Do you think the 2002 to 2005 are under valued

[Vantbird]

vinnie love the front plate t for 2

[2K2BIRD]

..... and those who bought new still under water.

Huh?????? Based on what metric? Dollars only?? Other than very rare instances cars bought new to drive even occasionally in the past 20 years are never "worth" more than the day you drive them off of the lot. Folks that regularly buy new cars take that into account when they buy the car.

I suppose one can be proud of they have bought a retrobird at a great price and can sell it now for a small profit, but they missed 10 years of fun, fun, fun that were worth more than money in the bank.

[007Cruiser]

While the car has depreciated, so has the buying power of the dollar. If you spent 40K for a car in 2003, you would need to sell it for 54K just to break even.

[TEE4TOO]

I enjoy driving it and it still turns heads. People still ask is that car brand new? I'm looking forward to our next little trip to the Grand Canyon. I like Larry in the Las Vegas group like the silver hair blowing in the wind. Its paid for and I think its a great value and I hope to enjoy it for many years to come.

[Grimmo]

Agree with most of the comments. I bought my car (02, 37000 mi) because I love the design and it’s a reasonably quick, fun to drive car. I have a new Mustang GT convertible, same color, but the TBird, hands down, gets more comments, looks and thumbs up. Is it under valued? I didn’t buy it as an investment. But I would have guessed that they would have hit the bottom of their depreciation curve some time ago.

[EllisonCal]

It's strictly anecdotal, but at the Mecum Auction in Houston last weekend an '03 Torch Red w/7600 miles hammered down at $20,000 plus the 10% Buyer's commission. The seller was adamant about getting $22000 for his car, the buyer wanted to pay no more than $19,500. It was interesting to watch because it was all televised, the haggling and the stubborn seller insisting on keeping his reserve, while Frank Mecum was beating up on him!

[AyPapiii]

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.

Yes.

[steelblue5505]

Rondor, certainly don't. Understand your comments.
We have used our 05, new to us November,2004, as our daily driver ever since we took delivery. It has provided us with excellent service. We have no complaints & really can't think of a reason or circumstance when the retro did not or could not operate as a daily driver
And that includes winter driving as well. As soon as we realized the car doesn't dissolve when wet we even drive it in the rain.....can you imagine!

As for being under water value wise how could that possibly be? The car & that is all that it is, just a car, is in its 13th year on the road where is value lost. Who buys a car now adays thinking it is going to appreciate in value?

Today's world is not the world we use to know and to apply yesterday to tomorrow doesn't seem to work or fit any longer.

[Brad]

Mike, I think there were quite a few people that bought a retrobird and never drove it expecting it to appreciate.

[AZTB]

IMO, every so often this subject creeps back into the site through a new thread, and the general conclusion is always the same: it doesn't matter as the car holds value differently to each owner based on that owner's perspective. LA Phil used to bring this subject up about once a year when he was part of the site, but the opinions posted then are pretty much the same as they are now. To each his own.

[11TH GEN]

IMO, every so often this subject creeps back into the site through a new thread, and the general conclusion is always the same: it doesn't matter as the car holds value differently to each owner based on that owner's perspective. LA Phil used to bring this subject up about once a year when he was part of the site, but the opinions posted then are pretty much the same as they are now. To each his own.

You read my mind Jim. Whether it's smiles, miles, sentimental, money, confirmation bias or any other reason, it really doesn't matter but does pop up a few times a year.

[wcoates]

Absolutely not undervalued and I sure don't plan on seeing a spike in prices in my lifetime. ( plan on living 32 more years to 102--don't laugh God!)

Just did a KBB estimate of value. For my miles --$9800+. Six years ago I paid $12,200. For a bang for the buck and holding it's value I say she done damn fine.

[EllisonCal]

If they looks nice and run OK when they are 50 years, older with 2% inflation, they'll be worth about 1 and 1/2 times what they are selling for today. I'm not investing in Tbird futures, my dividends are driving the wheels off of mine.

[2K2BIRD]

Absolutely not undervalued and I sure don't plan on seeing a spike in prices in my lifetime. ( plan on living 32 more years to 102--don't laugh God!)

Just did a KBB estimate of value. For my miles --$9800+. Six years ago I paid $12,200. For a bang for the buck and holding it's value I say she done damn fine.

At roughly $400/yr, that's pretty dang cheap entertainment with the added benefit of being able to get from point A to point B.

[Rondor]

While most owners bought these cars to drive and enjoy,,, it IS obvious that a few look at them more as an investment. That is where the underwater remark was directed, I totally agree that besides basic transportation .These have several other important values to most of us, especially those who were around for the nostalgic appeal. Like several who commented here is why I bought and have gotten more enjoyment from it than any car owned. At this point if I were to sell at whatever price every dollar would be profit. Then I can look back and say it was a hell of a good investment.