Have you considered.....

[traveler]

Just wondering....has anyone considered that the beautiful 2 seater with which we all fell in love may not be the seller Ford hoped for?? With so many people buying SUVs and minivans, our lovely little birds may not have such a big demand. I was curious if any of you think Ford could go to a 4 seat model, as they did with the originals?? Personally, I'd be ok with that as it would make my baby less common and more original. I do enjoy the attention my baby commands. Kinda makes ya feel like a princess!!!!!:pink: :pink: :pink: :pink:

[DavidA]

Interesting that you should bring that up. I expressed the same thing about a year ago and expressed my opinion that the car would not reach it's 5th Birthday. In fact, I still predict that it it won't make it past the 2004 year. I won't be sorry if it comes to pass, it'll be like a re-play of the 55-57 saga when they moved to the larger better selling 4 seater. If it does get cut after 2004 or even the end of 2003, it will only make our cars more valuable in time.

[tr cruiser]

I hope Ford never goes back to a 4-seat Thunderbird. The new Bird was designed to be a halo car and not a high volume seller. It may not appeal to the SUV and minivan buyers directly, but it gets people into the showroom and that leads to the sale of other vehicles.

[traveler]

You know, value is not the reason I bought the car. I know I plan to keep it forever, or at least as long as I can. But I do enjoy the originality and exclusivity of the car. I love the special feelings while driving when others look and point. If they were to be seen more often, they would just be another car on the road. But, like I said, it's JMHO.

[5bird7]

I don't think sales volume is Ford's goal with this car or they wouldn't have said they'd limit production. Driving this car is like driving any other highly identifiable car on the road - they get the looks, the head turns and the thumbs up. The price is not so high that people will only dream about one, they're more apt to dream about 8-10 years down the road when they can pick a used one up for a lot less than we paid for one and live their dream; or that "our kids will be gone in a couple of years and then we can get a new one." I do feel that interest will remain in buying a new car as long as there are engine & comfort upgrades and we know there is room to grow there. I do think it'll make it thru the full run.

I see one of our goals is to make this car visible and look like it's attainable so driving is what I'll do. I don't want people to think it's a really rare car.

[JerryP]

I would think that Ford will continue with the TBIRD in it's current design for a while. They have quite a bit invested in the research and development of this car. They also will continue to dangle a carrot in front of the TBird faithfuls by continually adding additional options. I would think that maybe an unspoken marketing plan exists and a lot of us will give in and upgrade vehicles. How many of us wish our 2002s had the upgrades included in the 2003s. I think Ford will benefit greatly with the production of the 2005 Mustang (concept). That's the talk now on the job. A lot of people are taking a wait and see attitude on the Mustang. The addition of the Mustang my sway some away from purchasing Birds. For me, I'll can't wait to see the Thunderbird SC. If they do, then I'll seriously consider purchasing one and if they don't and eventually the thunderbird evolves again to a larger car, then a least we have ours...right?

[Blue Heaven]

I'm with you Bernie, hope there will not be another four seater. I think it would take away from the feeling this car gives.

[AZTB]

I, too, hope they stay committed to the original idea of the Bird. One thing I have noticed and appreciated is that even after 8 months of ownership, I still have people stop me and ask about the car.

Last weekend my wife and I were heading back to our respective cars after meeting for lunch at a restaurant...her to her new BMW and me to the Bluebird. A new Nissan sports car (I think it was the new 350Z) passed by us and then passed again...a young couple inside. When we approached our respective cars, they stopped and asked if I owned "the pretty blue car." I replied yes, and they said they'd never seen a car so beautiful before...

Eight months later and it's still a winner!

[dartguy699]

hi all!
i agree about the attention the bird draws--wherever i go the car is surrounded with admirers -even bring people outside of stores to eye it--i think that not enough people know about the car being the reason so many are unsold--there is vitually no advertising done by ford to promote it other than the one tv spot i have seen none.
:rolleyes:
jim

[FordMan7]

I have had the same feeling..... Especially due to the lack of advertising, But agree the Ford's approach was to have the car be (dare I say) a "vanity" model - The car sells itself (and I know most of us can attest to that!) and Ford will probably continue to make just enough units to clear a profit. Early articles stated the Ford had committed to a 6 year run, I would assume that the 6 years would be the period it would take for Ford to see an adequate return on their design investment.

FordMan7

[BLUNBIRD]

A four seater would just not be a Thunderbird, certainly not a roadster, IMHO.