Ford Thunderbird (2002 - 2005) Midsize | Compact

Ford Thunderbird (2002 - 2005) Midsize | Compact 

DESCRIPTION

After being on hiatus for several years, Ford introduced a new Thunderbird for 2002. Returning to the original formula for the Thunderbird, the latest version had a two-seat coupe/convertible layout like the first-generation Thunderbird and retrofuturistic styling to match.

USER REVIEWS

Showing 21-30 of 233  
[Oct 27, 2003]
B Fox
Model Reviewed: Ford Thunderbird

Strength:

Body style is my favorite. It has attitude like it's owner! Engine size and type. Seats are comfortable and the leather is easy to clean. Absolutely love remote/keyless entry.

Weakness:

That stupid cup holder! Clear coat went bad too soon, Ford said they had no complaints, yeah, whatever. Had to replace heater core twice which was costly. Dealer did a better job then a non dealer mechanic. Some parts/service seemed a little steep.

Bought used at 1yr/23,000 miles. This was my dream car and lived up to that dream. Has 269,000 miles and still going. Love the power of acceleration from it's 4.6 v8 motor. I have not taken it easy in this vehicle and have had very little trouble considering. The transmission now needing some service and it smokes after idling with a hard acceleration. Not happy about having to replace heater core twice and 11 months apart. But I plan to keep it and as a long term project fix her up for show, another dream to fulfil and I believe this is a good choice to do that with. Even my Dad said it was good car and he's been a Chevy man all his life. I think he's happy to see his daughter tinkering with cars like he use to.

Similar Products Used:

78 T-bird 83 Escort 95 Taurus 00 Taurus

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
5
[Oct 20, 2003]
Frances Ely
Model Reviewed: Convertible, 5 speed automatic

Strength:

Tight steering control, exceleration and relatively good mileage considering the type of driving.

Weakness:

Couldn't find one.

I rented it for the weekend nad now I am willing to give up my Town Car for it. After 3 days of steady mountain driving I was not sore anywhere. The car handled extremely well on the curvy and narrow mountain roads. The exceleration when needed was like a turbo kicking in. I previously owned a '59 T-Bird and this is so much better. It out handles any BMW or Mercedes two seater I have driven

Similar Products Used:

BMW & Mercedes

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
4
[Oct 08, 2003]
Brian
Model Reviewed: Thunderbird Turbo Coupe

Strength:

Turbo power!, different than what everyone in school has, FASTER than what everyone in school has, auto is more convenient than 5-speed version, auto. ride control works, auto headlamps, auto climate control, graphic equalizer, premium/regular fuel switch option, power EVERYTHING, the only rear-drive car at school!, no major mechanical problems, NEW turbo (stock version...nothing special)

Weakness:

A4LD transmission gets EASILY confused, auto. trans will slip and engine will FLARE if left in O/D at certain speeds, 22.1-gallon fuel tank means almost $50 to fill up where I live, 2.3-liter turbo-4 is powerful enough but I want MORE boost, 202-inch length a hassle to find parking near school (no parking lot!), not much power/torque under 2,500rpm (as expected, but I couldn't think of anything else!)

Excellent car! The power from the 2.3-liter turbo is strong even with the automatic transmission. I've had only minor problems with the car. For instance, one of the brake lines rotted through (the car sat for a while in poor weather) and brake fluid constantly leaked. When I got that fixed, the altenator belt shredded...something must have fallen off a tree and landed on it because it was working fine before. Replaced it fairly quickly. Next up for repair were the tires which went bald. No other problems aside from that though. The car is VERY comfortable. I drove in my friend's '94 3000GT SL and found it EXTREMELY cramped and uncomfortable in comparison to the 'Bird. The front seats are adjustable 6 ways and my car has every other available power option. Sunroof, mirrors, locks, windows etc. The AUTOLAMP feature scared me the first time worked! I thought the lamps blew out(that's what i get for not reading the manual!)! My car is equipped with the A4LD 4-speed auto transmission. The gear ratios are ok but that's probably because of the 3.73 gears. The best thing about the car, in my opinion, is that I am the only one in school that has one. Everyone else is driving around in little Civics and Sentras with aftermarket mufflers in the back. BORING! By the way... In a stoplight-to-stoplight run on an empty street close to where I live, I actually OUTRAN my friend's '94 3000GT SL. To get the best launch, I brake-torque'd (?) at about 3,000rpm and rocketed off-the-line. The only mod to the car is slightly higher boost from a "bleed". Stock auto's get about 6psi i think, my car sees 8psi. I plan on getting a boost controller soon, though!

Similar Products Used:

(none)

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Oct 01, 2003]
Kevin Sheker
Model Reviewed: thunderbird LX

Strength:

Good on gas, nice highway car, nice style

Weakness:

head gaskets, not the best in snow, front end after 100,000 miles

93 T Bird LX V6, I bought the car with 40,000 miles on it. I sold it eight years later with 156,000. For the time I had it was a great car. The only things it needed was head gaskets at a 100,000, A-arms bushings at 130,000, 02 sensor . All that together cost 2,200.00. Still had the same exhaust. The rotors did worp, I found out when doing brakes replace the rotors and they will go 40,000. I had a MX6 mazda that cost me a lot more in troubles. I liked the bird so much I bought a 96 T-bird 4.6 loaded.

Similar Products Used:

Fords forever!

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
4
[Sep 05, 2003]
Lisa
Model Reviewed: Ford Thunderbird 5.0

Strength:

5.0 v8 It's fast and it gets up to speed in no time. Heavy Auto windows, door locks, etc. Not bad on gas.

Weakness:

Odometer quit working at 101,111 Window motor went out Belts wear faster

This is the best car I have ever owned. I bought it from a friend who had it sitting in her yard for 2 years. I put new tires on it, replaced the belts, and fixed a broken window motor. It has yet to give me any problems and I've been driving it for a year.

Similar Products Used:

1992 Mustang 5.0 1991 F150

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Aug 19, 2003]
leo croney
Model Reviewed: thunderbird

Strength:

V8,rear wheeldrive Widebody Very roomy (I'm 6'1)

Weakness:

rear speakers in bad place. @%*# cup holder The lx should have had a skirt like the 5.0 and I have only seen one in my day's

When I was 17 i was dating a girl for three years and got to know her family well.One day her father told me he was looking for a new car wasn't sure on what.Hanging out one afternoon he pulled in with a brand new 96 Tunderbird lx.fell in love instantly (with the car.lol)well im 30 now and i just got a 95 lx..Good things come to those who wait you can say ....but i have more of a question I have been having a bit of a prob really . Replaced the altinatior ,Water pump,Plug's, Wirer's,O2 censor and Lines too.engine vac because carbon build up. What's wrong is it keep's sputtering when it has to change into gear know matter what gear.(ALOT)Befor O2 censor and vac hard to start after first turn.It;s starting to be hard to turn over latley It's been 2 months sice work has been done.My Amp's are running at 5 amp for everything at all times gas is still running lean and carbon still buildng up. Can anyone tell me if it may be the puter and if so what had it to many guy's been told differnt things. any help would be very helpful.car is stored in winter and has just got a new two tone paint job (didn't need it no rust at all when i got)so not afraid to spend money on her...she's my dream car.i'll be drivin it when I'm it when im 70 if I don;t kill myself in it first.lmao.....(p.s. it's been to a trany shop all clear)

Similar Products Used:

had a pontiac grand am 4 liter ha ha ha go big or go home ....

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
4
[Jul 26, 2003]
yoda_132002
Model Reviewed: Ford Thunderbird LX 5.0 L V8 302

Strength:

It has more than enough power for what i need. Lets say enough to leave some marks and make some noise. Not that I have ever done it. It is very comfortable. The power windows and seat are nice to have. I like the electronic insturment cluster. It looks cool. Nice new paint job from pin stripping down and rest is buffed out. The side and rear windows are tinted.

Weakness:

WE had to replace the radiator because it was rotting out from all of the salt in the winters. Replaced the water pump. Replaced passenger side valve cover gasket. Oil pan leaks a litte but not much. had some rust spots when we got it.

This car is great I love it. It is my first car. I got my license in April and my parents bought this car from my uncle. I like this car because it has enough power and speed to compete with any of my friends cars. It had 134,000 miles on it when we got it and i put about 4 thousand on it so far.

Similar Products Used:

We also own a 1989 Ford F-150. It has the same engine as the Thunderbird and it has 260,000 miles. It still runs great.

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
4
[Jul 20, 2003]
Ron Dulban
Model Reviewed: Thunderbird

Strength:

The Pearl White Color

Weakness:

Poor mileage, heavy, no power, poor handling, poor braking, white trash redneck car, unless you like NASCAR.

Original owner of a 1994 Ford Thunderbird with only 55,000 original miles to date. Probably the prefect example of why we stopped buying American made cars. Transmission problems dealer could not fix after several attempts, two power window motors, one power window switch, A/C stopped working, odometer stopped working at 55,000 miles, brakes have excessive “shimmy”, paint faded by “B” pillar, plastic trim cracked or missing, many shakes and rattles, front end bushings rotted. Poor and expensive service from the Ford Dealer. Local dealer refuses to work on cars older then 1996. Have had no problems of any type with our Honda, BMW, or Porsche.

Similar Products Used:

Stoped buying American made car 8 years ago. Have owned a BMW, Honda, and a Porsche since. Now we remember why we stoped buying Fords and Chevys.

OVERALL
RATING
2
VALUE
RATING
2
[Jul 20, 2003]
Randall Robertson
Model Reviewed: Ford Thunderbird

Strength:

Good strong car to drive, Very Heavy 351 midland pulls pretty well gets on the freeway and in to traffic real well scares toyota and honda drivers they know this 5000 lb. tank hits them they will become a hockey puck ...

Weakness:

Not so great on gas

I bought the car at a Police impound yard It was towed for expired registration in 1997.The owners son came in to clean it out,In talking to him,I found out the car had only 38,000 actual miles on it. the car sat in a garage from 1983 till 1997 I guess the father had a bad stroke in 1983 the mother didn't like it because it was to big for her,the kids didn't want it because it was to old,so the car sat in the garage . I guess the old man died in 1987 . And the old Woman died in 1996. The kids were getting ready to sell the house. They pushed the car out in the street(It would'nt start dead battery old gas radiator eaten from rust). So I bought it replaced the radiator,pulled the gas tank had it flushed replaced the hoses & gas line . Replaced all 4 tires it still has the original spare.rebuilt the carb. It now has 53,000 miles on it I did have to replace the original muffler last March. And she purrs like a kitten. She is going to Minnesota with me and in time is going to be Rebuilt and redone.

Similar Products Used:

none

OVERALL
RATING
3
VALUE
RATING
4
[Jul 15, 2003]
tomwl

Strength:

Performance (4.6 L with Sport option) Styling Luxury Options

Weakness:

Composite intake manifold (cracks) Brake Rotors (warp) Transmission (40 mph flutter on inclines)

Car is a good compromise between performance and luxury. I upgraded the power with a high performance chip (Superchips) that gave increases of 28 hp, 33 ft/lbs, firmer shifts, and removed the 105 mph limiter. I also installed 4 cross-drilled rotors with high performance brake pads. The air induction was improved using 2 Spiral Max devices. This improved performance over 3, 000 rpm.

Similar Products Used:

1971 Plymouth 'Cuda 1993 Buick LeSabre

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
4
Showing 21-30 of 233  

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