JD’s archives: Royal Flush (Probe/Prelude/MX-6/Eclipse/Corrado)

[Dobes]

[DustinM]

The (anal) Probe hasn't aged well at all. To be fair, all of these cars look ANCIENT by today's standard.

[Chris Stack]

That MX-6 sure was a gorgeous car.

[Boxer2100]

How did the Probe and MX-6 end up so far apart?

[BRealistic]

How did the Probe and MX-6 end up so far apart?

This was a "bang for the buck" comparison instead of a "best sport daily driver" type comparison like most of them now.....

But the MX6's suspension was too soft.
I am sure Mazda was actively trying to make the MX-6 seem completely different from the under the skin twin Probe.
Note Mazda had the smaller cheaper MX3 coming out for the sporty compact crowd, so they probably were trying to position the MX-6 as a near luxury sport coupe.

The initial success of the Nissan and Toyota premiums brands in the US made all brands think they could move upmarket, and the initial wow factor of the SC400 really made a mark.. (and is why the 95+ 240SX was softer gentler instead of sportier).
Mazda was actually working on a brand premium called Amati and planned to unveil it in 1992, so who knows what they had planned for the MX-6 (or the next version).

[Mazda 3s]

The MX-6 is by far the best looking in that group.

[BRealistic]

The MX-6 is by far the best looking in that group.

It has some of that clay formed in a plastic bag look of the initial SC400.

[euromaxituning]

My 2 cents...

Corrado: Love it all around but not very reliable.
MX6: Good looking car in and out
Probe: The GT looks great in my opinion... I'm a sucker for pop-up's... interior and seats not so much.
Mitsubishi: Lot's of power but quite uncomfortable, I know because my brother had one. Also not very reliable,
Prelude: Like the Corrado, I love the car all around... I really like the dashboard design and digi cluster

[crannky]

The (anal) Probe hasn't aged well at all. To be fair, all of these cars look ANCIENT by today's standard.

No giant, gaping, unnecessarily-happy, obnoxious, smiley-fascias... You say that like it's a bad thing.

[sullie]

Okay kids gather 'round the camp fire while Grandpa Sullie ages himself. So the year is 1994, my '92 Saturn SL2 (blue black over grey cloth w/5-speed) had just been totaled and I was left without a car. I looked at all these cars back then as well as the Nissan 240SX.

I'll be honest, I WANTED a used Nissan 300ZX more than anything which is why I later bought the 300ZX many years later. Anyway, at the time I found a used '90 Z (test drove a then new Z, God it was awesome) but the problem was that I had just moved to Indianapolis, the weather sucked, I lived in an apartment, the apartment place didn't have covered or garage storage (couldn't have afforded it anyway as I was up to my neck in student loans and bills) so I figured I "needed" to have front wheel drive.

I wanted a Honda Accord in '92 but I couldn't afford it but by '94 though I switched jobs, moved to Indy and I was making twice as much money and I could finally afford it. I had my heart set on a left over, unsold '93 Honda Accord EX Coupe (lightish green) that I was in lust for. The problem was that when I drove it, I had this revelation. I thought "oh my God, I'm in my 20's, I have the perfect opportunity to buy a really cool, "fun" coupe. I'm single, I'm in good shape, I'm young, I don't have a family, I'm young and I can finally buy a really cool, sporty car, I'm young, why am I looking at an old family man's car?. . . hell I'm still young!"

I test drove but hated that generation of Honda Prelude all because the dash reminded me of something from an Oldsmobile. I thought the dash was awful, that was it. Fun car, hated the dash, I'm embarrassed to admit that but it's true. I was a crybaby, I really liked the previous gen Prelude better. I passed on the prom queen because she had freckles. Ah well.

I stopped by the VW dealership, they had a gorgeous black Corrado, the salesmen wouldn't let me test drive it, treated it like I was a 15 year old trying to test drive a 911. I'm going to be completely honest though, the sticker shocked the living daylights out of me. I had no idea Corrado's were that expensive. I read the magazines, I knew they were pricey, but this one on the lot was really expensive.

I really liked the looks of the MX-6 best, I picked a '91 MX-6 GT out for my brother, it was quicker and more fun but the MX-6 really felt like a softie/feminine car to me. Very, very nice but the ride was cushy, the handling a little sloppy, I wanted something more hard core.

Mitsubishi was on a roll back then. I really liked the styling of Eclipse. The dealership I looked at the Eclipse at, had a big markup on the GSX but back then I was angling more towards the GST, it was more affordable, I thought a little quicker than the GSX and a really fun car all around. The problem I had with the Mitsubishi was the dated dash, the heavy clutch and the stupid mouse belt plus the sales staff at the closest dealer was absolutely horrible.

So I picked a previously owned, low mileage, '93 Ford Probe GT black over red w/5-speed, completely loaded - keyless remote, heated mirrors, I upgraded the speakers and installed the optional Ford graphic equalizer and power antenna. Lots of fun, rough ride, the oem Goodyears were some of the worst tires I've ever experienced, I replaced an exhaust system every other year I owned that car (6 years, 3 exhaust systems), left me stranded at work one time (got home at 1:00 a.m. from a failed fuel pump cutoff switch), left me stranded at a grocery store with a car load of groceries when the parking brake froze up, and I spent more time at the Ford dealership than I have with ALL my cars combined over the years but I still had a blast with that car. I will say, it was reasonably quick, lots of fun, when I finally put new tires on it, it was a blast. I really loved that car but it was like dating a hot girl with a lot of "issues", fun when it's fun time but the rough times were too much. . . and too damned expensive too!

If I were to do it over again, I would have gotten over the stupid dashboard and just bought the Prelude Si though, I'm 100% certain of that, it was a great car and I was too pig headed or stubborn to look past its little faults.

[fastconti]

Despite its several issues, my Probe SE was such a memorable car. Fun and easy handling with great mileage and some decent functionality (well only with the cargo tray out). Overall, it was the perfect teenager/college car. Ironically, at the time I was always jealous of the MX-6.

[Iroczgirl]

Sweet!! But then I love the Corrado...and the Prelude.

[Yo Teach]

I love all those 90s sports coupes that have gone the way of the dodo...

[SSLByron]

If any of you read Baruth, you know the Probe GT was a showroom superstar in its day. I'd take the Mazda for its looks, and just go with an aftermarket suspension. That V6 was magical.

[BattleRabbit]

Only the MX-6 and Corrado have aged well... The rest, particularly the Probe and Eclipse look curious at best, and tragically dated at worst.

The Corrado and Prelude are the most fun of that gaggle, in my opinion of course. The Prelude was such a good car, shame they are so hard to find unmolested and rust free now.

[crannky]

If any of you read Baruth, you know the Probe GT was a showroom superstar in its day. I'd take the Mazda for its looks, and just go with an aftermarket suspension. That V6 was magical.

I had one with a suspension. It was fun. Build quality was pretty meh, door cards falling off, etc. Back in my younger years, I used to try to race everything anywhere near that price point and would consistently get whooped up by vr6 cars. Hence my later VW purchase after the MX-6 was attacked by an SUV.

[Aw614]

The Corrado and Prelude are the most fun of that gaggle, in my opinion of course. The Prelude was such a good car, shame they are so hard to find unmolested and rust free now.

Especially that generation Prelude tested in that issue, I dont think I've ever seen a regular stock one, most I see have primered panels, and horrible wheels and body kits.

[TetsuoShima]

Especially that generation Prelude tested in that issue, I dont think I've ever seen a regular stock one, most I see have primered panels, and horrible wheels and body kits.

Going to whore mine...and to make it even worse, with terrible cell phone pics







I'm actually a pretty big fan of the dash, it makes the car feel a lot bigger and everything is still super easy to read and easily accessible. Could use at least 1 more cupholder but I barely drink in my car anyway. Don't have to get into the details on the engine and handling as the article already covered that. Seems as though every Prelude generation was well recieved by journalists.

Hopefully Honda takes a look back at these articles and remembers what it was like when they made great sport/sporty cars.

[Chris Stack]

when rotating tires goes wrong...

[BRealistic]

The Probe's interior did not take abuse well.
I remember looking at Probe GTs on nice dealer lots in the late 90s, and I just gave up as every one had interiors falling apart or barely stuck together with glue and tape.

[Waarp]

The Prelude is the winner here. Only reason they gave the Ford the nod is cause its so much cheaper. But how can you drive with searing back pain?

[sullie]

The Prelude is the winner here. Only reason they gave the Ford the nod is cause its so much cheaper. But how can you drive with searing back pain?

I don't know if all the Probes came with it or not but I recall mine had a rubber bladder for lower lumbar support. . . having said that I don't think it helped much but still. . . yeah horrible seats overall.

[JLJetta]

The first time I saw an MX-6, I had no idea what car it was. For some reason, I thought it was a much more expensive car than it really was.

[Mosbius Designs]

I wish I could go back in time to drive a Corrado when it was brand new.

[BattleRabbit]

I wish I could go back in time to drive a Corrado when it was brand new.

My friend has four, including two low mile, stock SLCs, and a heavily modified G60(no longer running the grenade, er, stock supercharger). Good ones ARE out there still. You may get something approaching your wish some day.

[BRealistic]

The Prelude is the winner here. Only reason they gave the Ford the nod is cause its so much cheaper.

Wow- you mean price makes a difference in bang for the buck comparisons?
The Probe had a smooth V6 and slick handling. It wasn't exactly at the bottom until price was factored in.

[GTIDamien_407]

The first time I saw an MX-6, I had no idea what car it was. For some reason, I thought it was a much more expensive car than it really was.

I actually like the mx6, and especially love the way they look with those rx7 wheels.

I also love the corrado, very nice car overall and the sound that vr makes is tits

[Jrod511]

A 1995 GT was my first car. I've subsequently owned a 96 M-Edition MX-6 as well, as well as a VR6 Corrado and a Prelude VTEC (5th gen, but largely similar).

My buddy at the time had a 1994 VTEC Prelude. He could walk away from my Probe over 40 mph. But I loved that super smooth, revvy V6. Car looked great too. Very airy feeling interior. Build quality poor-ish. Ride and handling excellent. I thought the GT was slower than my Prelude and not built as "Honda tight" but handled better for sure. And it was better built and more nimble feeling than the VR6 Corrado I had.

It had a Hotshot Cold Air intake and a Brullen exhaust (that car sounded incredible, really...but when I started doing three hour drives I put the stock exhaust back on (and liked the factory twin tips better anyways). Dyno'd at 156 HP to the wheels so probably about 175 at the crank. First car I ever took to the drag strip; ran a 15.5 @ 92. Autocrossed the balls off of that car. The only shortcomings I recall was power steering that you could get ahead of in a slalom, and that thing needed a mechanical LSD very badly. If an Integra Type-R showed up I was going to have a bad time.

The MX-6 was and is a really great looker. Mine was that dark mica color with tan leather, a tan/taupe/black interior, and the dark gold wheels. Looked like a $50k car.

I had an Eclipse for a short while but it was one just a 2.0 5 speed non-turbo ****box so it doesn't really count. The Corrado gave me a few healthy Chewbacca roars and went like the hammers but I knew it was going to be a pile so got rid of it fast.

I doubt there are any really nice Probe GT's left on the planet. They were not durable, they got silly cheap really fast, and most have been thrashed to death by now.

I remember trying to figure out how to retrofit the Equalizer only available in 1993 to my 1995 GT.

1995 had gotten a mild facelift (swirly wheels, revised single bar taillight with GT in the center panel, red tail surrounds (only year); the interior lost the ring trim around the cockpit and got the cheapest fabric of any year (1993 and 1994 was sort of a tweed material, 1996 and 1997 were more like velour. 1995 was just nasty ass garbage with a fun party/puke design theme on it).) Mine had no rear spoiler and I think it looked great. I loved the blacked out pillars; with tinted windows they have a really interesting greenhouse shape to them.

1995 no longer had a button on the dash to keep the headlights up when off. Stupid cheap ass Ford. Couldn't get that button for love or money from the factory. Had to pull the Retra fuse for the lights to stay up.

Met a lot of great people from those forums; went to Baltimore one year for a St.Patricks party. It was awesome. Still keep in touch with a couple of them.

The EQ of my dreams


A guy I went to school with had one in that blue/grey/pink pearlescent color. THAT was a stunning color. Very rare factory color. Predated the Mystic Cobras.

A few years ago my buddy picked up a 1993 GT for like $100, no idea how, and it was a pretty decent car. He used it as a daily commuter car for like 2 years. One day I took EVERY single screw and clip out of the interior and put back in a handful of screws JUST enough to make it hang together. It didn't take long for everything in the car he touched or even looked at to just come off. He was not pleased.

God an NA or NB Miata would be awesome with a KL V6; I think someone has done it.

[BRealistic]

^^
Red button on shift knob.. rocket launcher?
Wait, this is a Probe... Lube launcher?

[Jrod511]

The only photo I can find of that color, and on a T-Bird - Venetian Blue. The photo does the color, and it's ability to change (but not "flop" like the Mystic color, much more subtle here) no justice, just some reference.

Ya know, some 90's colors were great, some sucked, but at least you could get actual colors on a car.

[BRealistic]

The only photo I can find of that color, and on a T-Bird - Venetian Blue. The photo does the color, and it's ability to change (but not "flop" like the Mystic color, much more subtle here) no justice, just some reference.

Ya know, some 90's colors were great, some sucked, but at least you could get actual colors on a car.

Here you go.





And yes- it is a very nice color.
I remember seeing at least one like that. Stunning color.

[nickthaskater]

So basically, the MX-6 is the clear winner bar some suspension and tires, both of which are easily remedied.

[ModelCitizen]

This thread is bringing out all the geriatric members of the forum.

My Dad worked at Mazda back then so we had plenty of MX-6's in the driveway and my mom had a red 4 cyl. when i was in high school. I am still mad at him for not getting a V6 for "us" to drive, but he was no dummy, as I broke plenty of laws in the slow version. These are great looking cars to this day IMO. I think the last time I saw a clean one was probably a decade ago. Probably not worth the trouble to restore one, but this has been added to the craigslist search list again, for the time being.

[Jrod511]

Hey, I'm only 31.

[Mosbius Designs]

My friend has four, including two low mile, stock SLCs, and a heavily modified G60(no longer running the grenade, er, stock supercharger). Good ones ARE out there still. You may get something approaching your wish some day.

I don't want one, just would like to experience one in 'new' condition.