Red 1993 Ford Probe coupe, rear 3/4 view, showing its distinctiv…

:ntroduction 7 l-ord had a ' E.,:pelclone _ ; Talon) and OThe Probe GT and Mazda MX-6 are so much more refined, more velvety than their forebears that I need to buy one. But which? Mechanical twins in a sibling rivalry. lt shakes out like this: in, crisper handling. MX-6 LS: better at swallowing potholes. Probe: sportier cabin, warmer surfaces maroon stripe describing a semicircle. panel by Nancy Reagan. Probe: hood doesnt flutter, doors slam with conviction, vault~like feel. MX-6: lighter touch, more maneu~ verable in commutercity cut-nthrust. Probe: true hatchback whose rear seat headroom is predictably compro mised. MX-6: large, real trunk; Waterford and Wedgwood are hidden from miscreants. flanks, graceless pop-up headlamps, Firebirdesque nose, lopped-off tail~ Probe. V-6 engines. V6 engines. The winner? Hey, I am shallow and decide such things on looks. Wheres the Mazda showroom? l performs well but also performs with smoothness and dignity, Id say that Ford Probe GT. A long look. you in more than one way, and there is no oversupply of noise to remind dullards and drones that they are at the wheel of a sporting ear. a Honda Prelude (a close second) for com parison. Our impression was that the Prelude might have slightly better high speed manners. The turbocharged Eclipse definitely has more motor. But the Probes balance of performance, style, and value may well bump it to the head of the class, especially because Ford is almost holding the line on price. Stickers climb only slightly, despite the higher equipment con COUNTERPOINT 7 Probe GT; fatter tires, sharper toms the rearwindow treatment. but it is at MX- 6: muted severe instrument Probe: GTdeca1 foofaraw on never mistaken for anything but a MX-6: one of this planets great Probe: one of this planets great John Philit'ps " y , . tolerant of ourroaclways bumps and If youve been waiting for a car that, ; and firmer springs and shocks. you owe yourself a look at the new , The Probes V-6 engine will move. , leave out a huge increase in price~and you have 21 Probe that reclaims its posi- supercoupe class. We were able to drive this car on both the Ford proving grounds track , and on the streets of A1111 Arbor. It feels , better on a smooth track, but the rm suspensiononce youve got accus tomed to itmore than makes up in handling for some minor bumpiness. Unless of course you live in one of the Six American cities with smooth roads. Im still not altogether whelmed by least distinctive. Otherwise, the exterior is quite, handsome. Inside, the interior is one that we can hope foretells the future for Ford. It s nothing short of excellent; good to sit in and good to look at. Ford gets my four-star attaboy for the new Probe GT; ~Wrllzam Jeanes When a manufacturer redesigns (a car. we expect to see substantial progress on all fronts, and that s exactly what Ford has given us With the new 1993 Probe GT The original car 5 2. 2 liter turbo { four was gutsy but coarse and whoop ing over 5000 rpm. The new,2.51iter, 24valve V46 gives up none: of the { turbos performance, but it sets the , class standard for renement and pulls to 7000 rpm as eagerly as another V5 type engine with red heads made 111 Italy. The old GT wiggled its head like a hooked bass if you asked it to acceler- ate hard on pavement that was less than perfect. Thenew chassis is far more grinds, despite its wider, grippier tires Throw in; taut new exterior styling, a slick interior that artfully combines air and a logical layout to the detri- merit of: neither, and an air baguand tion as one of the pace~setters in the Csaba Csere , tent. The GT starts right at $15,504 (with ABS adding close to $1000). Aprils loaded 1992 GT came in at $20,440 (including freight, as do all prices here), and a comparable 1993 will reach about $21,000. The base 2.0liter four-cylinder Probe will open just over $13,000. Ford has a strong player here. It sure helps to be at the table when the game starts. 0 35