posted 12-29-2001 04:09 PM                  

Main Competitors
How do you compete with a car like the Thunderbird? You must look to the rarified atmosphere of the “halo car.” Halo cars are usually low in production, but they often set a stylistic tone for a manufacturer’s complete line.

The Chrysler Prowler is probably most closely aligned with the 2002 Thunderbird. With just 2,631 sold in 2000, the Prowler is a stylish fringe player.

The Corvette seems an obvious choice for second competitor, with its history stretching back just a year before the T-bird’s. Even though the Corvette appears to be all high-tech, take a peek at the fiberglass waterfall between the seats of the convertible, which is a tip of the hat to Corvettes from the late-1950s.

Engine
Unlike the Prowler and the Corvette, the Thunderbird is a “platform” car. That is, it shares its basic underpinnings with several other vehicles. In this case, the T-bird shares some of its components with the Lincoln LS and the Jaguar S-Type, including the basic design of its 3.9-liter V8 engine. The V8 develops a healthy 252 horses, but the car’s 3,775 pounds of curb weight sops up a good amount of that oomph. The Thunderbird’s power-to-weight ratio of 14.9 pounds per horsepower is overshadowed by both the Prowler’s 3.5-liter six-cylinder (about 11 to 1) and the potent Corvette’s 350-horse V8 (a thrilling 9.2 pounds per horsepower).

But speed alone isn’t the Thunderbird’s domain, nor was it the domain of the 1955 version it emulates. This car is built for cruising the two-lane blacktop that ribbons this country, not for winning street races. The power comes on at useable points, and there’s always plenty left for passing.

Transmission
Power gets to the rear axle through the same five-speed automatic transmission fitted to the Lincoln LS. As with the LS, shifts are smooth and positive. Between second and third gear, the Thunderbird shifts quickly, holding the car in gear only for a few thousand RPM before clicking into third. We were also surprised that the Thunderbird doesn’t feature a manually interactive function, though that feature is often more of a novelty than anything else.

Ride and Handling
The Thunderbird is a boulevard cruiser that makes no pretenses of being a sports car. Handling is good, although there is some wallow when the driving gets spirited. The Thunderbird has a supreme ride, recalling Detroit’s highway cruisers from the 1950s and 1960s. The Thunderbird is cheesecake-smooth under motion.

Stopping is handled by a full set of good-sized disc brakes, mated to a four-wheel anti-lock braking system. Stops are smooth and clean, but the front end tends to nose-dive a bit. Wheelspin is limited by an electronic traction control system, which may be defeated by a switch on the dashboard.

Economy
V8 power and portly curb weight don’t generally add up to optimistic fuel economy numbers, so the Thunderbird’s estimated 17/23 EPA estimated city/highway ratings are about what we’d expect. The Prowler delivers identical ratings, and the Corvette tips them up a bit to 18/26 MPG city/highway.

Safety
The Thunderbird has dual front airbags as standard equipment and includes a shutoff switch for the passenger airbag, which you’ll need if your passenger is in a child safety seat. (Of course, Ford recommends that you always wear your safety belt and deactivate passenger air bag when using a child safety seat.) The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) does some great work, but since they actually go out and buy vehicles off the lot to crash test, they miss some high-priced specialty vehicles. Such is the case with all of the cars in our competitive group. Neither the Thunderbird, the Prowler nor the Corvette have yet been tested by NHTSA.

Seating
The T-bird is a two-seat convertible just for you and yours. Unlike convertibles from years ago, this one doesn’t leak. It’s simple to use, and it doesn’t howl like the hounds of the netherworld with the top up. Seating for both driver and passenger is lounge-chair comfortable, with plenty of wiggle room for long rides. In between is a console/armrest, and behind the seats, there’s a small package shelf for umbrellas and the occasional fedora. Both of the competitive cars offer similar seating arrangements, but neither is as comfortable as the Thunderbird.

Comfort and Convenience
Everything is within arm’s reach in the cabin, and controls are easy to read and use. The traction control on/off switch is a little hard to find, though. A button on the lower center stack activates the power top, and it retracts smoothly and quickly. The removable top raises the base price by $2,500 and requires at least two people to remove it. The cover and wheeled cart that accompany the top help you to keep it protected and out of the way when not in use. The top’s porthole design again nods to the original T-bird, and it turns the car into a surprisingly civilized all-season coupe.

Entertainment Systems
All Thunderbirds are equipped with the same 360-watt audio system, complete with eight speakers and a six-disc, in-dash CD changer. Sound from the system was surprisingly good. It had plenty of bass and crisp, clear highs, even at rush hour with the top down.

Cargo Capacity
Who cares about cargo space when you’re driving a car like this? Well, you may want to drop a golf bag or a parachute in the trunk once in a while, so it’s something to consider. The Thunderbird offers 6.9 cubic feet of trunk space, which slots in between the Miata (5.1 cubic feet) and the Corvette (14 cubic feet). There’s an additional 1.6 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats for very small items – and that’s about the same size and the entire trunk in the Prowler.

Overall Impression
The 2002 Thunderbird has been the subject of reams of magazine covers and newspaper articles, and has been promoted by none other that Ray Charles at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit this year.

Our final word? We’ll answer that with a question: how can you look fifty years of automotive history in the face and not love it? Faced with a 1,000-mile trip through the mountains, or a jaunt along the coast of California, we couldn’t think of a better car for the job.

Performance lovers will wonder why everyone doesn’t choose the Corvette. But not everyone likes to drive on the edge. The comfortable and relaxed road is often the best. And while we also love the Prowler for all the same reasons as the Thunderbird, unless the sun is shining and the roads are clear, the Prowler seems to be nothing more than expensive sculpture. Conversely, the Thunderbird can be a usable car in all but the most demanding conditions.

Preferred Configuration
Grab whatever one you can. Unless you’ve put an order in for the T-bird already, you’re probably not going to find one under your tree for Christmas. According to our contact at Ford, all 25,000 2002 T-birds have been spoken for by consumers, so you’ll have to wait. But if you get the chance, buy a Premium trim with the removable top. If your dealer’s willing to sell it to you for list price, it’ll cost you $38,995.

posted 12-29-2001 04:47 PM                  

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If your dealer’s willing to sell it to you for list price, it’ll cost you $38,995.

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Well......that will be surprising if they do!

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According to our contact at Ford, all 25,000 2002 T-birds have been spoken for by consumers, so you’ll have to wait

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Won't be as exclusive as our Prowler!!

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Unlike the Prowler and the Corvette, the Thunderbird is a “platform” car. That is, it shares its basic underpinnings with several other vehicles. In this case, the T-bird shares some of its components with the Lincoln LS and the Jaguar S-Type, including the basic design of its 3.9-liter V8 engine.

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Yes, the T-Bird shares these "platform" components, but Prowler at least has a unique aluminum frame and body. It also shares the engine and transaxle with other DC vehicles.

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The V8 develops a healthy 252 horses, but the car’s 3,775 pounds of curb weight sops up a good amount of that oomph. The Thunderbird’s power-to-weight ratio of 14.9 pounds per horsepower is overshadowed by both the Prowler’s 3.5-liter six-cylinder (about 11 to 1) and the potent Corvette’s 350-horse V8 (a thrilling 9.2 pounds per horsepower).

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The Prowler, weighing in at around 2800 lbs. is almost 1,000 lbs. lighter than the T-Bird. That more than makes up for the difference in the engine. The T-Bird had no other choice but to have a V8!

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There’s an additional 1.6 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats for very small items – and that’s about the same size and the entire trunk in the Prowler.

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Maybe, but we have a trailer as an option. I don't know how many cubic ft. the trailer is, but it has to far outdo the trunk space in the T-Bird!

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The 2002 Thunderbird has been the subject of reams of magazine covers and newspaper articles, and has been promoted by none other that Ray Charles at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit this year.

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So? Any celebrity will say anything, if paid enough money. Herman Moore, Detroit Lions receiver, lived in our subdivision. He was on t.v. all the time promoting Ford vehicles. Trust me. There was not ONE Ford vehicle in his driveway or garage. He drives Mercedes and Range Rovers!

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Both of the competitive cars offer similar seating arrangements, but neither is as comfortable as the Thunderbird.

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That, of course, is a matter of opinion. I find my Prowler totally comfortable for me!

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And while we also love the Prowler for all the same reasons as the Thunderbird, unless the sun is shining and the roads are clear, the Prowler seems to be nothing more than expensive sculpture. Conversely, the Thunderbird can be a usable car in all but the most demanding conditions.

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Hmmmmmm, as much as I don't like to, I've had my cat in some pretty good rainstorms. I've heard of people driving theirs in the snow and some people have it as a daily driver, no matter what the weather!

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.....the Prowler seems to be nothing more than expensive sculpture.

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Maybe that's what he thinks, but I sure don't mind driving a piece of art!!!

Whew!!! Thanks.....got that out of my system!

posted 12-29-2001 05:36 PM                  

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Richard Jackson

posted 12-29-2001 07:09 PM                  

So to the person who made the comments above, Let the FACTS speak for themselves.

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*99 Yellow
*Borla Exhaust *Mud Flaps *Mac Cold Air
*Yellow Windshield Banner "Prowler"
*MGW Prowler Hitch Cover "COOL"
*Logo Valve Stem Caps
*Chrome Wheels Done Aftermarket
*No Front Bumpers w/Tom Mills Bumper Covers
*Removed Visors
*Chrome License Plate Frame
*Ceramic Brake Pads *Air Patrol
*Painted Black Gloss Rear Bumpers
*Shimmers Bumper Yellow & Clear Tail Lights
*Multiple Coats ZAINO

posted 12-31-2001 12:16 AM                  

I also overheard two different people talking about the two cars. One said that the Prowler is just pure CLASS and the t-bird is just not. The other was talking about how ford couldn't even be original in the retro-idea because DC has already been there and done that. Twice.

That article is pure sh**. But I guess if he really knew anything he wouldn't be able to write articles for mags. Maybe he is also a part-time salesmen. He seems to have the same knowledge base.

posted 01-01-2002 11:44 AM                  

But not so fast. "
http://www.auto.com/industry/autoyr27_20011227.htm

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Richard Jackson