Buying Advice

[RobS]

I've been dreaming about owning a T-bird ever since I saw the preview of the '02. I'm just now getting situated to where I may be able to get one sometime in the next year or so. I dropped by the local Ford dealership today just to look and get some general info, but left very confused.

I was told that Ford was going to stop making the T-bird for '04 and '05 and bring it back around '06 as a more "mass produced" model. I've heard nothing about this. Is this true?

Also, are there better deals in getting a used T-bird ('02-'03) as opposed to buying new? From what little I've seen, even used are going for near MSRP. What is the availability of used right now? If I waited more towards the 04' model year, would deals be better for new or used then?

Thank you for the help!

[Skip]

Rob:

I think your dealer is just misinformed (which is not unusual) for several reasons:

1) Gary Boes, then head of the TBird program, was a guest speaker at the International Tbird Club Convenrtion in July. When asked about the future of the Tbird, he indicated that a long life was planned, with no plans (thankfully) to change it from what it is now.

2) Why would Ford skip the '05 year? That is a benchmark TBird year-50th anniversary. Expect to see a special model that year, or recognition throughout the entire preoduction run.

I'm sure that there will be more info from the folks in Destin, as the current TBird project mgr will be there. I am certain he will provide an update.

Skip

Red/Red/Red Premium #1768

[FUN X 3]

I'm not a self-appointed expert, but I'll give you my opinion.

I believe that after the 2003s come out and we get well into the model year next spring-summer, you'll be able to pick up a used 2002 for less than $30,000. Some used 2002s are already going for less than $35,000 in the newspaper here in the Washington DC area. Granted these cars probably are Deluxe w/o a hardtop, but still a good value.

The savings will be significant compared with a new 2003 at MSRP over $40,000. And who knows what the Ford dealers will do with ADM...some were getting $15,000 over MSRP for the early 2002s, but I suspect they won't get away with it on the 2003s. Demand for new 2002s has softened greatly in the last couple of months, and prices reflect it. Below MSRP.

I bought my 2002 in late-July at MSRP, the first car I ever bought at sticker. I STILL don't regret it, what a sweet ride!

[Steve Legel]

I agree with both FunX 3 & Skip. look around some, decide on the color and features you want, THEN...before you buy anything...contact Chris Lebus. You can find his email somewhere here in the forum. He is a broker and he set me up a great deal with great service for a new Premium full color yellow 2002 in July at below window. I can't promise you that kind of pricing, but service was incredible! Tell him Steve Legel sent you, and he'll know exactly what to do.
As for Destin... Wade Bridges from Ford was there. Elusive as all the others have been on commitment of future plans, but Thunderbird is a stand alone program for the foreseeable future.
Steve Legel

[FordMan7]

It is also worth your time to shop around - I looked at almost every dealer in the Northern New Jersey area - Told them what I was looking for and I was not willing to settle for anything less - One dealer may have a 10,000 mark up and the dealer in the next town over will sell the same car at sticker price. So it is worth your time to check it out......

If you are interested in a specific package - you may also want to discuss ordering your car - the wait is not as long as it used to be (about 3-5 months at most dealers in NJ) and you can get exactly the car you want!!!!!

For reference, my understanding is that FoMoCo has dedicated the T-bird to at least a 6 year run - that means we will have the same basic platform/design until 2008. There are also rumors in the mill that in 2005 there will be a special 50th ann. edition!

FordMan7:fordsrule: