Do you think the 2002 to 2005 are under valued

[11TH GEN]

It would be interesting to have a survey of retro Tbirds for sale nationwide at a any given time compared to production numbers and then compare that ratio to another low production car.

Could possibly be done with the 2007/2009 Saturn Sky. Three year production 34,415 with about 1/3 or just over 10K of them being the Redline version. At under 3,000 lbs with a 2.0 Turbo delivering and underestimated 260 HP and a 3.91 gear they run well. Like the retros, the high mileage non turbos can be found anywhere under 8K but a nice Redline with under 30K mikes or so will still bring about $15K or 1/2 of what it cost new.

[Welker]

The old saying that the more features a car has the more trouble the owner will have as they wear out seems to apply. I think that is more true now than ever. Almost everything about the newer cars built since computers took over and the new new technological thing have obsoleted repairing old cars......and as we all know, more and more high tech things we buy every day are essentially disposable items. Keeping these old birds going will become more and more difficult as the modules wear out and replacements become hard to impossible to find. Even then, the 2002-2005 technologies are already obsolete. If the upcoming generations have their way with self drivers and all electrics, cars like ours may even be ordered off the road and end up, not being classics, but simple curiosity items displayed in automobile museums, on display and never to be run again. How's that for depressing?

[AZTB]

Anything is only worth what someone else is willing to pay. I too think we retro bird owners are biased toward thinking our birds are worth more than the market will pay. Reality gave me a poke in the eye when I offered to give my prized PCR to my granddaughter for her first car. She graciously turned me down saying she really rather wait for a Honda Hybrid! So I will keep it, enjoy it, and hope my 11 year old grandson will want it when his turn comes. It will be a true low mileage "classic" by then.

Totally agree...no one in the family seemed to care when I sold either our '02 or the '05. It was only worth something to me - and while many looked at the '02 and '05 in the parking lots as admired them, VERY FEW thought it was worth what they were going for on the open market - most were looking for more advanced technology and didn't care about the design.
Beauty is relative (i.e., "in the eye of the beholder").

[BLACK BEAUTY]

I still love both of mine

[Quickdraw]

"Value" (ie price) is tied to scarcity and demand. While there is a healthy amount of demand for the cars there is also a ton of inventory of cars for sale in both low and high miles with asking prices from $5,000. to $35,000. I think most of the low mileage cars for sale are overpriced (which is why they don't sell). It would be interesting to have a survey of retro Tbirds for sale nationwide at a any given time compared to production numbers and then compare that ratio to another low production car.

Try comparing prices of our Thunderbirds to the Allante.... sales prices on these started about $55,000 and TOTAL seven year production was less than a third of the 68,098 2002-2005 Thunderbirds that were produced. By almost any theory of car prices these should be selling for much more that they currently are. https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...|26285djp59179 And like some over priced Retros, look at the third one from the top in the above link $75,000!

Allante Production numbers

1987	3,363
1988	2,569
1989	3,296
1990	3,101
1991	2,500
1992	1,931
1993	4,670
TOTAL	21,430

[Jimr]

Car values are simply what someone is willing to pay on any given day. Way to often we value these cars with our hearts instead of our heads. I own my Tbirds because I enjoy owning them . They are not an investment in my opinion.

[Guest]

Enjoy the car for the day in our time. When the electric powered cars hit the road at instant acceleration with no fuel needed why would anyone need or want our Birds when the fuel they burn becomes obsolete. No fuel means a worthless item. I suppose we could go camping in our Birds setting in our back yards. I mean the value of our TBirds are for NOW TIMES. We are already old so who cares after we bite the dust in this mortal world what they do with the value of our Thunderbirds. ENJOY NOW!!!

[AyPapiii]

Would like to see what everyone thinks of what the 2002 to 2005 are selling for is under valued?

Thanks

No.

[Vantbird]

Good perspective on reality! Just another used car and they are worth what someone is willing to pay.

[Thunderbird 22]

The value of my Bird is what joy it brings,me working on it and driving it. Obviously, i love the car, and if i had to put a value to it, it would be unrealistic. But to me, its therapy. My daily drivers are a 2011 Ford Explorer, and a 2017 Toyota Rav 4, and 2013 Jetta. nice rides,but working, modifying, and riding with the top down on a nice sunny day has no price to me. So, when life stress you out, nothing like escaping in the T bird, and hearing the rumble of the Borla exhaust... my 2 cents.......

[Alamobird]

When most of us were young, car styling changed dramatically from year to year. The new cars were something to look forward to. Now a body style has a 4-7 year run. The only changes from year to year are the grill pattern and the arrangement of the bulbs in the tail lights. (Maybe). There was also very little quality foreign competition in the 50's. Other than the Corvette & Porsche, two seaters were underpowered 4 banger British "sports cars" - Sunbeam (tiger excepted) Triumph, Austin Healy, & MG.

Ford hasn't built a Thunderbird in 13 years, and the Thunderbird models preceding the retrobirds were uninspired family coupes. The Retrobird sales were driven by old farts like most of us who were too young or couldn't afford a 55 - 57 back in the day. My family did not get a second car til I started High School, and it was a used Chrysler.

The nostalgia value of a Retro is lost on most people who did not live through the 50's. We are an endangered species.

If there was a broader market, Ford would still be building some version of an expensive two seat Thunderbird. There are too many other two seat choices in all price ranges today. Look at Miata sales as an example. What would motivate a young person to pay cash for a two seat T-Bird of either genre when they can make payments for 72 months on a Mustang. You can't finance a Retro.

Most of us are playing the back nine. We can't hook a U-haul to our hearse, so we might as well enjoy the Birds while we can. We're living our childhood dream. When the wheels fall off, buy another low mileage garage queen & keep on having fun.

After we're gone, restoration and scarcity will determine the value. Look at the price spread for 55 - 57 models of differing conditions after 60+ years. Most of us won't be here to collect on our retros, so what does it matter.

Promise it to a grandchild for college, and let their parents find the parts! If the grand kids don't want it, use it for a coffin. A fancy pine box is not cheap. It may save your estate money. A woman in San Antonio was buried in her Ferrari. Google it.

Lastly, I'm always amazed at the prices realized at the auctions for what were some pretty dull cars in their day. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I guess the last Yugo standing will be loved by someone.

[Howlandd]

Just a heads up, Bob - you can finance a retro bird. Bought mine 2 years ago and my credit union did not take 15 minutes to give me the money. - - - - -

[vinnie]

When most of us were young, car styling changed dramatically from year to year. The new cars were something to look forward to. Now a body style has a 4-7 year run. The only changes from year to year are the grill pattern and the arrangement of the bulbs in the tail lights. (Maybe). There was also very little quality foreign competition in the 50's. Other than the Corvette & Porsche, two seaters were underpowered 4 banger British "sports cars" - Sunbeam (tiger excepted) Triumph, Austin Healy, & MG.

Ford hasn't built a Thunderbird in 13 years, and the Thunderbird models preceding the retrobirds were uninspired family coupes. The Retrobird sales were driven by old farts like most of us who were too young or couldn't afford a 55 - 57 back in the day. My family did not get a second car til I started High School, and it was a used Chrysler.

The nostalgia value of a Retro is lost on most people who did not live through the 50's. We are an endangered species.

If there was a broader market, Ford would still be building some version of an expensive two seat Thunderbird. There are too many other two seat choices in all price ranges today. Look at Miata sales as an example. What would motivate a young person to pay cash for a two seat T-Bird of either genre when they can make payments for 72 months on a Mustang. You can't finance a Retro.

Most of us are playing the back nine. We can't hook a U-haul to our hearse, so we might as well enjoy the Birds while we can. We're living our childhood dream. When the wheels fall off, buy another low mileage garage queen & keep on having fun.

After we're gone, restoration and scarcity will determine the value. Look at the price spread for 55 - 57 models of differing conditions after 60+ years. Most of us won't be here to collect on our retros, so what does it matter.

Promise it to a grandchild for college, and let their parents find the parts! If the grand kids don't want it, use it for a coffin. A fancy pine box is not cheap. It may save your estate money. A woman in San Antonio was buried in her Ferrari. Google it.

Lastly, I'm always amazed at the prices realized at the auctions for what were some pretty dull cars in their day. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I guess the last Yugo standing will be loved by someone.

Love you, Bob! "Playing the back nine" is priceless!

[Rondor]

Some truth in every comment above. Yes it IS a different world and not a very predictable one. These cars have both an up side and a downside, so we will have to see which is stronger. They certainly are not an investment in a financial sense but a good buy for the right reasons. They are not your everyday car and have a few unique qualities and a pedigree. They cost a lot more than a mussel car did back win new and not near as many were built. I had numerous cars that I sold for next to nothing and every one is worth a small fortune today.I never dreamed a single one would be worth more than an average older used car and there were plenty to be had., We are at the bottom of the curve and it's anybody's guess as to how long and where the price will go down the road. At the present time those who bought an '02-05 retro used are near a break even point and those who bought new still under water. I would hope either group thought the car was worth the price they paid and that it is considered something a cut above a typical older used car even if no body else thinks so.

[wcoates]

Try comparing prices of our Thunderbirds to the Allante.... sales prices on these started about $55,000 and TOTAL seven year production was less than a third of the 68,098 2002-2005 Thunderbirds that were produced. By almost any theory of car prices these should be selling for much more that they currently are. https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...|26285djp59179 And like some over priced Retros, look at the third one from the top in the above link $75,000!

Allante Production numbers

1987	3,363
1988	2,569
1989	3,296
1990	3,101
1991	2,500
1992	1,931
1993	4,670
TOTAL	21,430

No our Birds are not under valued but I paid $12,200 6 years ago and with the care and replacement of major components I fell that it is easily at least a $9.000 car. Do the math . 3-4000 k over 6 years. $55-$60 dollars a month. best bang for the buck car on the planet (IMHO.).

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1988-Cadill...NazN5s&vxp=mtr

Sure as hell this one sells as I drive right thru St. Augustines at the end of the month. said I'd have one more Allante and a hard-top convertible before I finish the back 9!