N0 problem

[jerzeebird]

Re: N0 problem

Bought my 04 Blackbird used in '07 with 16,378 miles on her. She now has 35,000 - most of which has come from driving from NJ to Chattanooga and Atlanta on different occasions to visit relatives. She handles beautifully on the highway, and I love the way the engine accelerates so smoothly. So far no mechanical problems. Just had my brakes and front rotors replaced. My 20 and 31 year old sons love it and usually ask for the first drive in the spring with the top off.

[sdman]

Re: N0 problem

Purchased mine in 07 with 7000 miles. No problems to report. Drive it all year round and now has 28000 miles. Only cost has been new tires and routine maintenance like oil changes and antifreeze replacement. Car runs like a dream.

[lasuvidaboy]

Re: N0 problem

I purchased mine new and now it has 80k miles. Replaced tires w/original equipment Michelin Pilots at 40k miles and again w/same tires at 80k miles due to normal wear. No problems for the first 70K miles and vehicle was always serviced at the dealer as required. My first problems started January, 2010 w/the clockspring. A few months later the COPs were all replaced (no warranty on '02s) and that cost over $900.00. Mid-2010 the thermostat went out-another $900.00 to repair. I asked the dealer: 'Is $900.00 the minimum repair cost on these cars' w/a smile:). A new battery was installed in the fall of 2010 which was not a surprise due to it's age-again general maintenance like tires. My dealer recommended a replacement as it was starting to slowly lose power and when new batteries go-they usually die w/out warning. That said, I think the vehicle has been very reliable considering it's age and mileage. An extremely low-mileage car sitting in a garage can have issues as well. The fact that I still am very pleased w/the car and it's beautiful styling after all these years of regular use says something about it's unique charm.

[V8 Cat]

Re: N0 problem

2005, 14500 miles.
The battery was defective after about 2 years and 8000 miles. This resulted in the paint being eaten off the rear bumper and the bumper having to be repainted

For interest sake, can you explain exactly how that happened?

[04birdman]

Re: N0 problem

knew there were more problem free cars than just mine.....dont count batteries and tires....6 1/2 yr old car..will do both this year needed or not......im a beliver of driving them,service them,enjoy them......thanks for the support to all....

[steelblue5505]

Re: N0 problem

This an excellent post. Too many times no matter what the product the ill favored view points are more numerous than the good and then the product appears to receive poor reviews.
Those that are pleased don't feel a need to say so, but we should, if for no other reason than to express being content.

I ordered my 05 in October 2004. Brought it home in a snow storm in late November 2004.

My medium steelblue is our only car, is our daily driver, sharing some road time with a old 1992 pick up truck. It has been in all weather conditions, my worse was an ice storm. It has been from Washington State to Ohio and back, a true pleasure to drive.

My Bird has been absolutely problem free and now has 49K miles.

I am very pleased with this car. It makes me smile when I drive and even when I'm not, just walking past it in the garage I often touch it and smile. Love it!

[ge0rge]

Re: N0 problem

For interest sake, can you explain exactly how that happened?

As you know, the battery is in the trunk. There's a tube connected to the battery which pokes through the trunk floor to vent the battery gasses. My battery developed a defective cell, causing it to gas heavily. The gasses flow past the bumper, which is typically not a problem. But in my case, the sulfuric acid was very concentrated and attacked the bumper paint. I had never bothered to check the visual indicator on the battery to see how healthy it was, but I doubt whether that would have shown the battery problem. That indicator only looks at one cell, and if that cell is still good, the indicator would be green. Anyway, I now check the battery indicator about once each month. So far, it's nice and green.

The silver lining of this incident: I took the Bird to the dealer for maintenance, and just mentioned that I had noticed the underneath side of the bumper losing its paint. The technician offered to check the battery. Later that day, he called and said that they would replace the battery AND paint the bumper for me at absolutely no charge! While the car was in the body shop, I had them patch a little ding that was on one side of the bumper (at a modest cost to me). They did a great job and told me to come back in three months so they could check on the paint. When I went back, they washed and waxed the car all over again. Sweet!

By the way, one of the members in our Retrobird club is investigating a battery that supposedly fits our Birds but is constructed with a dry gel rather than liquid acid. If that works, the vent tube would no longer be needed. But the jury is still out on that.

[Leroy]

Re: N0 problem

GeOrge, After investigating other batteries for the TBird, I found the Odyssey Battery to be the best choice for a nonvented battery. But they're expensive. Leroy

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[Vintage Merlot]

Re: N0 problem

For all of us who have had absolutely no problems with the Retro Bird, I know you might be hesitant to post that you have had NO problems....Posting for us might be tempting fate with the kiss of you know what. ....But I have had nothing but oil changes for my 58,000 miles of smiles...oh yes...I do have blinking heated seat switches....no big deal but am having them taken care of tomorrow under extended warranty. And for those who have problems buying an extended 7 year warranty at at a cost $4.90 per week I say it's an excellent insurance program. I really feel there are many, many more trouble free Birds than those with a history of problems.

This thread has been started for owners who have had no problems so far with their Birds. If you have gripes go to another thread.

[FEsTbird]

Re: N0 problem

03 with 50K miles. Had the "E" signal at about 10K miles and replaced parts called for by TSP under warranty, rear brakes replaced at about 30K under warranty (not sure that this was really needed, could have been the shop needed work), all COPs and the windshield washer shield replaced at about 43K-45K under the 100K warranty extension. Replaced battery about 6 months ago -- mostly as a precaution. Replaced tires at 45K -- mainly as a precaution because taking a longer than usual trip through Arizona and New Mexico where the distances between towns is longer than usual for me. The car hasn't been trouble free (as you can tell) but close communication with the local dealer has yielded good service. One of the repairs (I think it was the "E" on the transmission, could have been the COPs) required more than that day, so Ford rented a car for me. The only other problem was that a CD stuck in the radio about a month after purchase and needed repair (warranty)--replacing the radio correctly fixed its rattling, I looked at that as a plus. I had an extended warranty until 2010, and extended it again last summer.

[timothy]

Re: N0 problem

My 02 was purchased for me by my wife as a retirement gift 2 1/2 years ago. It has 29000 miles on it at the time. Within the 1st 6 months I replaced 1 cop, tires, brakes and CD player.(would have put in an 03 or later player if I would have known at the time there was a difference) Also had no Hard Top rack or boot. It seemed like a lot of $ in the beginning, but the car has been a true pleasure since, with absolutely no problems over the last 2 years... It is definitely not a daily driver as I'm only averaging about 2500 mile / year.

[DKest3963]

Re: N0 problem

Hi All
I have 2 retro Birds one 2003 New in Feb 2003 and 2005 new in June 2005. Both have been trouble free, but my 2003 is a garage queen w/12000 miles. 2005 has only 16000. We love both our birds, However my daughter bought a 2004 Blue with 27000 miles and has had a bunch of problems. PCM, front ECM Air sensor. AC Compressor and 5 or 6 cops. The dealer near Houston has added some problems and did not fix the vehicle correctly. Brought it to Austin and had my dealer fix it. All under warranty or extended warranty.
We still all smile when we drive these vehicles. I bought a shop manuel for 2005 and understand why it takes a special mechanic to work on our Retro birds.
Thanks

Dennis
TEXAS THUNDER KERRVILLE May 2011

[hrazor]

Lot of COPs

Bought my '02 three years ago, just over 100K. Have replaced 6 COPs to date, the last one just last Sunday. Having problems with the security system. In the summer (most of the year in Houston...) using the security system causes an alarm that can't be reset without disconnecting the battery... This morning she's running super rough again, thinking another COP but haven't got an engine check light yet so I won't be able to determine the cause.

[bwlewis]

Re: N0 problem

Bought the '03 new. It isn't a daily driver (the company car is) but it's not a garage queen. 41K and no problems, just routine maintenance.

[timbo]

Re: N0 problem

O4 with 42.000 miles. Purchased with 36.0000. Two COP's replaced. Power steering pump replaced. Getting ready for new tires.