1981 Ford Probe vs. 1983 Lotus Excel

To start off, 1983 Lotus Excel is newer by 2 year(s). Which means there will be less support and parts availability for 1981 Ford Probe. In addition, the cost of maintenance, including insurance, on 1981 Ford Probe would be higher. With that said, vehicle weight also plays an important factor in acceleration. 1981 Ford Probe weights approximately 235 kg more than 1983 Lotus Excel.

Because 1983 Lotus Excel is rear wheel drive (RWD), it offers better handling in dry conditions; in addition, if you are looking to drift, it will be much easier to do with 1983 Lotus Excel. However, in wet, icy, snow, or gravel driving conditions, 1981 Ford Probe, being front wheel drive (FWD), will offer much better control with better grip. With that said, do keep in mind that many other factors such as speed and the wear on your tires can also have significant impact on traction and control. Let's talk about torque, 1983 Lotus Excel (218 Nm) has 70 more torque (in Nm) than 1981 Ford Probe. (148 Nm). This means 1983 Lotus Excel will have an easier job in driving up hills or pulling heavy equipment than 1981 Ford Probe. 1981 Ford Probe has automatic transmission and 1983 Lotus Excel has manual transmission. 1983 Lotus Excel will offer better control over acceleration and deceleration in addition to better fuel efficiency overall. 1981 Ford Probe will be easier to drive especially in heavy traffic.

Compare all specifications: