posted 02-28-2003 08:39 PM         

'bird cons:

1)The power is not there at the start on the 'bird - think that may be my problem.
2)Seats are not as comfortable - I'm not young anymore & I'm getting foot cramps when I get out of car after driiving. lumbar support doesn't seem to be working but will check that out more - its probably just my unfamiliarity with hoow to work the lumbar support.
3)Trunk, hood and doors don't close easily. It's an effort to close - have to almost slam the doors, trunk & hood. My 77 Ford LTD had better closing doors, etc... as do the LeBaron and the TC. My 57 T'bird has better closing doors. I don't like to slam doors, nor trunk or hood.
4)Tranny is touchier than the LeBaron - this may also pass as I get used to the car.
5)Not as much leg room on passenger side which is ok for me but not for George - at least that's what he says.
6)Road feel is less but eventually I will learn how to feel the road with this car - every car I ever driven, I've been able to feel the road so I don't buy that when journalists call it a fault - they need to get in tune with the car.
7)Too much thought has to go into remembering to keep your fingers out of the latch handles on tops (but I like the looks of the handles so there is a dilemma there for the designers.
8)Rear view mirror smaller than LeBaron - doesn't show as much, making more of a blind spot in back of you but then it doesn't hide as much that is behind the mirror in front of you.
9)Premium wheels show dirt quickly
10)Thought the LeBaron had a lot of plastic but this 'bird has even more. Will have to watch to see what starts breaking first - it was the seat belt sheafs that went first in the LeBaron.
11) TC had a very plush full leather interior with much less plastic showing than in the new T-bird. GTC was in a much lower price bracket but leather interior compares equally with the t-bird
12)Still getting used to the differences in the positions of the parking/emergency brake which I make a habit of using all the time. Now that gets embarrassing as I keep popping the hood open! - Don't like the position of the center parking brake handle - too far away to use comfortably - takes 2 hands to use. Like the floor brake on the LeBaron.
13)Rear view mirror glued to window - I hate this and I've had to live with it with the Chryslers, too.
trunk small - half the size of the original 55 which is considered small itself and also much smaller than the TCs.

Update on the "cons" a week later (June 17)

1)power is still not there on take off - I miss my turbo! but it sure is there once I get it going.
2)have adjusted the seat so I don't get cramps now but the LeBaron fits me like a glove.
3)am learning how to close the doors, etc...with one push - still not as easy as other cars
4)getting used to the tranny
5)haven't removed the top yet so not dealing with the finger pinchers (update: good news, read "pros")
6)haven't popped the hood lately trying to release the emergency brake - my learning curve is much slower now than it used to be.
7)emergency brake can now be pulled on with one hand - am I getting stronger? or is the e.b. learrning that it is going to be used in this car & it better co-operate?
8)trunk size is a joke ( but better than some sport cars or a motorcycle) - wait'll you hear me when we try to travel! but if Bob & Phyllis can do it, so can we.

Update #2 June 19

1)found another "want" - locking gas cap flap
2)wind in the cockpit is worse than the LeBaron but better than the TC or 57.

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'bird pros:

1)colors - though the LeBaron had a similar teal color available but not in the sportier GTC version.
2)over all looks - better than the LeBaron but remember that the LeBaron was an excellent design. I still love to look at my LeBaron after 12 years of ownership.
3)Handles corners as well or better than the LeBaron and the LeBaron does well around corners.
4)fewer blind spots overall.
5)Sound system much better - difference in years, I think.
6)love the interior color - drab, conservative options were available on the LeBaron in '89.
7)premium wheels are a snap to clean up - GTC's wheels are a real pain.
8)center console is nice!
9)gauges - wasn't impressed when I saw them the first time but like them now and they are unique.
10)Sun visors are perfect size - smaller than GTC's which always got in my way.
11)has only 2 seats - can't compare with the GTC in this respect - puts the 2 in different classes but compares with the TC.
12)The Ride is Smooooth.....!! perfect for a cruiser and better than either of the Chryslers which we have taken long distance and don't tire us out. No cowl shake with the hardtop on - Won't be trying it with the hardtop off unntil sometime in July. I would call it a great suspension!
13)BIG GRIN factor (had that with the GTC, too! - and the TC and the 57)
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Update on the "pros" a week later
1)like the steering wheel
2)road feel is fine now
3)like the CD player
4)like the other controls
5)like the ride
6)LOVE the color
7)and is it ever quiet inside with the hardtop on. Extremely little sound escapes to the outside, too.
8)A little wind gets in with the windows open but it does not cause a hair mess - has a nice flow pattern around the cockpit. One window up and one down is even better especially if the window up is cutting off the traffic noise.

Update June 22

1)Hardtop has been removed and I've raised and lowered the softtop several times. Though handle was unfamiliar to me, the header of the softop has 2 finger grips on either side of handle that help one close the handle without getting your fingers in the way of the handle - rather obvious to use.

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Update - January 2003

We've had the car for 8 months now and use it at least twice a week. It's accumulated over 7000 road miles and it's not a daily driver. We are enjoying it. We have gotten used to it. The doors still close too hard for me and I still think the emergency brake is difficult to set. I don't pop the hood anymore trying to release the emergency brake but George still has occasionally and I catch myself getting ready to do that. Still in love with the color even with the 2003 new colors on the road now.
We have traveled long distance with the car now and are able to pack the trunk with what we need and still have room for more.

posted 02-28-2003 09:07 PM         

Plus they have a program I can help with like the DC friends & family that might get you a few $$$$ off, but I'm not sure if they will honor it on this vehicle

seen an all white at another dealer tonight but not sure how he would deal on it.

I did get to drive one around the parking lot at work. i figured with the hard top on there would be more head room. Really like the look of the deluxe interior. the key in the dash might take a while to get use to in a new car, but I like that too.

got this email last night, looks like the `02's are on the plan

To: All Ford Motor Company Employees (That's ME) and Retirees

Subject: 2002 Model Thunderbird X-Plan Eligibility

We are pleased to announce that the 2002 Ford Thunderbird is now eligible for X-Plan pricing. This special program will be available on 2002 model Thunderbird from March 1, 2003 through June 30, 2003 or while supplies last. In addition, A/Z-Plan eligibility for this vehicle has been extended through the same time period.

The Ford Thunderbird, an automotive legend reborn, has everything you remember and all you would expect. It's a truly modern rendering of the original American Dream Car that brings you relaxed sportiness, balanced performance, modern amenities, and touring comfort. It all comes together in Thunderbird, a car that hasn't forgotten how much fun driving can be. With spring coming, it's time to get behind the wheel of a Thunderbird and Let The Stories Begin!

Please communicate this exciting news to all of your eligible A/Z-Plan family members, plus your Friends & Neighbors. Be sure to tell them you can sponsor up to four (4) people a year to receive A/Z-Plan and (4) people a year to receive X Plan privileges on nearly all Ford Motor Company vehicles.

For more information on Vehicle Plan sponsorship including enrollment of family and friends to request their own PINs, visit www.axz.ford.com and click on "ADD A MEMBER".

Sincerely,

Steve Lyons

------------------
Larry & Sue Mayes

PB jp is right we had one for almost one year and we LOVED our bird I can't say enough good things about the car lots of room for a two seater,big trunk,elec top plus a factory hard top ,etc,etc ..we bought ours right drove for year and sold it for what we paid for it.. right now the market on them are soft you can pick one up for mid 30's ... I was at my ford dealer few days ago to get my truck serviced and they had 7 on the lot...can't go wrong with the new bird...
here is a picture of ours..

posted 03-02-2003 03:05 PM         

Apollo: We have to have ONE car with a trunk!

Beware: 03 T-Bird is now up to 280 hp! and 289 ft torque....
..and heated seats and Auto stick....02 had none of these. Can you link the website you pulled the women's opinions from?

Wildcat: Thanks! What is the Friends and Family plan? Can we use it in maryland? Do we save money? Please send me a PM. I'll check it tomorrow.

davidn: I would love to be able to grab one for mid 30's as the dealers were marking them up recently as I've read. I hope you are right about the price.....

I'll check back tomorrow.

thanks all!

posted 03-04-2003 07:21 AM         

I called another local Ford dealer who had an 02 blue....(Such a beautiful color) he was offering it for 38,700. Brand new.....We got it for 37,900 and no hassles....We hope to pick it up today... Amazing what a few phone calls can do.....

posted 03-05-2003 07:50 AM         

Our garage is Big Pimpin now!

Great car....feels like a bank vault on wheels....3,900 lbs, and SOLID! Great car.....

IS IT SPRING YET???

posted 03-05-2003 11:18 AM         

Congratulations & I wish you all the best with your new addition to the family!!!

posted 03-05-2003 03:27 PM         

It did occur to me today that we now have a cat and a bird in the garage...

posted 03-06-2003 06:57 AM         

Ya know, lots of lemon laws going on with the Prowler too....not damping my enthusiasm. My wife absolutely loves the car, and we haven't even got the top down yet! I don't forsee getting tired of the car, but hey, everybody is different.

I am over 6'1" and fit fine in the car....The headroom IS close, but not claustrophobic or annoying. The seats could be less "Plank-like" though....

This Sat is supposed to be 65 and sunny, so here's hoping for good weather to try it out...

To be honest JRL, I wanted to get her an 03 with all the extras and improvements, but the turqiouse color was only offered in the 02....and it was a good deal at a dealership we like. It seemed a decent tradeoff to get the exact color she wanted over revised features...It was a true toss-up.

So anyway, JRL, please tell me a little more about what you didn't like or the problem you had.....It could help us in the future....Thanks.

I have a Hardtop Hoist that I never installed in my garage
it is the Motorized Finished Ceiling model ..

here are a few pictures

here is a link to the company that I bought it from:
http://www.topcaplift.com/tctbird.htm

I was going to put on e-bay let me of you are interested..