Porsche tried to replace the air-cooled, rear-engined 911 with the water-cooled, front-engined 928. We all know how that worked out. Likewise, Ford tried to replace the Mustang with the Probe, following the same pattern of total reconfiguration of what was a wildly successful predecessor. (Is this where the saying “don’t mess with success” came from?) The new model would be front-wheel drive, derived from a Japanese car (the Mazda MX-6), and outfitted with a V4. All these “features” were seen as shortcomings by Mustang buyers, so the whole notion of nudging the Mustang off the market in favor of this interloper was dead on arrival. That’s not to say the Probe didn’t carve out a slice of the market – it did. Launched in 1988, the Probe managed to sell almost 700k units worldwide. Here on craigslist is a 1989 Ford Probe GT looking for a new home, priced at $8750. The new owner can drive it home from Omaha, Nebraska. Thanks to Barney for finding us this sleek two-owner coupe!

While the base model Probe suffered a dearth of horsepower thanks to a normally aspirated 2.2-liter four, the GT was equipped with a turbocharged version of the same 2.2-liter. Output rose to a respectable 145 hp. The GT’s four-wheel disc brakes were another plus, but Ford tuned the Probe’s suspension to the softer side, a demerit that keeps the model consigned to the “sporty” category – and no match for the Mustang. This example has traveled only 78,191 miles. Gearchanges are courtesy of a five-speed manual, worth bonus points over the also-available four-speed automatic. The seller has renewed the brakes, replaced the clutch, changed the oil, and installed new fog lights. The car is said to run and shift well.

While not identical to the MX-6, the Probe’s cabin is very similar to its sibling’s, with cloth-covered buckets, a fat three-spoke steering wheel, and a sleek center console. The upholstery probably wears like iron, though these seats could benefit from a good cleaning. For this top trim level, air conditioning was available as an option; this unit has a new condenser. Externally, this car has a spot of rust above the windshield and areas of peeling clear coat.

Ford styled its first Probe as long ago as the 1970s, when Don Kopka from Ford’s design team partnered with Carrozzeria Ghia to create the Probe I concept car. The similarities to the modern version are unmistakable. This GT is kitted out with body moldings that clutter the lines somewhat; the base GL and mid-range LX are less embellished. The wanna-be Mustang successor ceased production in 1997, when fewer than 20,000 units were sold. Today, the market views these as not much more than used cars. A few low-mileage first-generation GTs with the turbo four have sold in the $5500 to $7800 range, implying this seller’s price might be a bit aggressive.