I know what you’re thinking: Those two cars have nothing to do with each other. It’s not even comparing apples and oranges; it’s comparing apples and orange soda. You’re right. But what they have in common is that they both jumped off the screen and demanded to be put in a Showdown. Since no more appropriate competitors appeared for either one in the time I had to look, they’re going head-to-head.
Yesterday’s choices didn’t have a whole lot in common either, apart from being close in age and price. The vote itself wasn’t even close: the big Caddy absolutely creamed that poor Duster. Many of you felt the Duster was overpriced, but the Eldorado was a fair deal.
I get it, and I do enjoy a nice big comfy Cadillac. I used to own a Coupe DeVille. But if I’m spending that much money on a car, it has to be something that will hold my interest for a long time, and that Eldorado isn’t it. The Duster I could enjoy owning for a lot longer, I think. There are a lot of possibilities there.
When you’re shopping for a used car, even something meant as a fun second or third car, you have to look at not only what’s wrong with it now, but what might go wrong in the future. Some brands are just trouble, and if you know that going in and you’re okay with it, then that’s fine. If not, you’d be better off picking something that may not be in perfect shape at the moment, but is more likely to be a faithful companion in the future. And that is the choice I’m giving you today. (See? I found a way to tie them together.) Let’s take a look.
1989 Ford Probe GT – $4,000
Engine/drivetrain: Turbocharged 2.2-liter OHC inline-4, five-speed manual, FWD
Location: Maize, KS
Odometer reading: 254,000 miles
Operational status: Runs and drives well, still needs a few things
We all know the Ford Probe’s story: It was meant to be the new-for-1989 Mustang, until Mustang devotees took one look at this Mazda-derived, front-wheel-drive coupe and said “No way.” So the Mustang soldiered on unchanged, and Ford sold the new coupe alongside it. I’ve owned a first-generation Probe, and no matter what you call it, it’s a fine automobile. The Probe is enjoying a bit of a renaissance these days, and I’m happy to see it, even though it means prices are going up. This ’89 GT isn’t too expensive, but it’s a whole lot more than you would have paid for it five years ago.
The GT adds a turbocharger to the Probe’s standard 2.2-liter Mazda engine, raising its output to 145 horsepower. This one was just rebuilt, and it runs great. The seller also replaced the clutch, engine mounts, axles, front brakes, front wheel bearings, and more while the engine was out. They have the parts to give the rear suspension and brakes the same treatment, but the work hasn’t been done yet. So the car runs and drives, but not as well as it will with a bit more work. The seller found another Probe they wanted more, so this one is up for sale unfinished.
It has a lot of miles on it, more than a quarter of a million, and it shows in the interior. The seat upholstery is in excellent shape for that many miles, but the leather steering wheel cover is worn clean through. The dashboard is also badly cracked, but a replacement is included. The headliner has a couple of holes in it too, but how often do you look at the ceiling of your car anyway?
It’s a little tired-looking outside too, with cracked taillights, faded black trim, and bad paint on the front bumper. But it still has pop-up headlights, and those awesome three-spoke wheels. I don’t know what the rust situation is, but I don’t remember Kansas using road salt, so maybe it’s okay. Take a look underneath to make sure, though, obviously.
1992 Alfa Romeo 164 L – $4,995
Engine/drivetrain: 3.0-liter OHC V6, four-speed automatic, FWD
Location: Worcester, MA
Odometer reading: 87,000 miles
Operational status: Runs and drives well
Alfa Romeos are almost universally praised as driver’s cars. I’ve only ever driven one myself, an early-’80s Spider, and it was a wonderful car to drive. The 164 isn’t like the Alfas that came before it; it’s front-wheel-drive, for one. And it shares its platform with a Lancia, a Fiat, and of all things, a Saab. Some things didn’t change, though: it’s still a great car to drive, by all accounts, and it’s still fragile and high-maintenance.
Even though it drives the “wrong” wheels, the 164’s engine is pure Alfa magic: the sonorous “Busso” V6. Here it displaces 3.0 liters and drives the front wheels through a ZF four-speed automatic. Yes, a manual would be more fun, but this is what we’ve got to work with. The seller, a dealership from the sound of it, says it runs and drives well, but this shot of the dashboard has me worried. Note how the temperature gauge is high, with a red light next to it, and the oil pressure gauge is at zero? Not good. There’s another warning light on, just below the tach; low oil level, maybe? Something’s not right here. Better take it to a specialist and have it checked out before you buy.
Cosmetically, it’s in great shape, though. Look at this interior: two-tone black and tan, nice leather seats, and oh so many buttons. I’ve heard that electrical problems are just part of life with these cars, so I expect some of the buttons don’t work. And the old-school car phone is probably just a prop at this point, too. But it is a cool touch.
The outside is just as clean as the inside, and it’s a good color. Italian cars are well-known for rusting, but I don’t see any signs of that here. And with the low mileage, it’s unlikely this car saw many winters anyway. If you have your heart set on an older Alfa Romeo, this one actually looks like a decent choice – if you can put up with the automatic, and if it checks out mechanically.
So we’ve got one car that the seller swears runs just fine, even though its instrument panel seems to indicate otherwise. And we’ve got another that has had its front half overhauled, but is still waiting for the back half to be done. One is a Japanese-American sports coupe, and the other is an Italian executive sedan. They both grabbed my attention, but which one speaks to you?
The post Which One Grabs Your Attention? 1989 Ford Probe GT vs 1992 Alfa Romeo 164 appeared first on The Autopian.
