Ford’s almost-Mustang? A '97 Probe just shocked collectors at $20,500

A ’97 Probe just turned heads in the collector market after selling for $20,500 in an online auction.

The hammer fell on August 25, and the number raised eyebrows among enthusiasts who once dismissed Ford’s front-drive coupe.

For years, the Probe lived in the shadow of the Mustang it was almost meant to replace.

Now, as nostalgia and rarity collide, the tide is clearly turning for Ford’s forgotten ’90s hero.

VISIT SBX CARS – View live supercar auctions powered by Supercar Blondie

The ’97 probe comes with a five-speed manual

So what made this particular ’97 Probe on Bring a Trailer land such a high bid?

Well, it checked a lot of boxes.

As a GT, it carried the Mazda-derived 2.5-liter V6 paired with a 5-speed manual, the combo buyers want most.

It also had the late-run GTS appearance package—bold stripes, correct 16-inch wheels, and a factory spoiler—that gives it the right ’90s punch without aftermarket clutter.

With only 93,000 miles, a clean history report, and meticulous documentation, it’s easy to see why the listing drew 47 bids and over 300 watchers.

Performance-wise, the GT has aged gracefully.

The V6 remains smooth and eager, the steering direct, and the chassis well-balanced.

While the brakes are a known weak spot, many owners upgrade with Mazda parts, and on a back road the car still feels composed and rewarding.

It was never built as a drag-strip terror, but its agility and grip made it a driver’s car in the ’90s, and these traits still hold up today.

How it almost became a replacement for the Mustang

The ’97 Probe’s backstory adds extra appeal.

In the late ’80s, Ford nearly replaced the Mustang with a front-drive coupe developed with Mazda.

After pushback, the Mustang stayed rear-drive, and the project became the Probe.

That history ended up working against it, given how the Mustang ended up being one of the most beloved cars ever.

However, the fact that Ford even considered replacing the Mustang with the Probe highlights how much the company believed in the second-gen Probe GT.

With a free-revving Japanese V6, sharp handling, and slick appearance complete with pop-up headlights, it’s easy to see why.

So where does the market go from here?

Well, given that the $20,000 barrier has been broken, this can be seen as validation for owners with well-preserved, manual-equipped GTs.

If you’re in the market to get your hands on one of Ford’s most underrated ’90s icons, you better act fast, before more collectors catch on.

DISCOVER SBX CARS: The global premium car auction platform powered by Supercar Blondie