Why was the Probe Ford's 'New Coke' moment?

In 1985 Coca Cola released new Coke. In a move that became the poster child for one of the largest catastrophes in marketing history, they ended production of the Coke taste people loved and replaced it with something they didn’t want. Just two years later Ford nearly followed Coke with a Japanese engineered, front wheel drive Mustang that didn’t even have an all-American V8. Thankfully wiser heads prevailed, although in a rush to find a new name for the car Ford did use a pre-approved name that sounded more like some sort of medical device. So, why did Ford approve a Mustang replacement customers revolted over, and what did they think of it when it was launched?

Music for the launch of the Probe: "Church of 8 Wheels" from the YouTube audio library.

#bigcar

[lastsplash]

The styling on the second generation Probe was ahead of its time.

[taylorc]

The 2nd gen Probe GT is one of the best looking Fords ever.

[johnmark]

Every Youtube Car Channel: "The Ford Probe was a failure."
Every viewer: "I love the Probe."

(the probe will be back)

[rorymacve]

I always had a soft spot for the second generation Probe, mostly because it didn't look anything like a Ford. When I was a kid in the 90s I always thought it was some kind of exotic. :)

[gordythecreator]

Love those last line of Probes. The woman exec did an AWESOME job designing. Ahead of its time design wise

[rachelkohl]

I've replied to a few comments on here, but for those who loved this car, I did too! My dad got a '91 when it was two years old. It was even the car to take me home after I was born. It was my first car to learn how to drive in (it's also a manual). When it was time for me to get a different car because the Probe was running into issues from old age, I asked to keep it and restore it. So we did. We rebuilt the engine and finished that a couple of years ago. It's since had a fresh coat of paint, the interior is in the process of being cleaned and restored, and it's got a new stereo and speakers! It's gone to a couple of car shows now. That car won't be in a scrapyard if I can help it!

[torstenscholz]

Great work as always. I always liked the Probe and never understood why it got that much hate, it's certainly an underrated classic that's a lot better than people make it out to be. Granted, the first generation looked a bit dull, but the second generation's design was pretty great and well ahead of its time and still holds up well today.

[sandonlettieri]

I still own a 93 GT, after 22 years. I feel like it is such an underrated car, probably due to the shoes it was intended to fill. I am also biased.

[coriolass]

I'm still somewhat convinced that the "new Coke" was a marketing ploy by Coca-Cola to replace cane sugar with corn syrup in it's recipe with minimal backlash.

[brucemartin]

Still have my '93 Probe GT 5 speed I purchased new. Still a great car, quick and economical. Never had any serious problems with it over all these years.

[brianp]

The best thing about owning a '96 SE was when I needed a dealer part, I could cross-shop the Mazda and Ford dealers. Sometimes the Ford part was cheaper, sometimes the Mazda part was... but they always fit, wherever I got them.

[tinacoolu]

I love my Blue 95 Probe Gt with a manual transmission, it still looks great and drives like a dream.

[TheDonSapius]

I personally love the Probe, I've always wanted one and WILL get one someday. I know someone who him and his dad have a hobby of finding, restoring and selling nothing but Ford Probes.

[n]

12:05 The design of the second generation still holds up today

[vwgti]

I feel that the Electric Mustang is another New Coke story waiting to happen

[Auto_Funk]

In hindsight the Probe was a great piece of design... It's actually aged better than alot of it's competitors in period I reckon.

Great vid from Big Car as usual!

[thetruthwillout]

The 24v Probe was my first car after I passed my test, luckily my dad gave it to me. Still one of the best drivable cars I have ever driven. I loved that car.

[stevenjoy]

I must be the only one alive whose initial thought to the probe name, was a space probe like Voyager, not medical.

[bxtgd]

I saw one of these at a scrapyard a few days ago, with one light up and one down. It was quite sad to see :(

[chaff]

The 2nd gen Probe was like a budget minded RX7. It still looks good today if you can find one in decent shape.