Is the Mazda MX-6 a Ford Probe?
No, the Mazda MX-6 and the Ford Probe are separate and distinct vehicles. While the two cars share some similarities, they are not the same model.
Differences Between the Mazda MX-6 and Ford Probe
The Mazda MX-6 and Ford Probe were both mid-size sports coupes produced in the 1980s and 1990s, but they were developed and manufactured by different automakers. The MX-6 was produced by Mazda, while the Probe was produced by Ford.
The MX-6 was Mazda's entry-level sports coupe, slotting below the more powerful and expensive RX-7 in the company's lineup. It was available with a range of four-cylinder engines, including turbocharged variants. In contrast, the Ford Probe was designed to replace the aging Ford Mustang and was positioned as a more modern, aerodynamic sports car. The Probe was available with both four-cylinder and V6 engine options.
While the two cars shared some design elements and underpinnings, as they were both front-wheel-drive sports coupes, they were distinct models with their own unique characteristics and target audiences.
Shared Platform and Design
The Mazda MX-6 and Ford Probe did share a common platform, as they were both developed as part of a joint venture between Mazda and Ford in the late 1980s. This joint venture, known as the "Ford-Mazda Flat Rock Assembly Plant," resulted in the production of both the MX-6 and Probe at the same facility in Flat Rock, Michigan.
Despite this shared platform, the two cars were designed and engineered separately by their respective automakers. The MX-6 had a more traditional sports car design, with a long hood and short deck, while the Probe had a more aerodynamic, "cab-forward" design that was intended to appeal to a younger, more style-conscious audience.
Conclusion
In summary, while the Mazda MX-6 and Ford Probe shared some similarities due to their joint development, they were distinct and separate models produced by different automakers. The MX-6 was Mazda's entry-level sports coupe, while the Probe was Ford's attempt to replace the Mustang with a more modern, aerodynamic sports car.
What car is the same as Ford Probe?
First Place: Ford Probe GT. Geneticists and automakers alike will study the Mazda MX-6 and the Probe GT for years to come. The cars share the same basic building blocks (with the Mazda 626 sedan, too), but like fraternal twins, they've grown up with distinct personalities.
Are MX6s reliable?
MX6-LS is Very Reliable Car - Still Fun To Drive
Very fun to drive, even after having it for several years. This car handles extremely well, with newer tires. I've kept the maintenance up, replacing the water pump, timing belt, but the engine is very reliable. New brakes and calipers installed at about 110K miles.
Why did the Ford Probe fail?
Why Was the Ford Probe Taken Off the Market? By 1997, Probe sales had dropped to less than 20,000 as buyer interest was lured away from the coupe and towards the Mustang it was meant to replace. It also lost sales to the Thunderbird and Mazda's Miata, all of which had rear-wheel drive.
Is the Mazda MX-6 rare?
As a result, only a handful of MX-6s were ever produced (as opposed to the MX-5 Miata, which hit its 1M-mark last year). Unfortunately, many MX-6s have either ended up in junkyards or heavily modified, making it tough to find a well-preserved one with all of its original parts.
Was the Ford Probe a Mazda?
As before, the Probe was to share its under-structure with Mazda's MX-6 and 626. Mazda engineered the engine, transmission, and chassis, while Ford engineered the body and interior. Technically, the second generation Probe is 60% Mazda and 40% Ford.
What is the Ford version of the Mazda 626?
Ford Telstar
| Ford Telstar | |
|---|---|
| Also called | Mazda Capella Mazda 626 |
| Production | 1982–1999 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Compact car (1982–1987) Mid-size car (1987–1999) |
Is the Ford Probe supposed to be a Mustang?
It's also the final gas-powered muscle machine still on the market, but the Mustang very nearly didn't make it to see this glory, having been slated for replacement by the front-wheel-drive Probe at the end of the 1980s—a plan Ford eventually walked away from after an uproar from the Mustang faithful.
What does MX stand for Mazda?
Mazda eXperimental
Short for “Mazda eXperimental”, the MX name was first used in 1981 for an out-there concept styled by Italian design house Bertone. Debuted at the Tokyo motor show, the MX-81 Aria was based on the contemporary 323, but had a wedge-shaped body designed by Marc Dechamps with a wedge-shaped body and large glasshouse.
Is the Mazda MX-6 a Ford Probe?
The Mazda MX-6 is a front-engine, front-wheel-drive coupé manufactured and marketed by Mazda from 1987 to 1997 across two generations. Mechanically identical to the Ford Probe, the Capella/626 and its hatchback platform mate, the Ford Telstar, these cars shared the GD (1988–1992) and GE (1993–1997) platforms.
Was Mazda owned by Ford?
But the Mazda Motor Corporation near Hiroshima, Japan, is the manufacturer who makes Mazda. At one time, Ford owned part of the company, buying a stake in it in 1979 and eventually owning a controlling share by 1995. However, Ford had sold all of its shares in Mazda by 2015 as a way of streamlining its assets.
