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Well I've had my 2005 bird for about a year and I love it. I can't imagine what non-bird owners do for excitement. I just slip behind the wheel of my black beauty and all is right with the world. Here's my question, are you totally happy with your baby or would you have liked to have seen other options or changes to the RETRO-BIRD. I myself would have loved to had a hood that opened to the front with a working hood scoop and possible a larger or supercharged engine. I am completely happy with my baby, but I think there was plenty of room for improvement. I don't think i would change the body style or any of the lines. What are your thoughts?
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81HAPPY74.07%60CHANGES25.93%21The poll is expired.
Walter & Francine Goodenough (www.ourmainecooncat.com) -
Re: To Change Or Not To Change
Hi Walter, my anwer is in your own text
... I just slip behind the wheel of my black beauty and all is right with the world.
What else would I want for?
Sometimes Birds travel far...
Dutch T-Bird
tbirdregistry.com No. 27947 -
Re: To Change Or Not To Change
Some of the fit/finish on the interior of my '05 does not come up to the fit/finish of the '02. I wish they'd (Ford) maintained the interior treatment found in the first year. If there was one thing I'd change on her, that would be it.Comment
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Re: To Change Or Not To Change
Jim, have you mentioned this before? I've never heard of read of the later production years not fit, or finished as nicely as the '02's.Originally posted by JimDube
The lack of interior gadgets and trim has always been a sore spot regardless of production year.
I'd have liked a retractable hardtop. Saw a commercial for some new European convertible that had this, and thought "sighhhhh...I wish!" I drove a '57 Skyliner for years and LOVED having the option (at the pull or push of a button)!
Am I happy when I'm behind the wheel?? YOU BET!!!
I guess I'll abstain from voting. Even if I could voter for both, I'd cancel out my voteLast edited by redbirdsal; Apr 12, 2007, 12:58 PM.
Redbirdsal
sigpicNative TexanIRISH THRU & THRU!Comment
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Re: To Change Or Not To Change
I also think the retractable hard top would have been nice, but the fact that I have in my possession at least 3 cars (soft top, hard top and convertible) that I can alter at any time seems great. There is so much flexability the way she is. It can be personalized to fit just about any mood your in.Walter & Francine Goodenough (www.ourmainecooncat.com)Comment
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Re: To Change Or Not To Change
Yeah, I've mentioned it a couple of times in other threads. First, the Nudo leather of the '02 is, IMO, far superior to the leather used in the '03-'05's. Much softer to the feel than the tougher leather used in newer versions. IMO, it was Ford's way of saving a couple of pennies.Originally posted by redbirdsal
Second, the base color of the '02's was a better choice, again IMO, than the starker looking flat black of the new ones.
And finally, the options for interior colors was better the first year; I had the fully colored TB blue interior...really sharp. The partial white interior of the '05's only allows for the white on the SW, shift knob and seat inserts. There's no option for doors, dash or bottom portion of center stack...a cheap exit, if you ask me (and this thread did ask!).
And then, my dash's smoothness is not near to the standard of the '02's...but that's another issue.Comment
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Re: To Change Or Not To Change
Walter: Yep, you've got a good thing going...on the other hand, I'm a single lady, w/o a suitable garage to put a hoist in.
I have a '57 who's top has only been off for an hour (at the longest), or less 3 times since late 2004. The top is currently off the '02. I have to ask 2 neighbors to take tops off, and put them back on. The guys are about equal height...TALL!
Jim, I did forget you posting all of those things, I just never put it together in the past! Sorry...Last edited by redbirdsal; Apr 12, 2007, 01:13 PM.
Redbirdsal
sigpicNative TexanIRISH THRU & THRU!Comment
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Re: To Change Or Not To Change
No sweat...not everyone reads all the posts, so I didn't give it another thought. Wish I had my '05 with the interior base & options of the '02.Originally posted by redbirdsalComment
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Re: To Change Or Not To Change
Auto dimmer on rear view mirror, wife wanted lighted vanity mirror, and 280 HP for my 02 like the 03 and beyond. Exterior perfection no changes.T-Bird Obsessive Compulsive (TOC)2002 Blue/Full Accent Blue/Blue/White
1956 Black/Red and White/White
1955 T-bird Blue/Blue and White/WhiteComment
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Re: To Change Or Not To Change
Will be 5 year anniversary of purchase on July 24, 2007, still very happy with the car, don't need fancy rear view mirrors or lighted vanity mirrors [okay, maybe Judy wants], satisfied with mostly everything, can't imagine myself in a different car at this point. I was smitten with the new Mustang, but have gotten over the initial fever, luckily it was never serious enough that the Bird noticed my straying eye.PK- 2002 Premium Blue/Full Accent/Whisper White Top
VIN#16336
Built April 22, 2002
Purchased July 24, 2002
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Re: To Change Or Not To Change
Only change I would have liked.....a "tranny" dip stick!
Gotta Love It!
1997 Mercury Grand Marquis LS
2003 Mercury Marauder S/C
2004 Ford Thunderbird
2010 Lincoln Town Car Signature LimitedComment
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Re: To Change Or Not To Change
I have the 02 with the full accent inspiration yellow interior. I love the accented interior with 252 HP and would take it any day versus the 03 - 05 interior with 280 HP.02 Bird yelo/yelo full accent
20 Ford Escape SEComment
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Re: To Change Or Not To Change
As with most, if not all, I love the car but if I could have wishes granted in regards to it here would be my changes in no specific order.
1. Functional hood scoop
2. An American designed V8 – the 4.6L would have been OK
3. 8 way power passenger seat
4. Information Center (trip computer, message center, etc.)
5. Fricken air filter box that allows you to easily change the filter.
6. Trans dip stick
7. 18” wheels and tires
8. Larger rotors and brakes
9. It would be nice if the shelf behind the seats opened for additional storage.
10. Yep, auto dimming mirror with compass no larger (height & width) physically then the OEM mirror. The after market ones like I have are too big for the windshield.
11. Leather quality that should have been used considering the price of the vehicle.
12. Memory seats / mirrors
13. Full instrumentation
14. Standard sized sub woofers so you could change out the darn things with after market products.
15. Larger than postage stamps floor mats with something on them.
16. An underhood lamp.
17. Front fender vents to allow hot air to escape from the engine compartment instead of it warming the center hump.
18. Factory alarm
19. Remote startLonestar
It was a smile in every mile
Gotta love that American RideComment
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Re: To Change Or Not To Change
I love my bird,but......400 hp and port holes in soft top would be nice!!Comment
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Re: To Change Or Not To Change
I love my bird however want a 59 convertible. My wife said to use the new
bird as a daily driver then get a 59 convertible to go to T-bird shows in.
That sounds great however I don't want my new bird to be a daily driver
and it get rain on and dirt getting on her. She is something special.
jerry - Houstonj.p.Comment
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