This section is dedicated to the 2nd generation ('93-'97) Probe GT. I will provide a description of my PGT, and also briefly cover other's regarding turbo and supercharging, nitrous, and the J-spec motor.
I purchased my MAZDA Probe GT in October 1994. I saw it sitting at a dealer's lot...Aspen Silver...YES! the color I have searched for about a month from dealer to dealer...finally. Oh btw, you read that correctly, MAZDA Probe GT. I don't consider it a Ford. Even though Ford & Mazda are now merged as one company and there are little blue oval "Ford" emblems on my car, the real issue in determining an origin of a car is where it was born and bred. The Probe GT and MX-6 LS were designed and tested on one platform with the exact same 2.5L all-aluminum 24valve V6 engine, chassis, drivetrain, and suspension. This was done by Mazda in Japan...all Ford ever did was design the different body of the PGT as opposed to the MX-6.
The PGT, like any car, obviously comes with some quirks. The only drawlback I see with it is the painfully obvious low hp-rating the stock US-spec engine delivers. With only 164hp on tap at the crank, it is severly underpowered in its class. Overall however, it is a great car. When this generation first came out in '93, MOTOR TREND magazine gave it their prestigious "Car of the Year" award. It has also been included in CAR AND DRIVER's "Ten Best" list a couple of times. The handling is top notch for a FWD, and shifting through the rod-linkage gears (compared to a cheap cable-design) is smooth and precise. The 2.5 24valve V6 (which is the lightest V6 in the world btw), revs effortlessly to its 9000rpm mechanical redline ("indicated" redline is 7000rpm).
Although like most cars the PGT can be made fast for straight line acceleration, its' forte is on twisties and transition maneuvers. It has seen success in road racing and particularly shines in SCCA's solo II...aka auto-x. This is primarily due to the suspension design. It is very firm but forgiving at the limit. Mazda engineers also incorporated the ingenious VRIS (Variable Resonance Induction System) which also helps in the tight auto-x courses by providing the engine with a flat and generous torque curve.
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