement of fourth gear is, instead of straight down
>from third, down and actually a little to the right, something of a
>diagonal motion.  

I have no problem whatsoever with the gears placement, maybe you are 
use to other cars.  I had some problems with the MX6 LS's shifter but 
the Probe is natural for me.  I don't think the 4th is slanted as you
said. 

>recommend the car, with two caveats: don't order it, and make damn sure
>you go through the car inside and out looking for problems before you
>take it off the lot.

I didn't order it with this advice in mind and checked everything out as
best as I can.

Cheers,
Lui.
--

Yum Ting Lui                                  Source Packaging Systems
Mead Data Central                                 luiland@meaddata.com
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Newsgroups: rec.autos