Rad to the Max: 1997 Ford Probe GT – SOLD!

August 26, 2021 Update – We confirmed the seller of this Ford Probe “Classifind” deleted their listing, so we’re now able to call this one “SOLD!” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call us directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

Rad-era cars are hardly a one-size-fits-all demographic, and that’s what makes them so special. From square body SUVs to genuine supercars, you can literally find anything your heart desires. And the best part is many of these vehicles remain affordable like this clean 1997 Ford Probe GT once listed in August 2021 on Craigslist in Milford, Maine in a very rare color scheme with some rust noted and an asking price of just $2,900 or best offer. Shockingly, the NADA Price Guide confirms this private seller has priced his bone-stock Probe GT well under the “High” retail valuation of $3,575, which makes this well-maintained example even more tempting.

The Probe got off to a bumpy start here in the United States, with rumors escaping from Dearborn that the front-wheel-drive four-cylinder was on track to replace the venerable Mustang. Of course, this never happened, but it wasn’t out of empathy for the design team that Ford kept the Probe plans moving forward: no, far too much money had been spent on a Mustang replacement to change course, so the Probe entered the arena of the Honda Prelude and Toyota Celica, along with other front-wheel-drive coupes, to do battle as a sport compact fighter. Of course, it shared its underpinnings with the Mazda MX-6, along with its turbocharged four-cylinder powerplant in the early models. The MX6 and Probe would eventually graduate to V6 power, with one of the prettiest sounding six-cylinder engines this side of an Alfa Romeo.

The YouTube Channel Big Car provides a nice history of how the Probe was Ford’s “New Coke” marketing disaster moment:

The seller’s car is an interesting one, namely for the color. Most Probes of this era are the entry-level trim-wearing paint jobs popular among the hairstylist’s demographic, so count on lots of teals and fuchsia-colored models (no disrespect to hairdressers). The GT, when you do find one, usually steps up to teal and hard reds, so this very gold Probe is a stand-out just on its color scheme alone. The seller maintains it came from California before ending up in Maine, so it’s largely rust-free, aside from an odd spot on the B-pillar that appears to stem from an unresolved sunroof leak. Still, the asking price is dirt cheap for a GT that remains in stock condition, and could likely be improved significantly with a week at the body shop. The seller promises a detailed spreadsheet of recent maintenance work, making it even more tempting at the current below-market asking price. Good luck with the purchase if you snag this rad-era Probe GT!

Here’s the seller’s description:

“1997 Ford Probe GT V6 5spd, original car from the San Francisco Bay area rust free less the spot on the roof and drivers door jam. Super clean engine bay with lots of new tune-up and maintenance parts, can provide a spreadsheet of recent work. This is an awesome driver for someone looking for a original car with quirky 90s pop-up headlight appeal. Has a current sticker but will need tires for the next, clutch is new but wasn’t broken in correctly but will include new 6 puck ceramic friction disc with sale. $2900 obo.“

Do you have a Ford Probe story you’d like to share?  Comment below and let us know!