Splarn

I've seen several posts from former or current Ford Probe GT owners who are now RX-8 owners. I'm wondering if any of you would take the time to discuss how the RX-8 compares to your Probe GT.

I know the RX-8 is a (big) step above the Probe GT, but was it as big a step as you expected? Any surprises? Any disappointments? How would you compare the Probe and the RX-8 as far as handling and "fun to drive"?

I own a 1994 Probe GT which refuses to release its hold on me. The Probe was a very underrated car, and I believe Ford made a big mistake killing it - it could have been a truly great car by now.

emailists

I just sold my 94 PGT on Friday and Got my 8 on Saturday- though I had one for 4 months in the byback deal.

The 3rd generation probe actually did come out- except it was the Mercury Cougar (trying to get yournger buyers to the Mercury line)- I don't think Mazda had anything to do with it- which is why it was anot a well recieved car. It had massive trasmission (I belive) problems and didn;t sell well and Ford killed it.

Belive me if you like the Probe your will love the RX. The only thing I miss is the hatchback, the inflatable seat side bolsters, and the amazing visability out the back of the PGT.

Granted mine was an auto with catback, intake, and chip, but it handled extremely well and in the 9.5 years I had it it never needed a wheel alignment. How is that even possible after hitting so many NYC potholes?

The RX has a better ride over rough roads- but that's not saying much since since the Probe had a very stiff ride and was bad over potholes.

The PGT loved to rev, and I reved the sh*t out of it, and the engine is still great- as does the RX love to rev even more. AMny of us here went from PGT's to the RX8 becuase they are similar size and shape cars, and MAdza's.

You will not be unhappy with the 8, except when going to the gas pump (unless you do mostly highway driving)- but offset the poor MPG by using 87 octane.

shebam

I had an '88 626 5-door Turbo (same feel, I think) and a 93 626 ES (same basic chassis and engine). I loved the '88 so much that I kept it through a couple of BMWs and after getting the RX8 -- until it was totaled by a red-light-runner in November. It didn't handle well but FELT as if it did -- just a very elemental, virtuous and unbelievably reliable car. The '93 I gave to my daughter, traded a BMW back for it, and sold to my neighbor -- still parked next door as his daily driver. Never had a Probe but know what you mean.

Tamas

iTrader: (1)

I still do own my '94 PGT (5-speed) which I love to death... but due to the fact that I can't garage it anymore, I will likely have to sell it. Can't watch the thing to be out in the rain...
Handling of the PGT is excellent. The RX-8 handles better, but not by a large margin. As it was already mentioned, the PGT has a very rev-happy engine not unlike the RX-8 - but of course the 8 will be smoother at high revs. Idle is smoother in the Probe though.
Torque-wise, the two are pretty much dead even. I remember, when I first test-drove the 8, I was surprised how little difference there was off the line between it and my PGT. Then, of course, the RX-8 will out-rev and also out-accelerate the Probe - but again, not THAT big of a difference.
Visibility out of the RX-8 is ****-poor compared to the Probe. The 8 has got to have the worst blind spot I have experienced in a car so far.
Ride quality of the 8 is better. The interior quality is no contest - the 8 is much nicer and tighter, albeit I have gone serious lengths to make my Probe as rattle- and squeak-free as I could. Consequently, now at 128K miles, it is way better from this viewpoint than many younger Probes out there.
And of course, in the fuel consumption department, the PGT will hand the RX-8 it's ***. I still get easily 26 mpg when traveling at 75-80 mph on the freeway in the Probe - try to achieve anything close to that in the RX-8 :D

I love the RX-8, and I think if you like the PGT, you will like the 8 even more. I agree with you that the PGT was very underrated, and unfortunately, this shows in it's market value. It is a waste to sell the Probe for as little as I will get for it, but I know my wife won't give me rest until I sell it :p

The Probe is a lot of fun to drive, but it doesn't compete with the RX-8. The 8 is more fun to drive in my opinion. The whole car has a lot more of the WOW factor... and not just because of the looks.

r0tor

iTrader: (1)

I missed my 93 Probe GT when I first sold it... but now I don't even think about it anymore.

The 8 has much higher limits- straightline and cornering but also handles rougher roads a ton better. I've noticed going around turns "taking it easy" at speeds that would have had my Probe's tires screeching. The 8 has a better interior (although I liked the Probes driving position and inflatable side bolster seats better). The **** eating grin factor of the 8 is much higher. The rotary engine is just downright addicting.


If I could get some things from the Probe back it would be the fuel milage, seat, and my old Borla exhaust... good i loved that exhaust note.

DemonRX-8

Seems like the Probe GT to RX-8 jump is popular - I just did it myself! I guess it's a logical step with it's Mazda heritage and sporty yet practical characteristics.

The Probe really was the red-headed stepchild of the Ford line up. They never appreciated the potential in the Probe market and let it whither away. Five or so years for the 2nd gen with no substantial mods except a taillight treatment and swirlies . . . and they wonder why sales were dwindling! The car still looks better than most of the cars in it's class today over ten years later.

As nice as the PGT was, the 8 is still in another class - even if it's not lightyears faster in a straight line (although I think it is significantly faster). The chassis is noticeably stiffer than the Probe's - especially the wet noodle front end on the Probe. Just about everything (except gas mileage) is just that much better in the 8, as is to be expected. That's the only thing that makes me able to sell my Probes!

SpacerX

I logged over 180K miles in my 93 PGT (bought it in March 1993), and I loved every one of them! I've done test drives of the RX8 (and many other new vehicles), and I concur with the above posts, especially on the smoothness and responsiveness of the engine, ride, and steering.

Looking forward to getting the RX8 probably in a few weeks. I'd say the "genetics" of the driver interface are eveident. Both the PGT and the RX8 handle great, and they provide wonderful feedback to the driver. Visibility in both is outstanding. I'm not surprised PGT/MX6 owners are moving to the RX8.

Both are "real world" sports cars, as well. The PGT has a cavernous hatchback volume. While the RX8 has a small trunk, it actually has a huge, useful rear seat volume (I was skeptical, until I got in it myself!).

I'm putting my PGT "out to pasture" -- will be giving it to my folks. They love that car as much as I do. I'll put the illuminas on the "4" or "5" setting, and it'll be a great cruiser for them.

oosik

My '93 probe gt was my favorite car of all until the 8. during the interim I owned a Stealth Twin turbo which was nice, but not as fun.......I guess I've had about 8 other cars in my life.

RCCAZ 1

Everyone,

I've felt for a long time that the Probe GT was Ford's attempt to answer Mazda on the Gen 3 RX-7. So many lines are similar. The taillights, front end, interior pieces, etc. Great to read this thread and see how many of you have moved to the RX-8. Would most of you agree that Ford borrowed ideas from the Gen 3 to make the Probe? Just curious. Thanks for your input!

Xlorn

I sold my blue 93 probe gt a year after I had it. I road in a friends Miata and had to have one after that. Purchased a 94 miata and drove it for 10 years, and now have the 8. For me, the miata was an big upgrade from the probe....I think I just enjoy rear wheel drive cars better. I didn't miss the speed at all because in a miata you feel you are going much faster than the numbers on paper:P

Now that I have the 8, I'm really hoping the wife will get a miata so I can have the best of both worlds. I'm not really into the latest miata's, they feel heavier and a little too refined? I really loved the way the probe gt looked but the performance didn't suit my tastes or style of driving.

jdwk

I currently own a 96 MX-6 M-edition, which as we all know is indetical to the Probe except for gear ratios, and cosmetics. It is my 3rd MX-6.

I have been in the market for a new car for a while because I would like to keep the milage off the MX-6. (55k and holding)

My two new options (rather than getting a beater and souping up the MX-6) are the RX-8 and Z06.

I have driven both of them multiple times in my quest for the perfect replacement.

The problem is there is no perfect replacement. I will always find something that was better in the MX-6, but the car is eight years old and starting to show it's age even though I have kept the miles relatively low.

With Eibachs and low profs on the six, the RX-8 was by far better over the bumps. Stop and go was also far better due to RWD and the incredibly low gearing (high numbered).

But this stop and go gearing made it seem like a dog on the highway. The blast of acceleration felt in 1st, 2nd and 3rd gear are gone on the highway. In fact, I spent considerable time proving that the MX-6/PGT could beat the RX-8 60-90mph.

Regardless, the car is just fun. If the Z06 was not an option, and Mazda had not fueled the vehicle to pass regulations (wasting both gas and power). There would be no question.

To answer the question. IMHO, The PGT and RX-8 would make a great pair. And I would not hesitate, if that is what you want.

VikingDJ

Interesting. I guess my 95 Vw Golf to Rx8 switch isn't that common at all then. hehe I almost bought the new Golf r32, but then thought to myself, no not a modded golf, I need something original.

rxeighter

I too had the Mazda MX-6 LS with the V6 and leather. Great seats, great shifter, and a ball to drive. But, the 8 is in a different class completely.

Tamas

iTrader: (1)

No, it wasn't. The 3rd gen RX-7 was a totally different class of a car - just like the RX-8 is too.
If that was indeed Ford's attempt, they were pretty far off their target :p
Besides, Ford needed no 'answer' to Mazda, seeing that it owns a significant part of it and it has a lot of control over what Mazda does. The Probe and the Mazda MX-6 were built alongside in Flat Rock, Michigan by Auto Alliance which is a joint venture between Ford and Mazda. Also, the Probe was mechanically the same as the MX-6. Engine and suspension parts are completely identical - many of us Probe owners went to Mazda for parts because they were a tad cheaper than Ford.

racerdave

There were rumors before the Probe was introduced that it would be the "new" Mustang.

Needless to say, the musclecarheads didn't think much of a V-6, front-driver.

But in it's own right, the last-gen Probe/MX-6 was a great car. Sweetest V-6 exhaust note I think I've ever heard.

I heard it was rather costly to fix, but that's another story.

scorp76

Agreed. I'm surprised no one else has mentioned that. I remember when I first got my MX-6, I used to turn off the stereo and crack the windows just so I could hear that sweet V6.

rxeighter

I hardley ever used my stereo. I loved the exhaust note!

Katchoo

I still have my '97 GT and love it. All that has been said before in this thread is true so I won't repeat it.

The RX is very close to the GT in overall performance...each car has its' trade-offs. The GT is far and away better in the cold weather (tires) and gas mileage. The RX is better riding and acceleration (but not leaps and bound better).

Let me see: $17,000 for the GT in 1997, $30,000 for the RX8 in 2004, or $7,000 for my other car in 1980. Which was the best deal? Don't know...but I do know which one stands out from the crowd and gets the most looks when I drive it.

DemonRX-8

Actually, I used to get quite a few looks at my PGT when it was new. I'm not sure if it was the car or the color - mine was one of the few purple (Ford calls is "Wild Orchid" . . . whateva) cars on the road back then!

r0tor

iTrader: (1)

Thats not a rumour, its true. The first gen turbo 4cyl was the prototype of the next Mustang. If it wasn't for Colleti's (head of SVT) project "skunkworks" it indeed would have been a Mustang.

This is also the same person that would detune the bejesus out of the turbo 4 1st gen so it wouldn't be faster then the Mustang and then deny the Probe of SVT tuning later.

DemonRX-8

This is primarily my understanding also. Ford had a series of Probe (I,II, III, etc.) prototypes back in the eighties, IIRC. From what I recall, the car that became the production Probe (2nd gen?) was originally slated to be a fwd replacement for the Mustang. Which went over like a lead zeppelin. Ford scrapped the idea of replacing the Mustang, but apparently had this great car developed which they produced as the Probe.

I have a theory that this switch is one of the reasons why is took Ford so long to replace the Fox chassis in the Mustang - because they had developed a replacement but then couldn't use it. Also, I always felt that the reason that Ford did not update the Probe line-up regularly was because they felt it would hurt Mustang sales. Which I thought was unfounded because the two cars appealed to a different market and there was room for both.

bwayout

Happly, I'll add my thoughts to this post ... I'm also one of those past owner of a 1990 Probe ... This was a car that when I was dating my wife before we got married, that when we'd take road trips - I'd take more pictures of the car then her!

:D

Anyway, what I truly miss (that the RX-8 does not have ... yet) is the tilt dash with the wonderfully designed side dial wiper/washer/intermittent variable speed and headlight controls + real gages (not warning lights for oil/voltage/water temperature) and that huge trunk hatch space and the pop-up headlights and the visibility (it had no blind-spots) ... and the fact that it was a true fastback/hatchback and the rear tail light design ... and the way it felt behind the wheel as I drove ...

My 1990 Probe lasted me 13 years with over 220,000 miles on it (until the accident that totaled it and ended up with a mp5 last Feb 03 because the RX-8 was not yet available) and the engine was still going strong (It did get minor oil leaks at least once a year in it's last 3 years of life, that I'd always repair). Still ... I was hoping it would last at least me another year or three ...

True the RX-8 has a lot of simple but elegant features going for it over it's competition, but sadly I still miss my old Probe ... with it's own little attention to details:

Like when you wanted to get into the back seat, there was a lever on the side of the seat, or also a foot peddle for back passengers to use that would cause the seat to glide forward for a much easier entry or exit from the back seat (I wish the RX-8 had this - it's easy to get in the back, but I've found it hard to get your feet out from under the seat to leave).

... And then there was the Probe's automated shoulder belt retractor, plus again ... the dashboard (the truly neat things about those early Ford Probes was that they used the RX-7 switchgear like the moving dash and the turn signal lever seemingly strangely mounted but was in fact - exactly the right place when you went to use it. Closest you could get to driving a Gen II RX-7 without actually doing so ... not even the current 350Z/G35 coupe's dash, comes close for me ...) and all the true engine performance gages ...

The Probe was a great car to drive (a little heavy) but still it felt fun! Every time I meet someone who use to own a Probe in their past -feels the same way - it was a special car to us! My mp5 handles much better than my Probe ever did and since I don't own an RX-8 yet ... (I've only test driven them a couple of times, but I can tell you it drives better than any car I've every drove in ... it's simply amazingly!

:D

One of my best friends was always a little envious of my old Probe that he ended up just getting a 1994 model for himself.

I only hope that when he comes to visit me ... or I drive out to see him in Colorado, I have my RX-8!



I'm still waiting for the day (some time in 2005 or 06) that I can buy my RX-8 ... Or find something else that is a true fastback and also a hatchback that reminds me of my old probe more than the RX-8 ... I'm hoping that Mazda will evolve the RX-8 (or bring out a newly designed Mazda 3 or 6 2+2 fastback that is a hatchback too!) by 2006 to surpasses my old 1990 Probe as my benchmark to compare for my next car ...

I'm hoping that the RX-8 will do it .. and I can move on ...

SpacerX

We're picking up our RX8 tomorrow. We had actually considered getting one of the new Mazda 6s 5-door sedans (they're due next month, IIRC). We test drove the 6, and I would characterize its dynamic as similar to the Probe, but perhaps not as taught/edgy. The formula is certainly the same, however: cavernous interior, front drive paltform, innovative suspension, torquey V6. All-in-all the 6 is another great product from Mazda.

But wait... there's more: in researching the 6, I found that Ford is looking at utilizing the 6 paltform for other "spinoff models" -- notably the next Tribute, and (you guessed it) perhaps a coupe and/or hatchback -- MX6, anyone?

Ophitoxaemia

i still own my 1994 probe gt i bought in 1996. the rx8 is one hell of a car, better in every way than the probe. i race a very powerful RWD car, and most street cars bored me to death, the rx8 is the first car that can replace the probe for me. that said, i still drive the probe, awesome car! the engine is just magic, even if the body is kind of flexy.

james
ex-president, charter member, first probe club BAPOC
thevenom.net

Splarn

Well, it is always interesting to compare cars - thanks to all who contributed.

I guess I'm surprised at the number of posts which indicate that, yes, the RX-8 is better, but not that much better. Not sure if that's because of our built-in prejudice for the Probe or what. On the face of it, you'd expect RWD and 74 more hp to make more of an impression.

DemonRX-8 - my '94 is also Wild Orchid. My brother and I went to a Ford dealer one day to see the new Mustang, and to get to that car the salesman led us past a Wild Orchid PGT in the showroom. I stopped in my tracks - never even kept going to see the Mustang. When clean, Wild Orchid is simply gorgeous - I've never seen another car color as beautiful.