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  #1 (permalink)  
Old 03-21-2002, 09:41 PM
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Thoughts on the New Thunderbird

What does everyone think of the new Thunderbird? I just recently saw it and I think it looks kinda cool. Oh, and a short story for ya from my dad:

Years back my dad had a 56 T-Bird, aqua-blue hard top with port windows. One day he came home from work to find out my MOM had traded it in for a new VW bug. They are divorced now!!!!! lol (true story)
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Old 03-21-2002, 10:02 PM
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thunderbirds are sweet, i saw one today at the ford dealership here, spendy but worth the money
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Old 03-27-2002, 09:27 AM
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the new tbird rocks, I am actually trying to raise the money for a 68 with suicide doors, its absolutely cherry.
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Old 05-24-2002, 01:49 AM
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I think Ford should forget about the old days and design a modern looking two seater T-Bird. The price they are asking for then they should be able to run as fast as a Corvette.
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Old 05-24-2002, 02:21 AM
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They are nice, but I can think of better ways to spend 35-40K
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Old 05-24-2002, 01:25 PM
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My uncle has one.. He has the robin egg blue 2002. It has a bad transmission or something though as it shifts in and out of gear constantly. It has less than 500 miles on it.
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Old 05-24-2002, 04:50 PM
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I think it is a nice looking car . Wish it had little more performance.
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Old 05-25-2002, 04:19 PM
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I know that many of the members on this site are not only younger people, but heavily truck lovers. I wouldn't expect you to appreciate this car any more than you can expect me to appreciate a tricked out off road truck. Nothing personal, it's just not my thing. So, it's OK is the TBird isn't your thing. Different strokes.

Oddly enough, I consistently get more thumbs ups from Corvette owners than any one segment. I think it is because they are true care enthusiasts, and simply appreciate a beautiful machine. It's not about pure acceleration, or speed, or price. It's about a limited production car appealing to a certain segment of car enthusiasts. The performance is well balanced, and apppreciated by most people who actually drive one. It doesn't run out of accellerator at highway speeds. The only thing missing is low end torque. I gradly give that up for the other excellent driving characteristics of the car. Even the original was designed as a "personal luxury car". If you want a bone crushing ride and fast quarter miles, look elsewhere.

My wife and I think this is the best overall car we have had. But it wouldn't have been at any other time in our lives. We've had trucks, vans, station wagons, hatchbacks, and pony cars. Only at this stage, where 95% of our driving we only need a front seat would this car have worked for us. We go on couple vacations now, not family trips. Our kids are in college, and have their own lives.

Russ - Regarding the transmission, the computer controlling the shift points may not be functioning correctly. It "learns" how you drive, and adjusts to suit your driving style. I think the dealer should be able to fix. If the Ford dealer is unsuccessful, take it to a Lincoln dealer. It's the same tranny as the LS, and they have more experience with it.
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Old 05-25-2002, 04:38 PM
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All well said, TBird02. And while I may classify as the younger class you mentioned, I can still appreciate what cars like the T-Bird do for the older generation. Comparitively, it would be similar to us "whipper-snappers" growing up appreciating the Ranger series trucks as we know it. But as we get older and Ranger engineering evolves, these trucks will alter their shape and consistency as we once knew them to be. But as the T-Bird is now bringing back your memories, its possible that a future Ranger will make the production line to resemble an "ancient" automobile with current modifications and design to fit the genre that we were once a part of.

I, personally, have a deep appreciation for classic cars as I am my fathers child. I have seen many pictures of the '56 aqua hard top T-Bird that he once owned and have heard many of dinner table stories. I can imagine what memories the 02 T-Bird could arouse for him. Not to mention the ability to witness the instabiltiy of evolution mixed with a splash of old times.

So, you see.....we can understand and appreciate.

Keep posting! We appreciate your input, wisdom, and opinions and hope to see you return and share your experiences in this Ford dominated assembly.

Best wishes,
Jeremy
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Old 05-27-2002, 06:29 AM
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TBird02 - had to let you know that I made it over here, too. Now to get the other half here with his Ranger. My experience is that the younger generation will eventually get into these 'birds as the used car price comes down on them - after all, they do have 1 thing in common with the truck - they're 2-seaters.
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Old 05-27-2002, 02:06 PM
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Welcome to the clan, 5bird7. Glad to have you aboard. And I must say that I really like your avatar.

Jeremy
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Old 05-30-2002, 12:29 PM
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5Bird7 - Glad you made it here. This site seems to be growing, but we need more Bird people here! I know you are going to love your white top with the blue. That was a great choice. My wife wishes we had done that too, but we love the blue top as well. Am anxious to hear your feelings on the full interior. Tip, here in GR loves his. My wife and I are a little more conservative, and really like the partial.

Know the "Other Half" (sorry George, but not the "Better Half"), is going to enjoy the truck talk here.

Later,
Chris
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Old 05-30-2002, 01:05 PM
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TBird02 just wanted to know if there is a
sight geared toward the new bird? Trying to get spec's on eng. tran.
Hope you'll post some pictures sometime soon of your bird.
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Old 05-30-2002, 05:28 PM
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stroddr - Yes, there is, but I don't use it do to a disagreement with the Owner/Moderator. I'll let 5Bird7 give you that link, sorry, but it's just a matter of principle with me. The people are very knowledgeable and nice, but the moderator can be a jerk. He deleted several of my posts, and entire topics if you criticized him, but he encouraged some members to flame others, and I don't like that atmosphere. I like the atmosphere here, just wish we could get more Bird enthusiasts to stop by.

I plan on posting an avatar, as well as pics soon. I don't have a hosting site set up yet. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Other sites I visit:
http://www.blueovalnews.com/index.html
http://www.tbirdforum.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi
http://www.automotiveforums.com/
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Old 05-30-2002, 05:32 PM
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stroddr - Sorry to 5bird7, but I forgot to mention her site. She has a terrific website that targets original as well as new Birds. Has lots of info as well as links to other sites. Go there and enjoy!
http://www.geocities.com/thenewtbird
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Old 05-30-2002, 08:55 PM
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The forum that Tbird02 refered to is http://www.fordthunderbirdforum.com Though the moderator still has lots to learn about how to handle people, most of the rest of the forum members are great & the forum is very active. If you're looking for info about the engine, though, probably the best place to check out would be the Lincoln LSC site: www.llsoc.com

Of course, I should ask, how in depth do you want the specs? Ford has the main specs on their site.
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Old 06-01-2002, 01:15 PM
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Want to thank TBird02 & 5bird7 for your Quick response to my
questions. Found just what i was looking for.
I will be checking in from time to time to see how things are going with your birds. Thanks again .
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Old 06-01-2002, 01:22 PM
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Sorry almost forgot TBird02If your wanting to post some pictures of your bird . I'm sure that Justin can help you.
I don't know much about computersbut he does and he has been asking for pic's for the gallery.
P.S. 5bird7 loved your sight.
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Old 06-01-2002, 06:54 PM
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stroddr - Thanks for the suggestions. I may be getting with Justin next week. Time for cruisin' now! Weather is perfect for top down! Noticed you are from Springfield. I was born in Greenfield and lived there until 1960.
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Old 06-03-2002, 12:27 AM
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Yeah, his is definately a mess. I had a LS for close to a year before I sold it. It was a very fun car to drive. His T-bird is completely undrivable. He hasn't even tried to take it in for service though... It just sits in his garage.

There is a guy in my car club that has a black bird and it runs pretty decent. It doesn't have real great low end acceleration but it has plenty of top end. We rented a track a while back for our spring dust off party and I ran him a few times with my turbocoupe. Unless I was spraying he could always catch me after the 1200 foot mark.

Overall I like the new bird a lot. I first laid eyes on it at the dearborn proving grounds when ford invited a dozen ranger enthusiasts in for a focus study. It was up on a platform in a laser lab getting rattles chased out of it and it had a commanding presense when you first laid eyes on it. A lot of work went into those cars and frankly I think they are worth the prince tag. The only complaint I can really have against it is the lack of finish on the bottom pinch weld. For a car of it's caliber to have that nasty unfinished weld down along the bottom is blasphemous. Of course I shouldn't talk as most of our rangers have the exact same thing, albeit slightly better hidden. I just think ford could have at least done something with it though.
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