What's up with all these Birds for sale?

[jerrym3]

Re: What's up with all these Birds for sale?

When we were youths, we didn't have all the distractions either.

I had 6TV channels, some too blurry to watch using "rabbit ears"

No personal computer

No computer games

Cars were a big part of my life. It was something to do. I used to get Popular Science (?) just to read the one or two road tests. Then I stated buying mags dedicated to cars (Motor Life).

I knew every car by name when I was 15. Now, they all look alike, except for a few exceptions.

They run much better than the old cars ever did, but, again with few exceptions, there's very little to get you to say "wow, did you see the new X?"

[Ray]

Re: What's up with all these Birds for sale?

I still say enjoy life today, including your earthly possessions; life will be over too soon.

Best statement in this entire thread.

[jayred1]

Re: What's up with all these Birds for sale?

Six TV channels?? That would have been living! There was only CBS, ABC, and NBC ... and Dad put up a 40' tower behind the house so that we would be able to get a strong enough signal for the last two!

[justjon]

Re: What's up with all these Birds for sale?

When we were youths, we didn't have all the distractions either.
I had 6TV channels, some too blurry to watch using "rabbit ears"
No personal computer
No computer games
Cars were a big part of my life. It was something to do. I used to get Popular Science (?) just to read the one or two road tests. Then I stated buying mags dedicated to cars (Motor Life).
I knew every car by name when I was 15. Now, they all look alike, except for a few exceptions.
They run much better than the old cars ever did, but, again with few exceptions, there's very little to get you to say "wow, did you see the new X?"

I never thought about it that way.. Maybe it'e all about escape? Cars certainly represented freedom to me as a teenager and they still do, in that I enjoy driving them to go new places and just for the sake of driving. Kids get the same freedom/escape with video games and TV. But you just can't make out in the back seat of a chat room ... hmmmm maybe you can

[2K2BIRD]

Re: What's up with all these Birds for sale?

I gave up trying to figure out what young people are thinking (assuming they are) a long time ago.

As for the original question, I think it has become clear to the "investors" that their investment probably won't pay off in their lifetime , so they are looking to cut their losses before the car's value bottoms out.

Hopefully, the new owners will actually enjoy the car for its designed purpose -- driving! If they do, they'll have made a great investment.

[jerrym3]

Re: What's up with all these Birds for sale?

In New York/Jersey/Conn, we had ch 2 (CBS), 4 (NBC), 5, 7 (ABC), 9 (WORTV), 11 (WPIX), and 13, so we actually had seven channels.

Most channels went off the air after a certain hour at night.

[Lindy]

Re: What's up with all these Birds for sale?



Would anyone care to include a url or two or three, pointing us to some of these many zero (-0-) miles T-Birds for sale? As some of us (including myself) may be interested.

Lindy

[tbird05cel]

Re: What's up with all these Birds for sale?

Google.com

[keithwand]

Re: What's up with all these Birds for sale?

We based our decision on the premise that we really liked the Thunderbird and were looking for a convertible.
Next, what might hold its resale value.
It just happened through research that we found out about the rarity of the IG.
Low miles? We live in a New Urbansim neighborhood where we walk and bike to most places thus 500 miles annually and the car is garaged 4 months a year as well.

[Lindy]

Re: What's up with all these Birds for sale?

...and the car is garaged 4 months a year as well.

Ouch Keith, you leave your IG gem out in the scorching hot Florida sun for 8 months a year? Think of the UV exposure.

Or do you yet garage it as apposed to full storage?

Lindy

[E'sBird]

Re: What's up with all these Birds for sale?

Interesting Thread..good friend said "Never buy a collector car unless you are willing to drive it for the rest of your life." Car markets are fluid and difficult to predict. I can not say our Birds will be worth anything in the future or not. I do that my GTO has stopped depreciating...My 30 year old son already has his claws in it when I "don't need it anymore."

[DonRich90]

Re: What's up with all these Birds for sale?

I still say enjoy life today, including your earthly possessions; life will be over too soon.

At age 72 and, after having had a rather serious illness last year, all I can say is "Amen".

Don

[REDBESS]

Re: What's up with all these Birds for sale?

I bought my 2003 Tbird because I LOVED IT, I HAD TO HAVE IT!! It is still just as beautiful as when my husband and I bought it 8 years ago next month. (Actually, it's more beautiful with its whitewall tires). No worries about appreciation and/or depreciation....I'm keeping it til I'm dead! Amen!

[bgl]

Re: What's up with all these Birds for sale?

What the original post indicates is true here too. The last time I looked at Craigslist, there were about 20 Birds for sale. Usually, there are only a couple. When I was looking in '08, there were not many around, and that seemed to hold true until recently.

I notice on ebay though, most of the cars for sale there are owned by folks in the south. So, for whatever reason, the Birds around here don't show up on ebay often.

One possibility for this (cars becoming available) is that other cars seem to become attractive. Cars I like are the XLR, Corvette, Mustang, Camaro, and Challenger. I think that generally, the Birds get traded for cars like these--or they are being sold, since the trade-in will not be what they want.

The new retro cars have "6s" in them that put out over 300 hp. The V-8s go over 400. What's not to like?

Really like the sequential taillights on the new Mustangs.

The only thing I consider is that even though there are retro cars available by the big 3, the Bird stands alone. All 3, the Mustang, the Challenger, and the Camaro seem rather similar in their offerings. They are comparable in features, price, etc. Just drive down the road and compare. But what do you really compare a Thunderbird too? They are in a class by themselves I think.

For now, I am keeping mine!

[jerrym3]

Re: What's up with all these Birds for sale?

It's also possible that while TBird lovers may hang on to these cars, the typical owner may be getting tired of repair issues and ready to bail out.

My retro is a low mileage car, and hasn't been hit too bad yet on repair issues.

But, my LS, at 38,000 miles, is having too many issues that are not typically mileage related issues. (Mass Airflow Sensor just replaced.)

Even my Lincoln Service rep says LS's are troubleprone. Those are his words, but I have to agree.

An ESP doesn't protect you against quality issues. It insures you against large dollar expenditures.

I'm retired and have four cars for two drivers. Having my car sit at a repair shop doesn't really bother me.

But if I were still working, I could see where that could get old real quick.