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General Probe buying advice

Posted: Sun Apr 21, 2019 11:12 am
by Retro Turbo
Hi all,

I've been asked to compile a buying guide on the Probe and was wondering if I could tap into your knowledge? Best to ask the people who know the car the best! Can anyone give me a few pointers on the common faults eg rust, engine/gearbox issues? Does the suspension give any grief? What's parts availability like? I guess stuff like interior trim can only be sourced second-hand, but I imagine a lot of mechanical parts are readily available?

Many thanks for your help.

Re: General Probe buying advice

Posted: Sun Apr 21, 2019 12:29 pm
by Kit
There was a “Probe buyers Guide”, on the old forum :?

May be Admin, will be able to dig it out from a ‘back up’

Kit

Re: General Probe buying advice

Posted: Sun Apr 21, 2019 1:08 pm
by Retro Turbo
Thank you, Kit.

That sounds fantastic if anyone has it? Otherwise, any tips/hints are much appreciated!

Re: General Probe buying advice

Posted: Mon Apr 22, 2019 7:04 pm
by Andy W
Rust (sills, inner wings, rear arches, rear inner wings, rear chassis legs.)

Re: General Probe buying advice

Posted: Mon Apr 22, 2019 7:06 pm
by Retro Turbo
Thank you, Andy. Much appreciated.

I think through trawling through the site posts I've managed to pick up the major points. Am currently trying to stuff as much in on the limited word count I have.

Re: General Probe buying advice

Posted: Mon Apr 22, 2019 7:09 pm
by Micron
Can I ask, who the guide is for?

Re: General Probe buying advice

Posted: Mon Apr 22, 2019 8:13 pm
by Retro Turbo
Coming up in a future issue of Classic Ford.

Re: General Probe buying advice

Posted: Mon Apr 22, 2019 8:49 pm
by Micron
Retro Turbo wrote:
Mon Apr 22, 2019 8:13 pm
Coming up in a future issue of Classic Ford.
Ok, based on that I would add the following to what Andy has already written.

The sunroof rusts from the inside, and on some cars the roof it's self will rust around by the sunroof opening or by the windscreen
The earlier models with the Bosch immobiliser would cause problems to the distributor, meaning a replacement would be required. Also when the Immobiliser goes faulty the car will not start at all, so most people remove them.
The later cars came with a Temic immobiliser which is more robust, and in the main never fail.
Most interior or panel parts are only available second hand.
Most mechanical parts are still available because they share them with the Mazda MX6
Both engines are from Mazda

I'm sure that there will be more to add etc?

Thanks

Trev

Re: General Probe buying advice

Posted: Mon Apr 22, 2019 8:54 pm
by Retro Turbo
Thanks Trev, much appreciated.

Re: General Probe buying advice

Posted: Mon Apr 22, 2019 9:45 pm
by Micron
Do you have any questions that might jog our memories?