Wicked buzzkill from a FB automotive group

[007Cruiser]

I even had a dealer screw up an oil change. I use my trusted independent one man shop where we can shoot the breeze while he does the work.

[steelblue5505]

Ken, I have no intention to bash the folks on FaceBook. It is a social media that allows people to hide behind their computer or phone screens and write stuff or comment about stuff that they may or may not know a thing about. This is often done to stir-up the pot so to speak, to encourage a response adding to their popularity on that particular social media. It is this "count" or hits that the writer is often looking for with little no no concern as to whether they know what they speak of. On the social media pages no one knows the credentials are they really who they say they are.

On the other hand, here on TBN it is a safe bet to think that the folks here are indeed owners of the 2002-05 Thunderbird. Some like yourself are new to this while others are part of the original group that started TBN back just before the cars were released for sale. Almost all of us have owned our cars for sometime and know them well. I believe that if you take the time to use the Search box and also learn your way around the TBN, ask questions, and try to take the time to attend a TBN function you will find out that this site is a treasure chest of technical info about your car as well as a treasure chest of friendship. No one here is going to think less of you for asking about your car because we all have had or have heard about the unique problems or situations this car can have. Unlike some of the folks on FaceBook & other social media the folks here are truly owners, their credentials and their experience with the 2002-05 are valid.

Like so many have already said, the 2002-05 is going into its late teen years and it will be showing its age. With the knowledge base on this site it all can be repaired. All you have to do is ask us.

When you are out driving your car look around you will not see another car on the road that is as elegant in design. It doesn't look like anything out there & yet the 2002 is 17 yrs old and still gets smiles, thumbs up, waves of appreciation and walk ups either telling you how beautiful the car is or they have a story to share about a Thunderbird. The car is a boulevard cruiser built to bring enjoyment in its ride. You don't see that happening with any other of today's cookie cutter design cars. Get your car out there, they were built to be shown off. Drive it enjoy it and fix it when it needs it. You bought the car because it appealed to you not somebody on social media.

And you will soon have what everybody here on TBN has.... "A Smile in Every Mile."

[abaton6]

Thanks to all for your encouragement. I needed that.

[Elky64]

Ken, I had a background as a motorcycle mechanic and a long time hot roder. I came into this about two years ago after selling a 64 El Camino that I had for over 25 years. I knew coming in that my friends who were Ford mechanics were not thrilled about the retro bird. The engine was unfamiliar as it is not used in anything else in the Ford world.except Lincoln LS and was in fact designed by Jaguar who ford owned at the time. The engine design appealed to me because it is a modern high performance design, the valve train it just like any of the high output sport bikes from Japan or Europe. Its cooling system works well, but its layout is way more complicated than what could have been done American style. Can't really be changed though so it is what it is.
Seems to me folks might have better luck at a long time Lincoln dealer just because there were more LS's at one time. Or the old stand by, the local hard working independent. Most parts won't be problem for now.
They are pretty good cars.
Al

[philsbird]

Ever see a dealership without a service department? Me neither.

BINGO!

[EllisonCal]

They are different from many "pure" Ford cars, but I think the reason most mechanics prefer not to work on our Thunderbirds is because they can't beat the "Flat rate time" on the jobs that they are asked to perform. If you spend most of your repair time doing the same thing over and over again you get proficient and can do a job that pays 1.5 hours in half that time. But if you only work on one of our cars once or twice and it is a new repair you've never done before, it may take you 2 or more hours. Technicians don't like that.

[428PI]

As a working mechanic at numerous Ford shops years ago and a small independent for 20 years and CarMax for 2 yrs I can tell you that dealerships probably don't get anything this old into their shops anymore. I haven't seen one come into our shop at CarMax in 2 years. We work mostly on less than 10 year old cars. In the independent shop we worked mostly on 15 year old cars with 200k miles. I did see a couple there (counting the LIncoln LS too). I doubt that there are very few mechanics that really know anything about them. If you find one keep him (or her!).

[doc]

My T-bird is 17 years old; granted it has only 14,000 miles, but it is still an old car and so far, NO issues! Besides, what would replace it? At whatever price you paid for a used Bird, what could you get to replace it that can give all the fun, the attention, the uniqueness of these cars--not to mention membership in this wonderful site with its wonderful people? I'm not mechanical at all, but any question you ask this group, they are always there to help out.

Enjoy the car and don't second guess yourself. There is nothing like these cars in today's world of "look-alike" clones.

[Sierra977]

HateBook is for losers.

[Howlandd]

I have a son that is fully across the board ASE certified. I asked him what car he would recommend his mother and I buy? His reply is "golden" He said " Buy the one you like the best. I have to work on ALL OF THEM",

[007Cruiser]

I once had a Pontiac that was acting up far from home. No internet at the time and I stopped at a Toyota dealer to ask for directions. Guy told me I should have bought a Toyota. I said “Right. All of your service bays just do oil changes.”

[Brad]

I've had no problems since I stopped taking my car to the dealer for maintenance.

[007Cruiser]

I've had no problems since I stopped taking my car to the dealer for maintenance.

Amen, brother, amen.

[Fredrik73]

I bought my car as a repair objekt, think it was on the way to get recycled in USA when some body saved it and shiped it to sweden i touk the chans to buy a expansiv nice car cheap that needed alot of love, think that the owner before me dit not care about it at all
i get alot of negative comments from People just like when i drived jaguars, vauxhall,amc.....
But its always fun to ask them what they are driving that ends all diskussions hihi
if you buy a volvo for 700000sek no one reacts because the naighbour has one too and hes naighbour too but if
you buy a used jaguar för 100000sek the Volvo owners get mad
My father drivas a Bentley eight hes having a hard time with his prius-naighbours hihihihi
So im just saying dont care about them i love my thunderbird eaven if it makens me crazy some days but not more crazy then other hobby cars has made me

[HKS]

I bought my car as a repair objekt, think it was on the way to get recycled in USA when some body saved it and shiped it to sweden i touk the chans to buy a expansiv nice car cheap that needed alot of love, think that the owner before me dit not care about it at all
i get alot of negative comments from People just like when i drived jaguars, vauxhall,amc.....
But its always fun to ask them what they are driving that ends all diskussions hihi
if you buy a volvo for 700000sek no one reacts because the naighbour has one too and hes naighbour too but if
you buy a used jaguar för 100000sek the Volvo owners get mad
My father drivas a Bentley eight hes having a hard time with his prius-naighbours hihihihi
So im just saying dont care about them i love my thunderbird eaven if it makens me crazy some days but not more crazy then other hobby cars has made me

Fredrik,
I am waiting for the happy ending to your Thunderbird story. Let us know when you have conquered all the Tbird demons.
Tearing the steering wheel out and removing the instrument panel is way over my head.
Hermann