T-bird owner demographics

[NWCruiser]

Re: T-bird owner demographics

It seems like all types of people own t-birds, but I'm curious what the statistics are in relation to age and sex of the average owner. So I figured a poll is an order.

I'm a 24 year old male, and I thoroughly enjoy my '04 triple black bird. Sometimes I feel like a '69 Chevelle or GTO might suit me better though.

-Stuff

I'm 47, and had no background with previous thunderbirds.

The point is, I didn't need to. These 2002 - 2005 Tbirds are, in my opinion, unique and drop-dead gorgeous...

You've got good taste!

[2FAST4U]

Re: T-bird owner demographics

I do own a T-Bird and just turned 56 last week...but I also own a Buick Grand National street and strip machine for those day when I feel like going drag racing like I'm 20 y/o again!...

I'm a 24 year old male, and I thoroughly enjoy my '04 triple black bird. Sometimes I feel like a '69 Chevelle or GTO might suit me better though.
-Stuff

Claude

[V8 Cat]

Re: T-bird owner demographics

Just reached Medicare age, but when I want to go fast, I ride this - 0 to 60 in 3.6 sec.

[funwhls]

Re: T-bird owner demographics

Paul, ... 2nd is that a lot of us are from the 55 - 57 era and have always wanted a 2 seat T-bird.

I'm wondering why the oldest category was 46+. Seems it would be more interesting to poll by decades: under 30, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s and up.

I went to high school in the late 1950s and college in the early 60s. I always wanted a TBird because they had terrific styling back then. Of course, I couldn't afford one, then kids, then other expenses.

Finally, after working for 41 years, I wanted to treat myself to a nice toy. Mazdas are too small. I haven't like vette styling for many years now. The TBird was larger, had a V8, unique styling and stood out among all the choices. I don't have a need to beat the BMWs at traffic lights, just want to cruise in the open air and enjoy life!

[yatesda]

Re: T-bird owner demographics

Don't mind telling you that I'm 63. Good things like the Tird come later in life but that's fine. I really appreciate the car and love driving it around. We just drove it to Key West and back and had a ball doing it
.

[Ray]

Re: T-bird owner demographics

I don't have a need to beat the BMWs at traffic lights, just want to cruise in the open air and enjoy life!

Amen, amen, amen!!!

[Skozzy]

Re: T-bird owner demographics

Don't mind telling you that I'm 63. Good things like the Tird come later in life but that's fine. I really appreciate the car and love driving it around. We just drove it to Key West and back and had a ball doing it
.

You know I was just in Key West Feb 1st-4th and saw a red t-bird down there. Well I actually saw a black and yellow as well!

[njmiket]

Re: T-bird owner demographics

I am way past the 46+ mark. I get to wash and wax it for NJ Susan. The last time I drove it was in October. Can't wait until spring when we can head to the Chatterbox Drive In.

[Monty]

Re: T-bird owner demographics

Funny how when you pass 50, you become invisible. Used to worry when going to the beach whether you had a good tan, nice looking swimsuit and sunglasses. Now it doesn't matter. They don't even see us. I think that's why I felt compelled to buy the bird. Even if no one else sees me in it, I still feel 21 when I'm going down the road with the top down and and "oldies" station blarring.

[laikjaim]

Re: T-bird owner demographics

I too sold my Town Car to drive my 2002 Triple Black. I have children (1) 40, two in their 30's, (1) 20,and (1) 17. The older group of kids like the BIRD ...think she cool etc., and the younger two can take her or leave her. When I brought her home I "allowed" my two younger children to drive her (they looked at each other as if to say, "ok let's give DAD a treat and drive it")....NO BIG DEAL to them. I thought they would look at it as a treat for them!. I offered the Bird to my son to take on his prom this year. It was like "Yea OK dad I'll think about it...I may want to go in a LIMO"! I am 58 yrs. old and this is the age bracket with the baby bird memories (I believe). I also agree that the next club will be Children driving their parents t-bird, as stated above. My older group would love to inherit HER (at least that's what they told me!?!).

[Balzout]

Re: T-bird owner demographics

I am 29 and my fiance is 27...when we go cruisin in the Bird we get a lot of looks from people that seem to say "they are too young to be driving that car". I think this is because these cars were so expensive when they came out and whether they are used or not, they still look new and expensive and a lot of people our age wouldn't spend that kind of dough on 2 seater...It is the timeless and classic design in my opinion...

I was looking at getting a new Mustang GT, or a 350z when I found my Bird; I will never regret getting the Bird instead...it is way cooler and way classier than any Mustang or Z will ever be.

[Daktari]

Re: T-bird owner demographics

Hi there,

Well, I've just turned 49 and I must admit that the Retro bird was not my first choice. In fact, I had not even considered it as our second car to use mainly at weekends.

I started off looking for a nice old Ford or Chevy hot rod from around 1930-40. We saw lots and lots and drove them all. Most of them looked amazing and also had a great sound for cruisin' in. The only thing is, I wasn't happy about the way they drove. Along the way, I got really tempted to buy a 1955 Studebaker Commander with a Corvette engine in there. Again, it drove like a dog, I just wouldn't feel safe doing 80 m.p.h. down the interstate in something like that.

I eventually realized that to buy a real sharp looking hot rod that sounded good and drove well and was safe to drive was gonna cost me a lot more than around $25,000.00 which was my target area. Probably at least double that!

In fact it was Rachel who first mentioned the new Thunderbird. We happened to see one somewhere, it was a black shiny one and it looked really well turned out. From that point on I started to research into the Retrobird and actually joined TBN.

What I found was not a perfect car by any means. It was a car that offered comfort, pretty good handling, looks that kind of had that retro character but still looks sharp today. It would have been nice with a supercharger like the Jag XKS,( which I nearly went with by the way - being British), but at the end of the day, this is a real nice touring car. If I wanted something to play with, add on all kinds of after market gizmos, I would have bought a Mustang instead.

What I have now is a car that is beautiful, romantic and something to share miles together. We are both really happy with our bird.

Gordon. 'FLY AWAY'

[MerlotBlue]

Re: T-bird owner demographics

I'm not surprised by the poll results.

At the risk of sounding like my father........ these cars are "soft".

There really is a smooth, luxury feel to these cars that appeals to me now.

After years of everything from stuttering Idles, loud exhaust and tire smoke in a straight line to extreme corner carving on suspensions that will attempt to take out your kidneys on todays less than perfect side streets.......

The Thunderbirds sure are a welcome and comfortable change.

This is one of the VERY FEW newer cars that can pull off making you feel cool when you drive it and yet NOT subject you to the "Boy Racer" image that just feels a little silly now on the other-side of 40 years old.

[Bruce]

Re: T-bird owner demographics

Well Steve, I agree with you on the Bird they are great cruisers, but every so often its nice to get into something that can smoke the tires, chirp in four gears and is louder than the radio, especial if your way right of 40. (IMHO)

[Guest]

Re: T-bird owner demographics

I am also on the right side of 40... and the TBird meets everything I want in a car nowadays.... and then there is my new Borla system... sorry, I already started a thread on this... but that sound, mixed with the great looks of our Retrobirds, is truly a rush... even my 19 year old daughter's boyfriend called my Borlas a "sick exhaust", which I gather is a compliment in today's terms...