03? or 04?

[razshirug]

Hi,
I am a new member but do not have a T-bird as of yet. I plan on purchasing one very soon. My question is .... should I get a new 03 or 04? I love the 03 style and am worried the 04 style may be different. It mentioned different style seats. I love the 03 blue but did not find one with full accent blue seats. Then I fell in love with the red one because of the full accent seats. Any suggestions from any of you? Thanks.

Soon to be bird owner

[FEsTbird]

Look around on the web and you will find places that detail the differences. One is colors ... red and black are same, blue and white are gone. In there place are merlot and platinum. One of the '04 color combinations offers a tan top and tan seats. The one thing the '04 has that I wish was available on the '03 is a trainable garage door opener. Another $$ difference is that the soft-top tonneau is an option with the '04. These are the things that stick in my mind. I am sure there are others.

[5bird7]

Most differences are cosmetic so go for the color you want. 99% of us haven't seen the 04seats to know for sure what differences there are in seat style - if they did change the style, but the full red accent will be available on the 04s, too. I don't think there were any changes to the door interior style nor the dash so the accents there will be the same.

[SunLuvNBird]

Dot is right - pick your color, then pick your year. There are colors that are limited to one year only. Improvements are as mentioned by FesTbird.

Whichever year you choose, you are guaranteed to love it!!!:love:

Make sure to keep us posted on your decision, and welcome to the nest.

[AZTB]

AZ YellowBird is absolutely correct...Earnhardt Ford here in Phoenix had a large ad in yesterday's paper for new '02 Thunderbirds for 27,995. If I were looking for a particular color combination, the '02's had a great match in the yellow and blue interior/exteriors!

[jjaz]

Raz,
I believe that the 03 blue interior is either black or partial white accent. Blue interior is not available. All the models look pretty much the same on the exterior, with slight changes on the interior ie: instrument gauges, homelink, heated seats, etc. The 3rd new color for 04 is vintage mint green. If price is not a big consideration, then picking a color will be your hardest decision. All the colors look great!

[texscott]

WOW a 03 or 04, go with what you want and like the best. They are all Fantastic cars as you can tell from everyone here. The hardest part is the color and interiors, they are all nice. To see some thing about the differences and you can check this site out http://www.geocities.com/thenewtbird/2003/2003.html you can look up the 03 and 04

[redbirdsal]

Welcome razshirug:wavey:

As the proud owner of a 2002 red/red/full/premium, the things I like the most on the 03's are the new gauges, select shift, and heated seats

Sally

[Paul]

This is one of those rare choices in life where no matter what you choose, you'll be right.
Do a little soul searching, choose the year and color, and then order .....and don't look back. Continually second guessing is like setting a mouse trap and then laying awake all night worrying about whether or not you're going to catch a mouse. :thumbsup:

[m1ckey3]

I tell you the Dessert Sky blue is an awesome color. Very classy. I've driven past picnicers in the parks just to watch in amazement as ALL heads start to turn. Drive the two colors your looking at and watch the difference. Again, I love the Dessert Sky blue-but do you?

[texscott]

I can say after having the privilege of owning the 2002 yellow /yellow/full/ premium and now owning 2003 Mt Shadow grey premium with the Saddle, both turn heads as much. I can say any color will turn heads with out a problem. Gas stations are fun also.
:popcorn: :wavey: :pbj:

[m1ckey3]

I just love the Dessert Sky blue. It is in a class by itself.

:love:

[razshirug]

Wow, thanks for everyone getting back to me on this. I went to look at the 03 today. It was red and she was a beaut. My first choice would be a blue 03 but I wanted the blue seats. They are shown in the book but everyone says they are not out there. ???I decided to go with the 04 though because it is not much more dollar wise and I can order exactly what I want. Since I want the full interior color accent I guess that only leaves red or black from what I understand because the other (really neat) colors are coming with sandstone. (Am I wrong about this?) I think the sandstone will be beautiful but I really like the retro look with the red. Not sure if I want a white or red hard top though. Any one out there have either?
Is there really going to be a Marilyn Monroe version?

Soon to be bird owner:tongue:

[5bird7]

raz... you asked alot of questions and raised 1 from me.
first - blue seats shown in book? what book was this? did it show the 02 colored seats?

2 - the only full accents for the 04s are the red and the sand

3- all indications are that there won't be a Marilyn Monroe version unless they've sidelined it for 2005.

You'll love the full red accent with a red or a black car.

There are a couple on this forum with red cars and white hardtops - check15again's gallery ----- and a bunch with all red.

[razshirug]

Dot

You got my attention now. I got 2 books from my dealership. One book showed the blue with the whisper white partial interior color accent package. That was the 03 book. The other book showed the full accent interrior with blue. Now that you mentioned it, I took a good look at the book and real little on the back cover it says Copyright 2001. Once again it shows the incompetence of my local dealer for giving me an old book. Thanks for pointing that out. Guess I'll stop looking for a blue 2003 with the full blue interrior. :(

[5bird7]

:) hang on to the old book - you might like to keep it for reference when you see 02s or u may be able to find a buyer for it.

You're not the only one that was hoping for a blue interior in the 03s. Ford missed the cue on that one.

[texscott]

I agree with Dot, they really missed that one by a long shot.

[5bird7]

The other one they missed was the white hardtop and blk & white interior mix - only the 007 edition got that. BUT they rectified that for the 04s

[razshirug]

One of the dealerships I am dealing with said they weren't going to change the seats on the 2004 until half way through the year. Anyone else hear this? Another dealer told me the 2004's were $300. less this year then the 2003"s. Never know what to believe with these guys.:nono:

[jjaz]

A different color top would really add to the retro look that you like. Hit the search button on this site and find the "top swap" event that the Atlanta area members had last year. There's lots of pix of all kinds of color combos. You'll enjoy looking at them.
Also, I was under the impression that the '04 premium was going to cost more than the '03.

[m1ckey3]

hmmm...I personally like the blue on blue. To have a blue interior would have clashed IMHO. I think the blue is awesome. I did not get down to order my Merlot last night hopefully this weekend.

:beer:

[K.P.]

As Texscott said, ALL colors turn heads...We have an 02 Yellow and an 03 Grey. We get stares and smiles in each. The Yellow is flashier and the Grey is classier. We will be picking up a white hardtop to add to the Yellow (came with a Yellow) because we like that look as well.
There is not a bad color on any Thunderbird. I only wish we could afford one of each color!! (too bad they aren't as cheap as diecasts!!--they ought to give a volume discount on your second, third , fourth....!)

[Te42]

Karylp,
got a white one ,you guys can try it out for the winter if you would like.:pbj: :bestwish: :smokin:

[Irish Thunder]

Karyl,
I think you'll like the white top on your grey too. I'm going to do a top swap wth a buddy and we'll post a pic.
I.T.

[K.P.]

Thanks Te42 and Irish Thunder---
Jerry just called from his meeting with the guy that is transporting the white hard top for the seller and he said it was all scratched up!! I told him not to get it. I bet he does anyway, but he better talk the guy WAY WAY WAY down, he wanted $1500 initially. Supposedly original unused undamaged. We'll see.
I would like to see what the white would look like on Grey.. I kind of like black on grey, too, and almost ordered that.

[SunLuvNBird]

ooohhhh Karyl,

I'm with you! If you get a different color, get a picture up here quick! I would really like a black hardtop, but I'm very interested to see what the white would look like on Grey. I'm thinking the white would look better on the yellow, though.
:thumbsup:

[K.P.]

Check out JerryP's post about the hardtop...Way too scratched and nothing installed (latches, etc)...no extra hardtop for us at this time!!
CAVEAT EMPTOR!!!
I'm sure glad we hadn't handed over funds!

[razshirug]

Saw an 04 mint green yesterday. Didn't think they were out yet but they are. It was beautiful but only had partial interior accent. White and black seats with the white hard top. I still have not decided what color 04 to get. Mint green was sweet but I still love the red interior on the red.

[tbird2003]

Go Red! :shout: :shout:

Go Red! :shout: :shout:

[razshirug]

What is the dual note horn?