"Desu-San-Desu" (Desu-San-Desu)
01/21/2016 at 02:53 • Filed to: None
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"Desu-San-Desu" (Desu-San-Desu)
01/21/2016 at 02:53 • Filed to: None | 1
| 11 |
What opinions does Oppo hold about the 1997 Ford Thunderbird LX?
A buddy of mine recently bought a new car and no longer has a need for his 1997 Ford Thunderbird LX with the 4.6L SOHC V8 and 5-speed automatic, which is near enough to 140,000 miles to make no difference.
According to him, it runs and drives just fine and has been dead-on reliable for him for the years he’s owned it. Admittedly, his could use a good clean-up, a good tune-up, maybe some brakes, and the passenger-side window is a little finnicky when rolling down (I’m assuming a rack issue). Also the key is stuck in the ignition, but the key-fob works fine or locking and unlocking the doors. I imagine both the window and the key issue could be fixed in an afternoon.
When he bought the new car (A ‘14 Veloster), he tried to use the T-Bird as a trade-in but the dealership told him he’d be better off taking it to a scrap yard, due to the age and lack of demand. Myself and another buddy did the math and the numbers say that with current scrap value, my buddy would only get $113 for the car. Considering it’s a reliably running vehicle, that seems like a damned shame. My buddy agrees and would rather just sell it to someone who needs it.
My friend isn’t too picky about what it sells for, mentioning he’d “like to get maybe $500 for it”. Considering the condition the Windstar and the fact that my fiancee has a predilection for big RWD Ford landbarges with V8's and automatics (she’s owned 3 pre-panther Crown Vic’s in her life), I’m considering maybe making him an offer on it. That would give us a second running vehicle until I can get the van and/or Audi into either reliable running shape or at least get the van into sellable shape.
I know if I haggled with my friend, who knows my situation, I could probably get the car for $300-$400 with a month or two to pay it off. From everything I’m reading, it seems to have a solid reputation for reliability and comfort, with decent performance for what it is. Not to mention if we decided to keep it more long-term, it shares a massive number of parts with the Mustang, which opens up lots of aftermarket options for us.
Downsides? Well, it’s heavy, it’s not gonna get great fuel economy, it has mid-90's Ford electric,s and it’s a 2-door. The rear seats are big enough for the kiddos (at least for a couple more years) and the trunk is massive, but 4 doors would obviously make sense. Then again, this would be a gap car just to get us by until we can get an Outback 3.0R in the future. My fiancee doesn’t go much driving, but I know having just the option of being able to leave the house without having to bum a ride would help me mental state out greatly and give us a little breathing room.
What do you guys think? Are these good cars? Is it worth a few hundred bucks if it’s in good running condition? Or is it more than likely just another money pit waiting to happen? Also, do I have a few hundred bucks available? No. But I know my friend and I know he and I could work out a payment plan between us. If I did decide to buy it off of him, I would have to see what it would do to my insurance, obviously, along with paying to have it registered, tagged, and taxed. It’s something that’s within my capabilities- but I don’t know if it’s a bad idea or not.
AddMustard
> Desu-San-Desu
01/21/2016 at 03:21 |
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I had a 94 that looked exactly like that... It had a cloth interior that was reeeeeally nice for what it was. It also had the best interior layout of any car I’ve ever owned. The driver seat is set up like a cockpit, everything is facing you and feels like it’s in it’s natural place. It was low maintenance, it was quick (also had the 4.6) - it lacked in handling but it made up for it in on-demand power. Well, too much power, I wrecked it pretty bad... I do remember the brakes were stupid, it had discs up front and drums in rear, or the other way around. Never made sense to me. For $500 I think it’s a real good car though. Not my first choice anymore (it was my 3rd car) but if you only have $500 and need a car, it might be one of your better options. If you just want a second car, I don’t know, don’t buy it just to buy it, but if you do buy it I think you’ll have fun with it.
Jarrett - [BRZ Boi]
> Desu-San-Desu
01/21/2016 at 04:00 |
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Any car that has a sound drive train at $500 is nice price. If it becomes a pit, scrap it for the $113, and you’re not out that much money.
I doubt I could find a running condition car in Canada for even double that price.
pip bip - choose Corrour
> Desu-San-Desu
01/21/2016 at 04:10 |
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don’t know enough bout ‘em.
Bycjoe
> Desu-San-Desu
01/21/2016 at 05:49 |
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I used to own a 93' LX, white exterior over plush burgundy interior, best car I ever totalled.
Alfalfa
> Desu-San-Desu
01/21/2016 at 06:19 |
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I had a 96, they’re great cars. I agree with just about everything you read. Comfortable, reliable, and pretty decent handling considering land barge. The only thing to really look into is front suspension and steering components. The added weight of the 4.6 seems to make them wear a little more.
Conan
> Desu-San-Desu
01/21/2016 at 07:47 |
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An ex girlfriend of mine drove one. Wasn’t entirely reliable but it was comfortable and smooth. She eventually swapped the engine for a Mustang engine. She changed the brakes too. Had it up till 2012.
Master Cylinder
> Desu-San-Desu
01/21/2016 at 08:00 |
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I had a ‘94 LX for a few years. Great car, IMO. You do have to bear in mind that it’s a 90s American car, so yeah some of the electrics might be dodgy, but mechanically they’re solid cars.
They are actually pretty good-handling cars for their size, too. And that driver’s cockpit is one of my favorites out of all the cars I’ve owned.
I’d definitely grab a V8 MN12 T-bird for $500 as long as it runs at least somewhat and there aren’t any serious rust issues.
The transmissions are somewhat of a weak point (it’s a 4-speed btw, the 4R70W, if I recall correctly) but that was mainly on the earlier 4.6 models. Look up the “J-mod” if you want to firm up the shifting. It is a nice improvement if you want a sportier feel from the trans.
I kind of miss mine. It was a great cruiser, and now with a decade later and much more powerful engines available to swap in, it’s a good platform for building something like a homebrew GT car.
Swap in a 4V 4.6 or a Coyote and a T56 6-speed, strip out some weight, and upgrade the suspension (full independent with double control arms front and rear) and you’d have a fast, solid-handling, and discreet tourer.
If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
> Desu-San-Desu
01/21/2016 at 08:15 |
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It’s like the automotive version of that fat guy at the gym who can somehow bench 300lbs.
BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind
> Desu-San-Desu
01/21/2016 at 08:17 |
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It’s essentially a two-door Panther (not quite as the chassis is a bit different, but many many of the parts are the same).
Buy it. In any condition, it’s worth $400, and at only 140k the 4.6l has lots of life left.
Parts are cheap and easily available. The back seats are comfy. It’s transmission is the four speed 4r70w (I think) which makes it fairly okay and reliable. Remember, these are the same parts that went into the Police Interceptor and the F-150 through the late 00s.
Obviously insurance would just be medical, so it may run you $20-75/mth depending on your carrier.
97 was also Ford’s best year, IMO. If the photo is the car in question, it looks to be in great shape. Just don't drive it in the snow.
Arrivederci
> Desu-San-Desu
01/21/2016 at 08:53 |
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As long as it runs and drives and isn’t actively falling apart, I’d give it a NP vote at $500. Even better if you could get him to take a little less.
Couple things to note - I thought those T-birds had the 4R70W slushbox, which would’ve been a four-speed auto. Additionally, the 4.6L V8 had an issue with the plastic intake manifold, was known to crack. Clean it off and look for weeping coolant.
Source: I owned a 1997 Mustang GT.
Urambo Tauro
> Desu-San-Desu
01/22/2016 at 00:25 |
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I recently sold my 1996 4.6 Thunderbird, and already miss it. Whether or not a two-door car is appropriate for your situation is something you’ll have to decide for yourself, but I have a great deal of fondness for these MN12s, and it’s hard for me to keep from recommending it.
Based on your description it sounds like a good buy with a list of easily manageable issues. As has already been pointed out, a high mileage 4R70W transmission should be approached with care. Mine failed at 178,000 miles, but there’s a chance that you could delay such an inconvenience by performing a Mercon V fluid change, accompanied by the famous J-mod.
If you do decide to move forward with the purchase, join the TCCoA forum right away. There you will find detailed tech articles, a healthy knowledge base, and some great members. Without them, I never would have taken on my first auto trans rebuild, an experience I’m glad to have had.
Despite its heft, it makes for a very enjoyable driver’s car. Not just dynamically, but the seating position is also the most comfortable I’ve ever had. For $500, I’d seriously consider it.