Is an '02 really worth more ?

[Rondor]

In looking at Cars.com most of the TBirds were '02's and all were quite expensive' I can understand why they were bought new, and I would have if not for dealer mark up. Today I wouldn't trade my PCR for an 02 with half the mileage. Most cars built over multiple years are much improved in the later years.

Not all buyers are museum curators. Will the 02's always be worth more ?

[seagull]

Re: Is an '02 really worth more ?

Asking and selling price are to different things, overall I believe the 02's bring less except for extreme collector quality low mileage ones. Usually first and last year models bring the most but the 02's high production figures compared to other years negates that. It also seems there is a preference over all for the 03-05. A lot of novices just assume when listing that the 02's will bring premium prices because of first year. Kind of like the ads that list an extremely rare 02 Thunderbird blue, rare color.

[JerriLampon]

Re: Is an '02 really worth more ?

Everything is "worth" what someone is willing to pay.
Economics 0.01

[11TH GEN]

Re: Is an '02 really worth more ?

Everything is "worth" what someone is willing to pay.
Economics 0.01

Pretty basic. Whatever you can convert a commodity to cash for at the present time is the value. Low mileage cars will almost always be more valuable than high mileage cars. Also, for those that buy, flip and turn items you know that your money is made on the buy not the sale.

[carntz]

Re: Is an '02 really worth more ?

Everything is "worth" what someone is willing to pay.
Economics 0.01

And my 02 is worth more because it has the electric unlocking gas cap which makes it 1 of 1

[AyPapiii]

Re: Is an '02 really worth more ?

In looking at Cars.com most of the TBirds were '02's and all were quite expensive' I can understand why they were bought new, and I would have if not for dealer mark up. Today I wouldn't trade my PCR for an 02 with half the mileage. Most cars built over multiple years are much improved in the later years.

Not all buyers are museum curators. Will the 02's always be worth more ?

I certainly would not trade a PCR for any other Thunderbird (except a Cashmere). You are a fortunate person to own one.

That said it is the first and last years of special interest cars that typically are the most highly valued by collectors. I exclude myself from this grouping in that I have no interest in any 2002 agreeing with you that they were improved in the later years.

[4LOWBIRDS+7]

Re: Is an '02 really worth more ?

I like them all, each year has some unique features and colors that make them special.

[Sandman]

Re: Is an '02 really worth more ?

I always thought that my daughter's.02 had more low end tourqe than my 05.

[Howlandd]

Re: Is an '02 really worth more ?

Sorry folks, but, none of these 02 - 05 will be worth enough to retire on during our life times. SOooo the value is whatever you can sell yours for when the time comes to sell it. For me, I'll be enjoying mine with little thought to how much it is worth to the next owner. Just sayn.

[BirdsAndBugs]

Re: Is an '02 really worth more ?

If parts issues persist, the Thunderbird will go the way of the Do-Do bird; or at least the way of the Cadillac Allante.

More and more, that will be a factor with these newer vehicles in my humble opinion.

Part of the reason that VW Beetles, Ford Mustangs, Ford Thunderbirds, Chevrolet Bel Airs, and Chevrolet Corvettes continue to be popular classic cars is due to readily available aftermarket parts.

[Skip]

Re: Is an '02 really worth more ?

I like them all, each year has some unique features and colors that make them special.

Absolutely!

[007Cruiser]

Re: Is an '02 really worth more ?

I like them all, each year has some unique features and colors that make them special.

You seem to have a soft spot for 04s.

[Guest]

Re: Is an '02 really worth more ?

If parts issues persist, the Thunderbird will go the way of the Do-Do bird; or at least the way of the Cadillac Allante.
More and more, that will be a factor with these newer vehicles in my humble opinion.
Part of the reason that VW Beetles, Ford Mustangs, Ford Thunderbirds, Chevrolet Bel Airs, and Chevrolet Corvettes continue to be popular classic cars is due to readily available aftermarket parts.

The parts issue is a double-edged sword. That is, the fact that relatively few owners will deal with parts scarcity, repairs and maintenance, will make the cars owned by those who do more valuable in the future.

When the first of the Ford Mustangs came out I don't think anyone was thinking, "Gee, that's going to be a collectible car someday." Even 10-15 years after its introduction, there were probably very few thinking that way.

Back in the 1970's, I bought and sold '57 Chevy Bel-Airs. I'd buy one for say $ 500, hoping I could sell it for $ 700 ... a measly $ 200 profit (though $ 200 back in 1972 was a fair amount of money). At the time, I never imagined that a $ 500 Chevy Bel-Air would ever be worth $ 40,000, $ 50,000 or more.

The history and legacy of the Thunderbird provides significant clues about the future value of Retros. 1955-57 T-Birds are already classics, selling for 20 times or more what they cost new. 1961-63 Thunderbirds, especially the Sports Roadsters, have also enjoyed huge increases in value, as have 1964-66 Thunderbirds.

Making a case for significant increases in values of the 2002-2005s is hardly a stretch. Past history is a good indicator. Keep in mind also that the 2002-2005 is the FIRST convertible, two-seat Thunderbird produced since 1957, and that average annual production of the Retros and the 1955-57s were roughly comparable ... a little over 17,000 on average for each model year (yes, the 2002 model represented nearly half total production for all four years).

To think that the Retro will somehow 'buck' a trend that's over 60 years old is pretty hard to imagine.

This is all just a matter of when, not if. And I realize that given the typical age or median age of most members here, the notion of the value of a Retro say 20 years from now is purely academic. But there will be car collectors then, there will be classic car auctions then, and there will be new generations of auto enthusiasts who will want these cars and will pay handsomely for excellent condition examples.

Just because your grandson or granddaughter who's say 5-10 years old now has no interest doesn't mean they may not feel completely differently when they're 20 or 30 or 40 or 50.

[RustyFrye]

Re: Is an '02 really worth more ?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uS2nWLz-AbE

[Quickdraw]

Re: Is an '02 really worth more ?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uS2nWLz-AbE

The four tops - one from each year?