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?
Head says Ford, heart says Alfa.
“…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.”
That pretty much sums up the choice here.
Unfortunately, that means it’s time to get Probed.
C’mon…it won’t hurt a bit.
Edit: Besides, every time I ever bought a used vehicle that was desperately low on fuel, that just meant that there was a leak in the tank somewhere and the seller was hiding that fact.
The pic of the Alfa dash is quite puzzling. It looks like there are needle stops on the tach and speedo at 400 RPM and 8 MPH, respectively. Why the hell would those not be set at 0 and 0?!? Or am I wrong about those little nubs and the photographer actually took pics of the dash while driving 8 MPH in the lot with 3 of the 4 doors open? Since the engine appears to be idling at 800 RPM, the oil pressure is a major concern. Is it just a bad sensor or is the BHPH lot owner stupid enough to run the car with very low oil?!?
Since I don’t speak Italian or Italian Car, I’ll play it “safe” with Nippo-American Probe.
An Alfa with obvious issues? Sounds too rich for my blood.
You’re missing one critical thing on that sells the Probe. Sure it has a turbo. Sure it has a manual gearbox. Sure it’s got some pretty boss wheels. But it also has FLIP UP HEADLIGHTS.
As much as I like to pick Alfa with my internet bucks it’s Probe all the way today. They really nailed the front end design on those, especially those popup headlights. Aft of the B pillar, not so much.
So I can choose between a Ford-labeled Mazda, by most accounts a good car…or an Alfa that is, by all accounts, looking for a new and expensive way to die. It’ll look good and drive great, but dying is never not in the cards.
Hmm… Decisions, decisions.
Well, since I ultimately want to get there and not be utterly outraged by mysterious Italian electrical gremlins, Probe today.
I REALLY want to pick the Alfa, but the Probe is cheaper, possibly better shape, manual, turbo, … You made me pick a Ford again.
Ha! I wanted to not pick the Ford so I was all set for Alfa, but then the Probe was cheaper, possibly better shape, manual, turbo…
Since I’ve never been “Probed” before, I’ll take the stick.
The Probe is a good, safe choice. So, of course I must give in to my irrational urges to pick glorious but high-maintenance Alfa instead.
The dashboard indications could be a false source of concern — a lot of early digitally-driven analog gauges would just freeze where they were last, while others would reset to their “rest” position on a spring — sometimes both on the same panel. And then different panels had different start-up behaviors. Some would reset the gauges as soon as the panel powered up, and others would wait until the engine was actually started. Either way, the “bulb test” happened on initial power-up, usually, so you can wind up with a situation where the photo shows critical warning lights “on” either in bulb check mode or because the engine really isn’t running (to supply oil pressure to read) and the rest of the panel is reading nonsense because it’s not really “running” at all. Ah, the hodgepodge of 90s car technology… It really is part of their quirky appeal.
I know they were all like this, but the fact that the speedometer never shows zero would drive me crazy. Here is one removed from the car, and still shows 9 mph. This alone was enough to move me to vote for the Probe.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/133773421035
I like Alfas, but only if they’ve got some oil pressure, so guess it’s time to be Probed. Looks like a fun car anyway, never had any experience with them though.
Not handy or patient enough for a 35 year old Alfa, although I love the style and cosmetic condition of it. Going Probe here. The miles would be scary if the seller hadn’t done so much work, but since he has…
Neither of these are good daily driver candidates anyway, so a stick shift turbo coupe fits the Sunday driver role better.
As long as the unibody on the Probe is solid, everything else can be made as-new again; with some level (not insignificant) of effort.
It’s got the good engine, the right transmission, and a reasonable supply of replacement parts. The other is an Alfa with red flags waving in multiple directions, so I went Probe.
The Probe is a better buy, but I’d take the Alfa and do some wiring.
Even if it breaks (it will), I would rather enjoy just sitting in that Alfa in my driveway. I admire the seller’s dexterity for taking the dash photo at a steady 9 mph (indicated).
Especially with three doors open!
It seems sacrilegious to offer a Busso with an automatic. Gotta be SOMEWHERE in some holy text. Like, maybe in the back, y’know?
Probe for me.
At least I KNOW what’s wrong with the Probe.
At 254k miles, the Probe is at the end of its life cycle. Sure, the Alfa is high maintenance, but it’s an acceptable waste of time and money.