Satisfied with Your Bird.

[AZTB]

Re: Satisfied with Your Bird.

Some of these comments might seem a tad(!) subjective, but what's not to like??? V/R,Gary Jenkins/jaguar72

A poll & corresponding comments are by nature subjective...

[jaguar72]

Re: Satisfied with Your Bird.

A poll & corresponding comments are by nature subjective...

True. Passion rules.

V/R,

Gary Jenkins/jaguar72

[kobrah]

Re: Satisfied with Your Bird.

OK, I'm the guilty party that voted "Somewhat Satisfied".

I love the car, I hate the COPS. Comes and goes all the time, and is embarrassing when company rides with me.

I will still enjoy my ride home today!!!!

Cruise On!
G^

[V8 Cat]

Re: Satisfied with Your Bird.

I'm another guilty party that voted "satisfied".
I think the bird should have had:
1. more horsepower - 300HP at least from the factory
2. a better transmission - this transmission is not in the league with the ones in my other two cars. By the way, the Lexus SC 300 I have listed for about the same amount as the Tbird.
3. better interior; especially the center stack design and execution without owner having to resort to dashboard kits. They did rectify that somewhat with the "sand interior package".
4. A panel that would open and serve as the convertible top boot cover.
5. city gas mileage is poor for the size of the engine
6. Having to get it serviced at places that did not have many technicians that knew much about the car.



That said, there are things I like that some others might not; especially the first one.
1. I like the small block DOHC 32 valve engine eventhough it is short on HP. It is smooth and refined more like the Jaguar V8 that it is similar to it. I would rather have it than the Mustang V8.
2. independent rear suspension
3. having the battery in the trunk away from the engine heat
4. the styling
5. good quality of the fabric top
6. the factory supplied Michelin tires

[jerrym3]

Re: Satisfied with Your Bird.

While washing my Bird and mt daughter's 2007 Mustang yesterday, I started thinking about one possible styling change that I might have liked.

I like the way the Mustang fenders flare out over the wheels. I realize that adding "haunches" to the side of the TBird would have broken up the smooth side styling, but I think that it might have given the car a bit more character.

The car is great looking as is, but if there's one week angle IMHO, it's a side view looking towards the front of the car from the doors back. Front fenders just seem a little too rounded off and plain.

Could have been a styling change for future years.

[Bruce]

Re: Satisfied with Your Bird.

The only thing I would like to have seen is some increase performance (HP & TQ) and maybe an auto or manual tranmission option. All else I am satisfied with.

[BADOS]

Re: Satisfied with Your Bird.

My wife loves the Bird, but I find it's a little hard on my bad back because the seat is small and a little too low. Since I sold my Vette to keep the Bird...and my wife happy, I drive the Commander now. Well, at least now I can smoke my cigars in it.

[marcoroo]

Re: Satisfied with Your Bird.

Okay, I've been "somewhat satisfied" with my 2003 'Bird. The main reason is that it breaks down a lot. I've been towed 8 times since I've purchased the car and have hobbled to the dealership for repairs a couple of other times. A variety of things have caused it to go to the shop. I still think it's absolutely gorgeous and totally fun to drive, but I'm afraid to take it on any long trips. At 115K miles, has it lived out it's life? I really hope not!

[Sealy]

Re: Satisfied with Your Bird.

At 115K miles, has it lived out it's life? I really hope not!

Maybe time to switch from reactive (it's broken, put it in the shop) to proactive. If you trust your mechanic, have him/her go over the car with a fine-tooth comb. Find its weak spots and work on them. You need to be able to jump in it and head out to anywhere without being worried. Just like any relationship, you can't get the most out of it if there's always a little voice in the back of your head telling you heartbreak is just ahead.

Forgot Part II - Are you a fan of Click and Clack, the Tappet Brothers? Years back they gave one of my favorite pieces of advice. A caller told them she absolutely loved her old car, but wanted to know how to tell when it was time to give it up. The very simple answer was "When you can no longer trust it."

[Kokomo]

Re: Satisfied with Your Bird.

Okay, I've been "somewhat satisfied" with my 2003 'Bird. The main reason is that it breaks down a lot. I've been towed 8 times since I've purchased the car and have hobbled to the dealership for repairs a couple of other times. A variety of things have caused it to go to the shop. I still think it's absolutely gorgeous and totally fun to drive, but I'm afraid to take it on any long trips. At 115K miles, has it lived out it's life? I really hope not!

You could trade it for another one with lower miles. That is what I did when my 2002 needed $2200 worth of repairs just to fix the air conditioner. I had 90,000 miles and a long list of other annoyances that would have added up to about $10,000 to make like new again. I decided that the money would be better spent on a slightly used garage queen. There are plenty of them out there. Good luck whatever you decide.

[MerlotBlue]

Re: Satisfied with Your Bird.

You could trade it for another one with lower miles. That is what I did when my 2002 needed $2200 worth of repairs just to fix the air conditioner. I had 90,000 miles and a long list of other annoyances that would have added up to about $10,000 to make like new again. I decided that the money would be better spent on a slightly used garage queen. There are plenty of them out there. Good luck whatever you decide.

............the store or drive thread reveals enough people who choose to "save" 'em vs drive 'em to suggest a supply of good clean low mileage cars will come up for sale often in the years to come.

Another nice aspect of these cars as used car purchases is in the idea that they are not sports cars........or at least not the kind of car that inspires aggressive driving. Most are owned by responsible owners who stay on top of things as even so much as a hint of a problem arises.

the thought that you could find what truly is a real cream puff, rather than a hard driven car that still looks good, for a reasonable price is completely realistic.

[Sealy]

Re: Satisfied with Your Bird.

I decided that the money would be better spent on a slightly used garage queen.

Taking that out of context, there is just too much there that would just get me in trouble. Bite your tongue, Sealy, and just hush up.

[MObird]

Re: Satisfied with Your Bird.

I'm very satisfied even though right now I'm looking at a possible very expensive AC fix (the car is 6 years old so stuff can happen).
The car suits my driving needs, mostly casual cruising to restaurant/mall or long trips. I don't care about zero to sixty; I'm more interested in sixty to a hundred and the car does that great! It's fun, comfortable, fast enough for me, responsive, and timeless-looking. I have no trouble passing big trucks uphill on the interstate or getting in the lane I want quickly which is good because I always get to big cities during their rush hours. And it turns heads which is nice.

[THX1138]

Re: Satisfied with Your Bird.

I've been beating my TBird since the day I bought it in November 2009. I never found any trans lag. Monday, after a club meeting, I ran I-696 at numbers that would put me in jail, at some points. I got on the main drag five miles north of home and played with the shifter. I got instant ups and downs, and a real blast! I haven't tried to smoke the tires (two Vetts and two hot Mustangs cured me), but when the tires are shot, maybe a water burnout. Ford's quality can't be beat! This car is the best all around car I have owned. It's not my everyday driver but, I would drive it every day if the old truck gave up. I am now thinking of a Lincoln LS for my next beater because this TBird is so great. If you see me at the side of the road with my TBird, it's my falt!

[jaguar72]

Re: Satisfied with Your Bird.

I've been beating my TBird since the day I bought it in November 2009. I never found any trans lag. Monday, after a club meeting, I ran I-696 at numbers that would put me in jail, at some points. I got on the main drag five miles north of home and played with the shifter. I got instant ups and downs, and a real blast! I haven't tried to smoke the tires (two Vetts and two hot Mustangs cured me), but when the tires are shot, maybe a water burnout. Ford's quality can't be beat! This car is the best all around car I have owned. It's not my everyday driver but, I would drive it every day if the old truck gave up. I am now thinking of a Lincoln LS for my next beater because this TBird is so great. If you see me at the side of the road with my TBird, it's my falt!

Well said.

You've got the right color, too.

V/R,

Gary Jenkins/jaguar72